Don’t Read Too Far Into Romney’s Recent Interview
Note:Before I begin posting, I’d like to introduce myself to all the readers here at Committed to Romney. My name is Matthew Kilburn, and in addition to managing my own website, I’ve been a regular commenter both here (as ActBlog) as well as on other sites. I’ve also been a Romney supporter since 2007, and look forward to playing a role here during the next election cycle.
David’s latest post about Romney’s interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is sure to raise a few eyebrows, but I have to caution my fellow Mittheads against reading too far into anything Romney said, for several reasons. First, we are still 48 months from the 2012 election, 24 months from the midterms, and still two weeks away from election day 2008. For Romney to announce plans now - even that he was considering a future run - would be foolish, at the least. As a leading figure within the Republican party, it is Romney’s job to act, publicly, as though the next four years will pass under a John McCain Presidency. To even hint at the possibility of a run in 2012, Mitt would have to acknowledge the likelihood of an Obama win, something that could be perceived as ambition trumping loyalty - a near-suicidal act in party politics.
Also, lets assume for a minute that Romney were to announce, or even hint at, a run in four years. What else could he possibly do this early in the game? The position the country will be in in four years is unknown, as are the main issues of the campaign. What the Congress looks like, how popular Obama will be, and what kinds of challenges the country will be confronted with are, and will remain, a mystery until much closer to election day. Even if he put together a campaign staff tomorrow, Mitt would have nothing to run on except an ambition to be President, and, while ambition is certainly necessary to hold political office, it often turns off those who might otherwise support you. True or not, Americans like to think of their leaders as holding office for noble motives, not personal benefit.
Finally, the wording of the interview doesn’t suggest disinterest in running again, in which case I might be tempted to believe it, but more a belief that the “window” won’t be open again. Romney never said that he wasn’t interested in running again, but that he believes the opportunity to become your party’s nominee comes only once. Of course, as John McCain has shown, that isn’t even close to the truth. In fact, the GOP has a history of nominating candidates on their second (or even third) try, and that is something you’ll be hearing more about from me in the coming weeks. Clearly, Romney intends to remain in politics, and, if in two years the opportunity to run is there, I have no doubt that Romney will.
October 23rd, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Two thumbs up for this post.
October 23rd, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Doug good to be optimistic and Welcome! I have enjoyed your comments and now your post. Awesome.
I hate to get my hopes up and I do not like hearing that there is a faction of the Gop that like Palin. Please. People are turning away from the ticket to because of her lack of substance yet the GOP is saying Palin 2012. The the GOP needs to do some soul searching and get behind Romney once and for all. They can’t expect him to spend another $40-$50 in an attempt to get the nod. We need a seriously competent leader if the GOP ever hopes to win the white house in 2012. Romney is the BEST!
October 23rd, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Thanks for you post Matthew. It gave me new hope. I was a little bit bummed when I thought that Romney might not run again. I know that this country needs a person of his caliber to lead this country. I wish we could call a mulligan and try this election cycle over again. If the GOP knew back during the primary what we know now . . .
October 23rd, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Great post Matthew, and nice to “meet” you LOL I agree. I thought this at the time I read that article… Mitt is out campaigning for the McCain camp right now and it would be no time to state he’s running for Pres in 2012.
October 23rd, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Ahh… Matthew Kilburn, just wanna say hello to a real person behind an “Act”! It has been nice working with you all those months!
October 23rd, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Tracey — 87% of Republicans and 84% of conservatives felt favorably toward Palin. It is not a “fraction of GOP”, but an extremely high percentage of the party, more than it ever was for Romney or anyone else in the recent memory. It is very likely that she will be in the national spotlight again in 2011, however this election goes for McCain. So, you better get used to Palin, as she is here to stay.
October 23rd, 2008 at 5:30 pm
SGS
Have you seen the recent polls. Her FAVORABLE rating has dropped. She is the reason people are not willing to support McCain. A large number of her supporters are enlisted in Hucks army. Their mission is to make sure Romney never gets to Washington.
I don’t have to get use to anybody!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 23rd, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Why doesn’t someone tell me something that Palin has actualy DONE, or something that she clearly stands for?
If Palin were a Democrat, we would be mocking her supporters for rabid enthusiasm without any basis in accomplishments or qualifications.
Palin is quickly becoming a cross between Fred Thompson and Barack Obama - loved by her supporters, but without any real qualifications or accomplishments to make the case for her election.
Really, SGS, I’m sure you saw Race42008 today - Kristofer pledging full support to Palin, and, he’s deffinately entitled, but other than the fact that she is supposedly new and exciting, really, what is the case for electing her?
October 23rd, 2008 at 5:42 pm
SGS,
Sarah Palin’s national favorability rating across all Americans is 38%. You right about the GOP loving her, but everone else think she is horribly unqualified, a joke, or a “rightwing nut job”.
If McCain/Palin are blown out in 12 days we will never hear of Palin as serious candidate again until 2016 at the earliest. There is no way she can be taken seriously in 2012 after just being blown out in the prior election.
October 23rd, 2008 at 5:45 pm
SARAH PALIN DRAGGING DOWN THE REPUBLICAN TICKET
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iSBeOLu4e6dpiCWZ2XPhtVST8W9A
October 23rd, 2008 at 5:51 pm
bad link.
October 23rd, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Sorry I can’t get it to work. Is it because of a copyright??
If anyone is interested the above article broke today and you can google the above title and it should come up.
October 23rd, 2008 at 6:01 pm
try this, same story, but from Yahoo!: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20081023/ts_alt_afp/usvoterepublicanpalin
October 23rd, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Thanks!
October 23rd, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Well, after hearing she too favors the dreaded “comprehensive immigration reform” (on Hotair.com) she can split the social-con-who-wont-accept-Mitt-no-matter-what vote with the Huckster, leaving smooth sailing for President Romney.
October 23rd, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Matthew, why doesn’t someone tell me something that Obama has actually DONE, or something he clearly stands for, other than being hell-bent on stifling innovation and wanting to rob MORE of my bank account to spread MY MONEY around the way HE wants to?
I work hard. I want to continue to work hard. I don’t want MORE punitive penalties on my work ethic. With what little money I have left after the government collects taxes from me, I want the joy of spreading it - my money - around the way I see fit, to support the worthy causes I hold dear. I’ve earned that right.
Aren’t the last three weeks indisputable proof of the utter disregard government has for our money? And Obama wants MORE? I call that the audacity of hope.
October 23rd, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Tracey, I am surprised you would quote the recent polls on me. I mean, we as strong Romney supporters have seen media going after Romney over and over at worst, and ignoring him at best, causing his polls to remain low in many places. Because of Romney’s tireless work and from the assistance of his supporters, he came within 3% of winning the party nomination. Now, I am surprised you would claim Palin is not worth it because of her low polls DUE TO VISCOUS ATTACK FROM MEDIA! Yes, if media has been attacking you nights and days continually, your polls would have fallen, too. I have been a very active Romney activist, but I am for the truth, first. I am trying to help you see the truths about Palin.
SED and others who wonder about whether Palin really does have the capability of becoming our president. She does not have the experiences that Romney had, but she is way better at governing than McCain, and she does have the records to back her up (hint: try to look at some conservative sites that are impartial, like American Thinker). Here is a good one that look at her in depth.
We should not judge her until we actually read the link I provided. She does stand up for what America represents, as envisioned by the founding fathers. She has the records to back her up. She is not a perfect person, but she can be as good as a president that Ronald Reagan, if not better, if given a chance. Again, she has solid history to stand up for her ability to lead, and to lead with courage, passion and love, with wisdom beyond her years. McCain has clamped her down. Media has gone totally raw with her, but that is not who she is. Please read this link.
October 23rd, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Act (I know you have a name, but that’s who you have been to me for over a year, smile): read this link as an introduction on what Palin has accomplished. See the other link here. Again, I am standing behind the claim that Romney would be better at running our country, but Palin actually is not that bad out of the crop of candidates, even better than Thompson, believe it. Rudy may be the only one who would give her a run, but Rudy does not have the same governing style or approach as Romney or Palin. In fact, I would declare that Palin is a Romney-lite! She is that good. Those two links only give you a gish, but if you have followed her as close as I have seen, you will see that she indeed is a Romney-lite (light in experience, but firm management with same visions of founding father).
October 23rd, 2008 at 8:53 pm
2ThePoint, The best way to know what Obama has done is to look at how he handled the money he received from others. Here is a good link.
October 24th, 2008 at 5:28 am
SGS,
Thanks for the posts and the links about Sarah Palin. However, I still don’t believe she is ready to be a heart beat away from the presidency or to be President herself. It’s not her qualifications it’s who she is and represents.
There are certain intangibles that I presonally look for in a president. One of them is intellectual curiosity. Watching Palin’s interviews and her most recent debate it became readily apparent that she knows very little outside of her own universe. Its not that Sarah is not an educated or a smart woman, but Sarah is who she is and knows what she knows attitude. I find it to a certain degree dangerous for higher office.
When she answered questions in those forums she dodged and changed the subject to fit something that she was far more comfortable with. She would give some nonsensical answer and to try to get by with a wink or a smile. As president or VP you can’t fake it.
Has the media come down on her on a consistent basis? Absolutely. However this did not stop George W. Bush from getting elected twice. The polls tell us that the majority of americans understand that MSM is in the tank for Obama. Knowing this, what scares them about Palin is that lack of intellectual curiosity. It makes most people feel out there that she is worse than Bush. Therefore the thought of her in the White House is unacceptable.
I have yet to go into her populist rhetoric as of yet, which is highly divisive and appears to stoke the fires of anger/hate to most Americans.
October 24th, 2008 at 6:33 am
SSG where do you get your facts from? The RNC? I see Palin with less than 50% favorabily. THose that can form a brain wave, don’t really care for her. Her latest 150K wardrobe for her and the family, has put her over the top as the least liked, and most space between the ears for a veep in history. She’ll be a footnote in a few days.
October 24th, 2008 at 6:46 am
Seg. It’s not an attack to state facts. She also shoots from the hip, doing things, then figuring out she did not exactly follow the law later. It’s cost the city of Wassilla millions extra to obtain the land rights to the sports complex she had built, because she jumped the gun. Oh, and these are the same builders who happened to be buddies of Toddy, who ‘helped’ build their home on the lake. I guess ethics are for others, or she’s just too dumb to understand the word.
October 24th, 2008 at 7:28 am
Michael Medved over at Townhall today has stated that Sarah Palin is likely finished if the McCain/Palin ticket loses. Hs statement is based on fact and the history of past running mates that failed to be elected in office.
This is only an affirmation of what I believe to be true in 2012. Mitt Romney will have the nomination unless he is stopped by Bobby Jindal. We as Mitt Romney supporters have got to find a way to get the message out. A Romney/Jindal 2012 ticket benefits us all. There is no need for a divisive primary. We have to work together to re-claim the White House.
October 24th, 2008 at 7:29 am
Here is the link to Medved’s post by the way:
http://townhall.com/blog/g/d9ee7ee0-035c-468b-93f2-98b37683db5f
October 24th, 2008 at 8:24 am
This is a test. I tried to post comments last night three times and no go. Tried again this morning and no go. What’s the deal?
October 24th, 2008 at 8:26 am
Don’t look for Jindal to be the roadblock - If Palin comes to be seen as a disaster, and Obama as a mistake, don’t expect the next President to be under 50.
October 24th, 2008 at 8:34 am
HMMMM…i disagree, i don’t think sarah palin is finished if mccain/palin loses…even if it loses big. The key to remember is sarah palin is 44 years old and a heck of a performer, her problem is her knowledge base needs to expand… that can be fixed with study and time. I would strongly advise her to 1) write a book and make $’s, with a big family…$’s are nice 2) run for re-election in 2010 and be the best gov possible for the next 6 years 3) tease about running in 2012 but DO NOT RUN…build up goodwill, be a heck of gov, and skip traveling around the country for 2 years trying to win the primary and raising $’s 4) serve out her second term as gov, than run for senate in 2014. 5) After getting elected to the senate in 2014, pretty much any cycle from 2016 through 2028 is open for a run…I also would advise the same format for bobby Jindal, he is even younger at 38…these two need to serve out their terms as gov and forgot about roasting those terms as gov in pursuit of getting the nomination in 2012, time is on their side…For 2012, i’d look at pawlenty, sanford, and thune as the newcomers running with newt, no chance he can win but he has an ego so he probably runs…than you got romney and huckabee who i’d consider the front runners…yet you could make a great case huckabee and romney, in utah, should both run for the senate in 2010, when it should be a horrible year for dems…from that spot they could turnaround and run in 2012 if obama poll #’s are awful or gamble on obama winning a running in 2016…
October 24th, 2008 at 8:35 am
My opinions on Obama will still not post. This is another test.
October 24th, 2008 at 8:48 am
I’m not going to trash palin but after mccain/palin probably lose and lose bad November 4th she will be reduced to a has been in the national spotlight.Her star could rise again if she were elected to congress or the senate in Alaska.but that would be long after 2012.Unfortunately she got into the national spotlight way to early and ill prepared.I don’t doubt her ability to do the job but we really don’t know enough about her to make a bonified decision. I am supporting Mccain/Palin as the lesser of two evils as I believe that the two squirrels on my front lawn are more qualified to be pres/vice pres than obama/biden
October 24th, 2008 at 9:13 am
1. I think people underestimate Obama. Obama will tack hard right if he gets elected, the economy requires such a move a governance.
2. Obama is very bright, much more so than McCain or Palin. Party affiliation aside it isn’t hard to miss that Obama has certain gifts that may serve this country well.
3. To suggest Obama isn’t qualified ignores the fact that at 47 years old he has defeated the Clinton political machine - Bush 41 or Dole didn’t achieve that feat - and like it or not, he runs a well disciplined campaign and surrounds himself with a cadre of people who know how to win. To overlook the obvious is why Republicans are not doing so well this time around. The Democratic Party learned its lessons from the past two elections.
4. The political landscape has changed in America and many on the Republican side, still, have not noticed.
October 24th, 2008 at 9:19 am
Blue the problem with Palin is related to IQ. You either have it or you do not. She is 44 years old. To at least appear that thick, at 44, presents a serious problem. Ambition will only take you so far.
Yes, she can study, but why hasn’t she thus far? Because it isn’t of any interest to her.
October 24th, 2008 at 9:40 am
Yeah, i agree obama is not to be under estimated + he knows that about 99% of his success or failure will be determined by the economy and the economic winds might favor his re-election, things should turn come 2012…which is why romney might be better to position himself for a run in 2016 at the age of 69, than focusing on 2012…after 8 years of a younger dem team with no dem veep to run unless biden is dumped( which obama should do in 2012), folks might want to turn to an older face and different party come 2016 + if romney gets into the house or senate in 2010, which he would need to do if he aims for the white house in 2016, he can further add to his conservative creds during his term in congress but its a huge gamble to pass on running in 2012…as for palin, i think if ronald reagan was picked for veep after his second year of gov of CA it might not fly…she doesn’t need to turn herself into a law prof but i would think her ambition would inspire her to hit the books
October 24th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Reagan was hitting the books with Buckley, Rusher and other conservatives early on. Reagan also wrote extensively and although he wasn’t an intellectual, he was curious and questioned the state of the government, politics and economics.
Reagan was also self aware and knew how and when to use his talents and shore up his weaknesses. Palin obviously does not possess that ability.
October 24th, 2008 at 11:18 am
I believe Mitt should run in 2012, but not spend any of his own money. That is only if criticism of Obama as president runs high. If Obama becomes a really popular president, it’s not worth the time and energy to run. He should have enough name recognition by 2012 or 2016 to run, but he should not use his own money, as he got so much criticism for it last time. I also think the Mormon thing really hurt him. I don’t think he went into this really knowing how much hate there was out there.
October 24th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
SGS
Are you interested in Palin for 2012? I am not!
You used poll numbers to point out that Palin is popular among rep/con.
I used poll numbers to show that her numbers have dropped because people fear she is not ready for the position of VP.
I am not dismissing her for her low poll numbers, I am dismissing her and many people around me are dismissing her because of her lack of readiness. Her ACT is not playing well with a lot of people. She is a big favorite of those who supported Huck and those who went to great lengths to in sure the man that was most suited to run against Obama never had a chance.
As far as the truth about Palin, I don’t think she is all that she is cracked up to be.
October 25th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Lets start today , right now , this minute , to start a draft Mitt Romney for the good of the Country petition.
October 25th, 2008 at 9:18 am
2 the point , I have also been CENSURED in some of my opinions on Mr. Barrack.
October 25th, 2008 at 10:18 am
This is from newsweek:
If John McCain is not elected president, which one of the following three possible candidates would you be most likely to support for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012?
* Mitt Romney 35%
* Mike Huckabee 26%
* Sarah Palin 20%
I might be the only person but i love a romney/huckabee ticket in 2012…yet for the next 10 days i will only focus on mccain and 08…its really a tornado environment trying to forecast this election, wouldn’t be shocked if obama wins by 100+ EC votes or heck if mccain comes back and wins somehow, well he would need to win OH, Pa, and FL for starters…also did see a blob in today’s nytimes speculating romney might get the sec of treasury job if mccain pulls off a red sox type comeback.
October 25th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Hi 2TP and Evelio,
I’ve had similar problems posting and I think it’s because of the words social**m or social**t. It looks like they are flagged to not post. I just substitute them with liberal or dems. I’ not sure what other flagged words there are, but those are the two that have come up for me often.
October 25th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
blue: It seems on paper to be a good ticket, but it will never work. In four years, Huck will once again use Romney as his foil — playing the evangelicals against him. We will once again have the floating cross and have to hear about how Huck is the “Christian” candidate. Romney should just run as the fix-it guy, because I don’t see the economy improving any between now and 2012. People will know his values by looking at his family. By the way, if Huck puts all that weight back on, he will be too fat to run in 2012. Let’s send him some pie.
October 25th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
EvelioPerez: Blue , with all due respect, Huckabee thinks Romney and the L.D.S. is evil , he has defamed the L D S and has a horrible record as a conservative. There is no way that that bigot is going to go as a number 2 , his ego won’t allow that to happen.
Besides I think America has seen The Huckster at his best , he is a big jerk with a big mouth.
The Huckster has to get a lot of the credit for joining forces with McCain and force Romney out of the race , basically telling the conservative base to kiss off . I also give them all the credit for IGNORING the Conservative base , thinking that we don’t count as an important part of the New Republican Party . No wonder McCain is losing in those traditionaly conservative areas. We are going to lose to a SO—LIST ! Thanks Huck , you and McCain’s plan for a moderate America betrayed us all………….may God have mercy on our souls.
Anybody but Huckabee would be O.K. with me.
Romney / Petraeus
2012
October 25th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
THANKS SED I PLAYED WITH THE S-WORD AND MY POST WENT THROUGH.
THE WORD IS SOCIA-ISTS….. (LOL)
October 25th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
THIS IS TRULY EXPLOSIVE ( MUST SEE ) 22 MINUTES
BEWARE N-WORD IS USED…………
http://www.atlah.org/broadcast/ndnr10-17-08.html
October 25th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
One of my biggest problems with Palin is the fact SHE IS COMPETITION FOR ROMNEY.
I wish the GOP would recognize the importance of promoting rock solid, no nonsense candidates. Romney fits that mold perfectly. In 2012, I hope there will be an easier path for Romney to take to the nomination.
Of course, Romney is saying he will not run and though it may just be good politics for now, I think he may mean what he says.
October 26th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
I think the best way to make sure that our shared conservative values serve as a uniting force for the GOP and ensure our top choice for the next nominee in 2012 (Gov Romney) is selected is to support the Free & Strong America PAC.
http://www.freestrongamerica.org