Romney Softens Message But Keeps Focus On Entitlements

“He’s had some bad news lately and it was good to get fired back up and see him fired back up,” said Buckhead resident David Burge. “I’m ready to go back out and do what I’ve got to do to get him some more votes.” 

Romney is facing scrutiny over secretly videotaped comments in which he singled out nearly half the country for being too dependent on government. In the video, Romney said 47 percent of Americans “believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it…My job is not to worry about those people. I’ll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives.”

While Romney reportedly didn’t address the issue directly, attendees said Romney kept the focus on the larger point.

“To continue empowering people to be reliant on government is not going to be what’s ultimately good for this country and I think that resonated,” said Cheri Combee of Suwannee.

“I think he certainly said it in a softer way today but he did not apologize for his remarks and I don’t think he should.”

Combee said a good portion of the speech focused on what it will take improve the economy and provide jobs for the unemployed.  

“He made his case that he has the capacity to genuinely help these people in need versus Obama who provides a type of phony compassion that his programs are in fact going to hurt the people that are poor.”

State Senator Josh McKoon, R-Columbus, attended as well. He said Romney’s economic message should resonate will all Americans.

“The problem is this administration thinks that food stamps and welfare are stimulus and Governor Romney thinks that a pro-growth jobs policy that creates jobs in the private sector is real stimulus.”

McKoon is optimistic about Romney’s chances, particularly after voters get a chance to see the two candidates debate head-to-head.