Mitt Romney, John Kerry: Economic Platforms Similar

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Mitt Romney seems to be echoing some of John Kerry's economic message from the 2004 election.

Kerry, who in 2004 was the Democratic nominee for president, campaigned heavily against President George W. Bush's record for slow-growth recovery and pledged to deliver an economic plan that would provide jobs and strong growth.

John Kerry

"It is a plan that puts and keeps good-paying jobs at the heart of our economy," said Kerry in 2004.

Romney made a similar comment when he released a jobs and economic plan in September 2011.

"We will right the economy, create good jobs, and restore the promise of the future," Romney said.

A quick glance at Kerry's 2004 promises to create a stronger economy reveals that Romney shares some similar views with the former Democratic nominee.

Corporate taxes:

Kerry 2004: "As president, John Kerry will cut taxes for businesses that create jobs here in America instead of moving them overseas."

Romney 2012: "The U.S. economy's 35 percent corporate tax rate is among the highest in the industrial world, reducing the ability of our nation's businesses to compete in the global economy and to invest and create jobs at home."

Middle-Class Taxes:

Kerry 2004: "When John Kerry is president, middle-class taxes will go down. Ninety-eight percent of all Americans and 99 percent of American businesses will get a tax cut under the Kerry-Edwards plan."

Romney 2012: "Make permanent, across-the-board 20 percent cut in marginal rates. ...With 54 percent of private sector workers employed outside of corporations, individual rates also define the incentives for job-creating businesses."

Washington on a Budget:

Kerry 2004: "John Kerry will cut the deficit in half during his first four years in office. ... And impose a real cap to keep spending in check."

Romney 2012: "As president, Mitt's goal will be to bring federal spending below 20 percent of GDP by the end of his first term.

Skilled Labor: