“If we win on November 6th there will be a great deal of optimism about the future of this country. We'll see capital come back, and we'll see—without actually doing anything—we'll actually get a boost in the economy.”
So – win the presidency, and the economy takes care of itself. This line of thought behind closed doors differs sharply from his “the economy is failing and we need new leadership” rhetoric from podiums across the US.
Romney also hammered home his "5-point plan" again in the third and final debate last night. The keystone of this plan is Romney's continued insistence that his presidency will create 12 million jobs.
12 million! Interesting choice.
Here's why: a report from Moody’s in August that 12 million jobs will be created by 2016 no matter who is president. With these two statements, you have Romney stating, essentially, “Put me in the chair and I will watch things get better.”
The bullish jobs claim is also less impressive than it sounds, according to the Washington Post: “This pledge amounts to an average of 250,000 jobs a month; in recent months, the economy has averaged about 150,000 jobs a month.”
To be fair, Obama’s policies also favor him in his second term, and might similarly favor Romney should he win. Sanctions against Iran would continue of their own accord, with (presumably) equally effective results. Obamacare goes into full effect in 2014 without intervention. Though a Romney presidency would sputter at this, he could blame Obama if it proves difficult or begin to highlight why it works “just like Romneycare did” if it succeeds. A perfect bump-set for Romney to spike down, regardless of the outcome, in 2016.
Romney literally needs to coast into the White House with 50.1% of the vote to be, arguably, a terrific president. He’ll be the President who
- Created 12 million jobs by sitting on his hands.
- Brought Iran to its knees - by doing nothing more than continuing policies.
- Watched helplessly, gnashing his teeth at the Federality of it all as the previous administration’s healthcare plan went into effect and waited for results to either shrug helplessly and criticize democrats or compare it favorably to Romneycare as an example of why Romney works for America. A win-win!
Romney’s 5-point plan has been loudly decried by democrats as a series of empty platitudes. But let’s be honest. Why get specific when to be successful you literally have to DO NOTHING?
Tony Markey is a blogger and one-time member of Harvard University's prestigious applicant pool. "Maybe Next Time" award-winner.