GOVERNOR
MITT
ROMNEY
ADDRESSES
CPAC
Washington,
D.C.
Today,
addressing
the
Conservative
Political
Action
Conference
(CPAC),
Governor
Romney
announced
that
he
was
suspending
his
presidential
campaign
for
the
sake
of
Republican
unity
and
the
future
of
our
country.
In
2008,
Republicans
must
stand
united
if
we
are
to
prevent
Senators
Clinton
and
Obama
from
taking
the
White
House.
As a
nation
at
war
and
facing
uncertain
economic
times,
the
American
people
cannot
afford
the
Democrats
and
their
agenda
for
retreat
and
economic
slowdown.
With
today's
speech,
Governor
Romney
outlined
the
significance
of
this
election
and
the
need
for
the
Republican
Party
to
remain
strong.
Governor
Romney's
Address
To
CPAC
(As
Prepared
For
Delivery):
"I
want
to
begin
by
saying
thank
you.
It's
great
to
be
with
you
again.
And
I
look
forward
to
joining
with
you
many
more
times
in
the
future.
"Last
year,
CPAC
gave
me
the
sendoff
I
needed.
I
was
in
single
digits
in
the
polls,
and
I
was
facing
household
Republican
names.
As
of
today,
more
than
4
million
people
have
given
me
their
vote
for
President,
less
than
Senator
McCain's
4.7
million,
but
quite
a
statement
nonetheless.
Eleven
states
have
given
me
their
nod,
compared
to
his
13.
Of
course,
because
size
does
matter,
he's
doing
quite
a
bit
better
with
his
number
of
delegates.
"To
all
of
you,
thank
you
for
caring
enough
about
the
future
of
America
to
show
up,
stand
up
and
speak
up
for
conservative
principles.
"As
I
said
to
you
last
year,
conservative
principles
are
needed
now
more
than
ever.
We
face
a
new
generation
of
challenges,
challenges
which
threaten
our
prosperity,
our
security
and
our
future.
I am
convinced
that
unless
America
changes
course,
we
will
become
the
France
of
the
21st
century
still
a
great
nation,
but
no
longer
the
leader
of
the
world,
no
longer
the
superpower.
And
to
me,
that
is
unthinkable.
Simon
Peres,
in a
visit
to
Boston,
was
asked
what
he
thought
about
the
war
in
Iraq.
'First,'
he
said,
'I
must
put
something
in
context.
America
is
unique
in
the
history
of
the
world.
In
the
history
of
the
world,
whenever
there
has
been
conflict,
the
nation
that
wins
takes
land
from
the
nation
that
loses.
One
nation
in
history,
and
this
during
the
last
century,
laid
down
hundreds
of
thousands
of
lives
and
took
no
land.
No
land
from
Germany,
no
land
from
Japan,
no
land
from
Korea.
America
is
unique
in
the
sacrifice
it
has
made
for
liberty,
for
itself
and
for
freedom
loving
people
around
the
world.'
The
best
ally
peace
has
ever
known,
and
will
ever
know,
is a
strong
America.
"And
that
is
why
we
must
rise
to
the
occasion,
as
we
have
always
done
before,
to
confront
the
challenges
ahead.
Perhaps
the
most
fundamental
of
these
is
the
attack
on
the
American
culture.
"Over
the
years,
my
business
has
taken
me
to
many
countries.
I
have
been
struck
by
the
enormous
differences
in
the
wealth
and
well-being
of
people
of
different
nations.
I
have
read
a
number
of
scholarly
explanations
for
the
disparities.
I
found
the
most
convincing
was
that
written
by
David
Landes,
a
professor
emeritus
from
Harvard
University.
I
presume
he's
a
liberal
I
guess
that's
redundant.
His
work
traces
the
coming
and
going
of
great
civilizations
throughout
history.
After
hundreds
of
pages
of
analysis,
he
concludes
with
this:
"If
we
learn
anything
from
the
history
of
economic
development,
it
is
that
culture
makes
all
the
difference.
Culture
makes
all
the
difference.
"What
is
it
about
American
culture
that
has
led
us
to
become
the
most
powerful
nation
in
the
history
of
the
world?
We
believe
in
hard
work
and
education.
We
love
opportunity:
almost
all
of
us
are
immigrants
or
descendants
of
immigrants
who
came
here
for
opportunity
opportunity
is
in
our
DNA.
Americans
love
God,
and
those
who
don't
have
faith,
typically
believe
in
something
greater
than
themselves
a
'Purpose
Driven
Life.'
And
we
sacrifice
everything
we
have,
even
our
lives,
for
our
families,
our
freedoms
and
our
country.
The
values
and
beliefs
of
the
free
American
people
are
the
source
of
our
nation's
strength
and
they
always
will
be.
"The
threat
to
our
culture
comes
from
within.
The
1960's
welfare
programs
created
a
culture
of
poverty.
Some
think
we
won
that
battle
when
we
reformed
welfare,
but
the
liberals
haven't
given
up.
At
every
turn,
they
try
to
substitute
government
largesse
for
individual
responsibility.
They
fight
to
strip
work
requirements
from
welfare,
to
put
more
people
on
Medicaid,
and
to
remove
more
and
more
people
from
having
to
pay
any
income
tax
whatsoever.
Dependency
is
death
to
initiative,
risk-taking
and
opportunity.
Dependency
is a
culture-killing
drug.
We
have
got
to
fight
it
like
the
poison
it
is.
"The
attack
on
faith
and
religion
is
no
less
relentless.
And
tolerance
for
pornography
even
celebration
of
it
and
sexual
promiscuity,
combined
with
the
twisted
incentives
of
government
welfare
programs
have
led
to
today's
grim
realities:
68%
of
African
American
children
are
born
out-of-wedlock,
45%
of
Hispanic
children,
and
25%
of
White
children.
How
much
harder
it
is
for
these
children
to
succeed
in
school
and
in
life.
A
nation
built
on
the
principles
of
the
Founding
Fathers
cannot
long
stand
when
its
children
are
raised
without
fathers
in
the
home.
"The
development
of a
child
is
enhanced
by
having
a
mother
and
father.
Such
a
family
is
the
ideal
for
the
future
of
the
child
and
for
the
strength
of a
nation.
I
wonder
how
it
is
that
unelected
judges,
like
some
in
my
state
of
Massachusetts,
are
so
unaware
of
this
reality,
so
oblivious
to
the
millennia
of
recorded
history.
It
is
time
for
the
people
of
America
to
fortify
marriage
through
Constitutional
amendment,
so
that
liberal
judges
cannot
continue
to
attack
it.
"Europe
is
facing
a
demographic
disaster.
That
is
the
inevitable
product
of
weakened
faith
in
the
Creator,
failed
families,
disrespect
for
the
sanctity
of
human
life
and
eroded
morality.
Some
reason
that
culture
is
merely
an
accessory
to
America's
vitality;
we
know
that
it
is
the
source
of
our
strength.
And
we
are
not
dissuaded
by
the
snickers
and
knowing
glances
when
we
stand
up
for
family
values,
and
morality,
and
culture.
We
will
always
be
honored
to
stand
on
principle
and
to
stand
for
principle.
"The
attack
on
our
culture
is
not
our
sole
challenge.
We
face
economic
competition
unlike
anything
we
have
ever
known
before.
China
and
Asia
are
emerging
from
centuries
of
poverty.
Their
people
are
plentiful,
innovative
and
ambitious.
If
we
do
not
change
course,
Asia
or
China
will
pass
us
by
as
the
economic
superpower,
just
as
we
passed
England
and
France
during
the
last
century.
The
prosperity
and
security
of
our
children
and
grandchildren
depend
on
us.
"Our
prosperity
and
security
also
depend
on
finally
acting
to
become
energy
secure.
Oil
producing
states
like
Russia
and
Venezuela,
Saudi
Arabia
and
Iran
are
siphoning
over
$400
billion
per
year
from
our
economy
that's
almost
what
we
spend
annually
for
defense.
It
is
past
time
for
us
to
invest
in
energy
technology,
nuclear
power,
clean
coal,
liquid
coal,
renewable
sources
and
energy
efficiency.
America
must
never
be
held
hostage
by
the
likes
of
Putin,
Chavez,
and
Ahmadinejad.
"And
our
economy
is
also
burdened
by
the
inexorable
ramping
of
government
spending.
Don't
focus
on
the
pork
alone
even
though
it
is
indeed
irritating
and
shameful.
Look
at
the
entitlements.
They
make
up
60%
of
federal
spending
today.
By
the
end
of
the
next
President's
second
term,
they
will
total
70%.
Any
conservative
plan
for
the
future
has
to
include
entitlement
reform
that
solves
the
problem,
not
just
acknowledges
it.
"Most
politicians
don't
seem
to
understand
the
connection
between
our
ability
to
compete
and
our
national
wealth,
and
the
wealth
of
our
families.
They
act
as
if
money
just
happens
that
it's
just
there.
But
every
dollar
represents
a
good
or
service
produced
in
the
private
sector.
Depress
the
private
sector
and
you
depress
the
well-being
of
Americans.
"That's
exactly
what
happens
with
high
taxes,
over-regulation,
tort
windfalls,
mandates,
and
overfed,
over-spending
government.
Did
you
see
that
today,
government
workers
make
more
money
than
people
who
work
in
the
private
sector?
Can
you
imagine
what
happens
to
an
economy
where
the
best
opportunities
are
for
bureaucrats?
"It's
high
time
to
lower
taxes,
including
corporate
taxes,
to
take
a
weed-whacker
to
government
regulations,
to
reform
entitlements,
and
to
stand
up
to
the
increasingly
voracious
appetite
of
the
unions
in
our
government.
"And
finally,
let's
consider
the
greatest
challenge
facing
America
and
facing
the
entire
civilized
world:
the
threat
of
violent,
radical
Jihad.
In
one
wing
of
the
world
of
Islam,
there
is a
conviction
that
all
governments
should
be
destroyed
and
replaced
by a
religious
caliphate.
These
Jihadists
will
battle
any
form
of
democracy.
To
them,
democracy
is
blasphemous
for
it
says
that
citizens,
not
God
shape
the
law.
They
find
the
idea
of
human
equality
to
be
offensive.
They
hate
everything
we
believe
about
freedom
just
as
we
hate
everything
they
believe
about
radical
Jihad.
"To
battle
this
threat,
we
have
sent
the
most
courageous
and
brave
soldiers
in
the
world.
But
their
numbers
have
been
depleted
by
the
Clinton
years
when
troops
were
reduced
by
500,000,
when
80
ships
were
retired
from
the
Navy,
and
when
our
human
intelligence
was
slashed
by
25%.
We
were
told
that
we
were
getting
a
peace
dividend.
We
got
the
dividend,
but
we
didn't
get
the
peace.
In
the
face
of
evil
in
radical
Jihad
and
given
the
inevitable
military
ambitions
of
China,
we
must
act
to
rebuild
our
military
might
raise
military
spending
to
4%
of
our
GDP,
purchase
the
most
modern
armament,
re-shape
our
fighting
forces
for
the
asymmetric
demands
we
now
face,
and
give
the
veterans
the
care
they
deserve.
"Soon,
the
face
of
liberalism
in
America
will
have
a
new
name.
Whether
it
is
Barack
or
Hillary,
the
result
would
be
the
same
if
they
were
to
win
the
Presidency.
The
opponents
of
American
culture
would
push
the
throttle,
devising
new
justifications
for
judges
to
depart
from
the
Constitution.
Economic
neophytes
would
layer
heavier
and
heavier
burdens
on
employers
and
families,
slowing
our
economy
and
opening
the
way
for
foreign
competition
to
further
erode
our
lead.
"Even
though
we
face
an
uphill
fight,
I
know
that
many
in
this
room
are
fully
behind
my
campaign.
You
are
with
me
all
the
way
to
the
convention.
Fight
on,
just
like
Ronald
Reagan
did
in
1976.
But
there
is
an
important
difference
from
1976:
today,
we
are
a
nation
at
war.
"And
Barack
and
Hillary
have
made
their
intentions
clear
regarding
Iraq
and
the
war
on
terror.
They
would
retreat
and
declare
defeat.
And
the
consequence
of
that
would
be
devastating.
It
would
mean
attacks
on
America,
launched
from
safe
havens
that
make
Afghanistan
under
the
Taliban
look
like
child's
play.
About
this,
I
have
no
doubt.
"I
disagree
with
Senator
McCain
on a
number
of
issues,
as
you
know.
But
I
agree
with
him
on
doing
whatever
it
takes
to
be
successful
in
Iraq,
on
finding
and
executing
Osama
bin
Laden,
and
on
eliminating
Al
Qaeda
and
terror.
If I
fight
on
in
my
campaign,
all
the
way
to
the
convention,
I
would
forestall
the
launch
of a
national
campaign
and
make
it
more
likely
that
Senator
Clinton
or
Obama
would
win.
And
in
this
time
of
war,
I
simply
cannot
let
my
campaign,
be a
part
of
aiding
a
surrender
to
terror.
"This
is
not
an
easy
decision
for
me.
I
hate
to
lose.
My
family,
my
friends
and
our
supporters
many
of
you
right
here
in
this
room
have
given
a
great
deal
to
get
me
where
I
have
a
shot
at
becoming
President.
If
this
were
only
about
me,
I
would
go
on.
But
I
entered
this
race
because
I
love
America,
and
because
I
love
America,
I
feel
I
must
now
stand
aside,
for
our
party
and
for
our
country.
"I
will
continue
to
stand
for
conservative
principles.
I
will
fight
alongside
you
for
all
the
things
we
believe
in.
And
one
of
those
things
is
that
we
cannot
allow
the
next
President
of
the
United
States
to
retreat
in
the
face
evil
extremism.
"It
is
the
common
task
of
each
generation
and
the
burden
of
liberty
to
preserve
this
country,
expand
its
freedoms
and
renew
its
spirit
so
that
its
noble
past
is
prologue
to
its
glorious
future.
"To
this
task,
accepting
this
burden,
we
are
all
dedicated,
and
I
firmly
believe,
by
the
providence
of
the
Almighty,
that
we
will
succeed
beyond
our
fondest
hope.
America
must
remain,
as
it
has
always
been,
the
hope
of
the
Earth.
"Thank
you,
and
God
bless
America."
Thank
you
(e-mail
to
supporters)
If
you
have
not
heard
by
now,
I
have
decided
to
suspend
my
campaign
for
president.
This
was
not
an
easy
decision
for
me,
and
I
want
to
thank
you
from
the
bottom
of
my
heart
for
your
support
from
the
beginning
to
the
point
where
we
are
today.
Weve
come
such
a
long
way,
and
our
hard
work
together
will
leave
an
imprint
on
the
course
of
history.
As I
addressed
the
Conservative
Political
Action
Conference
(CPAC)
yesterday
in
Washington,
D.C.,
I
outlined
what
I
know
is
the
right
course
ahead
for
our
nation
a
course
based
on
conservative
principles
such
as
individual
responsibility,
strong
faith
and
values,
economic
strength
with
lower
taxes
and
a
national
defense
that
will
not
retreat
from
the
threat
of
evil
extremism.
I
disagree
with
Senator
McCain
on a
number
of
issues,
as
you
know.
But
I
agree
with
him
on
doing
whatever
it
takes
to
be
successful
in
Iraq,
on
finding
and
executing
Osama
bin
Laden,
and
on
eliminating
Al
Qaeda
and
terror.
If I
fight
on
in
my
campaign,
all
the
way
to
the
convention,
I
would
forestall
the
launch
of a
national
campaign
and
make
it
more
likely
that
Senator
Clinton
or
Obama
would
win.
And
in
this
time
of
war,
I
simply
cannot
let
my
campaign
be a
part
of
aiding
surrender
to
terror.
This
is
not
an
easy
decision
for
me.
I
hate
to
lose.
My
family,
my
friends
and,
you,
our
supporters,
have
given
a
great
deal
to
get
me
where
I
have
a
shot
at
becoming
President.
If
this
were
only
about
me,
I
would
go
on.
But
I
entered
this
race
because
I
love
America,
and
because
I
love
America,
I
feel
I
must
now
stand
aside,
for
our
party
and
for
our
country.
You
can
be
sure
I
will
continue
to
stand
for
conservative
principles.
I
will
fight
alongside
you
for
all
the
things
we
believe
in.
And
one
of
those
things
is
that
we
cannot
allow
the
next
President
of
the
United
States
to
retreat
in
the
face
evil
extremism.
It
is
the
common
task
of
each
generation
and
the
burden
of
liberty
to
preserve
this
country,
expand
its
freedoms
and
renew
its
spirit
so
that
its
noble
past
is
prologue
to
its
glorious
future.
Please
stand
proud
today
that
you
fought
for
a
cause
greater
than
yourself,
and
please
continue
to
fight
to
preserve
our
ideals.
Thank
you
again
so
very
much.
P.S.
To
read
more
about
my
vision
for
strengthening
Americas
future,
please
take
a
look
at
my
speech
from
CPAC.
Thank
you.
Courtesy:
Mitt
Romney
For
President
Committee |