Mitt Romney On The Stump With John McCain
(AP)
SALT LAKE CITY — In a show of Republican unity, one-time bitter foes John McCain and Mitt Romney raised money and campaigned together Thursday for a single goal — getting McCain elected president.
“We are united. Now our job is to energize our party,” McCain said in an airport hanger, flanked by Romney and Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., an early McCain supporter.
Both men have been mentioned as potential vice presidential picks, and while McCain praised each, he did not tip his hand on whether either was under consideration.
Romney, for his part, praised McCain and promised to do all that he could to help, saying: “He is a man who is proven and tested” and without question the right man to be president.
In February, Romney won 90 percent of the vote in Utah to McCain’s 5 percent. Romney’s ties to the state run deep, from his Mormon faith to his work overseeing the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.
“Look, that wasn’t the only state I lost to Governor Romney in — it was just the largest loss,’ McCain said chuckling. He joked that it was abject humiliation that was understandable given Romney’s Utah links. “I was at least hoping to break into double digits though!”
“I think he did just fine in New Hampshire, South Carolina, Florida, California …,” Romney said, laughing as well
McCain and Romney then headed to Denver for another fundraiser.
McCain, who has struggled to raise campaign money compared with Democratic rivals Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton, is on a weeklong western fundraising swing. Romney is popular in Utah and Colorado, states with large numbers of residents who are members of his Mormon faith.
The former Massachusetts governor dropped out of the race last month after it became apparent it would be near impossible to topple McCain in the convention delegate race. A week later, he endorsed the Arizona senator and pledged to do whatever he could to help McCain win the nomination.
Since then, McCain has praised Romney repeatedly as someone who is certain to continue playing a large role in the GOP. Romney, for his part, has suggested that he’d accept the No. 2 spot on the ticket, though some Republicans privately speculate that he’s looking ahead to 2012 and a possible repeat run.
Neither man appeared especially fond of the other during the campaign. Romney cast McCain as outside of the GOP’s conservative mainstream and a Washington insider who contributed to the problems plaguing a broken system. McCain, in turn, argued that Romney’s equivocations and reversals on several issues indicated a willingness to change his positions to fit his political goals.
March 27th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
I wonder if I have ever been first before… by the time I am done messing with this, I may not be first this time!
I watched the news today and then the short conference afterwards. I was stunned. I was stunned that I actually thought McCain was sincere in his praise of Mitt. Mitt is so assured and looked so comfortable and they looked so good together that I came away from the thing feeling pretty good and quite hopeful… I think PERHAPS they are laying the ground work for an announcement. I wonder if the thinking is that if we see them buddy up to each other for a few weeks or whatever that it will be easier for people to accept that perhaps they genuinely have respect for each other and perhaps can like one another and then be able to work together. Of course, this may all be WISHFUL THINKING!!!! I think I feel that if there ever was a time in our country when we needed sincere and ardent prayer for someone good and focused on proper things to come along, this may be that time and perhaps Mitt is that man…
March 27th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Wow!! They did look comfy together, I really can’t believe that this country didn’t
support Romney better . He really just is so Presidential, it broke my heart for him,
looking at McCain as he spoke. I have to believe everything happens for a reason.
Maybe we are just being selfish and just have to hope if not V.P. he’ll be poised
for 2012 and beat everyone hands down. Oh how right you are, it’s time to give
it all to ardent prayer. He’s a good person!!!!!!!
Mainely yours
March 27th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN6vlOx1t3A
March 27th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
It made the top headline on a DrudgeReport!!
March 27th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Those two would make a formidable ticket: Foreign Policy authority and Economic guru! Don’t know if it would be best for Mitt, but it would be great for the country.
FYI: Huckabee’s supporters are ACTIVELY lobbying for Mike to receive the VP nod.
If you’re serious about getting Romney on the ticket, call McCain @ 703-418-2008. Email McCain @johnmccain.com. Drop letters/post cards to John McCain, PO Box 16118, Arlington, Va. 22215. Vote for Romney on all VP polls. Get your family and friends who support Romney to do likewise. Get on the blogs and make the case for Romney.
Let’s get this M&M mission accomplished!
March 27th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
A FEW PROBLEMS:
1. Voters fell in love with Romney because of his stance against illegal immigration and amnesty. Over the past couple of weeks, McCain has been ACTIVELY working to thwart the SAVE Act, a bipartisan attempt at getting REQUIRED enforcement into law. If the legislature can get this passed, then it would FORCE the next president to uphold it. Obviously, since McCain is an open-border globalist, he doesn’t want this to happen. So, according to Rep. Shuler, McCain is PERSONALLY calling members of Congress to stop the bill. Read all about it: http://www.blueridgenow.com/article/20080326/NEWS/803260330
SO, what would Romney do (WWRD)? Would he just sit quietly and watch the Commander and Chief support illegal immigration? Could he? If Romney COULD watch McCain destroy the rule of law, then it shows that Romney doesn’t believe the words coming out of his own mouth. If Romney speaks up, then their would be mass conflict between the Prez and VP. This issue alone — McCain’s entire raison d’etre — would make the ticket an impossibility. Their differences would become too obvious before November.
2. McCain knows that if Romney were to be his running mate, Romney would outshine him. And being the egomaniac that McCain is, he wouldn’t allow this to happen. No, McCain is using Romney to try to appeal to conservatives while making some money at $1000-a-plate luncheons. That’s it.
I’ve said it before on here: McCain’s choice for VP will be Lindsay Graham. They are at every press event together, AND he joined McCain on the recent trip to Iraq. Yes, little Lindsay will make a good, obedient lap dog, and that’s just what McCain wants. Plus they both love amnesty.
This Republican is voting Hillary 2008, and then Romney in 2012.
March 27th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
I don’t know if anyone has posted this VP poll yet…
Vote for Romney here: http://gopnation.com/wordpress/?page_id=357
March 27th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Here’s more good stuff on our man, Mitt:
U.S. News and World Report
Romney Medals in Religious Freedom
March 06, 2008 11:19 PM ET | Paul Bedard |
It’s not the gold medal that former Olympics boss and GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney sought on the campaign trail. But his and his wife Ann’s winning of the annual Beckett Fund Canterbury Medal recognizes one element of his failed bid cheered by fans of religious freedom. “Mitt and Ann unapologetically but gracefully stood their ground and embraced their faith in the face of all manner of provocations,” says fund President Kevin “Seamus” Hasson. Fund insiders tell us that the two Mormons will be presented with the medal in May, joining other recipients like Holocaust survivor and Nobel laureate Elie Wiesel. Hasson says the medal goes to the “public figure who has resolutely refused to render to Caesar that which is God’s.” Romney tells us it’s an “honor to be recognized.”
Three cheers for the Romneys!
Mitt and Ann - our country needs you!
March 27th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
J.D., will you vote for Barack Obama in the General Election? Because Hillary Clinton has about as good of chance of becoming the Democratic Nominee as Rush Limbaugh does. I respect you decisions; however, I don’t see how supporting a Democrat for President helps your argument for immigration-enforcement.
March 27th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Rusty, here’s how voting against McCain and for Hillary helps immigration enforcement:
We have to go back to the last election. If Kerry had won in 2004, it’s uncertain whether he would have even pushed an amnesty as vigorously as Bush. But let’s say he had. The result would have been a the GOP coming together AGAINST the “Democrat amnesty.” It would have been clear: Dems love illegal immigration, GOP opposes it. We would have had a good debate, and the amnesty would have moved nowhere.
Instead, we have a Republican in the White House pushing immigration anarchy. Because the Dems love it as well, nearly all of them followed Bush. AND, since Republicans in the House and Senate obviously have a lot of allegiance to Bush, they couldn’t go against him. Many begrudgingly went along. Some were strong enough to defy Bush, but in the end, the coalition of all the Dems and half the Republicans was close enough to create an amnesty — too close. In the least, it has been enough to keep the SAVE Act and other border initiatives from becoming law.
IF HILLARY wins in the Fall, and if she pushes an amnesty, the GOP will FINALLY come together and oppose the “Clinton Amnesty.” Finally, voters will know whom to vote for on this issue.
Furthermore, Clinton — unlike McCain who has made amnesty his goal in life — probably won’t push an open-border agenda because the Clintons read polls like gospel, and know that Americans overwhelmingly oppose it. Remember her flip-flop on illegal alien driver’s licenses? Well, it’s not good she waffled, BUT at least she quickly ended up in the right spot. She got there because people called her office non-stop and polls showed it was an unpopular position. She doesn’t want to waste political capital on the immigration issue; she’s interested in socialized medicine and other issues (which will also never happen). An amnesty won’t be on her agenda.
McCain, on the other hand, couldn’t care less what the public thinks on this issue. All he wants to do is get an amnesty through. If he’s elected, it will be very difficult to stop. And then we can say good-bye to America as we know it. And good-bye to the GOP because the mass population growth that results will be mostly in the form of government-dependent voters from societies which love big government.
March 27th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
J.D. , YOU ARE RIGHT , WHEN MCCAIN AND ROMNEY ARE TOGETHER IT IS CLEAR THAT ROMNEY WOULD OUTSHINE MCCAIN , BUT VOTE FOR HILLARY OR OBAMA ?
I WILL WRITE IN ROMNEYS NAME IF HE IS NOT THE V.P. NOMINEE….
ROMNEY 2012
March 27th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
I wondered about Lindsey Graham but what does Lindsey give McCain- he can’t give him South Carolina- McCain won their. Romney gives him Michigan and Utah- Yes I said Utah. Utah is upset with the way Romney was treated primarily by the Huckabee supporters. I have heard that a lot of republicans in Utah were considering Obama and I actually think Utah could go BLUE. Romney would seal the deal in Utah. Karl Rove thinks McCain should pick Romney and they do not call him the architect for nothing. Romney is a perfect replacement for McCain who is getting old and the voters are going to look seriously at the VP pick because it is more likely McCain could die in office since the average life span of a male is 75. McCain will be 72 when he takes office. McCain has turned his back on the republican party before but the who’s who in the republican party are supporting the idea of a M&M ticket. Also, people will continue to be concerned about the economy and Mitt brings a strength to the ticket that McCain does not have. I think if McCain has a brain he will pick Mitt.
March 27th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
J.D., thanks for the spirited reply. I can understand anyone’s frustration with John McCains positions on immigration; the biggest fear I have about him is that he will not support the GOP’s platform on the subject. But dispite the differences he has had with the party in the past, I believe he will indeed govern according to national interests and conservative principles. I also believe that because of his shaky at best past regarding immigration issues, he will be almost required to pick someone not associated with lax immigration policies, i.e. Lindsay Grahamnesty. I can’t guarantee that Mitt will be the VP Nominee; but I can guarantee that Hillary Clinton will not be the Democratic Nominee–or President.
March 28th, 2008 at 11:47 am
What a picture! Never thought I’d see the day. It wasn’t that long ago that I was calling McCain names during one of his rude debate comments. I suppose if Romney can get past that…
March 28th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
With Mitt back in the news just watch all the negative mean comments about his religion and the pass that Obama gets with his pastor and his religion. Too bad wehave a media that is bigoted. McCain would be wise to choose Mitt, but I think MCCain has too big of an ego. I’ll wait to donate until I see who his VP is. Maybe McCain will surprise everyone……And show he actually will think about what the country needs.
March 28th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
I am hoping, but I am very cautious in that hope. My Grandma said something about the media bringing all the anit-Mormon stuff back in and how that would be bad. Come on people, WAKE UP, we have delt with that and we will know how to deal with it better this time around. Be prepared is the scout motto and I think Mitt (who did get his eagle scout when he was younger) knows the meaning of that very well. I would be surprised if he wasn’t ready to take on the Religious prejuidice of the media head on if he got the VP nod. I think he has talked about this with his wife and kids. We should all be prepared better in how to deal with fears of members (oh and they are there) and non-members alike. We can handle this. Plus the things they are going to bring out (mark my words) is going to be polygamy, blacks and the priesthood (go to http://www.blacklds.org for that problem), and oh what else…mountain medows. Anything that I missed?
Yes McCain has an ego. I wasn’t surprised one bit about this because Mitt has said he would do this. I just don’t think the man holds grudges for very long. When I saw him though I did have the though “Why couldn’t he be our standard bearer?” Yet what happened happened and we can’t redo it. We will just have to wait and see but we can be prepared.
March 28th, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Great comments Sarah, I don’t think we should be so bound by fear that we don’t open ourselves up for what God may really want. I don’t think we should for one minute forget who is really at the helm of this world. Guess what, it is not the dems nor the republicans. It is God, He is in charge. All that being said, it doesn’t mean that we cannot dig in our heels and fight and pray for what is right. Maybe it is time for exposure. The LDS Church had a huge increase in phone calls for information during the time Mitt was in the so called “spot light”. (Under the microscope would be more like it.) So, be still and know…..
March 28th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Thank you.
Where did you get that info about the LDS Church recieving an increase in phone calls for information? Was it in the Church Newsroom? Yeah we do have to remember that God is in charge of this world.
I must say something struck me as I was hearing the media go on and on about Mr. Jeremiah Wright’s comments (someone said in some comment that he doesn’t deserve the title of Reverand and they are right he absolutely does not). It was that the media will go nuts about anything that is called “controvercsial” (*Spelling). Shoot I think if we tell someone that a chicken started pecking at a black man we could get a controversy started up as that chicken being a “racist” by the drive by media.
I mean do you understand my point. They don’t want to sell stories that are not controverscial enough. It is evident enought in the way they word things. They will go over and overy things that seem “racial” or wrong about everything. Throw in a religion that has had one interesting background (cough-mormonism) and they just go nuts. We need more sane TV news stations. Anyway we could revolt against CNN and MSNBC? Lets take over their stations, that would be nice. Oh and by the way lets also make the New York and LA Times and San Francisco chronicle obsolete. How does that sound?
Sorry about the tangent, but I really don’t like the abuse of “Freedom of Speech” going on by the majority of the mainstream media. I could sense a little bit of it by the AP piece above. There just seemed to be an underlying tone of “Romney is still a Flip Flopper and McCain is just an old gezzer” especially in how they ended the article.
March 28th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Romney will be McCain’s VP
Don’t be suprised if Mitt is on top and McCain on the bottom — not like that, lol!
March 28th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
Sarah, at some time during the Mitt days, I read it on the Deseret News web site. I remember it well, because the DesNews has a comment section and there was lots of conversation about it. I cannot remember exactly when it was
though.
Speaking of the DesNews, there was an opinion piece today where the guy said essentially that he was sorry to disappoint all the ROMNEY lovers but ROMNEY was not going to be the VP candidate. He had a bunch of superficial and goofy reasons but the comments were interesting, both pro and con. Sometimes people just spout things they don’t know anything about; amazing! I capitalized Mitts last name because the author did it all the way through the article. It was really quite annoying. The guy clearly has a thing against Mitt and maybe the LDS Church… http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695265268,00.html
Steve, I honestly don’t understand your comment. Do you mean in popularity or what? Sorry to be slow.
Go Mitt!
March 29th, 2008 at 12:50 am
KKSM:
On the contrary, you are intelligent - I was the one who was in a rush and typed out my sentences awkardly.
What I meant to say is what I’ve been saying for a long time. That our man Mitt will be McCain’s VP. There are too many factors inhibiting McCain to pick somebody else than Romney. And on the second sentence, I meant to say that it could possibly be that Governor Romney will be the President and McCain Vice-President.
That last one was really just a ‘wish’ from an avid Romney fan - speaking of fan, I came up with this slogan. It might be used already and may suck; but it’s better than keeping it to myself: If Mitt Fits, You Must ComMITT!
March 29th, 2008 at 1:09 am
I will not vote for McCain. He kicks conservatives in the head. If I voted for him I would be asking for more abuse. A mccain/ROMNEY ticket would make a wierd election cycle even wierder(i before e except…..when?). That would be a seriously upside-down ticket.
March 29th, 2008 at 9:40 am
another slogan:
Save the Olympics—Save the World
March 29th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
I would much rather see Romney as President, But Mccain needs Romney’s help to
win and for our Republican Party. If Romney accepts VP for 2009 I will back him… Think
about it. It would be a big Positive for him when running for President in the next election………..Go Mitt Romney.