On Tuesday, both Obama and Romney addressed the Clinton Global Initiative meeting in New York, but that was the only commonality of their appearances. Taking very different approaches in their speeches, Obama talked of slavery (i.e., human trafficking), while Romney talked of freedom, outlining proposals to tie U.S. foreign aid to job creation and economic reforms in recipient nations (e.g., 'prosperity pacts', 'Reagan economic zone', 'aid for trade', etc.). Talking up the free enterprise system...what an impressive concept!
"Work. That has to be at the heart of our effort to help people build economies, that can create jobs, young and old alike. Work builds self-esteem. It transforms minds from fantasy and fanaticism to reality and grounding. Work does not long tolerate corruption, nor will it quietly endure the brazen theft by government of the product of hard working men and women."
"The aim of a much larger share of our aid must be the promotion of work and the fostering of free enterprise. Nothing we can do as a nation will change lives and nations more effectively and permanently than sharing the insight that lies at the foundation of America’s own economy – and that is, that free people perusing happiness in their own ways build a strong and prosperous nation."
"Now, when I was in business, I traveled to a number of other countries. I was often struck by the vast difference in wealth among nations that were sometimes neighbors... I became convinced that the critical difference between these countries wasn't geography. I noticed that the most successful countries shared something in common. They were the freest. They protected the rights of individuals. They enforced the rule of law. They encouraged trade and enterprise. They understood that economic freedom is the only force in history that has consistently lifted people out of poverty and kept them out of poverty."
"Look, a temporary aid package can give an economy a boost. It can fund projects. It can pay some bills. It can employ some people for a time. But it can't sustain an economy, not for the long term. It can't pull the whole cart, if you will, because at some point, the money runs out. But an assistance program that helps unleash free enterprise can create enduring prosperity."
Romney even included a word for Ahmadinejad over at the UN assembly:
"Today we face a world with unprecedented challenges and complexities. We should not forget and cannot forget, not far from here, a voice of unspeakable evil and hatred has spoken out threatening Israel and the entire civilized world. But we come together knowing that the bitterness of hate is no match for the strength of love."
And then a final knock at Obama:
"A year from now, I hope to return to this meeting as president, having made substantial progress toward achieving the reforms I’ve outlined. But I also hope to remind the world of the goodness and the bigness of the American heart. I will never apologize for America. I believe that America has been one of the greatest forces for good the world has ever known. We can hold that knowledge in our hearts with humility and unwavering conviction."
As theRightScoop summarized, "in a time where there exists a leadership vacuum in Washington, it was very refreshing to hear."
