Hilton Head Island Packet - Romney Works Sun City Crowd

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Hilton Head Island Packet - Romney Works Sun City Crowd

By: Jim Faber

Speaking to a crowd of more than 400 people at Sun City Hilton Head, former Massachusetts governor and GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney pushed a conservative message that included governmental fiscal responsibility, securing the border with Mexico and the rights of states to enact pro-life legislation.

Romney also gave some support to state politicians when asked by an audience member who would make a good vice president on his ticket.

After saying he wanted to stay away from naming names, Romney named Gov. Mark Sanford and Sen. Jim DeMint first, then added former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich.

Talking to reporters after the speech, Romney said those names weren't just high on his list, but could be considered by other Republican candidates. Romney added there were probably a few dozen realistic vice presidential choices.

During his speech, Romney spoke of his successes in the fast-moving business world, including duties as CEO of investment firm Bain & Co. He contrasted that experience with the plodding pace of government change.

"In the world of goods and services that we buy day-in and day-out, unless you get better every year, you're out of business," Romney said.

Romney received his first spontaneous applause during his hour-long talk when he said the country's immigration policy was in trouble and the border needed to be secured.

"Illegal immigration can be a huge burden on our society, but legal immigration is a great boon," Romney said.

To control immigration, Romney said he would physically secure the border and create a national system of ID cards to track the work status of immigrants.

On foreign policy, the former governor admitted mistakes have been made in Iraq, but said removing troops before there is stability might lead to a larger conflict in the future. Romney also said it was critical for the U.S. to do everything in its power to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Romney also pushed himself as a uniting figure, pointing to health care and state budget reform when he was a governor in Massachusetts and faced an overwhelmingly Democratic state legislature.

"You can't treat the other side of the aisle like the enemy and attack them everyday, even if they deserve it," Romney said, drawing laughter from the audience.

Overall, Romney's campaign message seemed to resonate with the Sun City crowd.

"I think he was very impressive," said Charles MacDonald, a Sun City resident who was shooting pictures for the Sun City Republican Club. "He answered questions forthrightly. He didn't evade anything, as far as I'm concerned."

Presidential hopeful and Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona visited Sun City in February. Rachel Buie, president of the community's Republican Club, said she expects all the major GOP candidates to visit the community before the primaries in early 2008.

"We have big voter turnout," Buie said. "We have 12,000 residents, and people here vote."

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