Why Romney Might Not Be Rooting for McCain
I love this piece from David Corn. I’m sorry some may want to “close ranks” and support McCain, but I will not. It just does not matter to me that much. I will likely sit this one out completely. The more I thought about it, I just could not support Obama or Hillary. So, I’ll just stay home this election cycle and vote my conscience by abstaining this go round, and hope for an opportunity for Governor Romney in 2012.
From Why Romney Might Not Be Rooting for McCain
I’m Ronald Reagan, and John McCain’s not.
That was Mitt Romney’s not-so-implicit message, as he announced the suspension of his presidential campaign on Thursday before the audience at the Conservative Political Action Conference. In a fiery speech, Romney hammered the point that he’s a rock-hard conservative when it comes to all three legs of the great stool of the GOP: social issues, economic issues, and national security issues. At least now he is. He decried “government welfare” as a “threat to our culture.” He essentially called Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama surrender-monkeys in the fight against radical jiihadism. He denounced regulations that choke businesses and called for lower taxes. The crowd lapped it up.
Romney knew that in a few hours McCain would appear before the same audience and try to appease those conservative activists who consider McCain an ideological turncoat. (How dare he care about global warming!) Though Romney was departing the race, he seized the moment to present himself as the real thing. Perhaps McCain will eventually be able to reach a detente with some of the conservatives who despise him (even if Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, and James Dobson don’t sign any peace treaty). Regardless of that, Romney was attempting to position himself as the true leader of the movement.
Which caused me to wonder: maybe Romney doesn’t want McCain, the presumed Republican nominee, to win in November.
Look at Reagan In 1976, he challenged President Gerald Ford in the Republican contest and argued that Ford was not sufficiently conservative (mainly on foreign policy matters). It was a close race. By the time of the Republican convention, it was not clear who would be the nominee. Ford edged out Reagan–due to some last-minute strategic missteps committed by the Reagan campaign–and went on to lose the election to Jimmy Carter. Reagan emerged as the conservative champion in the party. Four years later, he roared back, won the nomination, and gained the presidency.
Whether or not McCain loses in November, Romney will remain the heartthrob of many conservative activists. But should McCain fail, Romney could become the de facto opposition leader–that is, if he’s not chosen to be McCain’s running-mate. And Romney would be able to use those millions of dollars he didn’t spend on this campaign to bolster the conservative movement’s infrastructure and further endear himself to the rightwing establishment. (Mike Huckabee might develop a Christian right following that sticks with him after the campaign, but his stool will be lopsided.) Romney would be well-positioned for the next campaign.
Republican losers often come back and succeed. Not only did Reagan do it, so did the first George Bush (who lost to Reagan in the 1980 Republican race) and Richard Nixon.
If McCain does end up as president, it will make life messy for conservatives. They will support him on some fronts and (if Democrats are lucky) detest him on others. There likely won’t be ideological clarity. And Romney, like others, will have to navigate those shoals. But given McCain’s age, that period might last no longer than one term. If Clinton or Obama triumph, Romney will be able to lead the rightwing charge against the culture-destroyer and surrender-chicken in the White House. Won’t that be a lot of fun for him?
So Romney may not have to wait so long to have another shot. In 2012, he’ll be 65 years old. Reagan was 69 when he reached the White House.
February 8th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
My apathy for the Presidential election is high. I am almost to the point where I don’t care who wins. As for the election cycle, I am eager to get involved and help start developing the next generation of solid conservative leaders. So I will be working hard for local candidates, and sitting on the sidelines for the Presidential.
February 8th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
I am from AZ and I fought very hard against McCain here. I am extrememly diappointed! But I feel calm inside. Don’t make any rash statements and give things time. Trust Mitt and his instincts on this one. MItt did the hard thing for the right reason- American! Patriots pray for American.
February 8th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Anybody hear Ann Coulter this morning? What a powerhouse! It’s great that Mitt has her in his corner, where she will probably remain. It’s too bad she was so hooked on Duncan Hunter for the whole year, and made a late switch to Romney. I think that’s where his lack of name recognition really hurt. He didn’t really have anyone for him until it was too late. Anyway, let the Dems win, and we’ll be back strong in 2012 (unfortunately with Huckabee to deal with. He ain’t going away, kids)
February 8th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
The more I think about it, I don’t think Mitt should attach himself to the train wreck of the Straight Talk Express. He shouldn’t be associated with any failed Presidential Campaign, even if asked. I’m sure Mike Huckabee will be on board, which will be the funniest thing of all.
February 8th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
I’m guessing Mitt Romney will be smart enough not to anchor his bow line to a “sinking ship”. If, McCain hits heavy seas, and takes on too much water, he may try to save himself with a McCain/Romney ticket. However, I’m thinking Gov. Romney will not supply the liferaft for McCain, if in fact he knows Sen. McCain is headed for Davey Jones locker. After the campaign that McCain and Huckabee have run to torpedo Gov. Romney, I can’t say as I wouldn’t blame him one bit for declining…….Boats
February 8th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
It sounds as if there are a lot of people still behind Mitt. Rush said to go dem today…
February 8th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
I’m with boats. Eschew all sinking boats (pardon my pun).
February 8th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
I am truly disappointed. I know Governor Romney said he was bowing out for the good of the party, but what about the good of the country and what about true conservatism?
I know McCain. He will make noises about conservative principles, but he will not follow through. His maverick streak will prevail
I don’t know whether there is another way to skin the cat, but if there is I hope Mitt will keep going.
I really think that when Mitt get heard, Mitt gets votes.
February 8th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
I hope you’ll still write-in Mitt in November Ann Marie. I’m encouraging everyone who can’t support McCain to do so.
February 8th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
I most likely won’t make my decision until shortly before the election in November, about what to do. I want to try to prevent Obama (or Hillary, but I think Obama’s got her beat now) from being the President, due to the urgency of issues such as the war, possible Supreme Court appointment(s), etc… but would really have a hard time voting for McCain. I think that if it appears that McCain has a chance, I’ll vote for him. If it’s apparent the Obama’s going to win by a landslide, I’ll write in Mitt for sure. It’s a really tough one…
February 8th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
I hope and pray Romney doesn’t tie himself to McCain as a VP. After the way McCain and Huckabee have treated him I can’t imagine any way this would happen. I would never expect a moment of contrition from Juan McCain. He’s an arrogant old man who has never demonstrated humility. After 4 yrs of Hillary maybe America will be ready for Romney’s message because they just let go the most qualified, competent, candidate we could ever ask for. If not for McCain’s tactics in Fl, (which demonstrate immediately he should be disqualified in the minds of voters from the presidency) and the bigotry vote, I think the outcome would be very different. Huckabee is only staying in a little while longer to make it LOOK like he was really after the presidency but he REALLY just wanted to make sure the *&%$ mormon doesn’t make it. Mark my words he has said this before in closed circles.
February 8th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
I will never forgive McCain, Fox News, Huckabee, the rest of the rotten media, or anyone else that were as treacherous and back-doored One of the Greatest American’s that ever sought the Leadership of America in Mitt Romney.
The aboved radicals don’t deserve to have their names mentioned in the same breath as Mitt Romney.
Please, I beg of my fellow bloggers that supported Mitt, DON’T SUPPORT McCAIN!!!
February 8th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
EVERYBODY THAT WANTS TO SIT THIS ELECTION OUT SHOULD RECONSIDER,,,,,,
WRITE IN ROMNEY !
February 8th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
We shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves, it may come down to that we must vote for McCain.
Yet, I think if this website and those that share its sentiments really wanted to they could start an independent ‘Romney write-in’. There’s no way to win the general this way (and we have to wait for the primary to end) but think of it.
I think if a massive write-in campaign were carried out (okay, less massive than an actual campaign, but you understand) Romney could pick up some percentage points. What’s the highest a third party candidate has received in recent history? Could write-ins be enough to achieve that. Imagine, a noticeable percentage of Americans writing in Mitt Romney when he’s not even on the list to choose. That would make a huge impact and send a big-time message to the people that have been unfair to Mitt Romney, his record, and his character.
Then again, we don’t want people to hate him for stealing conservative votes. We’ll see.
February 8th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
I think Romney would be unwise to accept a VP spot on the ticket. I think, given the sheer numbers of Democrat voters in excess of Republican voters (25MM vs 13MM) in the primaries, that McCain will not win. I think we are going to be stuck with a Democrat for President, possibly by a landslide. Assuming that’s the case, nine months from now, McCain’s political career is over. Especially if he gets crushed in the general. Whoever is on the ticket with him is probabaly dead as well. I hope it’s Huckabee.
I think that Romney should spend the next three years speaking & building. I think he needs to spend a lot of time speaking to groups in the south. He can win over almost anyone in person. He can even overcome the negative Mormon issues in person. It will take time and many, many personal appearances. And if there is no Huckabee in the 2012 contest, that changes things in his favor significantly.
February 8th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Mitt Romney said he will SUPPORT the nominee and dropped out of the race SPECIFICALLY because he did not want a non-unified Republican Party going down to defeat to the Democrats, endangering our future. Yet all I hear from Romney supporters is that they will “sit this one out.”
If history is a lesson, sometimes you DON’T get a second chance - either at the Presidency or to win back Congress - to finish your work.
Now is NOT the time for Democrats to take control of all three branches of government to STOP the war that is being waged against the world by Islamofascist jihadists.
Like Mitt said, this election is WAY too important for sore grievances that the media would LOVE for us to have, so that they can take complete control of everything through their ‘fairness doctrine. ideology of liberal complete domination of all media outlets - including this one.
This is not an election to leave up to chance. You are either going to STOP a Clinton/Obama ticket, or not. If you choose nothing, that is still a choice. My children MUST NOT suffer because I didn’t try to help, even though I lost.
No, I didn’t get much of what I wanted. But, I still got life, liberty and the pursuit of conservative principle of smaller government, lower taxes, strong defense, no more earmarks, Iraq winnable, and more than I will be able to put down here right now. I didn’t lose everything, just some things.
Six Supreme Court justices are very old. And the next President may seal the Court for a generation to come, trapping our children in it’s judicial tyranny.
The choice is yours.
I will not go down to defeat AT MY OWN HANDS. Political coalitions are there to overcome a GREATER threat that we all face by the Democrats winning: total power over all of our lives.
In this time of war, we MUST stick together, or we may all HANG seperately.
Go McCain/Romney Go!
February 8th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Denny,
I don’t think that the stated reason Romney gave about the war is the real reason he stepped down. He didn’t want to be called the guy who fractured the Republican party in a blind quest to win the Presidency at all costs. The person who holds that title is Mike Huckabee.
February 8th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
I cannot support McCain or Huckabee not only because I disagree so strongly with their polices, but because they played dirty and lied to bring Romney down. Huckabee and McCain made their beds now let them lie in them whatever the outcome. Hillary is not stupid and actually may be more rational then McCain. That doesn’t mean that I will vote for her. I will probably write in MITT ROMNEY. I don’t think Mitt should accept the VP if offered, but he has been a man of service all his life and he may feel the need to answer the call. There is talk floating around that he should be appointed to head up the RNC. If you haven’t voted in your state’s primary, I urge you to continue to vote for Romney as it will still count and will send a message!!!
February 8th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
I have thought that because Hillary, Obama and McCain support embryonic stem cell research and gay marriage, or in McCain’s case, do not support a marriage amendment that there is no “lesser of the evil” to vote for. They are all evil.
Write in Mitt.
February 8th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Yes, please, anyone who still gets to vote in a Primary, please vote for Mitt. I get to do so on March 4th and can’t wait to get my vote in.
I personally don’t think Mitt should take a VP position. He can lead the RNC or do other things to lbe recognized as the leader of the conservative movement and rescue the country in 2012. But we will need to be prepared to deal with the unbelievable nastiness of the Huckabee campaign, you know that “man of God”, that “good Christian man” who is such a bigot.
February 9th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Ann Marie,
Don’t sit the election out! Write in Romney’s name! I almost had decided to vote Hillary. But now, short of Mitt winning at the convention if Huckabee somehow holds McCain off until then, I have decided to write in Mitt’s name no matter what goes down. I think everyone should do the same. Could you imagine one person who is not even running getting a couple of million votes? That is the onloy way to send a message, not sitting out or voting for Hillary.
February 9th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
DID YOU HEAR? At the close of CPAC today they took a straw poll as to who should be the Republican nominee. Winner? MITT ROMNEY! followed by McCain, Huckabee and Paul.
Even after suspending his campaign right in front of their eyes, CPAC STILL voted for Mitt! We should, too, at every opportunity. Go Mitt 2008/2012!!
February 9th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
I strongly believe that either Juan McAmnesty or Hillary or Obama will make a mess of it in the White House. I’d prefer the mess made on a Democrats watch. We need the Republican party to reposition itself… and reorganize and come back strong… that being said I just don’t think I can support McCain… So instead I’m making bumper stickers that pretty much encapsulate my feelings on this election… Let me know what you think:
Since we are going to go down the toilet anyway,
we might as well take a dump in it first
Vote for Hillary 2008
February 10th, 2008 at 4:15 am
We have 6 decent candidates for president. We have 4 good ones. We have 1 great one. It saddens me to read that some of you will sit quietly by while our best choiceS are eliminate. Do NOT abstain from voting, either in your primary or the general election. As motivating as write-in sounds, we could only pull it off in a few states by changing our registration to say, Massachusetts, for the general. I have my own ideas on how the election should be run. We could come up with a compromise, double nomination ticket that puts Romney on the ballot in some states and McCain on the ballot in several mostly democrat states, so they would both have their appeal, and whichever ticket gets more votes than the other, all the gop delegates would agree to vote for him.
My bigger point is just vote. America does not always seem suited for self-government when 80% of its citizens do not vote.
February 12th, 2008 at 2:23 am
Ron Paul is reachig out to all Mormons. All of you that supported Romney, please read this. Mr. Paul understands how much the constitution means to the church. Prophets have often forseen the constitution hanging from a thread.
His letter to you..
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/states/washington/lds-letter/