comMITTed to Romney!

I spent 3 hours canvassing door-to-door in my neighborhood yesterday and the results were very encouraging. The vast majority of the people who came to the door ranged from respectful to enthusiastic, with only a hand full getting testy with me.

I was able to put out two yard signs and sign up those two households to be part of my precinct team. The cool thing was that both of the families said that they had young adult children who were looking for ways to get involved and the parents would put them in touch with me so that we can get them involved with phone banking and neighborhood canvassing.

Several people commented that “you are representing a good man” and others said “I like his “can-do optimism” in regard to “saving American jobs.” The voters in my precinct are moving from McCain to Romney because they now see the economy as the #1 issue, especially with stories in the news about the oil producing states now favoring the Euro over the American dollar, layoffs and the stock market tanking as well as fears of bond market defaults. I just don’t see Pastor Huckabee doing well in this environment. The perception is that McCain is out of his depth as well.

The weather in St. Louis was just about identical to that first day of canvassing in Iowa. There is an old saying that “Only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noon day sun.” This campaign’s counterpart to that expression probably should be that “Only mad dogs and Republicans go out in -15 degree wind chill factors.” Nevertheless, several people said they were impressed with the level of dedication that Gov. Romney inspired in his campaign volunteers.

I can not over emphasize the importance of getting out into your own neighborhoods to build a solid grassroots organization. I know it’s fun to prognosticate here on the blog, and that serves an important purpose as well, but what this campaign needs more that anything right now is foot soldiers who are willing to press the doorbells, knock on doors, stick Romney yard signs in the frozen turf, hand out bumper stickers and make the phone calls that get out the vote to help insure a Romney victory. Now, you can multiply everything I’ve just said by three if your state is part of “Tsunami Tuesday” on Feb. 5. If you live in one of those states and would like to help, please email me at jtc1767@yahoo.com and I will pass your info. along to the National Campaign through my contacts at MissouriansForMitt.

Please don’t put it off, do it right now! This can be your time to become a part of American political history and help elect the next President of the United States of America, Mitt Romney!

~~John Cronin~~

St. Louis County Coordinator
MissouriansForMitt

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TODAY, many of you are actively involved in the big rallies across the nation. If you attended one of these rallies, please take a minute and leave a comment here for all of us “to see” what you experienced. You might even want to leave an audio or video comment (now available). Please be “the eyes” of your rally. And even if someone leaves a comment on the rally you attended, please leave a comment with your perspective. The more comments the better. Things of interest would include:

Featured speakers

VIPs present

Notable fund-raisers (large amounts raised in one night)

Number of people attending the rally

Level of excitement; fun things that happened

Information gleaned

Anything motivational

Tell us about your experience from today!

I’m attending the Orange County (CA) rally tonight and I will leave a post late tonight after it is over and hopefully have some photographs for the post. Ann Romney will be attending our rally and I look forward to getting her perspective.

~ Vic

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This wonderful family event was held at the Strawberry Farms Golf Club. If you want to enjoy a great round of golf in a beautiful setting, click here and reserve a tee time. The setting feels quite remote and is very secluded and quite, though only a few miles away is the John Wayne Airport surrounded by a large business center.

Strawberry Farms Golf Club Barn

Much could be written about this evening’s family event in Irvine, CA. To my knowledge, this was the first family oriented fundraising event to support Gov. Romney. The evening was very warm, with little breeze, even toward the end of the event at 7:30.

Clubhouse & Pro Shop (location of formal photographs with the Governor)

Gov. Romney arrived after spending the day at the Mexican/California border surrounded by immigration officials and other leaders. Incidentally, in his remarks I found it interesting that he said, in effect, “that solving the illegal immigration problem in this country would be one of the easiest things to fix and in all these years, U.S. government leaders have not been able to even begin to fix it…”

Doug DeCinces, Managing Director of Strawberry Farms Golf Club presents gifts to Gov. Romney

Governor Romney introduced by David Parker, National Chairman of the Community Outreach Program and event host (with Doug DeCinces) of the Strawberry Farms event.

The family style barbeque was held at the Strawberry Farm Golf Club owned by partners David Parker and Doug DeCinces (Major League Baseball, 1973 to 1987, All-Star). In attendance also was Matt Romney, his daughter Chloe, Jim (Ann’s brother) & Becky Davies and family, Congressman Campbell and other community leaders I could not identify. Approximately 700 people attended, of which about 180 were children. There was plenty of food, a jumpy house for the kids, and lots of people talking about the future in support of Gov. Romney for President.

Mitt discussing the Ames Straw Poll and Iowa fun

Those who have heard Mitt speak in other events heard a completely different, off-the-cuff, totally relaxed, and often humorous speech. GMR was obviously energized by the recent win from the Ames Straw Poll; he mentioned having won twice in Iowa. The first time when Giuliani and McCain discovered his organizational superiority and strength when they turned tail and the second time last Saturday when he won the Ames Straw Poll by a wide margin.

Skyler Stevenson (22) of Laguna Beach — One of many young adults who contributed to support Governor Romney!

Gov. Romney remarked how many people tell him they can’t believe how hard he is working and how he should be exhausted — he said he is tremendously energized by the people he meets on the campaign trail like those at this event. During his rousing speech, GMR was interrupted by applause many times.

Close friends, Jill & Kevin Anderson of Orange (w/Hugh Hewitt) contributed the maximum $4,600 on the first day (Jan ‘07) in which Gov. Romney set the all-time record of $6.5 million in one day of fundraising — They stepped up when many were still spewing skepticism!

A story worth recounting here involved a trip GMR made to Afghanistan and Iraq about one year ago. He said that as he toured the many military installations and units, he would ask the men and women in uniform if any of them were from Massachusetts. When he would encounter those from his home state, he offered to call their family members when he returned to America if they would write down on a piece of paper their family’s contact numbers. When he finally left, he had 93 pieces of paper of service members from all over the war zone. He said that as he encountered the women and men serving our country overseas and thanked them, many of them would reply to him by saying something like, “It is an honor for us to serve this great nation of America!” Upon returning home, he said he sat down one Saturday to start making the phone calls. After the first couple of calls he realized it might take him weeks to get through all 93 pieces of paper. About the fourth call, a mother answered and said something like, “Oh, Governor Romney, I thought that might be you! I was expecting your call.” Apparently, the word got out and many of the service men and women in Afghanistan and Iraq sent emails and forwarded emails to their loved ones alerting their families that Gov. Romney would be calling them. At that point, he said he realized he had no time to waste and he had to be sure to call all 93 families, and right away! It was a wonderful, sincere story that brought immediate applause.

One of many books signed by Governor Romney tonight

Matt Romney, his daughter Chloe, my daughter Melissa, and her son Jackson

Bree: “Starting in Ames……Finishing in Washington!”

Family Barbeque

Hugh Hewitt signing another copy of A Mormon in the White House? for Donna Osterkamp (my mom)

The event was an astounding success for Governor Romney’s campaign. An event of this kind and with this level of success in August of any year is truly extraordinary! Credit goes to many people under the leadership of Jennifer Cowen-Fitzgerald and her assistant Kari West.

~ Vic

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Email: vic.lundquist@gmail.com

ONLY 5 DAYS LEFT!

On July 16th, I posted this invitation to our readers. If you would like to meet Mitt Romney, Hugh Hewitt, Doug DeCinces (yes, former All-Star great and MVP from the Angels), and other campaign officials at this event (that is closed to the press), come and join Governor Romney at a kick-back barbeque in Irvine, California!

Why do I think this event will be historic?

1) Many experts think that Gov. Romney will win the Ames Straw Poll this Saturday and many of us hope he will win it really big (any of you Iowans reading this who support GMR, please, please, please grab your stuff and 5 friends and go to Ames to place your vote for Gov. Romney this Saturday! Please don’t take for granted that he is favored. Ron Paul and Sam Brownback are going all out to try to win it).

2) If GMR wins the ASP in a big way, all we will hear and see in the political news Saturday, Sunday, and Monday will be about Gov. Romney and what his win there means to the Republican presidential race. Though the media will not be allowed into this Irvine event, I am guessing they will be just outside it trying to get a glimpse of Governor Romney celebrating with you and your family.

3) The ASP typically signals the end of the presidential “pre-season” and ushers in the real presidential election race. This Irvine event and barbeque will effectively be Gov. Romney’s first event of his race for President (after the pre-season).

4) If Gov. Romney wins the ASP in a big way, I don’t think we will see a happier Mitt Romney at any other event. The next time we will see him that happy will be on Inauguration Day 2008. Why not bring your two Romney books and get him to sign them along with Hugh Hewitt?

You have probably been following the news about the Ames Straw Poll. If not read this.

This barbeque is for all the family! Kids are free and this is one of the least expensive fundraiser events I have seen this entire year ($250 per adult!). Check this page for details —–> Barbeque With Mitt and Hugh. The organizer told me today they rented a huge jumpy house. Bring your camera and kids and have some fun celebrating!

I think this barbeque is going to serve as a warm-up event for Mitt as he heads to South Carolina — now those folks know how to “get down” and barbeque!

Time is running out. Email me at vic.lundquist@gmail.com and place “BBQ with Mitt” in the subject line and I will get your reservation set.

~ Vic

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Email: vic.lundquist@gmail.com

Below is the post I placed on July 10th. Response to this event has been very good; it does appear there is excitement building. At the original post, it was not yet confirmed that Hugh Hewitt would be able to attend the event. We just received notice that he will in fact be at the barbeque. Here are the details including some updates below:

Want to hang out with Mitt, his family, and Hugh Hewitt next month? If so, send me an email for details at vic.lundquist@gmail.com – and you will have an evening of relaxing celebration (subject: “BBQ w/MITT”). Tickets will go quick as space is limited, so you need to comMitt quickly.

Celebration? Well, we hope so. The barbeque is Monday night, August 13th, two days after the Ames Straw Poll in Iowa, which we are all working hard to win for Governor Romney. If he continues to stay the course by working as hard as he and thousands of Iowans are now, he will win and the barbeque will be a relaxing, fun celebration! Smiles all around!

There are too many details to place here, but this is what you need to know to block the date out:
• Monday, August 13th, Time: (early evening – TBD)
• Strawberry Farms Golf Club (Irvine, CA: I-405 at University-map)
• Families Invited, Casual Dress
• RSVP Required

Brent’s BBQ

That Monday the 13th, Governor Romney will have a number of campaign stops in California after returning from Iowa, but he is capping that day off at a relaxing barbeque – with YOU and your kids. As with most campaign appearances, this is a fund-raiser. But you probably know that most Presidential fund-raisers are formal events with entry commitments ranging from $1,000 to $2,300 per person. Not this one!

Remember, this is a family event, tailored for families. An entire family is only $500 – all you can eat (adult children [18+] are $250). Children under 18 are free when accompanied by a parent. All who attend can meet Mitt Romney, play in the jumpy house, paint faces, etc. This contribution amount is very, very low. If you have not read Hugh Hewitt’s book about Mitt Romney, you need to buy it by going here: A Mormon in the White House? (my mother buys copies and hands them out now because everybody who reads that book becomes a solid supporter). Bring the book and have Hugh sign it. Bring Turnaround with you and have Mitt sign it too.

Couples who decide to max out their contributions at $4,600 will be able to attend a separate event connected to the Barbeque to have a private photograph taken with Governor Romney; they will receive the photograph later in the mail.

Jumpy House

Governor Romney will have other fund-raisers leading to the caucuses and primaries, but by then, his life will be in the super-fast-lane. This will be a unique, casual event on the campaign trail.

Californians: You don’t want to miss this event and if you are within a couple of hours of driving time, I think it will be well worth taking the kids to meet their future President. How would that be one day for them to look back on this event?

Americans from the other Lower 47: I found out today that the City of Newport Beach swells from an off-season population of 86,000, to 220,000 in the summer. And that is but one city. That means a lot of you travel here for vacation. And if you are not coming here, you probably know those who are traveling here this summer. Why not make your Disneyland stop the day after you have a hot dog with Governor Romney and Hugh Hewitt?

If you want to have your kids meet our next President of the United States in August, send me an email with “BBQ w/MITT” in the subject line to vic.lundquist@gmail.com and we’ll get you set up with the tickets. It is expected this event will fill quickly, so send me an email right away reserve your spot. It’s going to be fun.

Email: vic.lundquist@gmail.com

~Vic

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This Fortune article by Marcia Vickers is outstanding. Whether you are just now discovering the man Mitt Romney or you have followed Mitt’s life and career for years, this article will interest you. What is amazing to me is that as comprehensive as this article is, it still leaves out other outstanding successes of Mitt Romney (I guess there wasn’t enough room to print it all).

And written up in Fortune Magazine? I wonder if very many people will read this? Influential people?

……………………………………………………

This is one of those articles that is “a keeper” for me for those times when somebody asks about “this guy Mitt Romney” and “what makes him tick?” Over the next 16 months or so, there will be many times when we will need reference material to give others in support of Mitt. I believe this is one of those excellent references! THANK YOU to my friend Bill for sending this to me today.

……………………………………

(don’t you just love black & white?)

My favorite quote of this article? Right here:

For example, when I ask what he’d do first as President, he answers, “I will do a complete assessment of where we are, where the problems are, what challenges we face. Every dimension of government I would take apart - look at how effective they are.”)

Which of all the other 20 presidential candidates even comes close to holding a candle to Governor Mitt Romney’s qualifications, experience, and competence?

To read the online Fortune article, click here —–> THE REPUBLICANS’ MR. FIX-IT — Mitt Romney is filthy rich, he’s handsome, and he’s the first honest-to-god businessman to have a real shot at the White House in 40 years.

Or, read it embedded below.

~ Vic

More »

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In business, there’s the concept of the “elevator pitch.” It’s a scenario in which you end up sharing an elevator with the CEO of your company, or a venture capitalist. You have an idea that you’d like to get their support on, and you have their undivided attention for 30 seconds. The “elevator pitch” is what you say to them to get them interested and gain their support in that 30 seconds.

A lot of us are talking to friends, family, and co-workers about why we support Mitt. Some of us may be soliciting donations for Mitt as well.

So, let’s open up a thread here where we share our experiences drumming up support for Mitt. I think we can all benefit from the collective wisdom of this group.

Leave a comment descrbing what has worked for you and what hasn’t. What are the key points you highlight when talking to someone for the first time about Mitt? What are some of your favorite links, articles, blogs, etc. that you refer people to (besides this one of course ;-)? How do you make the “ask” when you seek donations for Mitt? What’s your elevator pitch?

Let’s learn from each other, and power-up our support for Mitt!

- David

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http://signup.mittromney.com/

I know that I’ve linked to this permanently on the side bar, but I wanted to create a post about it.

Team Mitt has incredible momentum going into the first Republican presidential debates, and now we�re going to take that momentum across the country with the biggest grassroots campaign event yet. Sign Up America! is a 24�hour grassroots effort to sign up as many new supporters and contributors of Governor Mitt Romney as possible, and we�re counting on you to make Sign Up America! successful.

On May 15th, the date of the South Carolina Republican presidential debate, we�re asking you to host an event in your home to watch the debate with friends, family, neighbors and associates. If you�re unable to host an event yourself, please find an event in your area to attend.

On May 16th, ask your friends to show their support by visiting Mitt Romney for President Inc. or by calling 866�WIN�MITT. You can ask them in�person, via phone, via the Web, via text message, or however you choose. We all have 10 people we can ask to join the grassroots movement to elect Mitt Romney the next President of the United States. Together, by focusing on recruiting new supporters from the evening of May 15 to the evening of May 16, we�ll make history!

Mitt needs you. America needs you.

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http://view.exacttarget.c…-fef410757c6001

The Romney for President Outreach Program is hoping to sign 24,000 new supporters in 24 hours, on the 15th and 16th of May.

1. Click the picture above.
2. Where it says “Nathan” imagine your name instead.
3. Plan a Sign up America! debate party for the 15th, and invite your friends.
4. Register your party.
5. Have a good time!

If you will not be hosting a party yourself, click here to search by zip code to see if there are any publicly listed Sign Up America! parties near you.

I must say this is an extraordinarily innovative idea by the campaign to get people involved and excited. I’m already making a list of who I can invite. After I make that list, then I’ll talk to my wife about it.

~Nate Gunderson

P.S. I apologize for being a blog-hog today. Sometimes you’ve got a lot to say.

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https://www.quickcommitt.com/signup/form/

On Wednesday, April 25th, Mitt Romney initiated a “Family & Friends” conference call joined by supporters from all over America. This partial transcript is provided from hand-written notes taken during the approximate 25-minute call.

[Thank you to Brett Gilliland for taking notes during the call and for providing those notes here. Brett is a Romney Democrat and passionate supporter of Mitt living with his family in Orange, CA]

The conference call was introduced by Alex Castellanos and those speaking during the call included Scott Romney (Mitt’s brother) and Spencer Zwick.

Today, the Romney campaign is going national. There is a new commercial on mittromney.com �I love vetoes�

Mitt�s comments (called in from New Hampshire):

As a nation we�re facing several serious challenges:
� Under attack militarily
� Asia � tougher economic competitors
� Domestic � immigration, education, etc.

When America takes on challenges, we should turn to our source of strength. Some feel our source of strength is the American government. Romney feels that our source of strength is the American people.

Feels he can help strengthen the American people. Areas mentioned include (but not limited to):
� Keep tax burden down
� Good, affordable health care
� Good education
� Keep oil costs down � energy independence
� Improvements in immigration
� Support policies that strengthen the family unit � �the family is what makes America what it is�

Romney expressed excitement/optimism about his political prospects:
� Doing very well in the early primary states
o Tied for 1st in Iowa and New Hampshire
o In another state South Carolina, he�s finished 1st in all the straw polls (See tally on Five Brothers Blog)
� The campaign has raised more money than any other candidate

Question 1 (from man in AZ) - What would you do about the death tax?

Mitt: Opposed to death tax.
� Unfair to tax people when they earn, tax them when they save and then tax the money they pass on to their families
� Would work to repeal the death tax
� (As referred to earlier), tax reform is high priority

Question 2 - Politicians are running from the immigration issue. How will you deal with this issue?

Mitt: �We value and support immigration, just not illegal immigration.�
� Need to deter places where people can easily cross the border
� Presented an idea of a work identification program that would allow a non-legal person to enter the country to work. They�d be given a work ID card that�s linked to a fed ID database. Employers would be required to only hire people that either are citizens or have a work ID and would be penalized if they hire persons that are here illegally.

Question 3 (from man in UT) - What part do you think your faith will play in the white house?

Mitt: There is no question that his faith has been and will be dissected and discussed
� Feels that Americans won�t choose their leader based on what church they attend, but what values they live by.
� The values he lives by have been learned from faith and family and will help his decisions for the good of the US people.
� Doesn�t get in discussions about church. Feels it�s not his place to do so as a Presidential candidate.
� �I�m running for Commander in Chief, not Pastor in Chief�

Romney then put in a request for an increase in the grass roots contributions from those on the call.
� Asked them to join (or find others to join) the community outreach program (headed up by David & Lauren Parker)
� By signing up, you�ll commit to participate in events, calls, etc., and commit to help raise contributions.
� This is needed to continue the momentum from the 1st quarter, and to accomplish the things they project in the 2nd quarter

Mitt continued, “Raising money is important all over the nation. A strong “grass-roots” organization is critical to my efforts. If you have contributed, please contribute again. Please ask your spouse, adult children, relatives, and friends to contribute, no matter how much. Please join my community outreach program. Let’s get this to grow across this country.”

Spencer Zwick: “Please get your friends and family involved. Join the Outreach Program now. Please make a personal contribution.”

Scott Romney: “Mitt is an unusual person. Incredible leader! Everything he has been involved in, he has made better. Those who meet him have an enormous passion for him and what he stands for. Mitt can make a tremendous difference in our country! Ask yourself, ‘Is Mitt someone I can trust?’ He is and he is worth supporting. We can trust Mitt. I appreciate your support. Please reach out to your family members and friends.”

Again, thank you to Brett for these notes!

Let’s all do what Mitt has asked us to do to get involved in this grass-roots effort and reach out into our communities! I personally know of two good friends who have already set up large “Debate Parties” in their homes next Wednesday. Each one told me he expects to have at least 30 people in his home to watch the debates together and then to have a Q/A session afterward for those who are “new to Mitt.” The other one is having sushi served (hey, this is California!) and plans to have a computer queued up to the Community Outreach Signup Form and he is asking every person in attendance to donate using his computer and their credit card. He said he doesn’t care how much they donate, but they will be asked to donate.

These are only two and they are just normal guys who are taking action; there are many doing this. Are you? We are all busy. Let’s make it happen now.

So, many are jumping in right now to make it happen. This can spread fast, but those of us who are enjoying the view of Mitt’s hard work from the balcony seats have been asked by him to come down to the stage with Mitt and help him. Right now is the time to reach out and invite others to join you. It is easy. Americans are looking for someone with integrity, drive, vision, and a track record of making their vision a reality to lead this nation.
.
RHR

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