Memo: For Ohio Voters, Mitt Romney’s America Isn’t So Distant
TO: Interested Parties
FR: Bill Burton, Priorities USA Action
RE: Sunday Memo: For Ohio Voters, Mitt Romney’s America Isn’t So Distant
Illustrating Mitt Romney’s America is much easier when Americans already know and dislike the reality of Scott Walker’s Wisconsin, Rick Scott’s Florida and John Kasich’s Ohio.
On Tuesday, voters in Ohio will weigh in on their Governor’s attempt to cut education while using budget deficits as an excuse to targetcollective bargaining rights for police, firefighters and teachers. Whatever the outcome of the vote, this and other state-based Republican initiatives will have a major impact on the 2012 elections.
In Ohio, Wisconsin, Florida and other Republican-controlled states, voters are being given a preview of what a Romney Administration would do for the entire country and they are overwhelmingly rejecting that ideology.
In Florida, Rick Scott pursued an agenda almost identical to the House Republican budget that Romney and others have endorsed. Tax cuts for big corporations and the wealthy paid for by deep cuts to health care for seniors and education for middle class families.
In Wisconsin, Scott Walker’s hostility towards collective bargaining has become a litmus test for Republican presidential candidates.Romney has hinted that Walker’s deeply unpopular law could be a model for the nation.
In Ohio, John Kasich’s efforts to cut education and undermine teachers are reflective of a new Republican consensus that education should not be a national priority. While then-Gov. Bush campaigned on investing in education in 2000, the Republican candidates for 2012 have sought to outdo each other on cuts to education and gratuitous attacks on teachers.
In November 2010, voters frustrated with the economic situation elected a number of Republican governors who promised to focus exclusively on job creation, only to find that the men they elected pursued an ideological agenda that hurts middle class families.
In November 2012, voters will not have to guess what Mitt Romney’s America would look like.
Background
After Changing His Position Multiple Times, Romney Came Out in Support of Kasich’s Anti-Union Laws. [NBC News, 10/26/11]
Romney Gave $5,000 To The Republican Party Of Wisconsin To Support Governor Walker’s Move To Strip Public Employees Of Collective Bargaining Rights. “Romney’s Free and Strong America PAC has cut a $5,000 contribution check, the maximum allowable, to the Republican Party of Wisconsin. ‘Liberal biggovernment interests are fighting efforts to rein in out-of-control public employee pay and benefits in Wisconsin. It is critical that we stand with the Wisconsin GOP as it stands up for the rights of the taxpayer.’” [Washington Post, 2/25/11]
Romney Supported Wisconsin Governor Scott Walkers Measure To End Collective Bargaining For Pubic Employees. “Support @GovWalker for doing what’s necessary to rein in out-of-control public sector pay and benefits #tcot” [Twitter, 2/18/11]
Romney Campaigned for Rick Scott in Florida. According to the Orlando Sentinel, Mitt Romney told a crowd of cheering seniors Friday that Rick Scott, the Republican candidate for governor, is the right person to get Florida'seconomy back on its feet…"He understands what it takes to grow jobs,"Romney told reporters after the rally, which lasted about 15 minutes. "And I think in the final analysis, Floridians will choose a governor who they think will get the economy strong again. And that's what he represents."” [Orlando Sentinel, 10/1/10]
Romney: “I Would Use The Bully Pulpit Of The Presidency To Encourage More States To Adopt Right-To-Work Laws. “I would use the bully pulpit of the presidency to encourage more states to adopt right-to-work laws. I will fight to ensure that workers can choose to join or not join a union.” [Greenville News, 9/24/11]
Romney Said Private Industry Workers Have A Better Work Ethic Than People Who Work In The Public Sphere. “Romney said he’s convinced those who work in private industry are under heavier demands and, therefore, have a better grasp of what a strong work ethic is. That spirit, he said, is what has created and will maintain a great America. ‘What you do is not just good for your pocketbook, it’s good for America,’ Romney said.” [Ashland Times Gazette, 5/1/10]
Under Kasich Proposal, “Education Faces Double-Digit Cuts.” According to the Dayton Daily News, “Education spending under Kasich will take a double-digit cut for both K-12 and higher education. Local schools will see an 11.5 percent reduction next fiscal year and 4.9 percent in 2013. In total, K-12 spending will fall from $11.5 billion in 2011 to $9.7 billion in 2013.” [Dayton Daily News, 3/16/11]
Republican Presidential Candidates on “Race to the Bottom” On Education. The Republican presidential candidates have abandoned a previous bi-partisan commitment to education. They’re now calling for abolishing the Department of Education, deep cuts to Pell Grants, and opposing ideas to improve accountability. [Priorities USA Action Op-Ed, 10/31/11]