Romney says Wis. vote a repudiation of Obama's economic policies

Mitt Romney said Wednesday that Gov. Scott Walker's victory in the Wisconsin recall election was a repudiation of the policies of President Obama in a traditionally liberal state, arguing the win bodes well for his chances in November.

"Yesterday’s vote was won by the people of Wisconsin doing the right thing and voting for conservative principles," Romney said.

The Republican presidential nominee noted that Republicans "don't win a lot in Wisconsin," but said voters ultimately saw a conservative governor who "cut down down on the sale of government and reduced taxes" and decided they "want more of that."

Romney was speaking during a tele-town hall with the National Federation of Independent Business Members, part of the former Massachusetts governor's continued blitz against President Obama's economic policies.

During the call, Romney continued to hammer the president on the economy, arguing the president's policies amounted to an "anti-business, anti-job agenda."

"With few exceptions, the policies of the Obama administration have made it harder for small business to grow, to decide to expand, or to add employment," Romney said.

Romney contrasted his vision against the president's, saying he would "take a weed wackier" to onerous regulations and would always lend an ear to business owners.

"My priority is jobs. My priority is getting people back to work," Romney said.

The Republican nominee also advocated long-term decisions on the tax code, arguing uncertainty over the expiration of the Bush-era tax cuts was surprising growth.

"We have to have a permanent decision on taxes," Romney said.

Later in the afternoon, Romney appeared at a rally at the USAA building in San Antonio, where he continued his press on the economy.

"As you know I am running for president, so I may be somewhat partisan but I happen to think we have a president today who doesn't really understand the fundamentals of what makes an American economy go," Romney said.

The White House on Wednesday said voters in Wisconsin largely approved of the president's economic policies and the failed recall effort did not serve as a bellwether for deeper electoral problems.

"The president supported and stood by Tom Barrett, but I certainly wouldn't read much into yesterday's result beyond its effect on who's occupying the governor's seat in Wisconsin," said White House press secretary Jay Carney. " I certainly read in some of the analysis by you and your colleagues that even among the electorate that voted yesterday in Wisconsin, voters substantially approved of the president's positions when it comes to who they felt had the best vision for protecting and securing the middle class, and we certainly think -- I certainly think that the president's message about the steps we need to take to grow the economy and create jobs will resonate in Wisconsin."

At the conclusion of the call, Romney made a plea to small business owners to "make clear to your employees what you think is in the best interest of your business, and therefore, their jobs."

"There's nothing illegal about talking to your employees about what you think is best for business," Romney said.

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