James Pethokoukis

When Roger Ebert reviews movies, he does not treat them all the same. Serious dramas are not treated the same as superhero films. “X-Men: First Class” is not treated the same as “Tree of Life.”

I am using the same approach, for now, when evaluating GOP presidential candidates. I have high expectations for Mitt Romney, a man of great intelligence and experience in both the public and private sectors. And, of course, he’s run for president before. So I am looking for big ideas and a well-thought out agenda.

Didn’t really get that from his speech today in New Hampshire, though. To take just one bit, Romney talked about capping government spending at 20% of GDP. Sounds good, but that number is only interesting, much less plausible, if Romney sketches out a path to getting there.  I would also have liked to here more about his ideas, if any, for pro-growth tax reform. Or maybe his pledge to cut business taxes is as far as he’ll go. I dunno. Sure hope not.  I mean,  I want details — on entitlements, on the Federal Reserve, on education. The whole shebang. I am sure Romney has deep ideas on all of those things. Love to hear them.