ComMITTed to Romney!

http://www.scforromney.com

There are two very good posts about Governor Romney, his organization in SC, and the impressions from his visits recently.

Ann Marie

http://www.scforromney.com/?p=111

HT: Andru Blonquist

According to a participant at one of Romney’s Columbia stops, the place was pretty crowded:

It was a good event. If his popularity keeps growing it will be the last time he can meet a group in a place that small. Not sure how many people attended but it was crowded. At least twice as many as I thought would be there. He spoke for about 12 minutes and covered a wide range of topics.

Anyone else who attended is welcome to comment.

Comments from two who attended:

Jeff says:

I was at the meeting as well. One of the things that seemed to resonate throughout the crowd was just how dynamic Mitt was. People were, or seemed, astounded at what they discovered - a youthful, energetic, principled man with solid ideas who is going to be a player.

Mitt is legit.

If South Carolinians will give him a chance before becoming lock step with the McCain folks, I think they will see that Mitt has a far greater chance to be elected in the general election than do our other Republican candidates.

Even if McCain�s tactics prove successful in SC, they won�t necessarily transfer to Iowa, New Hampshire, and into Super Tuesday.

I am a foot soldier for Mitt, and I�m going to bust my hump to help him any way possible. The future of our nation is simply too important.

Seth Duncan says:

I attended the event. My fiance and I arrived around 730, we wanted to be sure to get a good seat. The Governor arrived around 830 and after a few initial hellos he was introduced. Governor Romney spoke for about 15 minutes on topics like the war on terror, the environment, education, immigration, and the economy. A couple clips from the event have been posted on YouTube.com courtesy of schotline.com who attended the event. I was able to speak to a reporter from US News & World Report for about 10 minutes to share my opinion of the Governor and the other candidates, so look for some comments from a guy name Seth Duncan in the next issue or two. Overall, I thought the event went really great. We sat with two other gentlemen who were fence sitters and after the event they were pretty much in the Governor�s corner, so chalk up two more supporters. It�s interesting, Governor Romney took two questions from the crowd, one on immigration and the other on something else, and no one brought up his religion, his abortion stance, or the gays thing. However, when I was reading news articles from many sources from this event and others they all reported that the Governor was being plagued by those issues. One of the guys I talked to said that he was wanting to hear an explanation, but after I explained the Governor�s explanation he was fine with it. It seems as though the media is more infatuated with those issues than those who attended this event. Liberal media I guess. Well that�s about it other than one of his sons was also by his side during the trip. Thanks.

Ann Marie

http://projects.washingto…es/mitt-romney/

For you newcomers to Governor Romney, here is a simple profile from The Washington Post.

Past Washington Post Coverage can be found HERE.

Ann Marie

By David Brody

CBN News

January 31, 2007

�

“Jim Bopp, is the general counsel for the National Right to Life Committee and he’s endorsing Mitt Romney. �

“This is a big deal folks. Let me give you an analogy. It’s like if you were competing against a half dozen players to become the starting point guard on your college basketball team (read: President of the United States) and Magic Johnson came out and said ‘I want this guy as my starting point guard’. Well, people would take notice. And when you bring Jim Bopp in as your ‘Magic Johnson’, you’ve just dunked in the face of your opponents. This would be called a ‘political facial’.

“Since day one, Romney has been pulling all the right levers.” �

To see full report, please see: http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/96602.aspx

Ann Marie

Governor Romney “Best Among Conservatives”

• Fox News’ Fred Barnes: “The candidate who’s done the best among conservatives, I think, is Mitt Romney so far.” (Fox News’ “Special Report,” 1/30/07)
• ABC’s Matthew Stuart: The Candidate With The “Buzz” Is Governor Mitt Romney. “One of the up-and-coming presidential candidates made a significant first trip to Iowa since throwing a hat into the increasingly crowded ring. As the candidate spent the day talking with Hawkeyes fans from Waterloo to Dubuque while campaigning at sports bars, making the mandatory ethanol factory visit, and shaking countless hands in between, one thing became clear: This candidate has buzz. Does this sound like Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.? Wrong. Try former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.” (Matthew Stuart, “The Surprise Hit Candidate In Iowa,” ABC News, 1/29/07)
• ABC’s Terry Moran: “There’s Clearly A Lot Of Buzz Around This Guy Right Now.” “So after spending a long day campaigning in Iowa with Mitt Romney, I was struck by a couple of things: First, the number of people who came out to see him even now, a full year before the caucuses. There were a couple hundred people in both Waterloo and Dubuque � for a candidate with low name recognition at this point in the race. There’s clearly a lot of buzz around this guy right now.” (Terry Moran’s Blog, “Mitt Romney: The Interview,” http://blogs.abcnews.com, 1/29/07)
• Moran: Governor Romney is “personable, polite, cheerful, nice all the time, it seems.” (ABC’s “Nightline,” 1/29/07)
• Moran: “But a lot of people think Mitt Romney is going to be a formidable candidate. He’s got the money, the skills, the looks, and the track record that might appeal to a lot of Republicans.” (ABC’s “Nightline,” 1/29/07)
• Conservative Radio Host Mike Gallagher: “I’ve interviewed Mitt Romney a number of times. I like his ideology, he’s right on the issues.” (Fox News’ “Fox Online,” 1/30/07)
• The Washington Post’s Shailagh Murray: “But watch out for Mitt Romney. He is proving himself to be a patient and focused candidate, and he started laying the groundwork for this a long time ago. � I expect he’ll have a strong start this first quarter, which could snowball into who-knows-what.” (The Washington Post’s “Post Politics Hour,” www.washingtonpost.com, 1/29/07)

Large Crowds Greet Governor Romney In Iowa And South Carolina:

• ABC’s Matthew Stuart: “Romney’s Trip To Iowa Friday Gathered Hundreds Of Supporters In This Key Primary State.” “While the New York senator ultimately garnered most of the headlines Monday morning, most noting her ‘evil men’ joke, Romney’s trip to Iowa Friday gathered hundreds of supporters in this key primary state.” (Matthew Stuart, “The Surprise Hit Candidate In Iowa,” ABC News, 1/29/07)
• Stuart: “More Than 200″ People Attend Event In Waterloo, Iowa. “Throughout the day, Romney presented himself as a personable, smart candidate, hoping to ‘convince a few people that [he’s] somebody who’s worth giving a second look.’ Stopping at Beck’s Restaurant in Waterloo, the ‘few people’ turned out to be more than 200, and they didn’t just come for the free food.” (Matthew Stuart, “The Surprise Hit Candidate In Iowa,” ABC News, 1/29/07)
• The [Columbia, SC] State: Governor Romney Greeted By “A Standing Room Only Crowd” In Columbia, South Carolina. “A standing room only crowd greeted presidential candidate Mitt Romney this morning at the Lizard’s Thicket on Elmwood Avenue in Columbia. The former Massachusetts governor and Republican presidential hopeful worked the crowd as servers delivered steaming plates of eggs, grits and cinnamon apples to diners that found themselves surrounded by television cameras and photographers.” (The State’s “S.C. Politics Today,” Blog, “Romney Campaigns At Columbia Lizard’s Thicket,” http://thestatecom.typepad.com, 1/30/07)
• Aiken [SC] Standard: “The Rotary Club of Aiken was standing room only Monday as former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney said America needs to correct a few problems if it wants to remain the leader of the free world.” (Philip Lord, “Presidential Bid Brings Romney To Aiken,” Aiken [SC] Standard, 1/30/07)

Romney Exploratory Committee Building Strong State Organizations:

• ABC’s Terry Moran: “He’s already assembled a top-flight campaign team. They managed to pack every event when we were with him. And he’s done his homework on the issues.” (ABC’s “Nightline,” 1/29/07)

• Politico’s Jonathan Martin: “�Romney is building a very solid Iowa team.” (Jonathan Martin, The Politico’s “Politics ‘08″ Blog, “Mitt’s Hawkeye For Talent,” www.politico.com, 1/30/07)

• The Associated Press: Romney Picks Up “Key Endorsements” In South Carolina. “On a cold winter day that made it seem more like New Hampshire than South Carolina, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney picked up three key endorsements Monday in the state with the first southern presidential primary. � He was endorsed by former Gov. Jim Edwards, the first Republican elected governor in South Carolina since Reconstruction, former U.S. Rep. Tommy Hartnett and Republican National Committeewoman Cindy Costa.” (Bruce Smith, “Romney Campaigns In SC With Sen. DeMint,” The Associated Press, 1/29/07)
• Detroit Free Press: “Romney, whose late father, George, was Michigan’s governor in the 1960s, has developed a formidable Michigan organization. His team includes top fund-raisers, members of Congress and about 50 legislators.” (Dawson Bell and Chris Christoff, “Pace For ‘08 Race Quickens In State,” Detroit Free Press, 1/26/07)
• St. Petersburg Times: Governor Mitt Romney “Is Far And Away Ahead In Organizing In Florida.” “He may be little known across Florida, but presidential candidate Mitt Romney of Massachusetts is far and away ahead in organizing in Florida. He hired some of the top political operatives, already has a regional field staff up and running, and was the only Republican to have any kind of presence at the Republican Party’s quarterly meeting at Disney Friday and Saturday. One of his sons, Josh Romney, schmoozed the crowd, dotted with Romney ‘08 stickers.” (Adam C. Smith, “7 Voters Save Crist From Political Embarrassment,” St. Petersburg Times, 1/28/07)
• The Miami Herald: “The Romney Team Held A Full-Court Press” At The Florida Republican Convention. “The Romney team held a full-court press. They invited activists to a hospitality suite and brought the son to meetings with party leaders from every county � all of whom would vote in a straw poll. At the Friday night reception, former party chairman Al Cardenas and U.S. Rep. Tom Feeney walked him on stage.” (Beth Reinhard, “GOP Elects Crist Ally As Leader,” The Miami Herald, 1/28/07)

Ann Marie

I am interested in your stories of how you came to support Governor Mitt Romney for President. Was it the spectacular Olympics? Was it his business acumen? Or something completely personal for you? If you’ll email me at pr @ electromneyin2008 . com. I will publish them here on this site, and then others can read them and come to support him too. Please put MY STORY in the subject line of your email.

Thanks,

Ann Marie

http://www.wbur.org/news/2007/64188_20070131.asp

Romney Tours SC

By Fred Thys

Listen

CHARLESTON, SC - January 30, 2007 - Mitt Romney is campaigning today in the state that traditionally holds the nation’s first southern presidential primary.

The former governor of Massachusetts won a key endorsement yesterday from some prominent Republicans in the “Palmetto State.”

WBUR’s Fred Thys is roving the Romney trail there and joins WBUR’s Bob Oakes for an update from Charleston.

Romney Wraps Up South Carolina

By Fred Thys

Listen

COLUMBIA, S.C. - January 31, 2007 - Former Governor Mitt Romney spent two days campaigning in South Carolina where he faced questions about whether his Mormon faith would be an impediment to his presidential aspirations.

Romney also received several important political endorsements while visiting the state

WBUR’s Fred Thys traveled with Romney to South Carolina and takes a closer look on the challenges the candidate may face in the South.

Ann Marie

http://www.cff.org/Great_…9&idUser=126378

Some of you might remember that last year I made an impassioned plea for people to donate to my Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides walk team. Well, it’s getting to be that time of year again. For those of you who don’t know. My daughter Erin was diagnosed with CF last year. After her diagnosis we thought we’d had a miracle when they found that one of the medications she was taking might cause a false positive, but after being removed from that medication and the fact that she did have CF symptoms as well it was reconfirmed that she had the life-shortening disease.

Anyway, every year the CF foundation has these walks across the nation to raise money for CF research. These events are called Great Strides. Our walk site is The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere, and our walk date is May 20th. The name of our walk team is Butterflies for Erin, as our daughter really loves them. Last year we raised almost $2500 in less than two months time. This year we have almost triple the time, and I want to blow the top off of last years total. This is where you come in, would you be willing to help me that goal? Even a small donation can help in a big way.

Background on donating:

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the primary sponsor of critical research that is making tremendous advances toward a cure and control of cystic fibrosis (CF). We have been recognized by publications such as SmartMoney as being one of the most efficient organizations of our kind. Nearly 90 cents of every dollar of revenue we raise is available for investment in vital CF programs to support research, care and education.

We receive no federal funding and depend on the generosity of individual donors and corporations to support our lifesaving mission. We will not rest until we find a cure.

Thank You for helping make CF stand for Cure Found!

Ann Marie Curling
Mother of Erin (age 7) with Cystic Fibrosis

Take that John McCain…!

Boston, MA � Today, Governor Mitt Romney announced the Romney for President Exploratory Committee Arizona Finance Steering Committee. Together, the Finance Steering Committee will help Governor Romney raise the resources needed to campaign in Arizona and across the nation.

“I am gratified to have the support of these outstanding men and women. The team we have put together in Arizona is a collection of some of the state’s best, most energetic and most committed leaders. With their help, I know our vision for the future will be heard loudly in Arizona,” said Governor Romney.

The Steering Committee, along with many others, held its first meeting on Thursday, January 25, in preparation for Governor Romney’s next visit to Arizona.

Governor Romney has made numerous trips to Arizona meeting with top business and political leaders, in addition to numerous members of the Arizona media.

In addition to today’s announcement regarding Governor Romney’s finance team in Arizona, the campaign will soon be announcing its political team and endorsements in Arizona.

Background On The Arizona Finance Steering Committee:

• Co-Chair Paul And Susan Gilbert: One of Arizona’s most recognized attorneys, Paul Gilbert is co-founder of the Beus Gilbert Law Firm in Scottsdale, Arizona. Gilbert and his wife, Susan, recently attended and participated in Governor Romney’s successful $6.5 million “National Call Day” in Boston.
• Co-Chair Lee Hanley: Hanley is the Founding Principal and Chairman of Vestar, one of America’s leading developer/managers of large scale retail shopping centers. Lee has served on a wide variety of civic and charitable boards in the Phoenix area. Hanley also participated in Governor Romney’s “National Call Day.”
• Co-Chair Kevin DeMenna: DeMenna previously served as Finance Chairman for Arizona’s 2002 Republican gubernatorial nominee. Last Friday, he was recognized by the Arizona State Republican Party with its Harry Rosenzweig Award for being the state’s top Republican fundraiser. He was recently recognized by the Arizona Capitol Times as being among the most influential people at the State Capitol.
• Co-Chair Harry Cavanagh: Cavanagh has been a pillar in Arizona’s business, legal and philanthropic communities since moving to the state decades ago. He was the founder of the O’Connor Cavanagh Law Firm and is now the namesake of the Phoenix-based Cavanagh Law Firm.
• Co-Chair Wil Cardon: Cardon is the President & CEO of The Cardon Group, one of Arizona’s most active and well known real estate companies.
• State Finance Director Corinne Lovas: Lovas is considered the top political fundraiser in Arizona and the Southwest. She has enjoyed countless successes on behalf of U.S. Senator Jon Kyl, President Bush’s 2004 re-election campaign, the Republican National Committee and numerous other Republican candidates and causes.

Ann Marie

http://myclob.pbwiki.com/books

Thomas Carlyle said, “What we become depends on what we read after all of the professors have finished with us. The greatest university of all is a collection of books.”

So what has Romney “become” after all of his Harvard professors were done with him? Or in other words, what has Romney been reading?

When ever I hear Romney mention a book that he has read, I keep it here:

http://myclob.pbwiki.com/books

Romney has mentioned reading:

• The Cube and the Cathedral by George Weigel
• The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright
• America Alone by Mark Steyn
• The Places in Between by Rory Stewart
• The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson
• The Wealth and Poverty of Nations by David S. Landes
• The World is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman
• Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris
• The Rise of Teddy Roosevelt by Edmund Morris
• John Adams by David McCullough

What do these books tell you about Romney. Three books about former presidents, two books about Islam, the Cube and the Cathedral, a book about religion and secularism.

The only book that I have read was John Adams, by David McCullough. Awesome book, but it surprised me that Romney liked it so much, because it kind of has an affection for John Adams who always said the first thing that came to his mind, which is more like Romney’s father, and less like Romney or Thomas Jefferson.

This issue has been covered pretty well in an article called, “Lessons of the Father” but I thought it was interesting in context to the contrast between Jefferson, Adams, George, and Mitt.

Have you read any of these books? Are you glad Romney has read them? What do these books tell you about Romney?

If congress passed a law, that each congressman had to read a book report on one book a year, and write a 1 page book report, which book would you have them read? If the presidential candidates all had to read a book, and write a book report on that book, as an application to become president, what book would you have a presidential candidate share beliefs about? What books have you heard Hillary Clinton reference?

Do you think Mitt Romney and Hillary Clinton would publish every book report that they have ever written? Why don�t we demand that of them?

~ Mike