comMITTed to Romney!

Many who read or write on this blog may feel disheartened by Romney’s “defeat” (actually a strong 2nd) in today’s Florida Primary. Certainly after much hard work by all of us it is only natural to sense some discouragement…somewhat like the wind being knocked out of your sails for a moment. We had expected a victory and we wouldn’t settle for less. As an avid lover of the sea I have noticed that the wind always returns and the sails fill again sending the ship to its intended destination.

Florida was one state out of fifty. Super Tuesday is coming. We cannot let the outcome of Florida betray our enthusiasm. Romney will win the Republican nomination for President of the United States.

Ann Romney brings immediate optimism with her statement, “This is just a send-off point; this is not an end.” I love the excitement she brings to the moment. What a great political partner to have in such a tight and contentious race!

One of the greatest Presidents in our history was an eternal optimist. After many political defeats (and one in particular), Lincoln told his friend Dr. Ray who continued to brood over Lincoln’s defeat, “You will soon feel better. Another blow up is coming; and we shall have fun again.” (Quoted from Team of Rivals)

Lincoln was not discouraged by his defeats…only his friends were. Like them, as we refocus our efforts towards Romney’s eventual nomination, we need to pull the bootstraps tight and start working the trenches just a bit harder. We are fighting for certain principles and for a better America. Each state individually is one stepping stone along the path to ultimate victory. The next contest is coming and it will be fun.

Just like Lincoln, Romney is winning the respect of others, earning their trust and even devotion as he moves along the campaign trail introducing himself to those who barely know him.

Read the following quotes about Lincoln’s strategy for the nomination. I think you will find them similar to Romney’s. These quotes are taken from A Team of Rivals.

As a dark horse, he knew it was important not to reveal his intentions too early, so as to minimize the possibility of opponents mobilizing against him.

It was important that any efforts on his behalf be squelched until the timing was right, and Lincoln, as would be evidenced throughout his presidency was a master of timing.

Not hindered by the hubris, delusions, and inconsistencies that plagued his three chief rivals, Lincoln gained steady ground through a combination of hard work, skill and luck. While his rivals felt compelled to reposition themselves toward the center of the party, Lincoln never changed his basic stance.

Though a successful bid for the nomination remained unlikely, a viable candidacy was no longer an impossible dream. Slowly and methodically, Lincoln set out to improve his long odds.

Most of his audiences had never laid eyes on him.

Once he began speaking he invariably forged an indelible impression, and left an impact on his listeners.

Though sensed by many to be an underdog candidate, Lincoln rose to the top and captured the nomination.

Romney is a master strategist. His focus for the nation is the right one. As we work “slowly and methodically” from state to state bringing the message of change, of fixing a broken Washington, and a re-commitment to time held American family values, I believe that America will listen, and the ‘long odds’ of success will be realized as we witness Romney place his hand on the Bible and swear and oath of duty as our next President.

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Congratulations to Governor Romney and his campaign team on a great win in Michigan tonight! As they say down South, he gave the competition a “thumpin’.”

It will be fascinating to analyze the exit polls to see just what the dynamics of the voting indicates. One thing that jumped out of the stats I saw was that among Catholics who go to church weekly, 41% voted for Gov. Romney. So much for Pastor Mike’s attempt to divide and conquer.

Here is the updated delegate count. MSM pundits, pay very close attention to these numbers. Try to keep them in mind as you sit down at your desk and place your fingers on your computer’s keyboard.

These numbers should be the reason why you should exercise a healthy discipline with yourself if you are tempted to write another column or blog calling on Gov. Romney to withdraw from the race.

The reason that Gov. Romney has not taken your advise is because HE IS WINNING!!

Romney…………42

Hunter……………1

~~John Cronin~~

“For of those to whom much is given, much is required. And when at some future date the high court of history sits in judgment on each of us, recording whether in our brief span of service we fulfilled our responsibilities to the state, our success or failure, in whatever office we hold, we will be measured by the answer to four questions: First, were we truly men of courage…..Second, were we truly men of judgment…..Third, were we truly men of integrity…..Finally, were we truly men of dedication?

We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom, symbolizing an end as well as a beginning, signifying renewal as well as change.”

John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1961

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Tonight on Hannity & Colmes, Sean Hannity gave voice to something I have been thinking for over a week. That there seems to be some sort of collusion among the members of the MSM in their attempts to talk Mitt Romney into quitting a race that he is currently very competitive in.

The chorus line of talking heads who daily call for Mitt Romney to withdraw from the race seem to have a strange disconnect with reality. As we have pointed out here on several occasions, does it make any sense for the delegate leader who has one 1st place finish and two 2nd place finishes to withdraw after only 3 out of 50 elections have been completed?

Sean Hannity said that he thought there was a “conspiracy to suppress the vote” in connection with the Romney candidacy. I have most assuredly noticed the same dynamic in play. This tells me that the Left fears the prospect of Romney staying in the race long enough to get to a state that more accurately represents the mainstream of the American electorate. A state where voters don’t cast their ballots along the lines of “identity” politics. A state where large percentages of Independents don’t cross over to vote for the weakest Republican.

In other words, a state where real Republicans and real Democrats vote for candidates based on bread and butter issues like national defense, immigration, the legitimate role of government, taxes, the economy, Supreme Court Justices and strengthening the institutions of marriage and the family.

Let’s do everything we can to encourage members of our families and our friends and co-workers to get to the polls and to reassert the strength of the Regan coalition behind the man who best represents that great movement, Mitt Romney!

~~John Cronin~~

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By: Mary Jacoby

WALL STREET JOURNAL December 26, 2007

I am obviously playing catch-up with my print edition of the WSJ, but this story is very much relevant even though it’s a few days old.

The results are clear. In the battle of “significant” campaign speeches, Mitt Romney’s Dec.6 “Faith In America” address has crushed Rudy Giuliani’s Dec. 15 “closing argument” campaign speech in one key barometer of buzz: YouTube.

As of Monday, a clip of Mr. Romney’s much anticipated address, in which he defended his Mormonism and explained the need for expressions of faith in public life, garnered 46,437 views and some 1,500 comments on the popular video-sharing website.

Mr. Giuliani, speaking to about 200 supporters in Tampa, stressed his leadership qualities and unveiled his new slogan: “Tested. Ready. Now.” His campaign had billed it as the former prosecutor’s “closing argument” for the Republican presidential nomination. The jury appears unconvinced, however. As of Monday, a clip of the speech had been viewed only 1,106 times and it drew no comments.

To me, it is very ironic, that Mike Huckabee’s shameless playing of the religion card, which had the effect of re-introducing an issue that many felt had been taken out of American presidential politics by John F. Kennedy’s speech in Houston, Texas back in 1960, has produced one of the best moments of the campaign thus far and has generated the “buzz” that all politicians hope for, but few attain. It is also ironic that the Romney campaign was at first reluctant to give the speech, understandably and justifiably so. Gov. Romney has run his campaign on the theme of the “three legged stool” of a strong economy, a strong military and strong families. He did not intend to run a campaign based on religion or he would have incorporated it into the original theme.

However, former Gov. Huckabee had a different idea and chose to emphasize religion as a major plank in his platform. I wonder if Mr. Huckabee is having any second thoughts about opening the door on an issue that has now turned into a major gift in disguise.

~~John Cronin~~

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TO THE MILITARY SERVICE MEN & WOMEN WHO VISIT THIS SITE: See request at the end of this post.

At the end of the debate last night, I recalled a great article I read earlier this year, written by a USMC officer. Before I give my opinion as to why this article below came to mind, consider my thoughts on John McCain:

1) In all sincerity, I am personally grateful for his incredible service to my nation, 2) he epitomizes every attribute of “hero”, a word overused today, and 3) I consider him a military expert.

Those who know me well know that when it comes to our men and women of the armed forces serving our nation, my emotions are close to the surface. Our family lives next to the largest USMC base in the U.S. and we bump into the wonderful Marines and their families all the time in local stores, restaurants, and parks.

But frankly, and as my kids would say, I am so over John McCain! I am tired of hearing John McCain tell Americans and presidential candidates how he is the only person who knows how to be “commander in chief” of the armed forces by virtue of his distinguished military career. I may be wrong in my perception here, but he has this, my-experience-as-a-never-give-up-naval-aviator-officer-POW-never-let-the-troops-down attitude that obviously comes across as condescending to his peers. In my opinion, aside from the drawback of being a Washington, D.C. bureaucrat, he often comes across as a single-issue candidate. We have had many great presidents in this country who never served in the military, many of whom were far better leaders than presidents with prior military experience. And the more McCain thinks he is superior to his peers, the angrier he appears! As a leader, he is a plodder.

Well guess what? Governor Romney, as an experienced, tough leader, is multi-faceted and is skilled in the art of executive leadership in ways that John McCain can only dream of. There is absolutely no question in my mind that Mitt Romney would be a far superior leader in every way that Americans demand of a competent President. When considering every character and leadership trait of those on that stage last night, not one person has the experience, depth of skills, or talent comparable to Governor Romney. Period.

The following article was published March 16, 2007 at UnionLeader.com

[emphasis is mine]

By MICHAEL MOFFETT
Another View

JOHN MCCAIN is one of my heroes.

Read Robert Timberg’s account of McCain’s prisoner of war experience in “The Nightingales’ Song” and try not to be moved.

Like so many of my fellow veterans, I enthusiastically supported McCain’s 2000 Presidential bid, which saw him win a decisive victory over George W. Bush in the New Hampshire primary.

Sen. McCain remains one of my heroes. But I now believe former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is the man who should serve as our next commander in chief.

The reasons are many, and they include the impressive analysis of the international situation that Romney articulated after his trip to Asia earlier this year. I expect that as the months go by, many of my fellow veterans will join me in supporting a Romney candidacy in 2008.

No prospective President can come close to offering the diverse record of executive leadership that Romney can.

While McCain has been doing important work in Congress for many years, Romney has run a successful billion dollar business, saved the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, and served as the Republican chief executive of one of the country’s most Democratic states. His exemplary record of accomplishment is too lengthy to begin to mention here, but as Americans learn more and more about this extraordinary man they will increasingly like what they see.

There is no substitute for executive leadership experience — a background that one just can’t get in our national legislature, where McCain has but one of 535 votes.

While a senator can lead in different ways, it’s less clear where McCain might lead us, based on so many statements and actions over recent years.

Take some of his sponsored legislation — like the proposed McCain-Kennedy bill which revisits earlier mistakes on dealing with immigration.

It was Ted Kennedy’s support for the 1965 bill that helped create many of the problems we have today. And the 1986 “reform” simply set the stage for current flood of illegals across our borders.

Or the McCain-Feingold bill. This misplaced effort at campaign finance reform has split Americans and the Supreme Court, while expanding federal regulation and abridging First Amendment freedoms.

There are folks who place great faith in expanding government. They’re called Democrats.

Our Republican standard bearer should be someone who remains true to our important principles of limited government while celebrating individual responsibility and personal liberty.

Mitt Romney is such a person.

Romney’s challenge is to better inform Americans about who he is. I expect that he will make it clear he is a man of strong faith, and most will see we share the same values and vision for our country. His wonderful Reaganesque communication skills should enable him to explain his positions on all issues. And most importantly, his true record of achievement needs to be made clear to Americans in the face of the inevitable obfuscation that marks our political process.

There’s plenty of time for this. And when the dust settles next year, I believe that Americans — veterans and non-veterans alike — will embrace this remarkable man to be our next commander in chief.

John McCain will always remain a hero. But Mitt Romney should be our next President.

Michael Moffett is a professor at NHTI-Concord. He is a member of The American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Moffett served as a Marine lieutenant colonel infantry officer during Desert Storm and later served on Gen. Tommy Franks’ operations staff at United States Central Command.

(the top photograph of Governor Romney was made by Lieutenant Colonel Martin Moerschell, USAF, via Department of Defense)

To our military men and women serving in America and abroad: We know many of you are visiting this site from places like Kuwait, Iraq, the Philippines, Afghanistan, etc. If you would like to submit a statement as to why you have decided to support Governor Romney for President, please send the email statement to me directly from your military email address, with permission to publish the statement, and I will post it in this blog. If you wish to remain anonymous, I will honor that as long as you send the email from your military email address. Please provide information about yourself such as rank, line of service (Army, Navy…), current service location, hometown, name, etc. Send me a photograph if you like and I will post it as well.

Most of all, on behalf of this blog’s contributors and all Romney supporters and visitors to this site, we honor you. We thank you for your service and the sacrifices you and your families are making for us. God bless you during this Thanksgiving and Christmas season. You are in the personal and family prayers of millions of Americans.

Please pass along my email address to those with whom you serve who would like to submit a statement as to why they plan to support and vote for Governor Romney as our next Commander in Chief. Please submit your statement and photograph (optional) to —–> vic.lundquist@gmail.com

~ Vic

“We sleep peacefully at night, cradled by the big strong hands of America.”

– Val Saintsbury

“Our great modern Republic. May those who seek the blessings of its institutions and the protection of its flag remember the obligations they impose.”

– Ulysses S. Grant

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See why at this blog entry at Iowans for Romney.

Jeff Fuller

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For those of you who think that Romney will be beholden to the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, should read this opinion piece. In it, it catalogs just how Governor Mitt Romney would be less likely to be Pro-Mormon. It also gives a great insight into how previous Presidents (both from Republican and Democratic stripes) have dealt with those of the Mormon faith. I think it’s a sad state of affairs that we’re in in terms of Governor Romney and his faith.

Please also read my previous commentary from July 22nd, 2005 on this subject.

Here’s a list of the relationships of past Presidents with the LDS church just as a reference point:

Theodore Roosevelt publicly supported the controversial seating of U.S. Senator Reed Smoot, a member of the LDS Church ’s high ranking Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. TR also wrote a vigorous defense of the persecuted Mormons in Collier’s magazine. You won’t see Mitt Romney advocating for an LDS apostle to become a U.S. Senator.

Dwight Eisenhower appointed another Mormon apostle, future church president Ezra Taft Benson, to serve as his Secretary of Agriculture. Benson would be the only member of Ike’s cabinet to serve all eight years. Richard Nixon had two Mormon high priests in his cabinet; David Kennedy (Secretary of the Treasury) and Mitt’s father, George Romney (Secretary of Housing and Urban Development).

The current political climate would never allow Mitt Romney to appoint an LDS apostle to his cabinet, or even multiple Mormons to his cabinet like Nixon. Utah Governor Jon Huntsman knows that there won’t be room for many Mormons in a Romney cabinet, and some speculate that is partially why he has cast his endorsement toward John McCain.

Other presidents provided help or honors for the Mormons that a President Romney could never get away with. James K. Polk formed a 500-member Mormon Battalion during the Mexican War, thereby enriching the Saints with government dollars. Millard Fillmore appointed LDS president Brigham Young as Utah ’s territorial governor. Herbert Hoover allowed a Mormon apostle to spend a two-week honeymoon in the White House. Lyndon B. Johnson formed such a good friendship with Mormon President David O. McKay that he once had Air Force One spontaneously land when flying over Salt Lake City just to drop in for a visit. (Imagine the outrage if Romney did such a thing!)

Gerald Ford had the LDS Church ’s president and his counselors as his guests in the president’s box for the national bicentennial gala at the Kennedy Center . Jimmy Carter had the centerpiece of his National Family Week celebration be his address in the Tabernacle on Temple Square at Mormon headquarters. Ronald Reagan surrounded himself with numerous Latter-day Saints in his administration, and dropped his plans for storing MX missiles in the Great Basin once LDS officials opposed it.

As for George W. Bush, he not only honored LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and awarded the Mormon Tabernacle Choir with the National Medal of Arts, but he also appointed a Mormon as Secretary of Health and Human Services (Mike Leavitt).

If Mitt Romney is successful in his bid for the White House the fact that he doesn’t take orders from Salt Lake City won’t be what is remarkable. (Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, also an active Mormon, does not take his orders from Temple Square . Neither have the many LDS senators, congressmen, and governors.) What will be ironic to the student of history is that the Romney administration was not as pro-LDS as plenty of other White House predecessors.

I would like to give special thanks to Michael K. Winder for writing this piece, it’s timely and bring a perspective that none other has shown thusfar. He deserves kuddos for his dedication to writing it.

More on the Author:
Michael K. Winder is the author of “Presidents and Prophets: The Story of America’s Presidents and the LDS Church.”

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