Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney spent half an hour taking questions from a friendly crowd in Grand Junction on Tuesday.
The town hall provided him the chance to make his most extensive remarks of the campaign since he became the de facto Republican nominee.
Here are some of the highlights:
On the media: In response to a man who asked how Romney would fight back against the media, which the questioner called a wing of the Democratic Party, Romney said people have many options now in the media.
We are fortunate that the American people get their news from a larger and larger array of outlets, Romney said. People find sources that they find to be most reliable. Were able to communicate broadly with the American people, and not just through one or two networks.
On the military: Another questioner, who said he was a military contractor, lamented that too much military equipment is foreign-made.
I absolutely believe that America can make the best products in the world, Romney said, saying he would put in place policies that help American manufacturers, specifically by lowering energy costs.
He added that military equipment worn out in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan needs to be replaced.
It seems to be the one place the presidents comfortable cutting, is our military spending, Romney said. I will take ship-building from nine per year up to 15 per year. I will buy more aircraft. I would add 100,000 active duty personnel to our military ranks, and I will make sure our veterans get the care they so richly deserve.
On the vice president: Romney would not say when he would choose a vice presidential pick, or even if it would be before the Republican National Convention in late August.
The person I choose ... is a person who could be president if necessary, Romney said.
On federal mandates: State Rep. Don Coram asked Romney when the federal government will stop sending the states unfunded mandates.
Romney said he would give states grants of money for health care for the poor, housing vouchers and food assistance and let the states administer the programs without federal requirements.
My experience as to what it means to be poor in Massachusetts is different than Montana or Mississippi, and Ive got to look to legislators and governors in those other states to decide whats the best way to provide care for those that need the care.
On life sentences for juveniles: Mesa County District Attorney Pete Hautzinger condemned a decision from the high court last month that disallowed life sentences for people who committed crimes as juveniles. Hautzinger secured a life sentence against a 17-year-old for a double murder.
Romney said it was another issue on which people of good faith can disagree, but he did not say whether the Mesa County 17-year-old should have been sentenced to life in prison.
Ill look at that particular case. But Im somebody who comes down on the side of swift and severe punishment for those that commit those crimes, Romney said.
