Romney's speech last night wasn't the most electric, entertaining, or engaging political speech ever given. It may not have been the most quotable or memorable speech of all time - but it did demonstrate that Mitt Romney has a fundamental understanding of the things that make America great and the solutions that can restore America's greatness after four years of fundamental transformation and decades of progressivism.
There were three key lines in Mitt Romney's speech that Glenn wanted listeners to hear.
First, there was the section where he talked about his parents and how they were partners:
Mom and Dad were married 64 years. And if you wondered what their secret was, you could have asked the local florist – because every day Dad gave Mom a rose, which he put on her bedside table. That's how she found out what happened on the day my father died – she went looking for him because that morning, there was no rose.My mom and dad were true partners, a life lesson that shaped me by everyday example. When my mom ran for the Senate, my dad was there for her every step of the way. I can still hear her saying in her beautiful voice, “Why should women have any less say than men, about the great decisions facing our nation?”
Then there was a section where he talked about how he left Michigan to try and make a name for himself outside of his father's shadow. And while those were tough times trying to raise a family while working long hours everyday, Mitt Romney said he and his wife would give anything to have days like that with family again:
I grew up in Detroit in love with cars and wanted to be a car guy, like my dad. But by the time I was out of school, I realized that I had to go out on my own, that if I stayed around Michigan in the same business, I’d never really know if I was getting a break because of my dad. I wanted to go someplace new and prove myself.Those weren’t the easiest of days – too many long hours and weekends working, five young sons who seemed to have this need to re-enact a different world war every night. But if you ask Ann and I what we’d give, to break up just one more fight between the boys, or wake up in the morning and discover a pile of kids asleep in our room. Well, every mom and dad knows the answer to that.
And finally there was this comment, the first part of which sounded like a joke but in the speech he ended on a much more casual and earnest tone:
President Obama promised to begin to slow the rise of the oceans and heal the planet. MY promise...is to help you and your family.
Glenn explained that in the speech, Romney is showing a stark contrast between himself and President Obama. While Obama has promised to heal the Earth, among other impossibly huge promises, Romney just wants to help your family.
"People are going to promise you all kinds of things. We have been living in a world - and this is not just about Barack Obama I'm using him as an example. This is the way that the entire world is. Greek columns and smoke and lights and loud music and fireworks. They're going to promise you everything and they're going to tell you that all of these lights and fireworks happen. Wait until you see the fireworks and lights," Glenn explained.
"'I'm telling you it's not about the fireworks. I'm telling you that only in the end will you see that the marching bands and the fireworks were there. Even though you might say I didn't see. Where was it? It's when the kids came running in and jumped on the bed. It happens every single day in small but powerfully significant ways."
Glenn said that Romney was telling the American people that he understands a good partnership and the importance of family. And while Obama may promise to heal the world, Romney knows that what really matters are the small moments that happen between individuals everyday. Romney's promise is to just make life a little easier for families, and he wants to help because he knows how important those relationships are. The real solutions to restoring America are found at home, not in the big, empty promises of big government.
"They tell you they tell you that these problems are so big you'll never understand them. You need experts. No you don't. The problems are huge because we've refused to look at the real solution. The solution is small. It is simple. It's live within your means. It's pay your bills. It's be honest. Be good to each other. Do what you're supposed to do," Glenn said.
"It's the small things that make a difference. It's the good things that made us great."
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