Despite Differences, Dold Backs Romney

echoed many of the themes Sunday night during a Town Hall meeting in Vernon Hills that for more than a year.

Romney also offered some positions to the crowd of just under 500 persons inside the stifling gymnasium with 200 more outside the North Shore Congressman does not accept. Dold endorsed the former Massachusetts governor in November.

“I will start drilling in ANWR. I will make it easier to drill in the Gulf (of Mexico),” Romney said in answer to a question about energy policy. “I will make it easier to get our coal.”

Dold opposes drilling in ANWR, on the North Slope of Alaska, but finds a lot of common ground with Romney when it comes to job creation and economic recovery.

“I opposed drilling in ANWR and I still am opposed,” Dold said after the event. He spoke before Romney. “He (Romney) is for defunding Planned Parenthood and I’m in favor of Planned Parenthood. I said so on the House floor.”

After stating his disagreements, Dold heaped praise on a potential Romney Presidency restating many of his own themes.

“He is the right person to be President now,” Dold said. “He is focused on jobs and the economy. He wants to create an atmosphere where business will grow and create jobs,” Dold added saying what he often does at his own Town Hall events.

Romney used his ideas about job creation and deficit reduction to distinguish himself from President Barack Obama ignoring his Republican rivals—former former House Speaker and Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX).

Business Creates Jobs

Government does not create jobs,” Romney said. “Business creates jobs. He (the President) wants to raise the basic tax rate from 35 to 40 percent. I want to lower it. Fifty-four percent of small businesses are taxed at that rate. They won’t hire people (under those circumstances).”

When it comes to the nation’s deficit, Romney was again critical of the President and ballooning government expenditures.

“My plan is to cut spending,” Romney said, explaining how he will use his business background to bring a common sense approach to Washington. “If you are in business you are forced to be a fiscal conservative. If you spend more than you take in you go broke.”

Moraine Township Republican Chairman Lou Atsaves of Lake Forest, who was with the crowd outside, was pleased with Romney’s message and sees a path to the White House for him.

“I was glad to see he stuck to the economic message,” Atsaves said. “He also talked about Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. He can go all the way (to the White House).”

Romney Gives Plan for Social Security

Romney talked about his plan to save Social Security in answer to a question from a person in the crowd who has concerns about the future for his 17-year-old daughter.

“This President has done nothing,” Romney said. “If that continues it won’t be there for her. Nothing will change for those over 55. For your daughter, she may have to wait a year or two longer to retire.” He will also use means testing paying less to those with higher incomes of their own.

Romney also told the gathering that a strong military will maintain peace in the world keeping enemies at bay and he will not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.

“I would have started crippling sanctions three and a half years ago,” Romney said. “Iran is very different (from Iraq and Afghanistan). They are a state sponsor of terrorism.” Romney has made it clear in the past he will use military force if necessary.

Another person asked the former venture capitalist what he would do when large corporations are struggling. Romney thinks they should go through bankruptcy rather than get funding from the government.

“You do not bail out corporations,” Romney said. “You use bankruptcy so they can reduce their expenses and come back stronger.” He did not rule out the possibility of loan guarantees.