Romney’s Role In The RNC Race
Interesting article gossiping about a possible Romney role in the selection of one of his allies as the next chair of the RNC. If this story is true, IMHO, it lends further credence to Gov. Romney’s continued interest in making another run in 2012.
~~John Cronin~~
http://thephoenix.com/BLOGS/talkingpolitics/archive/2008/11/14/romney-s-role-in-the-rnc-race.aspx
It now appears true that Fred Thompson really does want to be chair of the Republican National Committee; Thompson obviously doesn’t expect to do any actual work, so the quickly-travelling rumor is that Thompson plans to run as a team with Chuck Yob, long-time political kingpin in Michigan, with Thompson taking a more ceremonial “general chair” title, and Yob actually running the operation.
I can only hope this rumor is true; this could turn the RNC chair battle into a very ugly — and entertaining — affair.
As you might imagine, 2012 GOP Presidential hopefuls have a significant interest in who gets picked to head up the party. I assume — as do others here and there in the rumormongering biz — that Mitt Romney is behind the candidacy of Michigan Chair Saul Anuzis. (Mike Huckabee has a horse in the race: his former campaign manager Chip Saltsman. Other potential nominees have surrogates in the mix as well.)
You can probably guess that Thompson is not a big fan of our former governor, because of the way reporters were talking about how all of the GOP candidates hated the Mittster. One particular sign was that, after it was clear that he was out of contention, Thompson remained in the Presidential race through the Florida primary in what seemed like a deliberate strategy to draw conservative votes from Romney and help his buddy McCain win that crucial state.
Oh, but that’s nothing compared to the enmity between Romney and the aforementioned Yob. Yob headed up McCain’s Michigan campaign in the primary against Romney. But that’s just the latest. I highly recommend this account (in the second half of the article) of how Yob prevented Mitt’s brother Scott from becoming the state’s Attorney General in 1998. That was four years after Yob helped defeat Scott’s wife Ronna Romney in the Republican primary for US Senate. Do you think Mitt remembers that kind of thing?
You’ll also get a flavor from that 2006 story of how much love is not lost between Anuzis and Yob. Since then, Yob attempted to oust Anuzis as Michigan party chair — Anuzis not only beat down the attempt, but then helped oust Yob from his post as Michigan’s RNC National Committeeman, which he had held for eight years.
Published Nov 14 2008, 10:15 AM by David S. Bernstein
November 16th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Why in the world would we want anyone associated with the McCain campaign in charge of the RNC?
November 16th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
At this point the next RNC chief appears to be a toss up.
I read a couple of posts over at Townhall that Steele’s senatorial campaign was poorly managed and organized among other things. This only solidified my doubts about his capability. His pluses though are many. Steele would be a fresh face for the party image and he could attack Obama publicly without being called a racist.
I have little knowledge about Saul Anuzis, except for the fact that he is from Michigan which is overwhelmingly democratic state thus it doesn’t give me a great deal of hope for his party building skills. However, if Mitt supports him there probably is a lot that more I don’t know.
If I had a choice it would be to have Steele as the face of the party and Anuzis run the organization.
Does any one else have thoughts on who should get the job out of the people running?
November 16th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
I don’t know enough about the contenders to have a preference - but Steele concerns me because he was pro-Huck.
November 16th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Here is video and commentary (part 1) from a guy identifying himself as “Dave” who attended the National Review cruise last week. It includes video segments of Romney, as well as other attendees. At the end of the review, parts 2, 3, and 4 are posted. As the video finishes, small photos appear on screen. Click on individual photos to hear dialogue. Segments 2, 3, and 4 also contain videos.
I was sorry to read that a few older Republicans made racist/homophobic comments (not speakers on the panel, however). Drinking and a relaxed atmosphere among friends aren’t an excuse. Also, according to Dave’s summary of the event, Palin is the new rock star. Our party has its warts. Romney and Thompson were the big draws. I’m glad for Mitt. It was good to see him on video.
From Dav in Fla (RedState.com): “If we’re going to have a nuclear holocaust, I’m going to the buffet first” – National Review 2008 Post Election Cruise – part 1
Saturday, November 15, 2008
http://www.redstate.com/diaries/dave_in_fla/2008/nov/15/if-we-are-going-to-have-a-nuclear-holocaust/
The cruise began last Saturday in Fort Lauderdale Florida. Over 700 of us boarded Holland America’s new ship, the Eurodam, for a cruise of the Caribbean. Our ports of call included Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Thomas, and finally their private island, Half Moon Cay. During the cruise, we had dinner with the speakers on a rotating basis, nightly receptions (including 2 cigar and cognac parties) and daily panel discussions with the speakers. The big draws were Mitt Romney and Fred Thompson, but we also had; Anne Bayefsky, Ken Blackwell, Mona Charen, Shannen Coffin, David Freddoso, Roman Genn, Jim Geraghty, Jonah Goldberg, Victor Davis Hanson, Bernard Lewis, Scott Johnson, Rob Long, Kathryn Jean Lopez, Andrew McCarthy, Bill McGurn, John Miller, Deroy Murdock, Jay Nordlinger, Kate O’Beirne, Darcy Olsen, John O’Sullivan, Ramesh Ponnuru, Father Robert Sirico, Stephen Spruiell, Mark Steyn, Pat Toomey, Ed Whelan, Bing West, and Byron York.
November 16th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Something tells me this wasn’t mitt’s retirement party.
I think we’ll see him on the stage in four years.
The real question is: how long does he wait to start working toward 2012?
November 17th, 2008 at 5:56 am
Palin still in trouble:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/geoffrey-dunn/half-baked-in-alaska-pali_b_144132.html
November 17th, 2008 at 6:37 am
Gingrich says Palin will not be the future GOP leader
http://www.thehill.com/leading-the-news/gingrich-says-palin-will-not-be-the-future-gop-leader-2008-11-16.html
November 17th, 2008 at 7:28 am
JA. I was actually surprised to hear that from Newt. I guess what I thought about him was wrong headed! I think Mitt is waiting until the Palin lovefest dies down, and her extended 15 minutes of fame is totally over before diving in. To do so right now, is just killing yourself off. Let Palin be Palin and she’ll be gone (hopefully) in a few months. I do hate to say this, but I hope she loses her re-electon bid in 2 years. It’s time for her to go home to her family that needs her.
November 17th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Not surprising at all that Huckabee slams Mitt the most in new book:
http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1859539,00.html?cnn=yes
November 17th, 2008 at 8:47 am
Doug
I read the article. This guy can’t get enough of himself, can he? It would be interesting to find out exactly what it is he’s so jelous of Romney of. Money? Family? Faith? Success? Romney has the total package. Huck has none of it. Gosh, it must be hard being such a bigot. One needs to keep it looking like it’s ’something else’. He touts his conservative creds, overlooking those of Romney. Romney changed position one way, on one thing: Abortion. And he switched to ‘pro’ life. Reagan did the same.
Huckabee needs to be challenged on every word of his money making screed. The bigotbirdcage residents will flock to buy it. But outside of that base, the book will fall flat. Geeze. All we needed was another TV preacher running for office, and I switch parties!
November 17th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Wow, sounds like Huck is burning a lot of bridges with that book.
November 17th, 2008 at 9:23 am
The Four Hard Lessons of Campaign 2008
by Carol Platt Liebau (Townhall.com)
Monday, November 17, 2008
Read entire article here: http://townhall.com/columnists/CarolPlattLiebau/2008/11/17/the_four_hard_lessons_of_campaign_2008
In the wake of stinging defeats in this year’s presidential and congressional elections, Republicans are now engaged in the difficult work of finding the way forward. Their mission is simple, but not easy: To rebuild their party’s brand by reworking and re-presenting its principles in a way that retains the indispensable – a commitment to liberty and justice for all – while developing fresh ideas, and fresh faces to articulate them. A painful but necessary part of the process also requires Republicans to identify and correct mistaken assumptions operative in the 2008 presidential campaign.
From the McCain campaign, it is possible to draw solid conclusions about what doesn’t work for Republicans. In the spirit of learning from the past to avoid repeating it, it’s worth reviewing some of the lessons of 2008.
1. It is impossible for any Republican presidential candidate to garner favorable mainstream media coverage, so long as s/he represents the more socially conservative electoral choice.
2. Campaign finance “reform” will always have a disproportionately negative impact on Republicans.
3. Republicans can’t win over Latinos through appeals on the illegal immigration issue.
4. “Mavericks” end up leading a party of one.
November 17th, 2008 at 10:12 am
I wish Huckabee would burn his last bridge. Respect… Like Huckabee ever showed any respect for Romney,especially his religion.
November 17th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Geesh. Huck needs to have to young men with white shirts and nametags knocking on his door. Then, he needs to listen to them. One he learns all that he can, maybe he can start acheiving all Romney has?
This jelousy is getting out of hand. I pray this new ‘book’ will help bring the big clown down.
November 17th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
On Huckabee:
Mitt Romney has fired back: (Go Mitt!!!!)
Asked to respond, Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom said Huckabee was acting small.
“This type of pettiness is beneath Mike Huckabee,” Fehrnstrom. “If we’re going to move the party forward, we need to offer more than personal recriminations. Unfortunately, in this book, Mike Huckabee is consumed with presumed slights, and he seems more interested in settling scores than in bringing people together.”
November 17th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/Palin_senate_run/2008/11/17/152073.html?s=al&promo_code=7167-1
Palin & Senate Bid
November 17th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Small, petty, jealous and not a true Christian, Huck has some very devious baggage. He needs to work on his faith, and learn to walk a better talk. He has bad hangups. I see, now why he does not deserve a chance at the White House. Never a good idea to put others down to elevate yourself. Poking fun, seems to be his fun in life, and playing the gotcha game, get over it, grow up, and be a Man.You act like a child, Mr. Huck.
November 17th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
OH MY GOSH!!!! What a little man Huck is… I mean, he’s not even a man. Who is he?!? What is he trying to accomplish by all his judgments and bigotry? Are all his Evangelical followers going to buy in to all of this? I think the majority of them will but a few have got to be smarter than this!!! Christian? He is acting soooooo unChristlike. What a worm!! GRRR!! He makes me so angry!!
Why does he have a show on FOX and why does Hannity continue to have him on both his tv and radio shows? Uck!! The Huck makes me sick!!
Romney is above all this and will probably ignore it and take the high road. Always a class act, he is.
I don’t care if Huck is Christian or not… why would anyone want a self-absorbed, judgmental and bigoted man for our President? I hope he never runs again. On second thought.. I hope he does run again and falls flat on his face!! Sheesh!!
November 18th, 2008 at 7:32 am
I had no idea that Romney would support Anuzis, but per Check Out This Site Saul Anuzis for RNC Chair I had this pegged almost a week ago. Go Saul
November 18th, 2008 at 8:41 am
I’m pretty much for anyone that can get huckles the clown off the national stage, as well as Caribou Barbie, who seems to crave the press, all of a sudden. (was not good enough when she was running, but NOW! Media STAR! (without substance)). Anuzis is good. Newt mentioned Leavett. Not back choices, in my book. I like steel, but he’s become a huckhack, I hear.
November 18th, 2008 at 10:19 pm
Steele is a anti mormon and should not not be aloud to lead anything. He’s on the Bill Maher show enthusiastically agreeing about lies that were being spread about the Mormon Faith. He is evangelical and does’nt believe a mormon should be aloud to be Pres.
November 18th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Aaron. I did not know that. Not every evangalical is anti-mormon. But if he said that, I have lost all respect for him.
November 19th, 2008 at 9:48 am
For a break from all things political and some holiday inspiration, don’t miss Glenn Beck’s “Christmas Sweater” production which will be simulcast in movie theaters on December 17, 2008 and re-run December 18, 2008.
Video intro: http://www.glennbeck.com/splash.php
To purchase tickets: http://www.fathomevents.com/details.aspx?eventid=760
5 Questions: Glenn’s New Sweater
by Glenn Beck
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
*Article from December issue of Townhall Magazine:
http://townhall.com/columnists/GlennBeck/2008/11/19/5_questions_glenns_new_sweater
Glenn Beck, one of our nation’s leading conservative voices, recently chatted with Townhall Magazine in advance of his newest book, The Christmas Sweater, hitting stores this season.
What kind of message does your new novel, “The Christmas Sweater,” contain for your audience?
My message is simple: Every single one of us has the power to start over again. Outside of Manhattan and Berkeley (you know, in those annoying “fly-over states”) they call it “redemption”—and it’s the greatest gift in the world.
For years, I didn’t understand redemption or atonement—I thought they were just words used in sermons to get more money into the collection basket. Then, one day, I looked at myself in the mirror and realized that I’d become a mean, unemployable, alcoholic who was quickly losing his friends and family. I started listening to those sermons more closely, and I decided to change.
As I look back, it seems obvious that the embodiment of all that’s happened to me can be found in the form of a sweater my mother knitted for me before she died. At the time, I hated her gift so much that I threw it on the floor of my bedroom in disgust. But now I understand what her gift really was: Redemption. I picked that sweater up off the floor and wore it proudly—and from that moment on, my life was never the same.
My message, and the message of “The Christmas Sweater,” is that redemption isn’t just a word—it’s a gift that can transform your life. It transformed mine.
How did you approach this differently from the non-fiction books you’ve written?
In many ways, this was a lot easier. With fiction you don’t have to let little things like “facts” or “sources” get in the way (Keith Olbermann knows what I mean). Besides, since this story is loosely based on my own childhood, it was really a matter of making my life sound interesting—something that was a lot more difficult than it might sound.
What’s involved in “The Christmas Sweater” tour?
Probably my death. Honestly, this tour is the most ambitious thing I’ve ever done. We’ve basically turned the novel into a full scale Broadway production. We’ve got an orchestra, an amazing Gospel singer, incredible animations, and then me ruining it all by playing nine different characters.
Financially, this could be a bloodbath, but it’s also really taxing on me personally: We’re scheduled to do something like 14 shows in 20 days (the whole schedule is available at GlennBeck.com) and that’s on top of the 45 or so book signings that I’m doing at the same time.
The good news is that anyone used to watching watered-down, politically correct “holiday” specials will be pleasantly surprised at how this show doesn’t shy away from the real meaning of Christmas—and yes, that means the “G-word” might be mentioned a few times.
What was your reaction when you found out your book would be released at the same time as Stephen King’s new release, the man who once referred to you as “Satan’s mentally challenged younger brother”?
Indescribable joy. Honestly, if “The Christmas Sweater” somehow appears on the same best seller list as Stephen King’s new novel, it would be one of the most rewarding accomplishments of my life. I just picture him waking up Sunday morning, putting on his trifocals, opening his precious New York Times, and spitting out his wheat grass cereal when he sees that even a mentally challenged relative of the devil can do what he does.
What is RamaHanuKwanzMas?
It’s the most politically correct holiday in the world. A few years ago I got so sick of all the holiday nonsense that I just decided to create my own day that celebrates all holidays at once. That way we don’t have to guess what anyone celebrates or risk somehow “offending” them. People have really taken to it. In fact, I’m going to lobby President-elect Obama to make it official, he seems like an inclusive kind of guy.