ComMITTed to Romney!

Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave (R-Colo.) talks about the strong support Gov. Romney enjoys in her state.

~~John Cronin~~

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/musgrave-pushes-romney-for-veep-2008-06-04.html

By Jackie Kucinich Posted: 06/04/08 07:48 PM [ET]

Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-Colo.) Wednesday called on Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) to select former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) as his running mate.

“I hope I’m starting a movement,” Musgrave said in an interview. “In Colorado, we love Mitt Romney.”

Musgrave said that during the Colorado Republican convention, every caucus she visited had made Romney its top choice — a trend that was reflected in the caucus totals.
Romney won the Colorado caucus with 60 percent of the vote, dwarfing McCain’s, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee’s and Rep. Ron Paul’s (Texas) totals.

She added that while she hadn’t spoken to her fellow House Republicans about her pitch for Romney, she expressed confidence that other members would follow suit.

She cited Romney’s “real-world experience” as an executive as a particular attribute that would “serve McCain well.”

Musgrave, a staunch conservative on social issues who is being targeted this fall by Democrats, said, “I know conservatives can count on [McCain and Romney] to support traditional values and fight to protect the tax dollars of working families.”

Hat Tip to 2thepoint for the heads up on this story. Gov. Romney continues to rack up the frequent flier miles as he headlines dinners and fundraisers to benefit conservative republicans. When he is ready to run again in 2012, he will have the most extensive campaign organization in the country.

~~John Cronin~~

Real Clear Politics

By: Reid Wilson

June 05, 2008

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, said to occupy a prominent place on whatever version of vice presidential short list John McCain has in his head, is keeping busy over a two-day stretch in Washington. While McCain is out of town, his one-time rival is certainly making his presence in Republican circles known.

Despite thunder and lightening, and more than a few tornado warnings, Romney attended a fundraiser held by the Susan B. Anthony List, which promotes pro-life Republicans, last night in Washington. Money from the event went to Rep. Steve Pearce, who on Tuesday claimed the GOP nomination to replace outgoing Senator Pete Domenici in New Mexico.

This morning Romney hit three morning shows — on MSNBC, CNN and Fox News — live from McCain’s Arlington, Virginia headquarters.

Later, Romney will hold a media availability at a swank hotel just up the road from McCain Central, with former Governor Jim Gilmore, the GOP nominee for retiring Senator John Warner’s seat, and businessman Keith Fimian, who is running for Tom Davis’s Eleventh District. Romney is also slated to attend a fundraiser for Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, who will run for re-election in 2009.

Great news from the Beatty Campaign. Jeff Beatty, former elite Delta force member and Purple Heart winner has easily qualified for the Republican Senate ballot in Massachusetts, pitting him against John Kerry, former 2004 democratic Presidential nominee and 24 year Senatorial incumbent.

Congratulations to Jeff and to Team Beatty, including the unsung heroes of all successful campaigns, the grassroots activists who are the foot soldiers who ring the doorbells, put out the yards signs and make good things happen!

~~John Cronin~~

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday. June 3, 2008
CONTACT:
Joe Manzoli
774.722.1611
joe@jeffbeatty.com

Summary: US Senate Candidate Jeff Beatty, a Republican from Massachusetts, has secured a spot on the ballot thanks to a grass roots campaign that gathered 17,000 certified signatures. Beatty thanked volunteers, staff members, donors and supporters at a gathering in Westborough this past weekend, where he also outlined his campaign plans for the coming months.

US SENATE CANDIDATE JEFF BEATTY THANKS VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF FOR SUCCESSFUL NOMINATION DRIVE, OUTLINES CAMPAIGN TO NOVEMBER

Grass roots effort results in 17 thousand certified signatures delivered to the Secretary of State’s office, assuring Beatty’s place on ballot

Boston - US Senate candidate Jeff Beatty, Republican, celebrated gaining access to the ballot by personally thanking supporters and volunteers who powered his signature drive. For two months, hundreds of supporters canvassed the Commonwealth sharing Beatty’s campaign vision and filling enough nomination sheets necessary to get Beatty on the ballot. Beatty’s successful nomination follows another significant milestone announced last month - 30 thousand donors who gave almost $1 million dollars to his campaign.

“I’m honored by how many people have decided to invest in our campaign, giving their time and effort to bring new leadership to the U.S. Senate,” said Beatty at a supporter gathering held in Westborough over the weekend. “This proves that people are excited about this race and, after 24 years of lackluster leadership, are ready to send a real fighter to Washington.”

Beatty began this campaign a year ago by launching an exploratory committee in April 2007. Since then he has traveled throughout Massachusetts listening to voters and sharing his vision to protect their families, protect their jobs and protect the Commonwealth and country.

“It is time to send someone with relevant experience to Washington to fight for these basic values,” said Beatty, a former Delta Force Officer and founder of a homeland security and public safety company. “I have owned a business, worked for years in public safety and security, and developed the background to solve the serious problems we face today. I’m running because we have waited too long for someone to step up and do the work.”

Beatty will spend the remaining spring and summer months introducing himself to voters and preparing for the hard contest coming in the fall.
###

Jeff Beatty is a Candidate for the US Senate who can be found at www.jeffbeatty.com. Beatty is a small businessman (founder of totalsecurity.us) who previously served in The Delta Force where he received a Purple Heart while helping rescue hundreds of Americans. He also served as a Special Agent of the FBI, advising the national Hostage Rescue Team and as a CIA Counter-terrorism Officer running successful operations in Europe and the Middle East.Beatty has received broad media coverage, at the national level from CNN and Fox News and locally from WBZ, The Boston Herald and Boston Globe. Beatty has also received great attention and support from bloggers across the state.

Jeff Beatty
20 Lyman St Suite 201
Westborough, MA 01581
774 733 4077

News from Dr. Bob Onder’s campaign office shows a growing list of influential Missouri leaders have endorsed his candidacy. His first quarter fund raising shows some financial firepower as well.

While the national press is ringing the death knell for the Republican Party in this election, it seems the good citizens of Missouri didn’t get the memo.

~~John Cronin~~

Jefferson City – Representative Bob Onder today announced the support of twenty-two current and two former state elected officials in his bid to represent the people of the Ninth District.

Dr. Onder’s announcement comes shortly after winning the first-quarter fundraising race against
all other candidates to replace Representative Kenny Hulshof when he raised over $370,000,
more than any other candidate in the race regardless of party affiliation.

“As I prepare to bring my prescription for change to Washington, I am honored to have the
support of so many conservative leaders in the 9th District and around our great state,” said Dr. Onder. “These leaders understand what it takes to defend our freedoms and fight for mainstream Missouri values. I greatly appreciate their support.”

“Dr. Onder has been a leader in the General Assembly from his first day in office,” said House
Republican Majority Floor Leader Steve Tilley. “Simply put, he is a proven winner who gets
things done on the issues that matter most to Missourians. I know he’ll take that same ability to
Washington.”

“I can’t think of anyone more qualified to represent the people of the 9th District than Dr.
Onder,” said Representative Doug Funderburk of St. Peter’s. “His experience as a doctor and
lawyer, and his willingness to fight for the right-to-life and tax relief and to stop illegal
immigration and wasteful spending will serve the people of Missouri well in Washington.”

“From watching him work in the Missouri House, I know that Dr. Onder will stand up for
principle and Missouri values when he gets to Congress,” said Representative Jason Smith of
Crawford County. “He’s just the type of leader we need to fight the liberal excesses of Nancy
Pelosi and the MoveOn.org crowd in Washington.”

Representative Brian Nieves noted that Dr. Onder’s leadership is not restricted to the pro-life
issue. This year, Dr. Onder also sponsored House Bill 1549, an effort to outlaw sanctuary cities
in Missouri and to give local law enforcement the tools they need to stop illegal immigration.
“Last year, I stood side-by-side with Bob Onder when we passed my bill to put English as the
official language on this year’s ballot,” said Representative Brian Nieves of Franklin County.
“This year, I was proud to stand by him as he proposed House Bill 1549. When he gets to
Washington, I know Dr. Onder will fight for effective enforcement of our immigration laws and
against San Francisco-liberal calls for amnesty.”

Dr. Onder has been a leader his entire life, particularly on pro-life issues. After graduating with a
medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis, he opened his own medical practice in
St. Charles. Later, after seeing so many of his physician friends face frivolous lawsuits, he went
to night school to get a law degree at St. Louis University. He is an active member of St. Gianna Catholic Church in St. Charles, and has six children with his wife, Allison. He has served on the boards of Missouri Right to Life, the Catholic Medical Association, and the Center for Bioethics and Culture. In 2006, he led the statewide fight against Amendment 2 as President of
Missourians Against Human Cloning.

The growing list of endorsements, combined with the first-quarter fundraising win, shows
Onder’s increasing momentum and widespread support. A full list of endorsements and
statements follows:

ENDORSEMENTS

Senator Scott Rupp R-Wentzville
Brian Nieves R-Union
Jason Smith R-Salem
Sally Faith R-St. Charles County
Mark Parkinson R-St. Charles County
Doug Funderburk R-St. Peters
Cynthia Davis R-O’Fallon
Stanley Cox R-Sedalia
Jane Cunningham R-Chesterfield
Ward Franz R-West Plains
Tim Jones R-Eureka
Don Ruzicka R-Mt. Vernon
Dwight Scharnhorst R-Manchester
Shane Schoeller R-Willard
Ryan Silvey R-Kansas City
Rick Stream R-Kirkwood
Mike Thomson R-Maryville
Don Wells R-Cabool
Rod Jetton R-Marble Hill-Speaker of the House
Steve Tilley R-Perryville-Majority Floor Leader
Senator Jason Crowell R-Cape Girardeau
Former Representative Bob Behnen R-Kirksville
Former Representative John Bennett R-St. Charles
–##–

I received a comment from a couple of our regular readers, Paulee & Mike, from the great state of Maine. Many of you no doubt remember them from all the fun we had last week when they attended the Maine Republican Convention.

Well it seems that Paulee & Mike have just volunteered to help elect conservative Republicans this fall. Yes!! I have taken the liberty of posting part of their comments that have to do with their decision to get involved with their local Republican organization. I can’t over emphasize how important their decision is. They have now placed themselves elbow to elbow with the movers and shakers of their state’s politics. When the time comes to influence their state’s leadership in favor of Mitt Romney in 2012, they will be in a position to lobby for Romney in a way that no outsider could hope to.

Congratulations, Paulee & Mike! Keep us posted on your budding political fiefdom.

~~John Cronin~~

http://committedtoromney.com/2008/05/11/romney-raises-austin-money-for-cornyn/

“Romney Raises Austin Money For Cornyn”

Paulee&Mike on 14 May 2008 at 7:21 am

John, as you suggested, we have let it be known we are available for the Rep. Party
volunteer work etc. Got a letter today about a meeting, so there. Let’s all get involved
and bring about CHANGE, YES WEeeeeeee CAN!!!!!!!!!!!!

John Cronin on 14 May 2008 at 5:58 pm
Paulee&Mike,

Welcome to the club!! It’s very gratifying to know that the Party’s volunteer ranks are growing. Keep up the good work and we will have an organization in place to help elect Mitt Romney in 2012.

It’s almost as if Robert Novak is an avid reader of this website. My jaw almost hit the floor this morning as I read his column in the Washington Post.

He has touched on the very points that we have collectively made here. The main point being that McCain was the major beneficiary of Huckabee’s divide and conquer strategy. At one point early in the primary season, Mitt Romney appeared ready to run the table. He was in first or second place in 6 out of 7 of the first primaries. Even as a strong supporter of Mitt Romney, I had to shake my head in wonder. Coming from a virtual unknown to such a commanding lead within the space of a year was an awesome accomplishment.

But then something very strange started to happen. Social conservatives who are very “family values” oriented, who are solidly pro life and who favor a strong military and a smaller, simpler government, abandoned the candidate who supported all those positions in favor of a glib, but shallow candidate with zero foreign affairs credibility and zero economic credibility.

If what Robert Novak writes in his column is true, then these poor souls have not learned a single, solitary lesson from their disastrous experiment in Presidential politics. They are still true believers in the man from Hope.

I don’t know about anyone else, but I am getting sick of hearing the empty platitudes about “Hope” and “Change.” I will wait for 2012 when we can start talking again about “Experience” and “Competency.”

~~John Cronin~~

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article
/2008/05/11/AR2008051101786.html

McCain and Huckabee were friendly rivals in this year’s Republican competition, sharing contempt for Mitt Romney. Indeed, McCain would not be where he is today had Huckabee not mobilized born-again voters to upset Romney in the Iowa caucuses. All of Romney’s efforts to overtake McCain in conservative Southern state primaries were stifled by Huckabee’s success in those contests. Huckabee quickly endorsed McCain once he clinched the nomination. They bonded publicly in Little Rock on April 24 during McCain’s tour.

I am currently reading a very interesting and informative book written by the LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, published by THE LYONS PRESS, “CHOOSING THE PRESIDENT 2004″.

They have a study they refer to in the book that was done by the PEW RESEARCH CENTER FOR THE PEOPLE AND THE PRESS; “2002 MEDIA CONSUMPTION SURVEY.”

Here’s a look at what they found.

“As recently as 1990, the major television networks—ABC,CBS and NBC—had a dominant role in delivering news to the American people. In 1992, the nightly network news shows with Dan Rather, Tom Brokaw and Peter Jennings regularly reached 60 percent of the adult population. By 2002, that number had declined to 32 percent—almost cut in half.

Newspapers, the most traditional of the major media, faced the same trend. While 58% of people polled in 1994 said that they had read a newspaper in the last day, by 2002 that figure was down to 41%. In addition, older Americans are much more likely to be newspaper readers than people in their twenties—a trend that has the newspapers very worried.

Local TV news and radio also reach lots of people, and both of these news media have also lost viewers or listeners in the past ten years. Cable TV news, the most influential of the new media, has held steady in recent years. In 2002, it was regularly watched by 33% of Americans.

When you take into account all their news programing, including the morning shows and news magazines, the major networks still receive some attention from a majority of Americans. As a result, their coverage of the issues and the candidates can have considerable influence on the course of a presidential campaign. But campaign planners are very much aware that the way America gets it’s news is changing fast, and new strategies are needed.”

For most of our readers, the above is probably old news. I quote it to point out the need for utilizing a very basic, but very effective grassroots organizing technique, neighborhood canvassing. My experience with door-to-door canvassing earlier this year was very positive. It reinforced my belief that one way to help overcome the MSM’s effect on the campaigns of conservatives is to get in front of voters and deliver a message to them that they haven’t heard before. My experience both in Des Moines and in St. Louis was that most people still rely on the newspapers and broadcast TV for their impressions of the candidates, and everyone on this site knows from bitter experience what the Huckabee network of churches and pastors and the MSM propaganda machine did to Gov. Romney’s run for the nomination.

If you have not tried it before, I’d like to encourage you to team up with a friend and to start to organize your own neighborhoods for a conservative Republican Congressional candidate or incumbent. Make sure you are up to speed on your candidate’s positions and very importantly, keep good records of your contacts. Get them on an emailing list where possible and hand out literature for those voters who don’t have internet access. Ask for permission to place a sign in their yards and be sure to recontact everyone you talked to the weekend before the election in order to “get out the vote.”

It’s hard work and time consuming. It’s also very effective. Here’s a look at how Gov. Romney did in the areas that had the highest concentrations of grassroots volunteers. To a great degree, the results were influenced by these area’s favorable demographics, having a higher percentage of college educated and upscale voters (patterns we saw very plainly in Des Moines as well), but, according to the national campaign office in Boston, the results were also influenced by the volunteer organization’s co-ordinated efforts.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY

McCAIN………………..41.06%

ROMNEY……………….36.49%

HUCKABEE…………….16.98%

ST. CHARLES COUNTY

ROMNEY………………37.72%

HUCKABEE…………….21.83%

JACKSON COUNTY (KANSAS CITY)

ROMNEY……………..34.68%

McCAIN………………34.13%

HUCKABEE……………23.16%

~~John Cronin~~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNu-PkSymJQ

Hat Tip to Will Martin for sending me the heads up on the availability of this video of Gov. Romney’s speech at the Maine Republican Convention.

The story about the flag that flew above one of the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center on 9/11 is becoming famous in conservative circles.

Good to hear Gov. Romney delivering a speech with his characteristic insight.

~~John Cronin~~

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/74283a7e-1b97-11dd-9e58-0000779fd2ac,
Authorised=false.html?_i_location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fcms
%2Fs%2F0%2F74283a7e-1b97-11dd-9e58-0000779fd2ac.html%3Fnclick_check%3D1&_i_
referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.drudgereport.com%2F&nclick_check=1

If we can hold McCain’s feet to the fire on SCOTUS nominations, we will have won half the battle.

~~John Cronin~~

By Andrew Ward in Washington

Published: May 6 2008 20:53 | Last updated: May 6 2008 20:53

John McCain promised on Tuesday to nominate conservative judges to the Supreme Court and for other judicial vacancies, seeking to quash doubts among some Republicans about his conservative credentials.

The Republican presidential candidate said he would use John Roberts and Samuel Alito, who were appointed to the Supreme Court by President George W. Bush, as his “model” when choosing nominees.

This is another in a series of posts that I hope to be able to contribute to this website. As our regular readers know, I have been supporting Jeff Beatty for the Senate from Massachusetts and Mike Pence from Indiana in his bid for re-election.

Now I would like to introduce another conservative Republican who was recommended to me by the Speaker of the Missouri House, Rod Jetton.

His name is Dr. Bob Onder and he is running for the U.S. Congress.

Rod Jetton headed MissouriansForMitt during the primary campaign and worked tirelessly for Gov. Romney. He has asked me to help support Dr. Onder, and after I became familiar with his stand on the core issues that are most important to us, I said I would be happy to help.

Please go to Dr. Onder’s website and if you agree with me that we could use a man like this in Congress to protect the family, while supporting a strong military that is backed by a strong economy, please consider standing with us financially if possible or by posting about Dr. Onder’s campaign. For any Missouri Mittheads that may read this, there are many ways that you can get involved at the grassroots level.

~~John Cronin~~

http://www.bobonder.com/home.html

Economic Conservative
• Continue the Bush Tax Cuts
• Hold the line against Liberals in Washington who want to raise our taxes
• Reduce our dependence on foreign oil to bring down the cost of gas here at home
• Continue Kenny Hulshof’s crusade to kill the Death Tax to protect family farms and businesses in the 9th District

As a small businessman who employs 12 people, Dr. Onder knows what it takes to set and keep a budget. He does it at his medical practice and at the kitchen table with his wife, Allison, as they look out for their children’s future.

Social Conservative
• Supports a Constitutional Amendment to define marriage as between one man and one woman
• Supports a Constitutional Amendment to make English the official language of the United States, as he did in the Missouri state legislature
• Supports the death penalty
• Has been a Life Member of the National Rifle Association since he was 17
• Believes that life begins at conception and will fight for the rights of the unborn, as he did in the Missouri state legislature

As a father of six and a committed husband of 13 years, Dr. Onder is a family man first and foremost. He will stand up to Liberals who want to destroy marriage and cheapen the sanctity of human life.

Dr. Onder will fight for our conservative values in Washington.