ROMNEY RECORD: A STRONGER MILITARY

Governor Romney Will Expand Our Armed Forces And Increase Military Spending:

To Confront A New Generation Of Global Challenges, Governor Romney Believes We Need "An Unquestionably Strong Military." "We're going to defeat violent jihad with a two-part strategy. First: an unquestionably strong military. The best ally for peace in this world is a strong America. In my view, we need more men and women in our military, better armaments, and a strategic defense initiative." (Governor Mitt Romney, Remarks At The Conservative Political Action Conference, Washington, D.C., 3/2/07)

Governor Romney Will Increase Our Military By At Least 100,000 More Troops. "First, we need a stronger military. I propose that we sharply increase our investment in national defense. I want to see at least 100,000 more troops. I want to see us finally make the long overdue investment in equipment, and armament, weapon systems, and strategic defense." (Governor Mitt Romney, Remarks At The George Bush Presidential Library Center, College Station, TX, 4/10/07)

Governor Romney Will Commit At Least Four Percent Of Our Gross Domestic Product To The Military. "But we're going to need at least in my view an additional $30 to 40 billion per year over the next several years to modernize our military, to address our gaps in troop levels, and to ease the strain on our National Guard and our Reserves and of course to support our wounded soldiers. … Based on my analysis, America should commit to spend a minimum, a minimum of 4% of gross domestic product on our national defense." (Governor Mitt Romney, Remarks At The George Bush Presidential Library Center, College Station, TX, 4/10/07)

Governor Romney Will Empower a Team Of Private Sector Leaders And Defense Experts To Ensure That Increased Spending Does Not Lead To Waste. "Now increased spending shouldn't mean increased waste. If I am fortunate enough to become elected President, I will convene a team of private sector leaders and defense experts to carry out a stem-to-stern analysis of military purchasing." (Governor Mitt Romney, Remarks At The George Bush Presidential Library Center, College Station, TX, 4/10/07)

Governor Romney Will Create A Permanent Rapid Innovation Force To Ensure Our Troops In Harm's Way Have The Equipment And Technology They Need. Governor Romney will establish a Rapid Innovation Force within the military to rapidly deploy the equipment and innovative solutions our troops need for their success and protection. This force will expand and provide permanent authority for efforts started in the Army and create a permanent Force to continually assess the military's needs on the ground and the available technology so that commanders have the equipment they need. (Romney For President, "Strategy For A Stronger America: Assisting Military Families And Veterans On And Off The Battlefield," Press Release, 11/12/07)

Praise For Governor Romney's Military Strategy:

Heritage Foundation "Applauded Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney For Pledging To Increase Defense Spending." "The Heritage Foundation today applauded presidential candidate Mitt Romney for pledging to increase defense spending to four percent of gross domestic product, a national policy recommended in a Heritage study last month. 'We hope all candidates from both parties will see the wisdom of our proposal as well,' said Baker Spring, the think tank's lead defense analyst." ("Heritage Foundation Pleased With Romney's Embrace Of Its 4% Defense Funding Formula," Heritage Foundation, 4/10/07)

National Review: "Mitt Romney has called for adding 100,000 soldiers and boosting defense spending to four percent of GDP. These are sensible proposals, and we hope the other GOP candidates make similar ones." (Editorial, "Size Matters," National Review, 4/16/07)