McCain: Romney seems interested in V.P spot
(CNN) — Mitt Romney’s message came through loud and clear to John McCain.
The Arizona senator joked Wednesday he got the impression Romney is interested in the No. 2 spot on the Republican presidential ticket after watching a recent interview with the former Massachusetts governor.
“I got that impression from him watching his interview last night, I got that impression,” McCain said laughing on his campaign plane in New Hampshire. (Watch McCain’s comments on Romney)
The comments follow Romney’s interview with Fox News Tuesday night, during which the former presidential candidate said he’d be honored to serve alongside McCain.
“I think any Republican leader in this country would be honored to be asked to serve as the vice presidential nominee, myself included,” Romney said. “Of course this is a nation which needs strong leadership. And if the nominee of our party asked you to serve with him, anybody would be honored to receive that call … and to accept it, of course.”
McCain refused to hint at just how seriously his campaign is considering Romney for the ticket, though reports earlier this week said some aides to President Bush are pushing the idea of a McCain-Romney ticket, given the Massachusetts Republican’s credentials with respect to economic issues.
But McCain and Romney were bitter opponents earlier this year in the Republican presidential race, and the two men have butted heads for several years. Romney also categorically ruled out being McCain’s running mate in January, saying “I’m not going to be any vice president to John McCain either, that’s not going to happen.”
McCain acknowledged he and Romney were in a tough fight for the party’s nomination, but suggested the two have put their differences behind them.
“The lesson in politics is that you go forward, not back and so I defend the fact that it was a spirited and tough campaign but the fact is that once it’s over, we share…the same principles and values of conservative Republicans,” he said on his campaign bus later Wednesday.
McCain also said it’s not necessary for a presidential candidate to be personally close to his or her running mate.
“I don’t think you have a personal relationship, but you have to have a comfortable, professional relationship.”
– CNN’s Alex Mooney and Alexander Marquardt
March 12th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
This sounds very promising.
I draw my conclusion from McCain’s quote above: “we share…the same principles and values of conservative Republicans,” he said on his campaign bus later Wednesday.”
Earlier, in the LA Times, it was reported that “McCain said only that the main mission is finding someone ‘who can take your place, shares your principles, your values and your vision and your priorities.’”
So, if Mitt shares McCain’s “same principals and values”, could the M&M ticket be coming our way?
March 13th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
I don’t know, some of my favorite values of Mitt were the ones McCain doesn’t share…
March 13th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Okay…Yes McCain said that you want some one who shares your values and can take you place. Yet there is something more important then that…Its called winning the election. This election has beaten conventional wisdom of:
A governor winning the nomination
A person from the south winning the nomination
A conservative winning the nomination
Okay so if I have forgotten anything why don’t we beat conventional wisdom of having to have someone from the south. If we are all Americans the south surely could vote for a ticket where the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates are not from the south.
I know that many of the readers of this blog are from the south. Talk to your neighboors and explain there are more important things then where one of the candidates happen to be from. I have been hearing lately (for about a good two months) that Mitt lost in the south because of Anit-mormonism and Yankeeism. Forgive me but this is 2008 not 1835.
March 13th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
I will only vote for McCain if Mitt is on the ticket. Period, McCain needs money and activists, something that Mitt can bring him.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
Ditto Eric — NO MITT _ NO MONEY _ NO VOTE
This is the message we MUST send everywhere throughout this country and especially to the RNC and McCain Campaign. No other candidate can offer the experience, the even tempered manner and the courage and intelligence to make the RIGHT decisions when necessary.
Please, Please work hard to get this message around the country loud and often ASAP
March 13th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Ditto Eric and Renna - NO MITT_NO MONEY_NO VOTE
March 13th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
“Yes McCain said that you want some one who shares your values and can take you place. Yet there is something more important then that…Its called winning the election.”
I agree completely. I did not mean to say that I agree with McCain’s comments, but rather that whatever could drive McCain to pick Mitt is ok with me! It’s the best way to unite the GOP, help us win, and protect conservative principals.
March 13th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
So how long do you think he’s going to prolong this? He’s going to Iraq with (oh Lord) Liberman and his campaign manager ( can’t recall his name) very soon, I wonder if he’ll wait till he gets back, I can see ole Liberman licking his chops right now! And it wouldn’t surprise me if he did select him. I was so up after watching Mitt on Tues. night, but now I just don’t know, probably will be let down again. But I still say, “No Mitt, no vote and no mon!
March 13th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
I AGREE WITH YOU JEANNE , NO MITT, NO VOTE , NO MONEY ……..CATCHY PHRAZE, LETS USE IT.
March 13th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Mitt is a great choice for VP, but I don’t know if McCain is the caliber of a person to choose someone who is a better leader then he is? I fully agree the only way I will tolerate McCain is if he chooses Romney.
I agree NO MITT, NO MONEY, NO VOTE!
March 14th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
No Mitt, No Vote, No Money Seems like I have heard that one before!!! LOL!!
I just hope McCain catches it. He will lose if he doesn’t go along with all of us, so will Mitt, and if Mitt loses the VP we all will lose. We will all suffer. I don’t like to suffer unless I can help it.