Mitt Romney Campaign Watch: Wrong on Spending in New Hampshire

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=cPRFjiMUYQ4[/youtube]

Mitt Romney on the campaign trail today in New Hampshire takes a swipe at “his friend” Rudy Giuliani (video above).

Today, however, Mr. Romney followed up his buddy line with a new line of attack.

“I know he did a good job as mayor of New York City, but on spending and fiscal matters, he left a bit of a problem there,” Mr. Romney said. “When he came in, there was a budget gap but when he left, left a budget gap twice as big as the one he inherited, over $3 billion,
and Mayor Bloomberg has said he is not going ot leave a deficit like that to the person that follows him. And, by the way, that $3 billion budget deficit does not include the costs associated with 9/11.”

Mr. Romney then went on to tout how he inherited a $3 billion budget deficit in Massachusetts, erased that without raising taxes, and went on to build up the state’s rainy day fund to over $2 billion.

The problem with Mitt is that he is either intentionally misleading the public or being disingenuous with the facts:

The MONEY QUOTE:

“Campaign Trail Mitt Romney is at it again in an effort to cover up his own lackluster record as Governor by attacking Rudy Giuliani. Then again, what other choice does Romney have considering he never cut taxes, received a ‘C’ rating from the CATO Institute for his handling of the economy as Governor, and passed a mandate-laden universal health care plan that he’s now running away from?

“Mitt Romney simply has his facts wrong – not only did Mayor Giuliani turn over a balanced budget to his successor, but the city ended that fiscal year with a surplus.”

– Paul Cellucci, Former Massachusetts Governor

• Cato Institute Gave Gov. Mitt Romney’s Fiscal Policy A “C,” Noting, “If You Consider The Massive Costs To Taxpayers That His Universal Health Care Plan Will Inflict Once He’s Left Office, Romney’s Tenure Is Clearly Not A Triumph Of Small-Government Activism.”

• Romney’s Recommended Budgets Increased Real Per Capita Government Spending By 7.85%.

• Total Spending In Recommended Budgets Grew 22.2% Under Romney’s Watch, From $29.477 Billion In Fiscal 2003 To $36.021 Billion In Fiscal 2007.

• Romney Claims He “Closed” The “Budget Gap Inherited When He Took Office.” But In November 27, 2006 Budget Presentation To Governor-Elect Deval Patrick’s (D-MA) Budget Advisors, Romney Aides “Projected A Budget Deficit For Fiscal 2008 … Of Between $400 Million And $1.1 Billion.”

• Romney Proposed Nearly $400 Million In Business Tax Increases.

• Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation Said Romney Administration Was Responsible For $700 Million In Fee Hikes.

• Romney’s Health Care Plan Increased Taxes And Burdensome Mandates On Businesses.

Is this someone who American voters want as their next President?

Previous:

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