Obama, Romney: Exclusive Op-Eds on CNN.com
This morning, CNN Digital published dueling opinion pieces from President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney on their visions for America. Governor Romney says he offers “real change and a real choice” that would speed economic recovery and President Obama says that on his watch the nation has climbed out of recession and war. Below the jump are excerpts from each of their exclusive pieces.
Governor Romney on Washington:
“Nothing is ever easy in Washington, but these goals are rooted in bipartisan agreement, and I will work with members of both parties to accomplish them. As Governor of a state that was overwhelmingly Democratic, I was always ready to reach across the aisle and I can proudly point to the results. I’ve learned that when we come together to solve problems in a practical spirit, we can accomplish miracles.
In this respect, I am offering a contrast to what we are seeing in Washington today. We’ve watched as one party has pushed through its agenda without compromising with the other party. We’ve watched gridlock and petty conflict dominate while the most important issues confronting the nation, like chronic high unemployment, go unaddressed. The bickering has to end. I will end it. I will reach across the aisle to solve America’s problems.”
President Obama on Washington:
“I’ve worked with Republicans to cut a trillion dollars of spending, and I’ll do more. I’ll work with anyone of any party to move this country forward. But I won’t agree to eliminate health insurance for millions of poor, elderly, or disabled on Medicaid, or turn Medicare into a voucher just to pay for another millionaire’s tax cut.
The folks at the very top don’t need another champion in Washington. The people who need a champion in Washington are the Americans whose letters I read at night; the men and women I meet on the trail every day. The cooks and cleaning staff working overtime at a Las Vegas hotel. The furniture worker retraining for a career in biotechnology at age 55. The teacher who’s forced to spend less time with each student in her crowded classroom. Her kids, who dream of becoming something great. Every small business owner trying to expand and do right by his or her employees – all of these Americans need a champion in Washington.”
Governor Romney on Defense Spending:
“The economic weakness of the past several years has, alarmingly, fostered weakness in our foreign policy posture. Runaway domestic spending has led the President to propose reducing defense spending by hundreds of billions, cuts that his own Secretary of Defense has said would ‘devastate’ our national security.”
President Obama on Defense Spending:
“So long as I’m Commander-in-Chief, we’ll pursue our enemies with the strongest military in the world. But it’s time to use the savings from ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to pay down our debt and rebuild America – our roads and bridges and schools.”
Governor Romney Closing Statement:
“Let us remember our history. We have accomplished so much, both in the world and at home. We’ve defeated tyrannies. We’ve lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty. We’ve transformed our own society into a more perfect union. We’ve created a land of freedom and prosperity. The problems we need to overcome now are not bigger than we are. We can defeat them. I am offering real change and a real choice.”
President Obama Closing Statement:
“It’s time to finish what we’ve started – to educate our kids, train our workers, create new jobs, new energy, and new opportunity – to make sure that no matter who you are, where you come from, or how you started out, this is the country where you can make it if you try. The America we believe in is within our reach. The future we hope for is within our sights. That’s why I’m asking for your vote this Tuesday.”
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