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From MSNBC:
The Iowa congressman kept his endorsement choice under wraps so closely that no one knew who he would choose between Thompson or Romney for his nod. The vociferous critic of illegal immigration was said to have narrowed his choice to the two candidates, but he joked that “not even his wife” knew who he’d choose.
But at the start of a sparsely attended press conference in Des Moines today, the superstars of Romney’s Iowa shop gathered in the back, leading journalists to conclude that King’s nod was destined for the Massachusetts governor. But then curious members of Team Thompson swooped in at the last minute.
Apparently, no one knew what lurked in the congressman’s mind.
As he named each GOP candidate, King called the choice of endorsement “one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made in my life, and one of the latest coming.”
He mentioned the pros and cons of each candidate, notably ruling out both Giuliani and Huckabee, after casting doubt upon their records on immigration.
As he detoured into a treatise on religious tolerance — a clear reference to Romney’s Mormonism — a Romney endorsement seemed imminent. “I think it’s inappropriate to draw conclusions about what we think someone else’s faith might be,” he said.
“There’s only one candidate who epitomizes the full spectrum of our conservative values,” he continued. “There is one who is a comfortable conservative, in whom I have full confidence in his decisions.”
“He also has the fire in his belly to go the distance, and the brains and resources to get there,” said King.
Nail in the coffin for Thompson, everyone thought in the room. (Thompson is frequently caricatured as sluggish and apathetic about his White House hopes, and his campaign coffers are paltry in comparison to Romney’s millions.)
Then King added, “If it’s not there, I intend to work hard to put it there.” The typing and the scratching of pens in the room suddenly stopped as reporters’ heads snapped up. “I will put all of my efforts — and the fire into the belly — of the person who I believe destiny has called to be the president of the United States.”
“I will be working for and supporting Fred Thompson for president.”
As King dramatically took off his glasses, folded them, and put them back in his coat pocket, the room was almost silent. A lone Thompson staffer clapped a few times.
And more than one reporter re-learned a hard lesson … it ain’t over til it’s over.
From what I have been told by my sources, the final decision did, in fact, obviously come down to a choice between Romney and Thompson. The Huckabee campaign, though they were in close contact with King, were told that he would not receive the endorsement earlier last week. Over the weekend, he weighed his options carefully, paying close attention to the appearances on the Sunday morning news broadcasts. In addition, it should be noted that team Romney were not the only campaign present, as Thompson’s team were there as well, appearing just as King was readying the announcement. Romney’s campaign got caught up in their invite and jumped the gun.
As has been the case with Thompson and Giuliani, Romney’s performance on Meet the Press seemed to have hurt his standing. According to reports, Romney’s responses on immigration and gun control irritated some hardliners on the right.
December 17th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
I spoke to the Romney campaign today about the event today. Apparently, King invited both the Thompson and the Romney staff to the event.
One reporter surmised that King made up his mind on the spot, even midway through the event. His response: “You’re very perceptive”)
weird.
December 17th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
Mitt’s Meet The Press interview was masterful. He could not have handled it better. He knew he would be viciously attacked, but went on anyway and used his responses to not only rebut but to sell. He looked Presidential and in command…..if King wanted more, screw him.
December 17th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
The MTP thing I can understand, though I think its pretty clear that Romney is extremely conservative, and is neither going to be attacking guns nor giving illegal immigrants a way to become citizens through ill-gotten-gains.
However, this endorsement was clearly written for Romney. For one, it attacked every candidate but Romney, including Thompson. For two, it mentioned several things that are associated with Romney (family, faith) – neither of which are particularly bright stars for Thompson. Why did he go with Thompson? I don’t know.
Anyway, like I said earlier, I think King screwed almost any chance the GOP had of having a nominee before Super Tuesday. Romney may still win Iowa, which could allow him to sweep the early states, but he is running out of time there, and if he doesn’t win Iowa, this race is deffinately going to last until mid-Feb.
December 17th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
Sounds like King called an audible
December 17th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Huckabee is soft on immigration. That is why he didn’t get the endorsement.
December 17th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
ACT Blog, your candidate just said on MTP that he’d have kept the assault weapons ban.
Now don’t reply saying “Rudy is pro-gun control” because that has nothing to do with your candidate. I know that my candidate isn’t perfect and I don’t pretend that he is. You’re saying that Romney is “extremely conservative” and good on guns.
So why is he in favor of the assault weapons ban?
December 17th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
This is so bizarre; I hope somebody gets to the bottom of this story.
December 17th, 2007 at 8:37 pm
Andrea Mitchell called Romney’s MTP performance “dreadful.” I wouldn’t go that far, but he did come across as dishonesty and shifty.
December 17th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
this is too wierd. if you listen to his speech, it seem clear that he was on his way to endorsing mitt then switched at the end. seriously wierd.
December 17th, 2007 at 9:08 pm
“I think its pretty clear that Romney is extremely conservative, ”
BWAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHA!
Pardon me, but I think you’re extremely funny.
Which Romney are you talking about? The moderate Republican governor from 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003?
“Or the Romney after that when he started to realize he wanted to run for President?
So the endorsement was clearly written for Romney? Then who was this part written for?
“Which of the candidate’s records demonstrates the vision to lead and is consistent with our platform and values?â€
Notice that word “consistent,” as in Consistent Conservative. Doesn’t sound like he meant Flip. Unless he means that Flip was consistently flip flopping, then I’d agree. LOL
December 17th, 2007 at 9:37 pm
FlipRomney,
Might want to get the facts straight. Romney was governor from 2002-2006, not 2000-2003.
December 17th, 2007 at 10:02 pm
#10 – Yawn, same crap different handle.
December 18th, 2007 at 4:30 am
It was a waste of an endorsement.