Romney takes stage in Grand Prairie, Texas

At Freedom Concert, he praises troops, says U.S. will win war on terror

The more I hear about Mitt Romney, the more I like him. Of all the presidential candidates for 2008, he appears to be the only one with the class and dignity to win back the respect of the world. Say what you will about him but he is as honest and dependable as any politician out there.

Here's a report out of Dallas, Texas:

By GROMER JEFFERS JR. / The Dallas Morning News
gjeffers@dallasnews.com
12:00 AM CDT on Wednesday, August 15, 2007

GRAND PRAIRIE – Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney told about 6,000 people gathered for a country music show that the country would win the ongoing fight against terrorism.

"There's a huge sacrifice being made by families and men women of this country around the world, and it's worth it because there's evil in this world," Mr. Romney said to a crowd gathered at Nokia Theatre for an event called Freedom Concert. "There are jihadists and there are fundamentalists who want to bring down moderate Islamic states and they want to bring us down as well, and they are not going to do it."



Mr. Romney is fresh off a victory in the Iowa straw poll and considered a front-runner in the Republican race for president.

But his campaign has work to do to win over Texans, many of whom are suspicious about the credentials of any candidate from Massachusetts – even Republicans.

Before introducing Mr. Romney, Fox News commentator Sean Hannity said it was hard to believe an elected Republican led a state represented by longtime Democratic Sen. Ted Kennedy.

Even so, Mr. Romney was greeted with applause, and his brief remarks centered on the contributions of the military troops and their families.

"There's war being waged by the terrorists," he said. "We're going to wage a war on them, and we're going to win."

The concert, sponsored by Mr. Hannity and WBAP radio, also featured retired Lt. Col. Oliver North and former House Speaker Newt Gringrich. It is one of several shows throughout the country designed to raise money for scholarships for the children of soldiers killed or permanently wounded in the line of duty.

Mr. Gingrich called for a three-day special session of Congress to react to the recent execution-style slayings of three students in Newark, N.J.

A new law is needed, he said, that allows local law officials to hold suspects charged in felonies until it can be determined if they are U.S citizens. Two of the suspects in Newark were illegal immigrants with long criminal records, he said.

"When young college students get massacred on American streets, we should act now," he said.

Gov. Rick Perry and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, welcomed concertgoers. Mr. Perry compared the current military struggle to the standoff at the Alamo and said those fighting in the military and their families understand that "Freedom is not free."

"There are some things that are worth putting your life on the line for, and freedom in America is that today," Mr. Perry said as the crowd screamed and cheered. "There ain't no place like Texas, and there ain't nobody like the United States military."

Then, at Mr. Perry's urging, the crowd, decked out in red, white and blue, began chanting "USA, USA, USA."

Ms. Hutchison had similar praise for the military and their families.

"Let me tell you a few things about our state," Ms. Hutchison said. "Number One, we love our military. We love our country."

The concert featured performances by Montgomery Gentry, Lee Greenwood and Collin Raye.