News from
THE MICHIGAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                      
Contact: Mark Brewer
517-371-5410
January 15, 2008

Romney’s Support of Outsourcing Not the Answer for Michigan
Brewer: Romney doesn’t have the solution to Michigan’s
economic problems

LANSING—Voters will be gambling if they vote for former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney in tomorrow’s Michigan Republican Primary. Romney has confused voters with his changing stances on abortion, gay rights, and immigration and is an advocate for outsourcing, a major reason for Michigan’s current economic struggles.

“Romney has turned his back on the people of Michigan,” said Mark Brewer, Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party. “We need policies that will grow jobs in our state, not send them overseas. Having grown up in Michigan, Romney should know that outsourcing our jobs for cheap labor in other countries does nothing to help American workers.”

The slick-talking Romney touts his business background as a major leadership qualification. However, a closer look at that business record reveals some startling failures. Most notable among Romney’s questionable business tactics was the practice of encouraging clients to systematically use offshore havens to avoid paying state and federal taxes. Additionally, Romney often pocketed huge consulting fees from clients shortly before companies closed their doors or laid off hundreds of workers.

Romney’s stance on an array of issues important to Michigan voters is simply unclear. He has flip-flopped on abortion, confused voters with immigration plans, and spoken both in favor of and against tax cuts numerous times. On the issues:
Immigration: Romney has supported everything from the McCain-Bush plan to building a Berlin-style wall along the Mexican border. Most recently, Romney claimed that he wasn’t sure whether he supports the use of Z-visas after criticizing the program as amnesty only a week earlier.
Abortion: While running for election in Massachusetts, Romney supported Roe v. Wade, but throughout his presidential run, he claims to oppose abortion rights.
Taxes: Romney’s most confusing position may be on taxes. In 2003, he refused to support the Bush tax cuts but now claims those should be permanent.

“Romney will say anything to win the Republican nomination,” Brewer said. “It’s impossible to know where he really stands on any of the issues important to voters. In the end, all that’s clear is that he is offering a third Bush term.”

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Paid for by the Michigan Democratic State Central Committee, 606 Townsend St., Lansing, MI  48933. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.