His ideas are better than President Obama’s. Yet the 160 pages and 59 proposals also strike us as surprisingly timid and tactical considering our economic predicament. They’re a technocrat’s guide more than a reform manifesto. … Mr. Romney seems to understand that the private economy will inevitably produce millions of new jobs—in industries and companies we can’t predict—when it resumes growing at 3% or more. … Where the Governor is less persuasive is on the larger issues of taxes, spending, entitlements and trade. Here he ducks and covers more than he needs to. … By far the most troubling proposal is Mr. Romney’s call for “confronting China” on trade. … Starting a trade war is a rare policy mistake that Mr. Obama hasn’t made, but Mr. Romney claims it is a way to faster growth.
Governor Romney has correctly identified that a lower regulatory burden would create a positive climate for economic growth and has laid out pro-growth specifics on how to accomplish this goal. … We are somewhat concerned by the protectionist language used by Governor Romney in his plan regarding trade with China. A President Romney would be wise to avoid starting a trade war with China and punitive duties like the ones proposed by Romney are the first step in that direction.
National Review‘s Katrina Trinko:
Mitt Romney is putting meat on the bones of his contention that he will be the nation’s turnaround artist. … while Romney touts his goal of capping spending at 20 percent of GDP, he is spare on the details about how that will be achieved. Changes to the current entitlement system nab only a page in the jobs plan. … In many ways, Romney’s plan sounds like the typical GOP platform: keeping taxes low or reducing rates further, slashing onerous regulation, promoting free trade, and easing the oil-drilling permit process are all ideas repeated ad nasueam by Republican candidates at every level of government.
The Washington Post‘s Jen Rubin:
In a debate setting or even in an interview it may be hard for Romney to convey the image of competency he demonstrated in an extended speech. His hope is convey that his administration will be a pro-free market, conservative ideas factory.
Hot Air‘s Allahpundit:
Not many specifics at all on entitlement reform, unfortunately, which I’m sure is strategic given the attacks on Perry and his “Fed Up” book to come. (Then again, this is after all a jobs plan, not a deficit reduction plan.) Plus, a curious bit of economic saber-rattling towards China.
