The Feb. 10 letter from Maine Democratic Party Chairman Ben Grant attacking Mitt Romney makes it clear the Democrats know Romney can defeat Obama in the general election.

Romney’s great record in creating jobs in the private sector is a fact, however, that is only one reason to vote for him. Another reason is that this country cannot afford to elect yet another member of Congress to the Oval Office.

Obama has been a disaster because he did not know how to lead. While Republicans are blessed with a strong field this year, only one candidate is unique in that he has not made his career in the U.S. Congress, and that is Mitt Romney.

As Reagan demonstrated, governors make the best presidents because they understand just how damaging the laws passed by Congress can be to the American people as they have to deal with the consequences of federal mandates.

Governors also have to balance their budgets, while Congress can propose big ideas without any plan for how those ideas might work in the real world.

Republicans lost with Dole and McCain not because they were moderates but because they were lifelong members of Congress.

We cannot afford to lose again in November. Please vote for the one person who can bring change to Washington – Mitt Romney.

Kimberly N. Clarke

Fryeburg

Mitt Romney keeps complaining that our Navy is the smallest it has been since 1917. By that he means we have the fewest number of vessels.

Perhaps he is unaware that in 1917 we had no aircraft carriers. Perhaps he is unaware that the Sixth Fleet, consisting of three of our 11 carrier groups, had in 1983 a combined firepower greater than our entire Navy in 1917.

In 1917 we had a few diesel-powered submarines. We now have nuclear submarines capable of throwing nuclear weapons thousands of miles away. No nation uses battleships anymore, and naval warfare is a completely different creature than in 1917.

Yes, we have fewer warships than in 1917. We have fewer cavalry units too, and nowhere near the number of horses that we had in 1917. I guess we should blame President Obama for that and not the Joint Chiefs of Staff, or the Republican-led Congress of most of the Bush years.

Perhaps if Mr. Romney understood the realities of naval procurement, warfare and funding, he might understand this better. He’s clearly in way over his head about this issue.

Robert R. O’Brien

Peaks Island

I had a great time at the York County Caucus Saturday. It was quite an event. There were some wonderful performers who opened and closed the proceedings. May I particularly compliment the lady who sang “God Bless the USA.”? She had a magnificent voice. The young gentleman who performed on his violin and the delightful family who sang at the very end exemplified the best aspects of civil political discourse in America.

I enjoyed seeing Mitt Romney in the flesh. I am pleased to report that he actually is far less doll-like in appearance in person than he is on television. He is much more animated too; he spoke with real feeling. I still support Santorum, but I have to admit that after the caucus, if Romney takes the nomination I won’t be heartbroken.

What disappointed me was the behavior of the Ron Paul supporters. They dishonored their candidate by their rude behavior, trying to drown out Mr. Romney’s words, vigorously booing the speaker for Santorum and generally acting like ill-mannered preteens at a ball game.

Whatever happened to respectfully disagreeing with your opponent? Countering his or her arguments with reasoned statements of your own? Everyone is entitled to free political speech, whether we agree with the stance taken or not.

Shouting someone else down to prevent their message from being heard is not freedom of expression. It is just plain wrong, no matter who does it or how right they think they are.

Cristina Ginorio

Limington

Mitt Romney’s suggestion that the only thing the very poor might need are repairs to the safety net is not just tone deaf, it misses the bigger picture. If we want to create a healthy economy and provide equal opportunities, we must make sure that all young Americans – regardless of family income level – have access to the right tools and guidance to obtain a college education.

Currently only 38 percent of students from low-income families go straight to college, and many are the first in their family to pursue higher education. Lacking adequate financial aid, and also the academic assistance and other support to complete their studies, they earn bachelor’s degrees at a rate far below that of their high-income peers, hurting their future earning potential and ability to contribute productively.

Maine has 22 programs based at 12 of the state’s colleges and universities that are very successful at addressing the inequities between these two income groups in regard to their college going and completion rates. These programs, collectively known as federal TRIO programs, receive federal funding to help more than 6,800 low-income Mainers prepare for, enroll in and graduate from college. These programs offer an equal chance of success for program participants. Unfortunately, less than 10 percent of those who are eligible can be served at current funding levels.

By expanding their support for programs like TRIO, our political leaders can reduce reliance on our safety net while benefiting our entire nation.

David Megquier

Ellsworth

The Press Herald’s front page photo of presidential candidate Mitt Romney at his Portland appearance (Feb. 11) definitely caught my attention. We see the fiery-eyed zealot thrusting out his arm in a dominating gesture reminiscent of Billy Graham in his prime or the Uncle Sam “I want you” poster. In the accompanying article, we learn that he “pledged his commitment to following the principles of the Constitution as rights granted by God.” This is double talk – gibberish. Mr. Romney knows full well that the Constitution says nothing about God and defines a secular government.

Romney doesn’t talk about his religion, which he is free to do. As a young man he learned French in order to go to France, where he spent several years wandering about the country, knocking on doors trying to convince the French to join him in his Mormon faith.

Such a commitment is apparently obligatory for young members of that faith. He has little or nothing to say about this important, formative period of his life. He does talk about his successful management of the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. He confuses running a business with running a government.

Americans sense that we have entered a crucial period in our history. Many of us, unfortunately, are not happy with any of the candidates, including the sitting president. Romney, among several others, will definitely not get my vote.

Lee Kemble

Portland

I’m no fan of either Ron Paul or Mitt Romney, but it’s interesting that five Cumberland County towns – Cumberland, Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth, Harpswell and Yarmouth – voted for Mr. Romney 296-82, a margin of 214 votes.

Since Mr. Romney’s “win” in the state of Maine was by fewer than 200 votes, it appears that he at least knows who to reach out to.

Ray Clark

Gray