Romney: Experience to lead

By Jonas Pauliukonis

Unlike traditional arguments for a candidate, in which facts and figures are presented as evidence of some claim, I would instead like to appeal to your God-gifted ability to weigh and reason differences against each other.

"Facts" may be construed in any way that the person presenting them wishes, and instead of using this form, I would like to allow the reader to come to his or her own conclusions.

Governor Mitt Romney is the most pragmatic and experienced candidate on the ballot -- including both Democrats and Republicans.

The experience Romney brings to the table makes the prospect of Hillary Clinton winning the presidency revolting and Barack Obama winning the presidency laughable.

But why am I so assuredly behind this candidate? Why do I support him and not his fellow Republican frontrunners, Senator John McCain and Governor Mike Huckabee?

I support Romney for four main reasons: his experience in the business world, his experience as a governor, the fact that he is a man of God and because he exemplifies and lives out the values which he advocates politically.

Too many candidates believe that because they have 20 years of experience in politics they can understand and manage the American economy.

Due to our position in the world market and the increased impact of globalization, it is imperative that our president have expertise in financial planning and management.

I believe that it should be an informal requirement to be governor of a state to be president. You have to realize that being a governor is essentially being the president for a state.

Of course, the position is slightly less political and more managerial. A governorship allows the person to understand, on a smaller scale, what it means to work with a legislative and judicial branch and what external forces come into play during decision-making, an experience that a career legislator might not have.

In terms of religion, I am not a Mormon, but I think it is critical that our president be a God-fearing man. I believe that it gives a person the sense of humility that is needed to understand our capabilities and moral responsibilities as Americans.

This is not to say that there should not be a limit to the publicity of a president's religion. Unlike Huckabee, Romney does not wear his religion on his sleeve and does not suggest altering the Constitution to match "God's Word."

Despite the battles Romney endured as governor of one of the most liberal states in America, he practices what he preaches.

For example, he does not glorify the sanctity of marriage while having been through several failed marriages.

Most importantly, Romney does not negotiate his personal beliefs with popular opinion, a great quality for a president and as a symbol of the American people.

It should be clear that Romney is best suited to fill the presidency, taking great pride in being an American and upholding our founding beliefs. It takes hard work and determination to make something of oneself. Romney's solution of small government intervention in people's lives and a strong economy is the greatest way to reach lasting prosperity.

So when the Feb. 5 primary and the general election come around, be sure to voice your support of the true strength for America's future.

Vote Governor Mitt Romney.

Jonas Pauliukonis is a junior management and political science double major.