HAMPTON -- Presidential hopeful and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney met with local residents Tuesday to talk about what he called the failed policies of President Barack Obama, how they have worsened the economy, and what he would do differently if elected president.

"(Obama) needs to admit that his policies have not worked, instead of saying 'stay the course; things are getting better,'" Romney said. "Look, they're not getting better. The president made the recession deeper and longer than it needed to be."

Romney met with roughly a dozen residents and business owners during a lunch at The Galley Hatch to hear what they consider the biggest barriers to a thriving economy.

Those in attendance talked about how the economy has affected their businesses, and some said they fear the country is heading into a double-dip recession.

Romney said the president has "under-performed" when compared to the recovery that was seen under President Reagan during the last recession.

Romney said Obama has done far too little to encourage small-business growth, and he blamed the president for adding massive regulations and taxes he said have stifled businesses.

Obama, he said, has concentrated on expanding government rather than working to fix the economy.

Romney said, if elected president, he would concentrate on seven areas to reinvigorate the economy, including having tax rates for employers that are competitive with other countries and trade policies that work "for us and not just the people we trade (with)."

"China is taking advantage of us, from manipulating their currency to pirating our intellectual property, designs and patterns. That has to stop."

The country, he said, also needs an energy policy free from dependence on foreign entities.

"We also need to build our human capital," Romney said. "We need to build great schools, have programs to get people out of work back into the work force.

"Finally, you can't have a government that every year spends more money than it takes in," Romney said. "This president is on track to borrow more money, add more federal debt than all prior presidents combined in his first term. We have to get America back on track and live within our means."

Afterward, state Rep. Fred Rice, R-Hampton, said he was impressed with Romney, but is not ready to commit to supporting him.

"I still want to hear from the other candidates," said Rice, who supported Rudy Giuliani during the last primary.

"I think we need someone with business experience and who has hands-on government experience," Rice said.

State Rep. Chris Nevins, R-Hampton, said he was a Romney supporter the last time around and will be again for 2012.

"I really believe this man has the capability to be the next president of the United States. His business background, intelligence, experience history all point to that direction," Nevins said.