From the all-knowing Mark Halperin:
The two will appear together at 4:00 pm ET press conference at Romney Headquarters in Boston.
Romney will ask his delegates to support McCain to help him lock up the nomination, unite the party against Democrats.
Associated Press: “Romney collected 280 delegates during his run through the early primaries and caucuses, more than enough to put McCain over the total of 1,191 needed to clinch the nomination.”
Source: Romney’s team informed the McCain campaign of the endorsement earlier Thursday.
February 14th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
FOX, CNN, and I think MSNBC all say that John McCain will be between 30-90 short of the nod. Who knows LJ, you Wisconsinites might be the ones who put McCain over the top
February 14th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Good for Romney…his actions in the past week or so demonstrate that he is not a professional politician. The man has class. Unlike whats his name….ohh yeah HUCK!
February 14th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
This will remove any justification Huck has for staying in the race.
February 14th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Jonathan,
That would be awesome. Speaking of Wisconsin, provided everything works out, I should have a writeup (and lots of pictures) on McCain’s appearance here in Milwaukee tomorrow night.
February 14th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Huck had no justification for being in the race since he was beaten on Tuesday
February 14th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
I hope all of his delegates move to John. I would expect so, but you never know. John and Mike are such dividers you never know. If Mitt is truly the uniter then they will follow and get this general going soon. Mike needs to move on and go get himself a senate seat, a church to run again, or tour the country talking about losing weight.
February 14th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
The RNC should be negotiating with Huckabee; get out of the Pres race and we’ll back you up financially for Senate against Pryor.
February 14th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
The fact that Romney can notify McCain of this this morning and that McCain’s camp moves heaven and earth to get McCain up to Boston says a lot about how important this is to the party and the general.
February 14th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Poor Huckabee. With it being Valentines day and all, he’s got to feel pretty miffed. Afterall, HE was the one who was nice. HE was the one with the positive campaign. HE was the one who profusely heaped praise on McCain at every turn. And now THIS?? The undeserving ROMNEY steals the spotlight and affection!! Oh, the humanity of it all!
February 14th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
An Interview with Jack McCain
Those McCain boys sure put those Romney boys to shame. (If only because of Romney’s claim that they were serving their country in the same fashion while campaigning for dad.)
February 14th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
While it has been clear since CPAC that Romney was going to endorse McCain, if he were a real politician, he would have waited until after their face-to-face meeting, during which he would have obtained some quid pro quo. As for the timing, I think Mitt probably just wanted to really put it to Huckabee. That’s the upside.
February 14th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
This does make Huck look like the great divider. I think Huck is a man scorned right now because he wasn’t receiving reciprocity from McCain for all the help that he gave him. Just remember that Romney had actually pulled ahead of McCain in national polls before February 5th. Romney just could not beat the 1-2 punch of McCain and Huckabee.
February 14th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Poor hucksters, all that time sucking up to mccain and he threw you under the bus.
February 14th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
#11–I think you are right but are you assuming that they did not talk at all, or is there some info out there? I would be really surprised if Romney endorsed McCain without any sort of meeting of the minds.
February 14th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
James – do you really want to bring up the children of candidates? I think David Huckabee would rather let sleeping dogs lie if you know what I mean.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Wow, this is great. A united front going into 2008 already would be amazing. And if McCain pulled in Romney as a running mate, all the better.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Jeffrey,
That dog wasn’t sleeping…
February 14th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
I think you meant “sleeping dogs die”, not “sleeping dogs lie”
February 14th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Do you guys really think that Romney will be the VP choice? Just curious. Maybe this is more about another position.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
The best thing that could happen for McCain appears to be happening; Clinton is leading in OH and PA, probably TX as well. The Democrats will have to have their absurd “super-delegates” decide the race, ticking off half the party. It will be a good Nov for the GOP if that happens.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
I think Romney as VP makes sense…
Strong on Economy
Bring Conservatives back to McCain (one term with Romney to take lead)
Strong in the Intermountain West
Mitt has already been vettted by Media
Strong Communicator
February 14th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
the dog referenced above is taking an eternal dirt nap, so technically, yes I suppose it is sleeping. The unfortunate slit in its throat, lascerations around its neck and stone popped body not withstanding.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Romney would make an OK VP. McCain could do worse in terms of simply helping to fill perceived gaps in his armor. He’s certainly a better choice then a number of the more absurd suggestions people have made (Crist, Thune, Lieberman, etc). But, there are real problems, especially given the nature of some of the statements they’ve made about each other. Is it wise for McCain to choose a guy he derided as in favor of surrender in Iraq, like Hillary?
February 14th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
A McCain-Romney ticket would be great.
A couple of fellas with no respect for the Constitution, a couple of fellas who would increase federal spending as we speed ever faster toward financial disaster, not to mention a couple of the slimiest opportunists to ever run for President.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
“Just remember that Romney had actually pulled ahead of McCain in national polls before February 5th.”
Not true. McCain was ahead by several points. There may have been a poll showing Romney ahead, but McCain always led comfortably in the RCP average.
I’ll bet anything, if there was a poll with Romney ahead, it was Rasmussen.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
I certainly hope Romney is not the VP. Of course, I was hoping that he wouldn’t endorse McCain. I was also hoping Thompson wouldn’t endorse McCain. The GOP is losing this election cycle anyway. I just think we shouldn’t get any good candidates dirty in the upcoming defeat.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
It was Rasmussed daily polls that showed Mitt winning the 3-4 days before Super Tuesday
February 14th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
I saw this article just now about financial connection between McCain and George Soro (the founder of MoveOn.org). It began in 2001, when McCain was drifting to left. It also pointed out that many of McCain’s present top campaign staff once worked for this firm. Something to keep in mind, as Soro could approach McCain for favor if he is our new president.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Josiah…how would either McCain or Mitt increaase federal spending?? That is actually one aspect where McCain has acted like a conservative. And Mitt has demonstrated an bility to have a balanced budget.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
This is a great pro-party move by Romney, adding more momentum to his perceived front-runner status in 2012 or 2016. I don’t think this has anything to do with the Veep slot, and I don’t think McCain would be considering it anyways.
Romney has already begun accepting speaking engagements (Lincoln Day dinners, state party gatherings, etc.) across the country to continue to build his conservative and Republican credentials for the next election. He’s got no interest in Veep this time around – he’s got an interest in helping the party in order to be the “next in line” four years from now.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
#30 What does Mitt do for the next four years to build his conservative credentials other than go around giving speeches everywhere? I don’t know that simply talking about it is going to ease the concerns of people worried he wasn’t a solid conservative.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
#31, it’s exactly what Reagan did between ‘76-80 — go around the country giving speeches, outlining conservative principles, vision casting conservatism, and just generally fighting for conservative causes. You get in good with conservative groups, conservative politicians, conservative think-tanks, and state GOP parties, and you automatically start at the head of the pack in the next primary.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
So is this happening at 3:30 or 4?
February 14th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
ilfigo #29,
See http://www.ntu.org/main/press.php?PressID=991&org_name=NTUF
February 14th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Here is why Romney wants to be VP. He sees himself in the mold of Reagan in ‘76 when the party chose the insider, Ford, who lost the general. Reagan was then able to come back four years later to take the nomination. This year, however, McCain just may win in the Fall, but he probably would not run for re-election in 4 years. That would put his VP in the driver’s seat. The same is true even if McCain loses, but to a lesser extent. Either way, the VP slot is valuable to anyone with eyes on 2012.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
How is Romney the front runner for 2012? He’s not going to be elected to any office so what is he going to do? I will tell you, he’s going to vanish into thin air like John Edwards.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Someone like Romney who bows down to the establishment at every opportunity isn’t even worth to be mentioned along with Ronald Reagan.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Dittos Peter. He didn’t support Reagan and now he sells out to McCain and the establishment. Sad.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Matt C (#32) Mitt is the hand man. He cannot do anything without getting his hand dirty (in a good way!). He does not lead by talking about it. He leads by doing it. I do not see Mitt just going around, giving speeches. I think he will try to work with various organizations. Perhaps he will start a few national workforces or even committees, bringing the experts from various thinking tanks, and get himself dirty with all of the data and all of the ideas of how to approach the problem from various degrees. Perhaps he will be doing what Newt is doing right now, but rather than presenting the ideas for others consideration, he may be busy trying to work with various governments (state and federal). For example, I can see him start working with one or two states on the healthcare issue, and get that state to implement it the way it should be, without being terribly hijacked like his care was in Massachusetts.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
VERY smart move by Romney.
VERY smart.
This should elevate him to the shortlist, and if he doesn’t make it on the ticket (and let’s face it, the shortlist isn’t very short and will be VERY competitive), Romney should at least get a high-ranking Cabinet post out of this.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
He’s certainly a better choice then a number of the more absurd suggestions people have made (Crist, Thune, Lieberman, etc).
I’m leaning towards McCain/Sanford right now, seeing as Pawlenty seems to be unacceptable to the base and Ridge seems unacceptable to everyone.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
DaveG, I am thinking Secretary of Treasure for Mitt. You think, too?
February 14th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Why does everyone always assume everybody who runs for President will get a Cabinet post in the administration of whoever wins? (Hunter will be SecDef, Rudy will be AG, Romney will be yadda yadda, etc.)
Where were the Cabinet posts for Alexander, Bauer, Dole, Forbes, Hatch, Kasich, Keyes, McCain, Quayle, or Smith in 2000?
Do people realize how infrequently it actually happens that presidents-elect pick former rivals for Cabinet posts?
February 14th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
I would be o.k. with Sanford but the perfect V.P. would be Bobby Jindal.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
I’m not sure if this will give Romney any additional Veep chances. I mean, it’s not as if Romney delivered the nomination to McCain. If McCain wasn’t going to win without Romney’s help, who exactly was?
February 14th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Cole #44,
What makes Bobby Jindal a better VP than Mark Sanford, other than his ethnicity?
February 14th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Is it just me, or does Obama have more experience than Bobby Jindal?
February 14th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Rick – Reagan did not hold political office between ‘76 and ‘80 – he gave speeches, wrote columns, and gave radio broadcasts.
The GOP has a history of nominating its “heir apparent”, and if Romney can get the VP spot, or become the standard-bearer of Conservatism, he could pick up that “next in line” title.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Jeffrey, no, Bobby actually has some real experiences! He has served as deputy Secretary under the Secretary of Health Department (I think). He also ran a few other organizations. Let me see if I can find a good article describing his background.
He’s definitely someone we should consider for 2012, after he has cleaned up Louisanna as its present governor.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
ben, exactly. That is why this is more of a pro-party move than a pro-McCain move. It helps the GOP as a whole more than McCain as an individual.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Bobby Jindal is adored by the Right Wing of the Republican Party. He has been praised by Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and his congressional record is flawless. Rush called him the next Reagan. Tony Perkins from the Family Research Council campaigned for him in ‘07, so he would have the Christian right wrapped up. I don’t know if any one knows Sanford exists. His approval rating in South Carolina is pretty dismal.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Jeffrey, here’s a good one (from Wikipedia, but it is not as great as other article I saw). He also was the president of the Louisanna University System, and he served as a US Representative. He has served in various capabilites within state and us government. He has accomplished great things in each position (which is what other article went into – what he has contributed).
February 14th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
McCain can’t pick Jindal because he needs to be able to use “inexperience” against Obama.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
http://www.act-blog.co.nr
Thank you! Jindal is a much better candidate in 2012 than Romney.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
GOP takes Oregon, Washington, and New Mexico with Romney on ticket.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Bobby Jindal and Barack Obama are probably comparable in terms of relevant experience. Jindal ran a multi-billion dollar organization and a held a number of other highly placed executive level positions. That’s a good deal more impressive then Obama’s pre-senate career. They’re pretty equal in terms of experience since 04.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
add colorado being solidly GOP with Romney. Its a toss up otherwise.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Not sure what you are talking about – Romney is by far a better choice.
For too long, the GOP has allowed the Democrats a monopoly on domestic issues – healthcare, education, etc., etc.
Romney is the kind of person we need to lead the party.
You aren’t going to beat his record of executive experience.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
That is the most laughable comment I have heard since I started reading this site. Romney would not help in any of those states you listed. If anything he woulds hurt. If Obama is the nominee, there is no way Republicans can carry Oregon or Washington. Romney would add nothing to the ticket.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Cole, a nerd is a nerd is a nerd, and we cannot get a nerdiest ticket than Romney/Jindal! Go, Romney/Jindal 2012, Go!
February 14th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Just for the record, who was the last Vice Presidential candidate to make a difference in the election?
Cheney? Liberman? Edwards? Gore? Kemp?
February 14th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Romney’s campaign was almost as big a joke as Rudy’s. He spent so much of his own money and got beat in his big states. New Hampshire, Iowa, Florida, South Carolina. I can’t understand why people are praising Romney, he had so much organization and came out of the race with nothing. I would say his early states campaign was just as sad as Rudy’s Florida strategy.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
SGS, I would support that ticket. Romney/Jindal 2012!
February 14th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Hey, it’s already 5 min past 4:00 EST. What are McCain and Romney saying!!! I don’t have cable/dish here, so no FoxNews or CNN. Pretty please?????
February 14th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
“Romney would add nothing to the ticket.”
- economic experience
- executive experience
- conservative positions on key issues where McCain fails
- youth
- charisma
- a stronger pull in the midwest and west (NV,MI,MN) – all key states
- a frontrunner for 2012 who will steer the GOP in a Conservative direction for years to come
yeah, that is adding “nothing” to the ticket.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
“vHey, it’s already 5 min past 4:00 EST. What are McCain and Romney saying!!! I don’t have cable/dish here, so no FoxNews or CNN. Pretty please?????”
Nothing at the moment – they are still trying to wire the podium.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Cole – Do you realize that the average Republican/independent voter out there doesn’t have the foggiest idea who Jindal is right now? It’s true. Give him four years, and we’ll see what he’s done as Governor.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Yeah, Conservative positions like Health Care, Traditional Marriage, Stem Cell Research. Wait could you tell me where he stands on those issues now?
His campaign bombed, face it. The rural areas in the south hate Romney and McCain.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Illinoisguy, just wait till every sellout starts supporting Jindal. They don’t know him now but in four years they will jump on his bandwagon so quick. A bunch of easily lead automatons.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
As a Huckabee supporter, I hope Huckabee drops out of the race very soon. I don’t want him to hurt his reputation, and I’m ready to get behind McCain for the general. I think Huckabee would have been a better nominee, but what’s done is done.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Romney as VP would also ad a huge asset in fund raising – which McCain sucks at.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
McCain/Romney-2008, Romney/Jindal-2012
When is the running mate usually chosen? Isn’t it usually around July?
February 14th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Forgive me if this is already on the front page, but I haven’t seen it. Rasmussen has Obama up nationally 12 points over Clinton. 49-37. Obama leads among WOMEN by 5, and Clinton only leads among white women by 3.
I’d call that a major development.
http://rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/daily_presidential_tracking_poll
February 14th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
I see Mitt’s on Fox livestream now! What’s he saying???
February 14th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
what’s with McCain’s shifty eyes?
February 14th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
He does not look as thrilled as he normally is. At least, his hands are not out gesturing, but stuck in his pockets!
February 14th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
McCain – Mitt ran a “fine and honorable campaign for President”
February 14th, 2008 at 4:33 pm
No, he’s not stuck them in his pockets. He’s holding them together in front under the podium.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
It looks like they are quite awkward with each other. I do not think McCain/Mitt is in the making.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Why am I thinking of that 24 episode when Pres. Wayne Palmer is giving that press conference, then starts stumbling and eventually just falls over on the floor.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
75- McCain looks like that everytime he is standing there when being endorsed. I guess he just doesn’t really know what to do when listening to praises or something.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
How tall is McCain? I know Mitt is like 6′ 3″. It’s the first time I have seen them standing together — McCain looks really short. Is he 5′ 10″?
February 14th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
McCain looks a bit like an old mini-Mitt
February 14th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Something for our Mormon friends to consider:
Whether it is fair or not (I’d say not) the MSM can be counted on to make a huge deal about the history of LDS racial policies if Obama and Romney are facing each other on national tickets. Everyone will become familiar with the writings of Brigham Young on the issue, and the fact that blacks couldn’t bee Mormon priests until the 70s.
Just something to think about.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Finally, some gestures from Mitt!
February 14th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Is it a QA session now?
February 14th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
looks like McCain didn’t care to be overshadowed by Mitt for very long.
Me thinks no chance Mitt is on the ticket
February 14th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
SGS – 2 questions and then McCain gave a thumbs up and walked off
February 14th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
McCain cutting it off, wow. He really do not look very comfortable up there with Romney.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
80- Because the writers strike is over and you’re looking forward to scripted dramas?
February 14th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Jeffrey (#87), yes, I’d second it. No way Mitt could serve on McCain’s ticket or cabinet. McCain looks too discomfortable being with Mitt.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
So McCain’s like what, 78 delegates short of wrapping this up?
February 14th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
National Review online has the summary here.
It’s back to speeches or national working committees for Mitt until 2012! Go, Romney/Jindal 2012, Go!
February 14th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Mitt has class. I guess maybe if Huck would have stood up against religious bigotry I’d feel sorry for him…but he deserves what he gets. He has no intentions of bringing the party together. He’s staying in this race so he can get big speaking engagements for personal gain…just like the Clintons. They have more in common that just being from AR.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Does “urg[ing]” Mitt’s delegates to get behind McCain mean differently than to commit them? I recognize each state has its own rules on how to give out its delegates once the candidate drops out, but still, there are a few bound delegates Mitt has which he could commit to McCain’s campaign.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
MWS,
Your suggestion that the Mormon church is hostile to blacks would be news to the hundreds of thousands of black Mormons that have joined the church in recent decades. Your candidate’s church was founded explicitly in response to the abolitionist views of Northern Baptists….they wanted to maintain slavery. The Mormon church was always deeply opposed to slavery, and has always been devoted to the proposition that each of us is a child of God.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
CT,
Oh stop it. If the roles were reversed, Huckabee would be a loser-quitter, and Romney would be the Crusading Knight of All That is Pure and Holy.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
MWS, I heard Huckabee’s busy campaigning today! Oh, wait, Cayman Island is not part of USA, is it? Is that where many of the hedge firms have their main offices in? Umm, is that the same location of book, “The Firm”, where the lawyer firm was laundering the money its mobster clients obtained illegally? Oh yes, Huckabee’s such a clean man, and he won’t associate himself with such a ripping-off island in our neighborhood.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
Dave,
I am not suggesting that the LDS is currently hostile to blacks. Nor would I attempt a defense of the Southern Baptists on the question of slavery and race.
My point is that the HISTORY of the LDS and its racial policies is a softball for the media if Obama and Romney are on opposing tickets. I’m not saying it’s fair, I’m saying that’s what will happen. I think you can see that too.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
SGS,
What in the world are you talking about in 98?
February 14th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
“Just for the record, who was the last Vice Presidential candidate to make a difference in the election?
Cheney? Liberman? Edwards? Gore? Kemp?”
The last one that comes to mind is LBJ in 1960 — he carried Texas (narrowly) for Kennedy.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
“The last one that comes to mind is LBJ in 1960 — he carried Texas (narrowly) for Kennedy.
Probably more than that. Much of the deep South at that time (outside southern Louisiana) wasn’t too keen on Catholics. But aside from some Mississippi and Alabama electors, Kennedy carried the South.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
MWS, looks like I’m somewhat ahead of you. Huckabee is in Cayman for this weekend to give one of his speeches, as pointed out here. Cayman is under the administration of UK, but it pretty much is like Swizterland of the west hemisphere — all of the dirt money trails from this side end there.
February 14th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
#61 & #101, That is one of those questions that are unanswerable. You never get the chance to rerun history. So how can you tell if any given Vice-Presidential candidate definitely helped or hurt a ticket?
February 14th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
MWS – Good point, but Obama is not pure as the driven snow on the issue of church and race relations either. I know they wouldn’t cancel each other out, but it would make for some interesting political fodder.
February 14th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
McCain did campaign for Mitt when he ran for Gov. of MA.
February 14th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Even though Mitt was trying hard not to, he seemed to overshadow McCain when on the same stage….thus the quick exit.
February 14th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
“Even though Mitt was trying hard not to, he seemed to overshadow McCain when on the same stage”
LOL.
But of course, you’re the person who said that Romney is the most qualified candidate of the past hundred years.
February 14th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
I don’t think McCain can take Mitt. Mitt seems so much more presidential and accomplished. It wouldn’t be fair to McCain.
February 14th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
He w
February 14th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
He was and is. Look at the qualifications, and what we need in the world, he is an amazingly great candidate. Whether or not he would have been a great President remains to be seen. None of us can know that, but qualification wise, he was the best.
February 14th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Do any of you have the details about McCain taking money from move on.org, George Soros?
February 14th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Romney would has been a great Nominee but sadly republicans can’t stand smart people.
February 14th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
watching the video of the endorsement reminds me of why I supported Romney. sigh
February 14th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Jeffrey,
“Obama is not pure as the driven snow on the issue of church and race relations either.”
Very true. But we can expect the MSM to give him a pass on that.
February 14th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
grandma,
“watching the video of the endorsement reminds me of why I supported Romney. sigh”
Now don’t be getting all nostalgic, grandma.
February 14th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
You have to feel sorry for McCain. He has spent the last year or so trying hard to hate Romney. He spread deliberate lies about Romney and did everything he could to destroy him. Now McCain desperately needs Romney and his supporters. Otherwise he can kiss his dreams of becoming President good-bye. Romney could have easily sat back and made McCain work harder for the nomination. But Romney refused to do that. He does the honorable thing and withdraws, endorsing McCain for the good of Party and Country. What a class act.
Now McCain has no reason to hate Romney except the fact the Romney has proven once again to all and sundry who is the better man. That really has to stick in McCain’s craw.
I am reminded of that old saying, “Love thine enemies. It will drive them crazy.”
February 14th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
SGS,
So what’s your point? That anyone who steps foot on the Caymens is a money laundering mobster? That would include an awful lot of honeymooners, and blue haired grandmas in tennis shoes.
February 14th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
marK,
“Romney could have easily sat back and made McCain work harder for the nomination. But Romney refused to do that.”
Maybe he’s just a cheap date?
February 14th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
MWS,
You think that, if it gives you comfort.
February 14th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Oh, come on, Romney’s no saint for doing the inevitable. Nor is he heroic for making a decision that will secure him more party-line support for future tasks/jobs/aspirations.
This is (like every single thing Romney’s done this entire campaign) purely for his own benefit.
February 14th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
I got a very different message from the press conference. Yeah, McCain seemed a little uncomfotable, though, from my understanding, he got his ass hauled up to MA without much advanced notice to recieve an endorsement he knew nothing about. His statements seem to suggest that Mitt is on his shortlist.
February 14th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Jess,
See #120
February 14th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
You all have to admit….it was good to see Mitt in the limelight again!….what and amazing guy…reminds me of what my English teacher taught us in high school and told us we would never forget..”of all sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest are these ‘it might have been’”….woulda, coulda, shoulda… God put him before us and as an electorate, we blew it….maybe 2012, who knows.
February 14th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Yes, ACT, if you listen closely to McCain’s compliments, it sounded pretty darned good for Mitt’s chances.
February 14th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
This will create pressure for McCain to ask Romney to be his VP, but Romney will, of course, be unavailable for that spot. McCain is a losing ticket
February 14th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Grandma T (#112) See my comment #28 for the link. WorldNetDaily has the article about how an organization McCain founded was receiving Soro and Kerry’s money, as well as how his top campaign staff were on that firm’s payroll before working for him in this race.
February 14th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
It would be a classic John McCain to pick a VP whom he hates. The MSM would love that narrative and it would make him appealing to independents and moderates.
February 14th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
act-blog (#122) I do not know what the press is saying, but you can see it on video (it was live when I watched it). McCain was totally uncomfortable being around Mitt. There is no way he will ever tap into Romney for anything. He’s way too discomfortable for it. He looked all set to bolt the stage the whole time! And he did at the end, during the QA session. It was very sudden. There was no vibe of a team between these two. I think Mitt himself will be willing to serve if he is asked, but I do not think McCain will ever ask him.
February 14th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
How could McCain refuse Romney a spot on the ticket? After all, “God put him before us.”
February 14th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
you’ve gotta wonder why Mittens didn’t do this earlier with all that talk of “being in a time of war”.
February 14th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
MWS (#118) No point. Just playing with you. I’m just surprised to learn he’s in Cayman a couple of days before WI and Washington’s primaries, and out of all Caribean islands he could be on, it has to be Cayman. Not exactly a good place for a person running for President to be, especially with MSM going all ethics against Republican Party.
February 14th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
#121 — Come on, McCain won the nomination, and regardless of Romney’s motives his dropping out will help McCain. I frankly don’t care what Romney’s motives are at this point — you know what they say about not looking a gift horse in the mouth?
ps: and yes, this probably helps give him a leg up over Huckabee for the VP slot — not that he needed it. I hardly think Romney’s a shoe in, but he at least deserves a spot on the short list, something Huckabee clearly does not.
February 14th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
act-blog… Well, to be fair, Mitt was not exactly in his atomsphere duirng that conference. You know how he always gesture when he speaks. Well, he did not at this conference. In fact, he looked like he had his hands in his pockets; it only turned out he was holding his hands together in front of him. Not until after McCain spoke did Mitt (I think it was during the QA) gestured again. But it’s not the same Romney we have seen in the campaign.
February 14th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
It’s a Valentine’s Day miracle!
February 14th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
what has talk radio’s reaction been? heh heh heh. poetic justice to the core.
February 14th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
bjalder26, you don’t know the half of it. romney bailed out on my birthday.
February 14th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
“he at least deserves a spot on the short list, something Huckabee clearly does not.”
Honestly, I think the timing is more about McCain & Romney having enough delegates together to end the race, but Huckabee is horiable. He’s the only candidate that could convince me to support Barack Obama and frankly, I’d rather have no president than Barack.
February 14th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
#137 Obviously Romney loves you.
February 14th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Like I said, McCain hates Mitt, but that doesn’t mean he won’t pick him. In fact, it is a great story in the MSM. All through the ‘08 cycle it will be “They hate each other! They really hate each other!”. The narrative would be appealing to the moderates and independents. It will be yeah McCain is a conservative, but he is not in love with the group. LOL, it would be typical McCain tactic.
And a few more things. Obama will be running a tolerance campaign. With Mitt on the ticket, he will be attacked for his faith. Obama will not be able to run a tolerance campaign, if Mitt is being attacked. In fact, the Obama campaign will look intolerant.
Thirdly, don’t forget a Bloomberg candidacy. With Mitt on the ticket, it will diminish the likelihood of a Bloomberg run.
Fourthly, if the economy is the issue of this cycle, then with Mitt on the ticket it will neutralize the issue for McCain.
Fifthly, McCain doesn’t need to pander to conservatives with Mitt on the ticket. It will be left unsaid that McCain is conceding to the conservatives and that their voice will be heard behind closed doors with Mitt on the ticket. McCain can continue to appeal to the center and leave things unsaid.
Sixth, Mitt’s $100 million dollars and his fundraising network. Mitt has shown a willingness to spend his money and I think he would spend it for McCain as well.
Seventh, in the past I was afraid of the slander of my faith if Mitt was on top of the ticket, but he was the Veep, I am very confident that it will be a much lesser issue. You can’t slime him as a Veep because it would make the critics look very small.
February 14th, 2008 at 6:32 pm
No, Romney is not a shoe-in for VP, but he is an obvious choice.
McCain/Giuliani: Not help much with the conservative base. I don’t see Giuliani playing second fiddle.
McCain/Huckabee: Helps with a plurality of Evangelicals, but nobody else.
McCain/Thompson: Two former Senators with zero executive experience.
McCain/(anyone in current Bush Administration): The country wishes to move on.
McCain/Jeb Bush: Ditto above.
McCain/(Local Star): Okay to do if McCain is favored to win anyway (think Bush/Quayle 1988), but not when he desperately needs a boast to his ticket. He can’t afford the time to vet and introduce an unknown to the electorate.
Whom does that leave? That short list is awfully short indeed.
February 14th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
nowandlater, So MSM’s line of “McCain and his Mormon VP” won’t scare you away? Or what about this, “Mother McCain not approving her son’s choice of a Mormon as his running mate”? Nothing like this will scare you away?
February 14th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
These are both good points I hadn’t considered. I don’t know if McCain wants Mitt or Mitt wasnts the vp slot though.
I don’t think Bloomberg will run against McCain no matter what though. I do think Mitt has the best fundraising network, but I wouldn’t expect Mitt to put in any more money.
February 14th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Romney will NOT be McCain’s pick for VP.
look how unpopular he really is:
Favorable/unfavorable/never heard of/unsure
34/46/7/13
Huckabee:
41/38/6/15
McCain:
54/36/0/10
http://pollingreport.com/R.htm#Romney
February 14th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
marK, If we look at the election exit polls, we will see that Mitt did as well, if not better in some areas, as Huckabee with the Evangelicals. So, really, McCain can get his “Hucksbee” score by going with Romney. But yes, there are those anti-Mormon crowd they won’t be able to get with Mitt on the ticket, and there are plenty of them out there in the south — unfortunately.
February 14th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Sampo (#144) We already have enough primaries in our pocket to make the likability rates worthless. We just need to look at many of the primary results to know how well they will be together, at least!
February 14th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
#145, those are states McCain would win anyway. I’m not sure if McCain/Romney will or should happen, but I dont think that would be an issue.
February 14th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Hmm, 2 weeks ago Romney was against him, ran every attack ad under the sun against Johnnie Mac, and now he’s for him. Flip-flop ya don’t stop.
February 14th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
SGS #145,
You will note that I said a “plurality” of the Evangelicals. The Evangelicals are not a solid lock-step block, not even close. Romney did very well among them. Many of those have the same misgivings about Huckabee as the rest of us.
I was thinking of the General Election in terms of what Huckabee gives to the ticket. The answer, not much, only a good chunk of Evangelicals. Romney would likely get just about as big a chunk as Huckabee.
February 14th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
SGS,
Nah, it won’t because attacking a Veep’s religion is an unequivocal sign of bigotry. You can’t hide behind accusing Mitt of being a flip flopper, because it is the President who dictates policy. Attacking Mitt will not work, it will be blatant bigotry and the vast majority of Americans will be repulsed by it. And it DEM shills in the Media do it, it will undermine Obama’s campaign of tolerance. It would destroy Obama if such a thing happened.
February 14th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
for old time sake can someone queue up Mitten’s McCain=Hillary ad?
February 14th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
146, nah, you saw romney’s terrible unfavorables show in general election polls.
February 14th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
thanks for the memories mittens:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=usBERI87bBA
February 14th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Actually, Sampo#151, I believe you are referring to McCain’s Romney=Hillary ad, aren’t you? You know, the one where he insists that Romney wants to pull out of Iraq exactly like Hillary does?
And yet Romney put all that to the side and endorsed McCain. Tough to be a Romney hater, isn’t it?
February 14th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Good points, nowandlater
February 14th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Sampo (#151), actually, that was from a conservative thinking tank group, not Romney’s campaign. I am trying to think who it was…
February 14th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Sampo (#151) Never mind. I thought it was an AD where various stances were thrown in, and the spot moving around Hillary, and ended up on McCain who was behind Hillary.
February 14th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
SGS, did you liked the part were Mittens promised his ads don’t call McCain’s plan amnesty. THREE CHEERS FOR MITTENS.
February 14th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
I’d like to take this time to congratulate President Obama, it’s time to start praying that he doesn’t totally **** us over in the next 4 years.
February 14th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
“If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will.”
Abraham Lincoln
I have to stop taking potshots at McCain. It does nothing good and only makes me angrier. Hatred breeds hatred. Anger breeds anger. I prefer not to be hating or angry. So it is time to move on.
I have always admired McCain’s service in the war. And I have appreciated his fight against earmarks and his support of the GWOT. I shall concentrate on that. Hopefully I will be able to someday stand with Mitt Romney and endorse McCain as President.
Mitt is a better person than I at this point. McCain has publicaly been far worse on him than upon me. If Romney can forgive and move on, then I surely can.
It is time to do as Ronald Reagan’s 1976 followers did — unite behind the party’s nominee. And no, I am not interested in 2012. It is time to worry about 2008.
February 14th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
No sense putting a political party above your principles, why sell your soul to advance a party that is pulling away from it’s beliefs and principles? Make them come back to us.
February 14th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
John,
The simple answer is “half a loaf is better than none”. You join up with the party that best represents the majority of your beliefs. Once you join, you work to advance that party. That way you get some of your principles if they win as opposed to precious few principles if they lose.
While in the party, you work hard to convince others in the party of the rightness of those principles the party doesn’t represent. That way the party becomes closer and closer to your principles.
If at some time, you discover that another party better represents your principles than the one you started out with, then you switch to it. Otherwise, you continue in the party you started. You could always try to start another party, but successful third parties have only happened twice in American history, and you odds are long.
February 14th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Glad to see Romney’s not playing the conservative martyr. It was all inevitable…
http://www.political-buzz.com/
February 14th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
“God put (Romney) before us and as an electorate, we blew it….maybe 2012, who knows.”
You know, Huckanuts get skewered for a lot less than that. I’m waiting for the virtual lynch mob to start coming after Illinoisguy.
February 14th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Illinoisguy,
So it is your opinion that we as a people, collectively failed God by not voting for Romney?
Is that your position?
February 14th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Illinois,
Why didn’t God make Romney pro-life until recently?
February 14th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
You’re wrong MWS! What I said was basically that a man with Romney’s credentials comes along once in a lifetime, and so far, we’ve blown it. And since God is our creator, of course, he is here because of God.
What Huckabee did was far different, and what some of you Huckabee people have done on here is basically say that they could not vote for Romney because he was Mormon, and also said many other lies and dispicably bigoted remarks against his religion. That is bigotry. All I did was recognized that God had place before us a man with tremendous talent, experience, intelligence, with high moral values, and right on the issues we conservatives care about, and we blew it, at least in 2008. What’s wrong with saying that???
February 14th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
He was pro-life, but for a time in his life was uncertain as to Governments roll in that matter. But as he interacted with legislation on that matter, I believe the Holy Ghost touched his heart and he came down on the side of life each and every time.
February 14th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
MWS,
The campaign is over. The time for throwing bombs is past. McCain won. Everyone else lost.
Let it go.
Didn’t the being whom Huckabee claims to be a leader for instruct his followers to “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you…”?
Let it go.
February 14th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
Illinois,
“All I did was recognized that God had place before us a man with tremendous talent, experience, intelligence, with high moral values, and right on the issues we conservatives care about, and we blew it, at least in 2008. What’s wrong with saying that???”
Well, I will welcome your companionship the next time a Rombot attacks Huckabee for suggesting that God has blessed his campaign.
February 14th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
Illinois,
Just to clarify, did God put Huckabee before us as well?
February 14th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
marK,
“Didn’t the being whom Huckabee claims to be a leader for instruct his followers to “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you…â€?”
Yes, God did say that. My problem here is not a question of hatred or cursing. It is a question of intellectual honesty.
February 14th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
James says “Those McCain boys sure put those Romney boys to shame. (If only because of Romney’s claim that they were serving their country in the same fashion while campaigning for dad.)”
Jeffrey says”James – do you really want to bring up the children of candidates? ….”
Hardly “children”.
I know you meant “offspring”, but let’s be real– McCain’s men (sons) make
Romney’s scared rabbits (sons) look like blatant cowards.
Were they really “serving their country” by campaigning??
Shows the arrogant twisted thinking Romney has.
February 14th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
I do need to look at the positives about McCain. I decided to vote for him, but I still have had a hard time looking at or listening to him speak on TV. I still mourn the loss of Mitt, and seeing him stand next to McCain today made me feel sad once again. I am pretty sure McCain will get chewed up in any debates. I’ll just bet Clinton can and will get pretty darn nasty.
February 14th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Jack McCain is 21 .He has accomplished a lot compared to Tagg Romney, or Matt, or Josh who are
in their late 30s. Jack, Meghan, Bridget and Jimmy look like great kids.
Cindy and John did a great job. Does John , Cindy, (and Carol) have grandchildren via the other 3 older children?
February 14th, 2008 at 11:42 pm
#173. Romney’s thinking is neither arrogant or twisted. What has happened is that your thinking is limited, possibly by your own experience. I understood the comment completely, because I could have made the same type myself. It is a manner of speaking. There are many ways to serve your country, and they don’t all have to be boots on the ground. Little old ladies sitting at polling places are serving their country. If we are part of a political process it is, in fact, a way of serving our country. It is also a literate way of speaking. Mind that I am not saying literal, but literate. Mitt’s statement was taken and twisted in a way to be of political convenience to anyone in opposition to him.