2012 ELECTIONS
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ST. PETERSBURG _ Riding high on a post-debate buzz, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney bashed Democratic policies and told Tampa Bay residents Friday that he would do whatever it takes to keep the country strong for future generations.
"This is a great nation. This is a great people, and we face extraordinary challenges in this great country," Romney said during a rally at Pier Park in downtown St. Petersburg. "I am going to do everything in my power to keep America strong."
Romney was in St. Petersburg for the first stop in a three-day swing through Florida. The former Massachusetts governor spent much of his nearly 20-minute speech Friday talking about his economic policies, and how they differ from President Barack Obama's.
"We do not want, and we cannot afford, four more years like the last four years," he said. "The American people are having a hard time right now. Participation of adults in the workforce is the same as when he got elected. People are having a hard time finding a job. I will create … jobs and rising incomes."
Romney said he would do that by championing small businesses, opening up trade and fixing the nation's schools. Romney also said he plans to take advantage of the country's energy resources, like coal and gas, which ultimately would lower gas prices and create more jobs.
But Romney's decision to hit the current administration on the economy came just as a new jobs report was released Friday. The nation's jobless rate dropped last month to the lowest levels since 2009, below 8 percent, and a spokeswoman for the Obama campaign said Romney's decision to gloss over the news Friday was a "very telling omission."
"Americans want to move forward, not back," said Liz Smith, a spokeswoman for the Obama campaign.
Romney said the president had an opportunity to explain his jobs program to Americans earlier this week. But that explanation fell flat, Romney said.
"Did you hear what he had to say? I didn't either," he said. "I kept looking for a specific — what was he going to do to create jobs, but I just heard more of the same."
Friday's stop came just two days after Romney and Obama met head-to-head in the first debate of the general election cycle.
Romney was declared the victor by most pundits' accounts, and Tampa Bay residents said his performance at the debate – paired with his speech Friday evening – prove he is the best man for the job.
"I thought it was great," supporter Neal Kinzie said. "He's getting his point across."
Kinzie said Romney's performance Friday evening went as well, if not better, than his debate performance Wednesday. The 43-year-old Tampa Bay resident said he's a staunch supporter of Romney, particularly because of his support of small businesses.
Kinzie owned a small business in the Tampa Bay area for more than a decade, but said he was forced to close it about four years ago.
Kinzie said he needed to lay off five employees, and he's still out of work. He's hopeful that will change if Romney takes office.
"I think his character is really strong," Kinzie said.
Chuck Aitman, a Tampa Bay business owner, agreed. The 61-year-old Romney supporter said he was pleased with Romney and thought he excelled during his St. Petersburg event.
"It was good," he said. "It was kind of like the debate."
That was likely the goal. The campaign trotted out speaker after speaker to laud Romney for his performance this week, even saying they knew he was doing well when "liberal commentators" started slamming the president.
"All over, there was so much pride, so much optimism," said state Rep. Dana Young, R-Tampa. "We are about to get off this dead-end street."
Young said polls are one thing, but the enthusiasm and excitement for the candidate is what is more important.
Floridians could be the difference between a Romney administration or four more years of Obama, Young said.
"If you still believe, like I do, that there is a chance for a brighter America; if you believe that the America people want real work; and if you believe we need to maintain the strength of the military, there's just one answer," she said. "If you believe in America, the answer is Romney."
Romney will spend the rest of the weekend in Florida, a telling sign for how important the state is to the election.
Some experts have said he needs Florida – and its 29 electoral votes – in order to win the election.
"I'm counting on Florida," Romney said.


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Comments » 30
KlausStoertebeker writes:
"This is a great nation. This is a great people, and we face extraordinary challenges in this great country," Romney said during a rally at Pier Park in downtown St. Petersburg. "I am going to do everything in my power to keep America strong." America do not need you. America is strong. Strong with
GREAT PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA.
If you are a smart American than you can not belief this BS of Mitt Romney.. This man has no agenda, no visions and no concept for this great nation. America can not afford him one day in office.
Modern America needs
GREAT PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA.
the hard working President change W. Bushes terrible numbers.
Mitt Romney is never the representative of modern America. Mitt Romney and others seem to believe that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a de facto 14th Article of Faith: He believes in the unquestioned virtue of unregulated capitalism. But that is not true. Democratic socialism is the very essence of Mormon theology and scripture. It is the common quest for Zion.
One more time. The fundamental goal of the Book of Mormon is: Democratic Socialism! Some American Mormons reaction of this goal is sometimes obscure and hysterical. Maybe that is one of the oppositions of Mitt Romney. A very good health care system for the people in Massachusetts as he was Governor. But nothing for Americans in total. That fits not together.
My question since weeks is:
Who is Mitt Romney and what want he.
The first debate was very opportunistic and crawling. But what he really want????????? For what he stays??????
No answers. But we will see.
In the meantime:
GREAT PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA is doing good. 7.8%!!!! Tiebreaker!!!!!!
KlausStoertebeker writes:
Mitt Romney says he understands the middle class, and that he knows it's not easy keeping a roof over your family's heads -- as well as vacation roofs in San Diego, New Hampshire, and Park City, Utah.
I like
Great President Barack Obama!
Just one vacation house. Camp David for 4 years more.
dregstudios writes:
If lying is a sin then Mitt Romney’s Magic Mormon Underpants are on FIRE! How can any intelligent American vote for a man clouded in secrecy who habitually bends the truth? Income inequality is endangering the Middle Class and making paupers of us all who don’t have those millions upon millions of dollars. Read more about the role of Romney’s riches in this election and the power of his sacred undergarments at http://dregstudiosart.blogspot.com/20... The working class of our country can’t AFFORD to allow this election to be bought and sold!
KlausStoertebeker writes:
Unfortunately - you are so right. America can not afford Mitt Romney for one day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
EastCoastFloridaPerson writes:
The working class continues to lose jobs as small business -who employs more than 50% of Americans,continue to close under OBAMA's policies. The less jobs,the less taxes are paid to the government and it's a downward spiral.Obama has put more debt on to America than in all of Americas history. You people don't get it. It's economics. If Mitt Romney who understands the economics of business and creation of jobs,does not get in,the number of people on welfare and food stamps is going to double again. We have more people who have gotten on government programs under OBAMA than under any other president. Who is going to pay for all of this when America can't afford it now?. We will be a third world country,mark my word. You Obama lovers have probably never spent any time overseas,where socialist policies have turned Greece,Italy,Spain and other European countries into termoil. You can't spend a country into prosperity. You have to create jobs,so people are self sufficient,they feel uplifted,they have a purpose,they don't rely on government hand outs,and the treasury gets buildt up by taxes paid by working people. ROMNEY IS OUR ONLY CHANCE FOR AMERICA.
KlausStoertebeker writes:
"If Mitt Romney who understands the economics of business and creation of jobs,does not get in,the number of people on welfare and food stamps is going to double again."
All Mitt Romney knows is flip-flopping companies fire employees and make money with a better substance.
GREAT PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA knows more about the problems of the middle class and blue collar people and rednecks than anybody else.
He will win!
Today Mitt Romney visited a firehouse here in New York City. Of course, he was disappointed when he learned that the firehouse is not where you get to fire people!
panola60 writes:
Obama's time as president has been the longest period of high unemployment since the great depression. Unemployment is 19% when you include those that have given up looking for work since Obama took office.
6 million Americans added to Fed SS Disability Benefits under Obama
Far more Americans have signed on to SS Disability than have founds jobs under Obama
Median incomes have fallen 7.3% under Obama
The poverty rate climbed to 15.7% last year, highest since the 1960's
Health insurance premiums have increased $3,000 per year since the beginning of Obamacare implementation
The Misery Index (combo of unemployment and inflation) has risen from 7.83 to 9.71 under Obama
Obama has added nearly $6 trillion to the National Debt in less than 4 years, which is much more than Bush added in 8 years
Food stamp spending is up 100% under Obama
Gas prices have gone up 100% under Obama (600% in California)
Food prices have gone up 25% under Obama
The recession was a result of the Mortgage Meltdown which was caused by democrats like Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, ACORN and their attorney Barack Obama that forced financial institutions to pass out mortgages like candy to folks without the means to pay back the loans.
Now we have elected a president that not only helped cause the original mess, but has made that mess much, much worse.
Romney/Ryan 2012
KlausStoertebeker writes:
"The recession was a result of the Mortgage Meltdown......"
Wrong. The reason for the American recession has just on name:
George W. Bush Jr or just one initial: "W"!
The bad thing about questions like these is the fact that there is rarely one lone, scheming, conniving culprit that is guilty for the whole thing, but rather several integral factors that, when they all happen, it causes a recession.
The first and most obvious of these is the tax burden: Simple economics tells us that the less money that people have to spend, the worse an economy is going to be. History has taught us this time and time again. Why do you think communist/socialist systems categorically always collapse, fairly quickly. When people have less money to spend on vacations, cars, stereos, iPods, laptops, etc, then obviously that part of the marketplace is going to suffer. It goes the same with investing, if people simply don't have the money to invest into new business, etc, the same thing occurs. Almost all top notch economists agree that a HUGE, long term, tax break would greatly soften the blow.
Exactly the politics of GREAT PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA. And nobody will make me believing that America is a communist/socialist system.
GREAT PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA lower the tax for the middle class and the working people. That is fact.And it works. 7.8 % unemp0loyment rate is the right direction.
Oil prices: As the U.S. is dependent on mostly foreign oil, when the Arabs raise the prices, it will eventually catch up to everything else. Theres really nothing we can do about this as of this very second.
Exactly what GREAT PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA did. A good politic to Arabs nations. His treatment to the Arab king was strong - never weak. The best for America.
The "Housing Bubble": Yes, this is a classic example of a financial sh*)storm, but its really not as catacalysmic as the media portrays, and by that I mean that situation is at least still manageable.
And we see hope.ore than a silver strip on the horizon of Marco Island. Thank you
GREAT PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA!
When you add all of this together and add a multi-billion dollar war that is getting us nowhere, you've got your Grandmamma's recipe for a recession.
And one initial: "W"!
Its basically like a multiheaded monster. The minute that you cut off one of the heads, another grows in its place. The only real way to ultimately solve the problem is to sever the monsters legs, light it on fire and simply watch it burn to death. The monster being the government. If we could get the government OUT of the marketplace, and let it react natuarlly, then we'd be just fine. For some reason people do not realize that each time the government has tried to intervene, they have simply caused everything to get worse.
20_Days writes:
Odumber your days in office are numbered.
How may of your Islamic friends are you going to release from GITMO to terrorize the free world before Romney's innaugeration?
26yearsonmarco writes:
Klaus,
Who is the largest employer on Marco Island, and most likely Collier County???.
Who may be one of the largest employers in the USA???
Who may be one of the largest employers in the World???
Answer: The Marriott Corporation
The Owner and Founder: A wonderful person, Mr. William Marriott, a Mormon.
I'm sure you will think of something offensive to say, but please try to keep it to yourself.
MarcoBiker writes:
Blah blah blah
GRATING POMPOUS BROKE ODUMDUM
He is my hero, I want to kiss his feet.
GRATING POMPOUS BROKE ODUMDUM
I don't like Romney, therefore you can't either. I am just like my beloved Fuhrer ....
GRATING POMPOUS BROKE ODUMDUM
20_Days writes:
23,000,000 out of work......47,000,0000 on welfare. Great job Obama!......... NOT!
KlausStoertebeker writes:
What proofed that?
William Marriott will not run for the Presidency of America. Smart guy. But he has a wonderful health care system for his workers.
Better than Mitt Romney s model in Massachusetts.
Maybe GREAT PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA adapted his model.
So what is your message?
KlausStoertebeker writes:
Great. Go ahead. The dummies of America understand you. THEY WILL VOTE FOR
GREAT PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA.
You are a fantastic supporter. Don't stop!
We need you.
20_Days writes:
Maybe Obama will do this and maybe Obama will do that, here Obama, there Obama, maybe we will lower the unemployment rate to 5.6% in 4 years, maybe .3% lowering using adjusted numbers is good enough for some, but not the 23,000,000 people who are still out of work and most likely not enough for the 47,000,000 on welfare, but then again the 47,000,000 have nothing to worry about.
Obama please leave the silverware where it is when you leave the White House. Thank You!
MarcoBiker writes:
Klaus, you make absolutely no sense. But, you are consistent.
26yearsonmarco writes:
Klaus,
If you were the head of a large corporation and realized you have two choices regarding Obamacare, which would you choose???
1. Continue covering your employees at great expense??, or:
2. Pay a $2000 fine and drop everyone’s insurance??
Do not be surprised if this happens, because large corporation will figure out this will cover all of Obama's tax increases, and maintain their bottom line.
KlausStoertebeker writes:
YOU SURRENDER UNCONDITIONAL AFTER 3 BLOGS WITH YOUR NONSENSE?
VERY BAD!
Go ahead. The dummies of America understand you. THEY WILL VOTE FOR
GREAT PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA.
You are a fantastic supporter. Don't stop!
We need you.
20_Days writes:
Odumbo we hail to you, our savior, leader, healer of all mankind........NOT!
26yearsonmarco writes:
Klaus,
I'm waiting for your answer, please wake up.
Klaus,
If you were the head of a large corporation and realized you have two choices regarding Obamacare, which would you choose???
1. Continue covering your employees at great expense??, or:
2. Pay a $2000 fine and drop everyone’s insurance??
Do not be surprised if this happens, because large corporation will figure out this will cover all of Obama's tax increases, and maintain their bottom line.
...
MarcoBiker writes:
Don't bother Klaus while he is marching and chanting ...
GRATING POMPOUS BROKE ODUMDUM
He probably has a life size inflatable Odumdum doll that he worships ...
GRATING POMPOUS BROKE ODUMDUM
I thought Odumdum had integrity, well not really, but we should heed his call from 2008 and send him home as a one termer. He has harmed America, not helped. Klaus can live in la la land, and chant his mantra 24/7, but reality remains reality.
GRATING POMPOUS BROKE ODUMDUM
Blah blah blah
GRATING POMPOUS BROKE ODUMDUM
Blah blah
GRATING POMPOUS BROKE ODUMDUM
Blah
GRATING POMPOUS BROKE ODUMDUM
KlausStoertebeker writes:
I love this guy. I mean not everybody has the courage to show anybody how moronic a human bean can be.
Maybe we motivate him to establish the New Party of SW Floridians dummies.
Rolo-Kot as President, he as VP and zookeeper as treasurer. What a Mitt Romney supporting team!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Poor Mitt.
However
GREAT PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA is up by 7.8% to Mitt Romney nationwide. And all swing states support him.
Over the weekend, Mitt Romney was actually spotted body-boarding in California. Romney would've gone surfing, but you know, he hates standing for something.
MarcoBiker writes:
Klauschen, here's a sample of your hero's integrity:
http://freebeacon.com/obamaphones-pro...
Odumdum is a crook and an incompetent boob, but such a likeable guy ..... gee, that's a good reason to vote for him.
GRATING POMPOUS BROKE ODUMDUM
Klaus is off and marching ...
GRATING POMPOUS BROKE ODUMDUM
Klaus is off and chanting ...
GRATING POMPOUS BROKE ODUMDUM
Klaus is doing Lord knows what under the covers, moaning ...
GRATING POMPOUS BROKE ODUMDUM
KlausStoertebeker writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
1Paradiselost writes:
26..
Your wrong! The largest employer in America and Collier County is Wal-Mart!
The Marriott International corporation is #37.
Both companies pay employees no more than minimum wage! Slave labor at it's best, way to go America. The middle class can't live on minimum wage jobs.
So "Mr. William Marriott, is a Mormon"? so whats your point? Are you trying to say Mormons are good business people?
Jeffery Dahmer was a Mormon. Are you trying to tell us that all Mormons are cannibals?
If religion is your basis in which you measure business people, I would support the Jewish religion over a Mormon any day of the week.
But as with the current President being black, You would fight tooth and nail Not to elect anyone who was a Jew!
BTW... as all my Blogs a link to the truth and facts... not just spin!
http://nyjobsource.com/largestemploye...
26yearsonmarco writes:
First of all, I did not say who IS the biggest employer, I said who MAY be the biggest employer, and your slave labor comment is way out of line.
Perhaps you would help Klaus out with my question on Obamecare, since he has not answered me:
Klaus,
If you were the head of a large corporation and realized you have two choices regarding Obamacare, which would you choose???
1. Continue covering your employees at great expense??, or:
2. Pay a $2000 fine and drop everyone’s insurance??
Do not be surprised if this happens, because large corporation will figure out this will cover all of Obama's tax increases, and maintain their bottom line.
...
MarcoBiker writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
20_Days writes:
Another Obama bad call. Just look whose picture is in the photo.
http://dailycaller.com/2012/10/05/stu...
26yearsonmarco writes:
Klaus & 1P,
Still waiting for an answer:
Klaus,
If you were the head of a large corporation and realized you have two choices regarding Obamacare, which would you choose???
1. Continue covering your employees at great expense??, or:
2. Pay a $2000 fine and drop everyone’s insurance??
Do not be surprised if this happens, because large corporation will figure out this will cover all of Obama's tax increases, and maintain their bottom line.
MarcoBiker writes:
What the site editors don't have a problem with Klaus' Big Dick Odumdum comment? At least my retort offered a little wit with the sarcasm. Get real.
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