The presumptive nominee for the GOP in this year’s US presidential election, former Mass. Governor, Mitt Romney, is a smart bloke, who is largely accomplished as a player in the private sector and in government. He had had records of success and of how he grew things and made them better when in charge.
He was from the beginning of the GOP race a major contender and withstood the wind while other fell by the wayside. He is more determined this time, more organized, seen as appropriate and better backed by his connects, relative to factors that made him drop out of the race in 2008.
Gov. Romney understands much about finance management, and believes it will help him contribute to recovering the US economy if elected. He understands how the economy dipped for the global recession, and pains in many hearts for unemployment, still above 8%.
Gov. Romney’s critical message in his campaign is the economy, which if stabilized, can help America fare better in other areas. His message and the way he conveys it appears he really can. He recently promised to get the unemployment rate below 4% if elected and also promised deficit reduction by spending cuts.
He also promised tax reforms and how the tax code from different economic class can contribute to growing the economy. Gov. Romney believes the economy should be revived speedily and that some of his programs and others from the GOP circle can effectively do that. He supports the budget proposal of Rep. Paul Ryan, which presented steps for the way the economy should go.
He constantly bashes President Obama for what he believes are failed economy policies and promises to do better. He might keep his promises as president, as some of his successes in the past when in charge shows, but as economic growth is slow but steady, and a President Romney next January will meet a recovering economy with consumer spending further up and unemployment around 7.5%, it may not be a totally rigorous move for him.
His fresh ideas and new experiments might further grow the economy, and his vision might see the light. Some economists however are criticizing some of his proposals and their ability to weaken rather than grow the economy. He also has been criticized for unrealistic proposals and disconnected policies especially for the middle class and elderly.
Forward in a right direction, however is what President Obama believes his works are to, amidst political and public opposition. He has some things he can boost of, comparing the time of his entry as President and this last lap of his four years term. He admits some of his projections that didn’t make the mark, and understands that a person who is not president (with the knowledge of all the situations surrounding the position) can bluster about anything from without.
He doesn’t see a magic policy in recovering the economy, and believes his programs are in the right direction. His FY 2013 budget touched on tax reforms and spending cuts for deficit reduction, and he wants Congress should pass it. President Obama knows that the economy is a priority but pays attention and has programs for other concerns.
On defense, health care, immigration and foreign policy, President Obama works to maintain a balance, with an understanding of development and changes that have come with time. President Obama and his team approach issues with calculations and adopts the best possible option. On defense, the president has been very careful and had to budge for Libya, because it was a ‘programmed’ war waiting to be won. There were no ground forces but continuous airstrikes to weaken government forces, and President Obama was lauded after the victory.
The president is cautious with engaging any nation, because of economic and stability implications, and because of the Afghan war & the just concluded Iraqi war. Iran and Syria for their nuke and suppression issues respectively, are seen as eligible for a US fight according to some from the GOP circle including Gov. Romney.
Diplomacy according to President Obama is seen as the appropriate option for now especially for a ‘listening’ Iran, and a UN-led diplomatic peace committee for Syria. A preemptive strike for Iran could encourage them further to pursue nuke development, it will send oil prices up, drag the world back to recession and have them court sympathizers that will make the world polarized even more.
Syria is backed by Russia and China against possibilities of removing President Assad or a military strike, by readiness to veto any resolutions in the UN Security Council that pushes this. The Syrian President appears to be cooperating with the UN with respect to attention for talks, and the UN is preferred to continue its lead, until it becomes clear that military action by the US is necessary.
Gov. Romney is not with the White House in dealing with these nations, and he believes that Iran will have nuclear weapons if Obama is reelected, but won’t if elected. He clearly wants to engage and sees the US military capabilities as means to rout troublemakers.
Gov. Romney appears to be a person that takes decisions fast – and the possibility of what can be termed ‘mistake war’ maybe likely in his White House. Engaging presumptuously in this time may be a misstep by any president. The option of war, for example, with Iran according to President Obama is not off the table, but should go under for now.
Sanctions have gone, and it is said to be biting and disadvantageous for Iranians and their government, rounds of six party talks are started and ongoing, Iran is predicted to flinch and the possibilities of a strike are unlikely. This clearly shows why a war can wait, even as senior administration officials know that Iran is yet to acquire nuke capabilities. We truly may have an economy-awakened Romney, but a probable quick-jump in defense may plunge his recovered economy into abyss.