Economy
Our economy is under attack. China is acting like [economist] Adam Smith on steroids, buying oil from the world’s worst, and selling nuclear technology. Russia and the oil states are siphoning more than $500 billion a year from us in what could become the greatest transfer of economic wealth in history. … The right course is the one championed by Ronald Reagan 30 years ago, and by John McCain today. It is to rein in government spending and to lower taxes, for taking a weed-whacker to excessive regulation and mandates, for putting a stop to tort windfalls, and to stand up to the Tyrannosaurus appetite of government unions!
— Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney
Will we continue to compete and lead in the global economy? Will we create more jobs here at home? Will we educate our children for the rigors of this new century and will we prepare our workers to remain the best and most productive in the world? Will we power our economy and still protect our environment? Will we defeat our enemies and strengthen our alliances with other democracies?
— Former HP-Compaq CEO Carly Fiorina
America faces enormous challenges abroad – but we also face great challenges here at home. It would be foolish to deny what we all know to be true. Our economy is struggling and Americans are hurting. We live in a time of economic anxiety and hardships.
— Former CEO and President of eBay Meg Whitman
Government
Sen. McCain also promises to use the power of veto in defense of the public interest – and as a chief executive, I can assure you it works. Our state budget is under control. We have a surplus. And I have protected the taxpayers by vetoing wasteful spending— nearly half a billion dollars in vetoes. I suspended the state fuel tax, and championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress. I told the Congress “thanks, but no thanks,†for that Bridge to Nowhere.
— Vice Presidential Candidate Gov. Sarah Palin
Last week, the Democrats talked about change. But let me ask you: What do you think Washington is right now— liberal or conservative? Is a Supreme Court liberal or conservative that awards Guantanamo terrorists with constitution rights? It’s liberal! Is a government liberal or conservative that puts the interests of the teachers union ahead of the needs of our children? – It’s liberal! Is a Congress liberal or conservative that stops nuclear power plants and off-shore drilling, making us more and more dependent on Middle East tyrants? – It’s liberal! … We need change all right – change from a liberal Washington to a conservative Washington! We have a prescription for every American who wants change in Washington: Throw out the big government liberals and elect John McCain!
— Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney
[Obama brought back] lots of ideas from Europe he’d like to see imported here. Centralized governments may care for you from cradle to grave, but they also control you. Most Americans don’t want MORE government – they want a lot less.
National Security
To confront the threat that Iran might seek to cut off nearly a fifth of world energy supplies … or that terrorists might strike again at the Abqaiq facility in Saudi Arabia … or that Venezuela might shut off its oil deliveries … we Americans need to produce more of our own oil and gas.
— Vice Presidential Candidate Gov. Sarah Palin
Well, if America lost, who won? Al Qaida? Bin Laden? In the single biggest policy decision of this election, John McCain got it right and Barack Obama got it wrong. If Barack Obama had been president, there would have been no troop surge and our troops would have been withdrawn in defeat.
— Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani
Maybe the most dangerous threat of an Obama presidency is that he would continue to give madmen the benefit of the doubt. If he’s wrong just once, we will pay a heavy price. John McCain will follow the fanatics to their caves in Pakistan or to the gates of hell. What Obama wants to do is give them a place setting at the table.
Energy
I fought to bring about the largest private-sector infrastructure project in North American history. And when that deal was struck, we began a nearly $40 billion natural gas pipeline to help lead America to energy independence. That pipeline, when the last section is laid and its valves are opened, will lead America one step farther away from dependence on dangerous foreign powers that do not have our interests at heart.
— Vice Presidential Candidate Gov. Sarah Palin
Gov. [Sarah] Palin represents a new generation. She’s already one of the most successful governors in America – and the most popular. And she already has more executive experience than the entire Democratic ticket. She’s led a city and a
state. She’s reduced taxes and government spending. And she’s actually done something about moving America toward energy independence – taking on the oil companies while encouraging more energy exploration here at home.— Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani
So, do you want to put your country first? Then let’s reduce our dependency on foreign sources of oil and promote oil and gas production at home. In other words, drill baby drill! And drill now!
— GOPAC Chairman Michael Steele
And despite fierce opposition from oil company lobbyists, who kind of liked things the way they were, we broke their monopoly on power and resources.
— Vice Presidential Candidate Gov. Sarah Palin
Employment
John McCain will simplify the tax code and reduce the tax burden. Innovation and entrepreneurship will be rewarded. He will empower individuals and companies to create wealth, opportunities, and jobs.
— Former HP-Compaq CEO Carly Fiorina
For John, putting country first is the calling of a lifetime. He lives by a code of honor unmatched by anyone in American politics.
— Former CEO and President of eBay Meg Whitman
Women
My mom and dad both worked at the elementary school in our small town. And among the many things, I owe them is one simple lesson: that this is America, and every woman can walk through every door of opportunity.
— Vice Presidential Candidate Gov. Sarah Palin
And when I began my business career, female executives were still a novelty. Many of our male colleagues questioned whether we’d make it. But my parents, especially my mom, inspired me.
— Former CEO and President of eBay Meg Whitman
Experience
On the one hand,
you’ve got a man who has dedicated his life to the service of his country. He’s been tested time and again by crisis. He’s passed every test. … On the other hand, you have a resume from a gifted man with an Ivy League education. He worked as a community organizer, and immersed himself in Chicago machine politics. Then he ran for the state legislature—where nearly 130 times he was unable to make a decision yes or no. He simply voted “present.â€
— Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani
This is not a personal attack … It’s a statement of fact – Barack Obama has never led anything.
— Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani
I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a community organizer, except that you have actual responsibilities. I might add that in small towns, we don’t quite know what to make of a candidate who lavishes praise on working people when they are listening, and then talks about how bitterly they cling to their religion and guns when those people aren’t listening. We tend to prefer candidates who don’t talk about us one way in Scranton and another way in San Francisco.
— Vice Presidential Candidate Gov. Sarah Palin
Renita Burns is the editorial assistant for BlackEnterprise.com.