(CNN) Is Romney the Man to Save the GOP?
WASHINGTON (CNN) — As Republican leaders sift through the ruins of the 2008 election and debate the party’s future at the Republican Governors Association meeting this week, one of the GOP’s potential standard-bearers is instead on a Caribbean cruise.
But it isn’t just any cruise and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney isn’t just any Republican. Since the economy began its historic downturn six weeks ago, Romney’s stock in his party appears to have skyrocketed. ..
…But should Romney decide on a second presidential run, he’s likely to face a friendlier reception than his first go-around. The base may to be more convinced of Romney’s conservative commitment if he’s willing to take another stab at the presidency, activists say, and the Republican Party has a history of rewarding presidential candidates who have run at least once and lost.
“There is a tradition in the Republican Party — you run first for the nomination and lose, and then you run and get it,” Wayne said, pointing to Presidents Reagan and George H.W. Bush, former Sen. Bob Dole and McCain.
“Losing once is almost a badge of honor among Republicans.”
You can read the full story at CNN.com
November 13th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
I kind of like the way Palin is making such a naked play for 2012. Today she embarrassed herself further at the gov conference. She’s fast approaching her jump-the shark-moment.
I hope Romney decides to run, but I don’t think we’ll know for quite a while. We need to see what the next couple years bring with Obama, and the GOP.
I don’t think Palin is his real challenger. Or Huckabee - he burned too many bridges, while Romney was out building them. Jindal, maybe.
I hope Romney finds a way to not only stay relevant in the next 2 years, but to become a major factor in rebuilding the GOP.
November 13th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
But What About Palin?
by William March (March on Politics)
Nov 12, 2008
Posted Nov 12, 2008
http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/news/story/but-what-about-palin/
One person who isn’t being blamed for McCain’s loss Nov. 4 at a meeting of Republican governors and strategists in Miami today is vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin.
But they aren’t exactly leaping to defend her, either.
A surprising moment occurred late this afternoon in a press roundtable featuring Govs. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota and Jon Huntsman of Utah, former Ebay CEO and McCain national campaign co-chairman Meg Whitman, and former OMB Director Rob Portman.
A reporter asked whether they would have felt comfortable with Palin as president. After a moment of awkward silence, there were several answers given—but no one said “yes.”
Whitman, who had traveled the campaign trail with Palin, was the first to venture a response: “It’s hard to speculate – she is incredibly enthusiastic, a very fast study,” she said.
Huntsman then said, “I don’t think it’s as simple as yes or no – were the raw ingredients there? She’d been an effective leader in Alaska.”
Pawlenty then called her “an extremely talented person. We’re still getting to know her. John McCain made it very clear that one of his criteria [for a running mate] was that that person was ready to be president from Day One. … I would have to defer to his judgment.”
The Republicans also made it clear Palin injected a badly needed spirit of enthusiasm into the McCain campaign.
“She energized the base in a way that was necessary,” Portman said.
November 13th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
I don’t have anything profound to say, only that I really like to see someone say something nice about Mitt for a change!!!
thanx for the GREAT post!!!! K
November 14th, 2008 at 6:26 am
The second highest position in the land, backing a man who was 72 and had cancer should have been a candidate who on day one ,if need be, could step into the President’s shoes with a firm understanding of all the elements needed to be President. At these horrible global meltdown times, we needed a CEO who has proven success, knows how to deal with and can set the proper steps in place to stop the broken economy we are experiencing. We had two chances to have such a person, and we let him slip through our fingers. Well, let me say with alittle help from many public officials, the liberal media, and liberal press.We don’t know where any of us will be in four years, if it is meant to be, this country should accept Mitt Romney with open arms, if for nothing else, his superior ability to turn or fix broken troubled endeavors proves to me HE IS THE MAN!!!! MITT/2012!!!!!…………….Sign SED’s petition for Mitt/Jindal, tell everyone you know………………..
November 14th, 2008 at 7:40 am
Well, I for one, would have loved Palin as President. She’s shown how to govern in Alaska (No.1 governor) and, besides, the President is never really his “own man” but he has advisors and staff who assist in making many of the decisions. What a President really needs is good judgment, and I do feel that Palin had that in spades (pardon the pun).
As for Romney, OF COURSE he would have been great. That’s what’s so tragic ABOUT OUR CRAPPY PRIMARY SYSTEM!!!!!! Change it now!
November 14th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Facing Palin factor, Romney mulls political future
AP News Townhall.com
Friday, November 14, 2008
Tagg Romney was in his office the other day when the door opened and in popped his father, Mitt Romney, dropping off the family dog.
It was a mundane task that highlighted Romney’s change in fortunes: Instead of managing a White House transition, or preparing to assume the vice presidency, the man who failed in his bid for the Republican presidential nomination and was passed over by John McCain for running mate is focusing on his family and political interests.
And it may stay that way through 2012 and beyond.
The surprising ascendancy of McCain’s eventual pick, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, and her popularity among some GOP conservatives have left Romney wondering whether he could wage a viable second campaign for the White House, according to friends and advisers.
The former businessman and one-time Massachusetts governor invested $47 million of his family fortune in this year’s failed race, undercut by those wary of his Mormon religion and skeptics who questioned whether Romney’s conversion to conservatism was genuine. Both points were highlighted by Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor and Southern Baptist preacher who beat Romney in the Iowa caucuses and occupied the same political terrain since overtaken by Palin.
“While (Palin) may not be popular with the winning majority that Barack Obama put together, she’s enormously popular with the losing minority that John McCain put together _ and that pretty closely mirrors Republican primary voters,” said Rich Bond, former chairman of the Republican National Committee.
Charley Manning, a Massachusetts Republican operative who has worked as a Romney adviser, recently told a local radio interviewer: “I’d be surprised if Mitt ever ran again for president. I sure don’t think it was the best experience of his life.”
In the near term, speculation has focused on whether Romney might help rebuild the party as chairman of the RNC although other Republicans are jockeying for the job.
A top aide said Romney is focused on where to spend Thanksgiving rather than when to head back to Iowa or New Hampshire. Between now and 2010, Romney has no political plans other than to write about causes that interest him and use his political action committee to raise money for candidates who share his government philosophy.
Romney’s committee recently donated to the recount for Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., and the runoff election involving Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga.
“The campaign’s over and now is not the time to be thinking about the next presidential election,” said Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom. “Governor Romney believes that now is the time for all Americans to stand above partisan politics and help our president-elect address the pressing needs of the nation.” Continued…
That generosity is very different from the rhetoric Romney used on the campaign trail, when he said Obama was inexperienced and his policies would damage the economy and risk U.S. stature in the world. Yet it also echoes the change in tone exhibited by Romney after he lost the GOP nomination to McCain _ whom he had similarly criticized during their primary campaign.
Romney, 61, raised more than $20 million for McCain’s campaign, lent a top adviser in former eBay CEO Meg Whitman and served as a McCain surrogate at public events and in television appearances. Besides helping McCain, such work showed Romney was a party loyalist, gracious loser and perhaps worthy of being on the GOP ticket, his advisers contend.
One benefit of Romney’s heavy spending this cycle is that he now has the national name recognition that many other potential 2012 GOP candidates lack. Republican Govs. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, Haley Barbour of Mississippi, Charlie Crist of Florida and others have to hit the rubber-chicken circuit if they hope to catch up.
Palin has name recognition but has to rehabilitate her public image. In addition, every trip she makes to early voting Iowa and New Hampshire, as well as the prime fundraising cities of Washington and New York, is at least a five-hour flight from her home.
That has left people like former RNC chairman Bond thinking Romney may get a second chance to run for the presidency.
“If I were him, I would be looking at my greatest asset _ his national fundraising base _ as well as his grass-roots base, his enhanced name identification and the fact that he countered Obama’s ’spread-the-wealth’ tax policy better than John McCain ever was able to,” said Bond. “He’s got a lot going for him, so why rule him out prematurely?”
November 14th, 2008 at 11:57 am
I got this e-mail from Mitt today and wanted to pass it on. I’m sure many of you also got it, but for anyone who didn’t, it’s a good read.
This is a quick note to thank you for your support for the Free and Strong America PAC — it made a real difference in the elections. First, it enabled me to travel across the country to campaign, build media and raise funds for Republicans in battleground contests. All totaled, I did events for 33 Republican candidates running for federal office. Your support also helped me in my effort for Senator McCain and Governor Palin — I participated in 37 surrogate events around the country for their election.
In addition, your support permitted the PAC to make financial contributions to over 150 contests at the federal and state level, again on behalf of people and groups who we believe will help keep our country strong and free. We were highly gratified that in these races where we provided financial support we were largely victorious, with a 60 percent win rate.
There is still unfinished business from the 2008 election. We are currently working to help Senator Norm Coleman in the Minnesota recount and Senator Saxby Chambliss in his runoff election in Georgia — it is critical that we retain the ability to filibuster in order to prevent a liberal reconstruction of our nation.
I want you to know how much I appreciate all you have done to help. It means a great deal to Ann and me, and we believe that it means a great deal to the country as well. Like you, we are very concerned about the direction the nation may take under an Obama administration and a liberal Congress. The work we have done, thanks to you, has kept the conservative flame burning.
The PAC will continue to work for a free and strong nation. During the coming year, I will travel, campaign, appear in media interviews, raise funds, write, blog and do everything I can imagine to stand up for what we believe. I consider it a privilege to have you on our team.
Best wishes,
Mitt Romney
November 14th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Karl Rove’s opinion of Sarah Palin:
‘Rove said he didn’t care if, as a vice presidential candidate, Palin knew where South Ossetia or Abkhazia are, or if she could recite the minutiae of health care policy.
“But if she wants to run for president she’s gonna have to get somebody to move to Anchorage, Alaska and help her take her game to another level,” he said smiling. “Let’s be clear about this … it’s really cold there most of the year.”‘
townhall.com/news/politics-elections/2008/11/13/edwards,_rove_palin_should_study_up_for_2012_run
Remember who Karl Rove thought would make an excellent VP? That’s right, Mitt Romney!
November 14th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
HuckaTVgoon will soon add “HuckaBlatheringBroadcaster” to his list of nicknames. The “aw, shucks” grinning goober persona is a shrewd ruse for this 2012 wannabe presidential candidate. Hopefully, his head will balloon so big with new-found fame and his pockets will be weighted with so much money that he won’t be able to lift himself off the broadcast chair.
ABC Radio Networks and Governor Mike Huckabee Team to Launch The Huckabee Report
Nov. 13, 2008
SOURCE: ABC Radio Networks
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/ABC-Radio-Networks-Governor-Mike/story.aspx?guid=%7B44B2706A-8D71-4CEF-B021-CCC7E6DE7045%7D
ABC Radio Networks announced today that it has signed former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee to its extensive roster of news/talk talent. The Huckabee Report will be broadcast weekday mornings and afternoons and provide listeners with the top news stories of the day while also drawing on Huckabee’s experiences as a former governor and presidential candidate. The short form news features will launch on Jan. 5, 2009.
“It’s truly an honor to add someone of Governor Huckabee’s stature to our portfolio,” said Jim Robinson, President of ABC Radio Networks. “His perspective on the day’s leading issues and events as they relate to American culture and policies is sure to resonate with radio audiences looking for the latest headlines mixed with a bit of humor and common sense. This partnership has tremendous potential and will be a key win for our affiliates in the coming year.”
Huckabee has authored six books including the recently released Do The Right Thing, which chronicles his campaign for the presidency and his views on the need for vertical politics in America. He is also the host of Huckabee on Fox News Channel.
“My first job at the age of 14 was reading the early morning news, sports, weather and even commercials at our local radio station, so in a sense, this is an opportunity for me to return to my roots,” said Governor Huckabee. “I worked my way through high school and college in radio and loved every minute of it. The team at ABC Radio Networks has a stellar reputation for syndicating news programming and I’m pleased that I’ll be partnering with them as I reach out to Americans across the airwaves.”
About ABC Radio Networks
ABC Radio Networks has 4,400 affiliate radio stations reaching more than 105 million listeners in the 12+ demographic each week. Programs and services include ABC News Radio, Paul Harvey News and Comment, The Sean Hannity Show, The Michael Baisden Show, The Tom Joyner Morning Show, Big Boy’s Neighborhood, The Ride with Doug and DeDe, Kidd Kraddick in the Morning, Imus in the Morning, Radio Perez with Perez Hilton, MoneyTalk with Bob Brinker, The Mark Levin Show, American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks and Dick Bartley’s American Gold and Rock & Roll’s Greatest Hits. Other ABC services include advanced digital media platforms with online interactive advertising, streaming audio and podcasts, ABC Sports Radio, syndicated music and talk programs including Flashback, format-specific ePREP, production libraries, nine 24-Hour Formats, including Scott Shannon’s True Oldies Channel and ESPN Radio. ABC Radio Networks en Espanol includes leading Spanish-language programming such as Conexion Thalia, Tu Vida Es Mi Vida con Maria Marin, Celebrating the Healthy Life with Maria Celeste, and ESPN Deportes Radio.
November 14th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
I read the above article posted by 2theP “Facing the Palin factor…”
I really am disappointed that Palin ever stepped on to the political stage. She is an evangelical and immensely popular with those that fought so hard to keep Romney out of the White House.
So, when I try to point out that Palin is not the sharpest tool in the shed, please stop complaining that Palin is getting trashed on this web site.
Last I checked The title of this website is still Committed to Romney. Palin could be the very reason that Romney feels he can not win the nomination in 2012.
I think it is perfectly fair to point out her short comings.
November 14th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
GOPshoppe.com just rolled out a full line of Mitt 2012 merchandise. My favorite is the “Don’t blame me - I voted for Romney” bumpersticker. They also have some Palin and Jindal stuff, but not a single Huckabee item to be found.
November 14th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Huck is all over the place. TV, Radio soon, Has a new book.Great bumper sticker,I love it……………… If Mitt says the word, we’ll be there…………
November 14th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
It’s not that Sarah is stupid. It’s just that she’s ignorant. She’s not educated, and appears to have no curiosity outside of what her hair should look like from day to day. I would love to see her high school and college transcripts!
November 14th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Andrew.
I disagree. I don’t want a beauty queen for a president. I don’t want an evangalical nutjob who thinks man walked with dinosaurs and that the second comming will happen in … Alaska. i want someone who has actually READ our constitution, and understands it. I don’t want an Eva Peron for president, which I feel Palin is. I want someone smart, able to carry on a conversation. Someone who knows where countries are, and who knows who the players are. I don’t want Palin. I will never vote for her on any ticket. Period. If we run her, a handfull will vote for her. That’s their right. But too many of us will NOT.
November 14th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Will huckles the clown’s next book be:
“Thanking me for Obama. How i helped take down the only really qualified candidate, and saved the country from having a moral, LDS man for President.”
November 14th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Chris:
You are so right. Huckabee is the one responsible for this. I hate him!
November 14th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Palin factor may sideline Romney
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=2814774977506962
November 15th, 2008 at 2:40 am
Vote for Mitt for 2012
http://mvred.com/?p=721
November 15th, 2008 at 6:10 am
Huckabee will be on “The View” on Tuesday, November 18, 2008. Check local listings for times. Should be interesting to see if Huck receives the same treatment the McCain’s were given when they bravely sat with the old battlesaxes… er… ahem, I meant to say “the ladies.”
Speaking of their mugging on The View, Cindy McCain said “they picked our bones clean.” However, having just had their guy, Obama, elected, Huck may fare somewhat better. And, Elisabeth Hasselbeck likes the Huckaweasel. I’m sure he’ll be touting his TV show, upcoming radio gig, and new book.
Watching the Huckster is about as fun as having a root canal performed with a rusty nail, but the old adage “keep your friends close and your enemies closer” has relevance here.
November 15th, 2008 at 8:47 am
2the Point,
Thanks for the heads up on the View, but I can’t stomach that show under any circumstances, and especially not when Huck is on. Yes, there is quite a lovefest between him and Elisabeth Hasselbeck. I remember once during the primaries when she made the comment that Huck and Ron Paul were the only “real conservatives” in the race.
In other news, after perusing the blogosphere this AM, I see that Palin supporters are starting to dig their claws into Bobby Jindal. Their main complaints? He’s too “ugly” and “boring” to be President.
November 15th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Palin is pretty and exciting. How about pretty dumb and dull witted.
November 15th, 2008 at 9:06 am
There is no way Palin has a chance of winning in 2012. This party is so divided. If Palin /Huck are the kinds of candidates the base wants to promote, Obama will enjoy 8 years in Washington for sure.
Palin does not attract independents. We will not win without independents
November 15th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Totally agree about Palin in 2012. She will never win anybody but her supporters, which is about what, 35% of the party? The question is if that is enough to win the primaries. It possibly is. Mitt has probably already done the math and figured that he’s out because of her. Great job, McCain!
November 15th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Tracey,
Don’t count Mitt out yet. Populist Palin and the Huckster are going to split their evangelical base. Midas Mitt can and will get the rest of the voting block including the dems and indies that supported McCain.
I would bet if it was just the 3 candidates Mitt would get 50% of the votes, Populist Palin 30%, and the Huckster 20%.
If Jindal runs then I have no idea what is going to happen.
November 15th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Here in Iowa,I am beginning a “draft Mitt 2012″ on our website “TheCoolConservative.com. Would love to hear from you on our blog or comment section. We must draft Mitt for the GOP.
November 15th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Twister61
You have your work cut out for you. Thanks for supporting Mitt in Iowa and I will be sure to visit.
November 16th, 2008 at 1:53 am
Palin needs to bone up in a few things and show us why is looked so bubble headed.
November 16th, 2008 at 7:56 am
I have started a small research project, at the suggestion of my Argentine husband. He feels (and I’m starting to agree) that Palin is our Eva Peron. Unqualifed to lead, yet put in power because of her looks. The similarities are striking, and very scarey. Of course, Palin would never know who Peron is, let alone where Argentina is.
November 16th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Madonna played Eva Peron in the movie Evita. Maybe she can play Palin as well! Perfect casting.
November 16th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
Hee hee, Madonna’s got the Sarah Palin role nailed! No need to get into character for that one, she’s already there. After all, both of them are more than happy to make their kids take a backseat to their own personal wants and ambitions. And both have gotten ahead by using looks more than talent.