Romney Gone: Who Let The Air Out?

In hindsight, it should have been obvious to the careful observer - there were not many Romney sweats, shirts or buttons in the lobby of the Omni Shoram as one made their way through. There were some McCain supporters scattered about, but in what looks like room given for Romney to "stand aside," the full number of McCain-clothed supporters didn't start to really appear before Romney was through.

After an intro by Laura Ingraham, Romney addressed the crowd, pointing out the need for Conservative ideals to lead America. Then focusing on the war, he used it as his rationale for stepping aside. He was greeted by scattered shouts of: Noooo! And then the air simply went out of the room.

It'll be interesting to see what McCain has to say to the group, now. There isn't the threat of Romney over his head. How long before the Republican establishment puts pressure on Huckabee to bow out?

The mood around CPAC is not good. Stay tuned.

Comments

[Trista]

What happened to the "holding out for something big" like VP? If McCain put Romney on the ticket today, talk radio could continue to back their favorite guy (Romney) and they would have to lighten up on John McCain. They also may see it as an assertion that McCain WILL follow through on his more conservative agenda promises that without Romney seem hollow.

Romney wouldn't announce this himself. That would seem arrogant. McCain would announce it, and come off as the winner after conservatives felt they had the air knocked out of them with Romney's suspended campaign.

Romney has GOP money. He raised more money than any other republican in the race. He owns the economy, the conservative banner, and talk radio. He made strong showings in the south. He didn't win those states, but he didn't lose by a landslide either. It was close.

I expect something big from McCain. If he doesn't deliver, I'm not sure many will vote for McCain just because Romney says so.

Romney looked like a VP today. He didn't look defeated, and he and McCain plan to appear together tonight in Baltimore.

Yesiree, methinks there is something afoot. Of course, as always, I could be totally wrong. Just saying what I see.

[Wahoo Willie Sez:]

"Yesiree, methinks there is something afoot."

It's either a very stupid move or you're right and I suspect the latter. This is the BEST race I've ever seen!!

[Bill Mitchell]

Face it Republican faithful, 2008 is going to be the Democrat's year. As they say, sometimes it takes a Carter to get a Reagan.

The Republican Party has been "slouching towards Gomorrah" ever since we elected a moderate populist in Bush to be our standard-bearer. We have lost out way and forgot what it is to be Conservative with a backbone.

The Democrat Base isn't just hungry, they are famished. In Primary after Primary, their turnout was double ours. 2008 is setting up to be a massacre and better to have John McCain as the sacrificial lamb.

WHAT MITT ACHIEVES BY LEAVING EARLY:
1. He appears quite statesmanlike.
2. He appears to be taking one for the good of the party.
3. He gets all kinds of party goodwill.
4. He establishes himself as THE front-runner for 2012.
5. He steps aside so McCain can take the Democrat Electoral Landskide right in the chops.
6. If he is smart, he will run for head of the RNC so he can be highly visible over the next 4 years and become the Hero of the Party.

I'm bummed and I will NEVER vote for John McCain, but in the long run this is better.

[Bill Mitchell]

The ONLY way I would vote for McCain is if Mitt is the VP.

[leilani]

WHAT MITT ACHIEVES BY LEAVING EARLY:
1. He appears quite statesmanlike.
2. He appears to be taking one for the good of the party.
3. He gets all kinds of party goodwill.
4. He establishes himself as THE front-runner for 2012.
5. He steps aside so McCain can take the Democrat Electoral Landskide right in the chops.

Yep.
Romney/Jindal '12

[Chris]

If Willard had just won West Virginia, he would have become President. Now, he's just a sad guy packing up the Suburban and strapping the dog to the roof. A hero til the end.

[Bill Mitchell]

If the Governors of FL and CA had not conspired to allow Independents to ILLEGALY VOTE in "closed" primaries, Mitt would have won. C'mon people, 40% Moderate/Liberal turnout in a "closed" primary? There was some cheatin' afoot.

Anyway, doesn't matter. 11/2008 is gonna be a slaughter and it will be fun watchin McCain go down in flames.

[Bill Mitchell]

Actually, Romney's BIG MISTAKE was leaving SC for NV. If he had stayed in the SC race, Huckabee would have won SC and Romney would have won FL.

[tally]

well that's the best speech i've ever heard from romney. why didn't he talk like that all the time, omg i probably would have liked him. i confess to being a bit confused now.

[Bill Mitchell]

Romney was a victim of his handlers. He should have just been himself.

[seekeronos]

I'm a little stunned, to say the least...

...that, and half an afternoon wasted trying to figure out how Mitt might have been able to tough it out long enough to deny McCain a lock on the 'Nom...

But blessed be the Name of the Lord God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the True God Who gave us His Son, the Light of this world and blessed be the only-begotten Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Righteous One through Whom we must be saved!

God hasn't ceased from being the Sovereign God and Ruler of Heaven and Earth, and life shall go on to His glory.

He sets up thrones and deposes others, and He is still the One Who judges the quick and the dead.

May the hand of God and His blessings be upon the remainder of this primary process, and may He cause that the GOP nominee be converted and confess Jesus Christ as his Lord.

I will support McCain, *IF and ONLY IF* he selects a hard core Southern Conservative.

I will also give serious thought to supporting a McCain-Romney ticket, but I think it would be better if Romney holds off and as one of the posters upthread mentioned, ran for RNC head to cement his position for 2012.

And Fred might be around in 2012 to give Mitt and whoever else a run for their money - with lessons learned, I hope.

[Chris]

"But blessed be the Name of the Lord God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the True God Who gave us His Son, the Light of this world and blessed be the only-begotten Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Righteous One through Whom we must be saved!"

Oh my, what a nut. I can see why the 'savages' so enjoyed boiling your kind in pots of oil.

[Trista]

Well, after listening to McCain's CPAC speech, I think Romney should stay as far away from McCain as possible. It does nothing for Romney's conservative agenda to prove he can work across the isle with McCain.

Did you notice how many times McCain threw out the words, "I intend...." You've got to be kidding. The path to hell is paved with good intentions. Those intentions are hollow. He gave the conservatives nothing to move forward on.

McCain can go ahead and put Huckabee on the ticket....no real conservative will want the job anyway. Then lose big or win small. Either way isn't pretty for the moderates.

Romney will be back in 2012, and he'll bring his political machine with him. Four years at the head of the RNC would give him excellent exposure and credentials.

[Bruce]

"I will support McCain, *IF and ONLY IF* he selects a hard core Southern Conservative"

Can we assume by your rant that you are talking about Huckster?
No - sorry - then I will have two good reasons to sit this one out. Two liars, two con artists. Two non-conservatives pretending to be such, while liberals to the core. No thanks.

McCain could put Jesus Christ himself on his ballot and I would never vote for this lying sack of garbage.

Not now, not ever ... NEVER.

[Wahoo Willie Sez:]

"I can see why the 'savages' so enjoyed boiling your kind in pots of oil."

Typical of the kind of person who could never put a Jew in an oven but she could play soothing music while someone else did.

[TheSpartan]

"Romney was a victim of his handlers. He should have just been himself."

This is meant in all honesty with no 'snark' whatsoever, but just what is Romney being "himself"? He's played the "I'll tell you want to hear" game for so long I'm not even sure he knows who he is anymore.

[templar knight]

Bingo, Willie, many of the worst Nazis were gay like chrissy is, and enjoyed torturing people. The hate exuding from chris and his kind is palatable, and it's a good thing that he and his kind will be tossed aside by whatever Democrat wins in November. Even Polosi marginalized these idiots.

[Chris]

"many of the worst Nazis were gay like chrissy is, and enjoyed torturing people"

So does your wife know about your double life? Do you generally meet your 'friends' while claiming to be off barbecuing? I hope you are safe and aren't exposing her to anything. It's sad that guys like you and Larry Craig are out there trapped in lies.

Your anger is understandable. Good luck with that.

[Wahoo Willie Sez:]

"Your anger is understandable."

As is yours. 4:30 in the afternoon and here you are. Surely the kiddies are home. Who is watching them can't you spare a little time to help with home work, make a snack? Dinner out of a box again tonight?

[Terry Gain]

McCain's VP choice should be motivated by who can help win states he can't win alone. I think this means Huckabbe is his running mate. As for Mitt, from what I could see it was a standard speech for him. Which means it was truly excellent. He's in a class by himself. In my 61 years I've never seen anyone as well qualified for the position and I don't expect to see anyone again in my lifetime unless Romney runs in 2012.

Romney/Jindal sounds great but if the Democrats win this year the GOP rep in 2012 is likely to be General Petraeus.

[Chris]

"Surely the kiddies are home. Who is watching them can't you spare a little time to help with home work, make a snack? Dinner out of a box again tonight?'

Typical backward con. Thinking that it's still 1958 and getting it all wrong. So entertaining though!

[Donna/Florida]

I am so disappointed about Romney, and I feel myself at fault too. I was for Rudy first, and by the time I had my eyes fully open and recognized that Romney the best candidate, McCain had slipped through the cracks. I wish Romney was an independent...he'd have my vote.

[templar knight]

chris, it's guys like you that Craig is out trolling for, and frankly, I can't stand people like him, or you, either, for that matter. I doubt whether I would be seeking the company of people I can't stand. So much for your stupid theory.

I see chris didn't deny his hate, or the fact that his kind will be thrown aside by the Democratics when and if they win. A typical nutroot.

[Omahahaha]

"The hate exuding from chris and his kind is palatable"

What the heck is that supposed to mean?

[Disa Brock]

They Can’t Stomach Mormons
It finally got to me. I was listening to Rush Limbaugh on the radio. He was explaining his idea of why Huckabee won the southern states. One of the reasons put forward was this: They can’t stomach Mormons. It was said very casually as if it was nothing at all. It was said as if it was a perfectly sound reason. Mitt Romney is a Mormon and they can’t stomach Mormons. The ‘they’ spoken of was Evangelical Christians. I would like to address this to anyone who ‘can’t stomach Mormons.’
It is not like I haven’t heard disparaging comments about Mormons my whole life. In fact I have. It is one of the last remaining prejudices that is still socially acceptable in certain circles. Many of you may not understand or believe or even care about this but I am hoping to persuade you to care or at least to take notice.
In the past, I have always let rude and even untruthful comments against Mormons pass. I chalked it up to a lack of knowledge on the Speakers part or even a lack of good manners. I guess I just assumed these people didn’t know any better and so I just let it go. I have certainly had to believe that they weren’t trying to be hurtful to millions of Mormons in the world. I will never know why, but this time the phrase, “they can’t stomach Mormons” kept playing over and over in my head. This time it hurt me. I guess I had hoped this was a time of change for many different people and that the Mormons would be some of those people.
Hilary Clinton running for president is an historical first. It is an exciting prospect to know that we as a nation have come to a point in time when a woman could be president of the United States. It is a hopeful thing for women whether they vote for or against her. Barak Obama running for president is thrilling. The very knowledge that a black man could be president of the United States seems to hold within it healing qualities for us all. Anything really is possible in this great land of ours. May the best man or woman win regardless of race or gender, but don’t let them fail because of race or gender.
Mitt Romney will not win the Republican nomination. The disappointing thing is that one of the reasons being put forward is that he lost because he is a Mormon. I hope that has nothing to do with it but I am afraid I am wrong.
I heard another caller today on the same show referenced earlier. He was a kind, elderly gentleman. He said he didn’t want to vote for Romney because he was a Mormon, and that Evangelicals were afraid of Mormons. Then he admitted he did vote for Romney but he would never admit it at church.
The horrible secret was not that he voted for Mitt Romney, the candidate, but that he voted for Mitt Romney, the Mormon. A kind, older, evangelical Christian voted for a Mormon. Of course, this secret is not horrible. It is hopeful, at least to me. It will be even more hopeful when he doesn’t have to hide the fact he voted for a Mormon. Maybe one day that will not hold shame for him.
Last week my 6th grade daughter was working on a presidential candidate assignment with another girl. As they looked up Romney as a candidate, the other girl said to my daughter, “eeew he is a Mormon. I’m not voting for him.” My sweet daughter replied softly, “I’m a Mormon.”
Well, I’m a Mormon. I have been told countless times what I believe by other people not of my faith. I have been told I am not a Christian too many times to keep count. I have been told I don’t believe in the Holy Bible. I have been told that I worship Joseph Smith. I have been told these false statements and many others so many times that it is mind numbing. Recently I left my church on a Sunday afternoon to find anti- Mormon literature on every car in the parking lot. I have seen someone walk into my church and post a flyer that invited me to come to a seminar entitled “Muslims, Witches and Mormons.” I have gone to hear my church leaders speak in Salt Lake and been told by demonstrators outside my church that I am going to hell and my children with me. I have been laughed at and scorned and made fun of by many other anti- Mormons in ways too offensive to write in this article. My son has been called a stupid Mormon one too many times. My children have had to endure many rude, false, and thoughtless comments. I understand that we all have freedom of speech.
I am not suggesting this is how most people treat Mormons. The vast majority of people have been nothing but respectful. Also understand that the Mormons as a people and more personally, my family, will thrive regardless of any prejudice or unkindness imposed upon us.
Since I understand that we all have freedom of speech. I thought that it was time that I spoke up. But, will you speak up, for even a Mormon, and oppose bigotry?
I am not going to try and convince you that I am a Christian. I don’t need to. I am a Christian but you don’t have to believe me.
However, can you believe that Mormons are human enough to be treated decently and fairly? Mormon doctrine teaches a person to want and strive to do good, to love God, their family, neighbor and country. The highest value is put on family and doing all they can to strengthen it. Complete and absolute marital fidelity is understood. Practicing Mormons strive to teach their children to obey the laws of the land, and to put in an honest days work for an honest days pay. We are taught to pray to God, read the word of God and strive to live as he taught, just like you have the right to do if you choose. Mormons are successful in all walks of life in spite of any persecution, and we as a people uphold and support the constitution of the United States of America.
I can’t say what you believe but I believe in loving our neighbor as ourselves. I believe in being kind to one another and helping one another.
Please, I will never presume to tell you what you believe or think. I will treat you with respect and with kindness and decency. I will teach my children to be respectful to you and of your beliefs and to not speak ill of you. I will always fight for your freedom and my freedom to worship as we choose. This great nation was founded on this very important principle.
Maybe you can’t stomach Mormons. I just wanted you to know; I am a Mormon.
Disa Brock

[BobInStamford]

"it's guys like you that Craig is out trolling for, and frankly, I can't stand people like him, or you, either, for that matter."

So, tell us, what kind of guys do you like then? Do you go more for the out and proud type? Understandable, given the lie that you have to live.

It's ok, we won't tell your wife - or the kids in their 'private' school. Wouldn't want the mrs to get upset or have the kids laughed at.

[TheSpartan]

"I doubt whether I would be seeking the company of people I can't stand"

Isn't closeted homosexuality all about self-loathing? So much for your theory.

[templar knight]

Is that all you got, chrissy? I think I said people, not guys. You need to brush up on your reading comprehension, chris. You gay guys seem to be quite emotional and fragile. Oh, well...bleh!

[TheSpartan]

The difference (ok, one difference) between you and me Temp is that I don't consider being call gay an insult. I know literally hundreds of homosexuals and most of them are better people than you could ever hope to be. Unlike your hero Mitt, I actually do march with them on occasion and support their equal access to the pursuit of happiness.

[templar knight]

"Isn't closeted homosexuality all about self-loathing?"

Sparty, what are you talking about?

[BobInStamford]

It's ok, patriot. It can't be easy living a lie. Do you feel ashamed of the way you are and your 'unnatural' desires and actions? While not an expert, I would guess that this is the reason behind your obvious anger and hatred.

[templar knight]

I'm off to my daughter's basketball game, HairyBob, but I'll be back.

[TheSpartan]

Your daughter plays basketball? Uh-oh.

[BobInStamford]

Basketball, eh? It certainly lends credence to the theory that it's genetic.

[templar knight]

I'm back. Yeah, basketball, boys?. I played basketball, my two sons played basketball, my daughter plays basketball. We love basketball. And football. My two sons played football, and one of them played tennis, while the other played baseball. And my daughter plays volleyball as well. Yep, it's genetic.

Do either of you two have any children? Just curious.

[Wahoo Willie Sez:]

"I was listening to Rush Limbaugh on the radio."
Disa your first mistake was paying much attention to Limbaugh. The guy hasn't been around anyone but celebs in about thirty years. Oh yeah, there are haters everywhere you go, but Rush isn't near as smart as he thinks he is. There are two LDS churches in the county I live in, with a Budhist Monastery between them and no one has burned either down yet. The "evangelicals" that are so all powerful...aren't that plentiful, not enough to sway elections. Now there's a butt load of baptists in "da south" and frankly that's one of two reasons Huckleberry did better than Mitt. The other is because Mitt is just another yankee snake oil salesman, where the Huckster is percieved as "one of us", telling folks what they want to hear. It's the exact same thing as with Obama, the perception of being "one of us" among the blacks. So ignore the few haters where ever you call home and live your life in peace.

[Wahoo Willie Sez:]

"Typical backward con."
I like backward people who give a crap about their kids. I guess yours are making bombs and stockpiling weapons for homecoming. Planning that senior trip to Aruba maybe. I spent thirty years cleaning up behind "progressive" thinking parents. They were always soooo surprised to find little Suzie floating in a bloody bathtub. "We had no idea she was so depressed." Somehow, it was always the sober driver's fault that drunken lttle Johnny ran that red light. Yeah next time the kids take us to Myrtle Beach for dinner, I'll be sure to feel like a fool for wrecking their lives. Geeze no wonder you're such a hateful, self loathing mope.

[Wahoo Willie Sez:]

"Do either of you two have any children? Just curious."

I doubt they have children but it's obvious they think you're an idiot for spending time with yours. They're a sad bunch.

[seekeronos]

For Bruce:

I detest the Huckabee's charlatanry almost as much as I detest McCain's lying and obfuscations about his plans and his "conservatism".

FWIW, I'd support McCain if he picked a running mate like Jeff Sessions (Southerner? Check. Conservative? 98% lifetime ACU cred, check.)

At this point in time, the remaining bit of the Presidential election is meangingless to me, unless McCain picks someone who will kick him in the rear end when he starts moseying over to the left or starts looking for the shivs to stick in the eyes of we'uns who like our Constitution intact, our conservative, strict constructionist judges helping to keep the DemCong in line, and our guns in case things *really* go off the deep end, and so forth.

I'll poke my nose into the voting booth for my downticket races (my congressional district is up for grabs this cycle) and encouraging my fellow mid-state conservatives to rally around their respective CD candidates. But McCain on his own merits, or McCain-Huckabuck - those are tunes I won't dance to, and I'll look for a third party solution.

From just a cursory glance at your blog, and from what you said upthread, I think we could see eye-to-eye somewhat on that.

Otherwise, don't let my acknowledgment of the Creator's role and sovereignty (Who sits as King Eternal regardless of which windbag politician gets to sit in the big pretty chair) in this process flustergate you. It's just my way of giving thanks to God even in the humble circumstances of not getting who I thought would be the ideal man (note: "man", not "person") in the Oval office this time around.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Chrissy/Bob/et. al: I'm about to tell you something that will really get your socks all bunched up...

...Jesus loves YOU. Repent and receive of His forgivenss, and Live.

[LOL]

ROFL this is great. It's not just great that McCain's the for sure nominee and all these con losers have to find a way to carry water for him now... the best part is that there are no more wingnut candidates left in the race. Do you realize that it's only Huckabee, McCain and Paul running for the Republican nominee now guys?

LOL you guys couldn't even carry a candidate to the convention and you think it's you who represents America?

[TheSpartan]

Actually I do have a child...lighten up Temp, it's called a sense of humor maybe you can find one on your next trip tp Wal-Mart.

[BobInStamford]

I have 2 kids here. Now calm down and get your daughter those Melissa Etheridge tickets.

[Chris]

I think I read somewhere that the Cheneys got clued in about Mary by her interest in basketball.

[Fred Beloit]

"I have 2 kids here." Ahahahaha. Isn't one called el huevo izquierdo and the other el derecho? Or is one called chris and the other Llama?

[templar knight]

Let me clue you in on something, Sparty, I go to Wal-Mart frequently to get items like soap, shampoo, paper towels, toothpaste, some groceries and other household items. I also bought an LCD HD-TV from Wal-Mart. If you think I am ashamed, or somehow insulted by your Wal-Mart reference, you're stupid. As it is, I imagine you shop at Wal-Mart yourself, or your other? does, so quit trying to put on airs. You come off as a hypocrite.

HairyBob, on your blog/myspace/facebook whatever, you claim to be gay. Have you changed your mind, and had twins over the past few months? With a woman, or did you adopt? You need to clarify the issue.

[templar knight]

Fred, ROTFLMAO! Touche'.

[Chris]

Wow, an LCD TV! That's so impressive, really. I hope you let your gay kids watch it along with the straight ones. Don't want them to get a complex.

[seekeronos]

Hmmm. So much material to work with here, and little time to do it...

Here goes:

"--- the best part is that there are no more wingnut candidates left in the race. Do you realize that it's only Huckabee, McCain and Paul running for the Republican nominee now guys? ---"

Ah, now that's interesting. You mean to tell me now that you think Huck and Ron Paul are *not* wingnuts? Even some of us "wingers" tend to think Ron Paul is a little bit on the fringe, and Huck is further to the right of many of us on religion, but left on other items.

McCain? Well, Sparto, you've got to understand that even if McCain spent an unreasonable amount of time "reaching out" to liberals and getting buddy-buddy with Teddy "Chappaquidick" Kennedy, he is an excellent defense conservative, and pound for pound, he is pretty much even on with everything Bush was about. Plus, he is actually literate and can speak more than four words at a time in a coherent and meaningful fashion.

And I might be mistaken, but Bush is like the "King of the Wingers" to you guys. McCain will be Bush on steroids, if you think about it. So while he stabbed us in the back more than a few times on some things near and dear to us, it really is no different than a lot of the same stuff Bush did (or supported).

So yeah, we _will_ have to spend a considerable amount of effort and time to realize that the GOP is indeed bigger than us hard right conservatives, and hope that the Reagan principle of getting the 70% can be realized with McCain.

Given the external threats we face - a V. Putin who wants to revive the arms race and the cold war, a M. Ahmadinejad who wants to get nukes and disseminate them throughout the rans of stateless Jihadists to harm us, and a H. Chavez who generally want to be a thorn in our side - I think Johnny Mac will do just fine.

We will just need to hope he is prevailed upon by the "winger" (to use your terms) wing of the GOP to make sure he picks a VP and a cabinet that will do a better job of running our domestic policies and not worrying about giving up our sovereignty to the Law of the Sea treaty or the ICC or Kyoto or stupid cap-and-trade schemes which are based upon an unproven and incredible "threat" of globull wormening.

If not, then we loose, and we'll be more or less back to where we were in 1976.

For TK/Fred:

I'd have thought Bob/Chris could be a couple, y'know. Adopted some boy with the hopes of filling up his head with the hopes he can grow up to be just like his two gay daddies. Although if we have a fair amount of anxiety explaining the reproductive facts of life to our kids, I can't imagine what it might be like for them when they teach the facts of life about such noble and joyous gay practices as "fisting".

[seekeronos]

Oops, got my liberals wrong. My post above is directed firstly to "LOL", not Spartan (assuming they are not the same entity).

[Fred Beloit]

"My post above is directed firstly to "LOL", not Spartan (assuming they are not the same entity)."

My gosh, seek don't mis-attribute some hair-brained LOL statement to Spart. He gets terribly offended and will hurl ethnic and various other slurs your way. He thinks nothing of calling people Yanks, for instance. Oops, sorry, just slipped out.