I received a call at 8 p.m. Thursday evening asking me to hold the line a moment for Governor Mitt Romney. Expecting a recording, but still excited to hear a message from Mitt, I waited. An operator asked me if I was interested in joining in on a Townhall style conference call with Mitt Romney. Needless to say, I continued to hold the line. With my new “bloggers instinct”, I ran to grab a pad of paper and a pen.

I was connected to the call. Mitt was in the middle of a statement, obviously in response to a question that had been asked by one of the other participants of this call. He was speaking about Religious Freedom and the Constitution, his faith in God and the values that we share through that belief… marriage, family and liberty. He is a firm believer in reiterating what brings us together, not what divides us. I can only assume the question had something to do with being Mormon.

A young mother asked the next question, about what paths and opportunities the Governor would work towards as President to help the handicapped, and handicapped children in particular. He immediately responded with examples from his experience in dealing with this issue in Massachusetts. I turned the television off. He had my full attention, and my note taking was going at a pretty furious pace.

A small child, obviously prompted by his parent, asked about a statement Mr. Romney had recently made regarding how American school children had scored in the bottom 10% in math and science in a OECD survey. Mitt acknowledged that this unfortunate fact was correct, and explained that his education plan would not only include strengthening our schools from the local, state and federal level, but that he would institute a program, based on testing scores, for the top 1/4 of students to receive a 4 year, tuition free college education. Talk about incentives! He believes that English needs to be the required language taught and used in all schools, and the need for a program that institutes “better pay for better teachers”. He stated that he believes in School Choice, acknowleged that parental involvement needs to be encouraged, and on that same note, tied in the importance of being married before having babies.

There were several questions asked regarding illegal immigration. As the debate on an Immigration Bill is currently ongoing, I refer you to Governor Romney’s statement regarding this very critical issue here. He did say that he sees illegal immigration dampening legal immigration, is for secure borders, an employment ID card system, that existing illegals be required to register, criminals be deported, and he is in favor of an attrition program.

Another family was introduced, and their question asked: “Would Governor Romney be in favor of continued military base closures AND a cut in military funding?” The Governors voice got stronger as he stated that “this would be one area that I would actually increase spending”. He touched on the Clinton reductions, or the “Holiday from History”, as he called it, and the negative effects they have had. He injected that he would call for 100,000 additional troop enlistments, and would budget for the very necessary costs involved to upgrade the technology and equipment of the military. He closed with the great summation …. “Strength is the greatest ally that peace has ever known”.

Governor Romney paused for a moment, “Now, I need to ask all of you a question…..If any of you would be at all interested in attending the Straw Poll in Ames Iowa on August 10th? I need your help, and would love your support in getting over there and voting for me. If you think you might be interested, just push the #1 on your keypad, and someone will be back in touch with you”. I pushed the #1.

He thanked the good people of Iowa, and the few thousand people that were on this Townhall conference call with him. He acknowledged the tremendous service to the nation they fulfill in getting to know the candidates well prior to the Primaries. Governor Mitt Romney, Presidential Candidate, closed with a statement that reinforced my feelings that he is a man that has always held others interests before his own … “Of course, I would love your support and your vote … but if not for me… then please elect someone with integrity, character, and leadership. It’s what our country needs right now”.

The operator came on the line and told those who had questions that were unanswered to remain on the line. They could leave their questions on the Governor’s voice mail, and either Governor Romney, or someone from his team, would be back in touch with them within 24 hours with a response.

I hung up from that phone call more impressed than I’ve been in a long time with any candidate and campaign that I can remember. I’m proud to be on Team Mitt, and I am extremely proud to support Mitt Romney in any way I can for President of the United States.

Can You Hear Me Now!

Donna L.