Mitt Romney for President My Man Mitt

UPDATE: Bear has video and still shots from Mitt's CPAC address.

******
Kenny Rogers put those famous words to music many years ago. Bob Seger more aptly advised that the trick was “never play the game too long”.

Mitt took to the CPAC stage tonight and put an end to his 2008 run for the Oval. I was sitting in the very back of the room during his speech – surrounded by fellow Mitt-backers. We listened to a few speeches which were more like book reports until about 1:30 when Laura Ingraham introduced Mitt.

If I ever run for elected office, I want Laura Ingraham to be my Press Secretary. But I digress.

With the possible exception of his Religion in American speech, Mitt gave the best speech of the campaign – all other candidates included. He hit all the high conservative notes. He spoke of America being the best ally Peace can or ever will know. He spoke of the importance of the family, and most importantly about the value of fathers in the home.

He warned about the dangers of dependency and how it can kill initiative and destroy the American culture and how it (dependency on government) must be fought like the poison it is.

Now, dear reader, I must admit that I had my suspicions about how this speech would end. Living in Virginia and being exposed to the mass media market the way I am, I did not see a single campaign ad for Mitt last night or the night before. I saw plenty for Obama and McCain – none for Hillary surprisingly. In the back of my mind I had prepared for the fact that this just might be the end.

Mitt spoke about his desire to fight this campaign all the way to the convention much like Reagan did in 1976. I felt he really wanted to do this – to fight to the last day and give it his very best shot. He said that today is different from 1976 in the fact that America today finds herself at war – a war which she cannot afford to lose or show weakness in the face of her enemies.

He said that while he and Senator McCain differ in many areas, there is one subject where there is no daylight between them. Both Mitt Romney and John McCain have the same desire to win the Global War on Terror. About that there is no negotiation.

That same desire is shared by neither Hillary Clinton nor Barack Obama. They want to withdraw from Iraq and Afghanistan, bring the troops home and triumphantly wave the white flag of surrender as the Islamofacists start a slaughter which will make the aftermath of Vietnam and Cambodia look like a walk in the park.

What Mitt Romney did today was in the best interest of the Republican Party and the United States of America. He has run a fine campaign and can be proud of his personal efforts, those of his wife and all the members of his family. His decision to step aside is one born of selflessness and will – in Mitt’s own words – allow a national campaign to begin.

Like Mitt, I hate to lose. Having said that, I hate the thought of waking up on November 5th to the sounds of President-elect Hillary or Obama.

That’s the view from my chair.

Labels: cpac, mit romney


	14 Comments: Why not just leave your name on the ballot a little longer and see what happens?? The southern bible belt states were done and Romney beat Huck in ALL other states so WHY drop out now? Romney should have just stayed in a little longer to see how he did in states like Texas where he probably would've done very well. Plus isn't dropping out good news for Huck since he can get more delegates now and that's BAD news, you know? By Anonymous, at February 7, 2008 at 3:51 PM It's been a rough morning. I think we all felt like this since Tuesday night, but we were all willing to keep fighting for Mitt. I even had 40 people ready for my precinct for Washington's Saturday afternoon caucus. That last picture on your blog link from today shows a glimpse of the future. He'll be president some time in the future, and he knows it. History wasn't on his side this time. I'm proud to be a Mitt volunteer and will help out in any way I can. Time for party unity. Ernie Geigenmiller By The family, at February 7, 2008 at 4:07 PM Well, get ready for a President Hillary or Barack, because McCain is toast. He has a shot at beating hillary because so many people dislike her. And the Black voters might turn on her. However, McCain only won because of fluke of multiple candidates and non-republicans voting. Without the MSM's support which disappears now, McCain won't get far, when the stories start on his temper and age. I only hope Mitt's around in 2012 to repair the damage they cause. By Anonymous, at February 7, 2008 at 4:15 PM Wow,I was really surprised today when I heard Mitt was getting out and of course sad. The best man in the race isn't going to be president.McCain isn't going to change anything in Wash and this was always more about it being his turn anyway. It's a shame Mitt used his best speech as a farewell one and too bad he didn't talk more about welfare during the race. Doesn't seem fair that it's over already, I think most Americans are just starting to pay attention to politics. Trying to think what the turning point was in the race and i guess it was Crist and Martinez's endorsements in Fla. along with the kneecap on timetables. Anyway thanks for the Mitt updates at the site, I enjoyed them. Good luck to all you guys!! Joe. By Anonymous, at February 7, 2008 at 4:36 PM Boy are you ever going to hate November 5th. What I'll hate is the four years which follow. By Anonymous, at February 7, 2008 at 4:37 PM First, let me offer my condolences to the loss of your candidate in the race. I think all of us at our local meetup were hopeful that if our candidate didn't win the nomination, it would be anybody but McCain. With Romney's withdrawl, the fight against McCain will even be harder for those of us left behind. But, now that Romney is out of the race, is there any way at all you can see clear to support Ron Paul? We sure would appreciate your support. Ron Paul is a candidate for all Americans because he DEFENDS our rights, liberties and Freedom to keep and earn our own money. Until we get our Ecomonic House in order, America (which is made up of WE THE PEOPLE) will never be the great nations our forefathers intended us to be. Could it be more a function of the recent ecomonic indicators that affected Mr. Romney's decision to withdraw? He is a business man. Of all the candidate's who laughed at Ron Paul as he discussed our fiat money system, I honestly believe that Mr. Romney is the only one who understood what he was talking about and he was laughing not so much as what Ron Paul said but rather that he had the courage to SAY it. If you only know what you have heard or been told, please visit www.ronpaul2008.com By Anonymous, at February 7, 2008 at 4:44 PM MyManMitt team. I want to thank you guys for all your information over the past months. Many, many times per day I would come to the site and usually find interesting updates. My family and I are very sad about this result, but Mitt was right to bow out now. An excellent and very professional effort. Mike M By Anonymous, at February 7, 2008 at 5:45 PM This site has been great!!! Thanks for all the info and laughs. Mitt will go on and our work will have been worth the price someday. Mitt has made us proud from day one. Who knows, this race has had so many twists and turns, what the next nine months may bring. I saw a great quote today: "The bend in the road is not the end of the road, unless you refuse to take the turn." By Anonymous, at February 7, 2008 at 5:46 PM God bless you, Mitt. What you did today took a lot of courage, something you've never lacked for. I think our country is less for your decision, but you are much better informed than I on this matter. I hope you will take the lead on conservative matters, spend a little of your enormous energy in helping us put conservative legislators in congress to counter-balance whomever the uninformed electorate puts in the White House. Again, God Bless you...and this country, By Unknown, at February 7, 2008 at 6:05 PM I hope Mitt uses the next 5 years to get a congress put together to really help him turn around the country he will inherit in 012. The sooner we get started on the congress, the less further down the left road we'll be when this country finally gets it together. By Unknown, at February 7, 2008 at 6:13 PM Mitt's exit was classy and wise. Huckabee now seems even more ridiculous. I think McCain is a weak candidate, and even if he wins, I believe he is too old to serve more than one term. Mitt in '12! I care about winning the war, but I am more concerned about Obama than Hillary. She refuses to take back her Iraq vote and she stood up and cheered when the President said that the surge was working. I think she is pandering/throwing bones to the left wing, but still not the ideal candidate to lead the war effort By Anonymous, at February 7, 2008 at 6:55 PM Wow, what a fantastic speech delivered by a classy individual. I don't know how he bowed out after all the cheers and yells of "fight on!" I am proud of him and proud to support him. I have never contributed to a campaign before but I contributed to his 3 times. I don't want to take down my Romney for President yard sign... maybe I'll just paint a big 2012 across it. MyManMitt, thank you so much for all your hard work. I love this site and will continue to visit it to get the latest on the man who one day will be President. By Anonymous, at February 7, 2008 at 7:12 PM I was just starting to move on from Super Tuesday...just to find out that Mitt suspended the campaign. But, when I actually went online and saw the speech, I just though "wow". What an exit! 2012 anyone? I'm really impressed by what Mitt did: suspending the campaign NOT because he had lost hope, but for party unity and the common good. He is an amazing person, and one day he will be our president and one of the best we've ever had. Here's what I wrote shortly after hearing the news. I'm proud of Mitt because he understands this concept so well: United we stand. Never forget this. For although we must at times stand alone to defend our principals, and thus our freedom, if we cannot bond together for our common good, our society as a whole will never achieve the fullness of the promise of freedom, nor will it ever succeed. Yet, this must never come at the loss of principal or conviction. While this may seem impossible, tolerance and unity are, in and of themselves, important values to uphold. There two things are the framework for our freedom: our personal convictions and our ability to join together, which added together form our core values as American citizens and children of God. Without both of these things, the society we have built will collapse; the cup of freedom we balance in our hand will shatter. And if the call to defend what is right was not difficult enough, this is the great challenge of freedom: to never give up fighting for what we believe in, but at the same time to recognize when uniting together, regardless of our differences, is essential to our freedom, and thus the survival of those principals which we will never abandon. As freedom cannot survive without principal, principals cannot survive without freedom. People are not perfect, and thus, we cannot always agree on what is right. This is why debate is an essential part of free society. But society itself would collapse without compromise between disagreeing parties. And with the downfall of society ultimately comes the destruction of our freedoms. I believe that true values will ultimately arise victorious. The call to unity is not a call to surrender. Rather, when we come together as Americans, we are promising each other that the differences between us will one day be resolved, that we are as dependent on each other as we are on our convictions, and that one day together we will achieve the greatest possible freedom. By Unknown, at February 7, 2008 at 11:02 PM I hope Mitt uses the next 5 years to get a congress put together to really help him turn around the country he will inherit in 012. The sooner we get started on the congress, the less further down the left road we'll be when this country finally gets it together. *************** bolinguist - I loved this comment! We have a lot of work to do in the next four years. Freedom isn't free. Mitt Romney in 2012! By Anonymous, at February 7, 2008 at 11:22 PM Post a Comment


	2 Comments: Well played, Mitt; well played. By www.jsayreallen.com, at February 7, 2008 at 3:34 PM It breaks my heart to see this noble man step aside so that someone less worthy can lead this country. But to the end Romney has been a class act.. and all who have followed this know it has never been about him.. but about wanting to help us. And today we, our children and our grandchildren ultimately loose... By vandfam, at February 7, 2008 at 10:31 PM Post a Comment

ERRORS!!!!

I love the Evans-Novak report but there are numerous errors in today's issue:

Giuliani had absolutely no presence there whatsoever. Not a single sticker, sign, T-shirt, or visible volunteer was present for Giuliani at CPAC. Yet somehow, without trying, he succeeded.

It's true there were no PRINTED stickers, signs or t-shirts... but there were numerous volunteers.

Proof... you want proof eh?

This was right in the lobby. There was a guy standing right there organizing things. Later he did some news interviews with news crews.

OK... more Evans Novak chicanery:

Romney's young volunteers -- he bussed in and paid for scores of students, many or mostly Mormons -- were ubiquitous carrying his signs and passing out his stickers. His speech, delivered in his typical staccato style, was not bad. He also pleased conservatives with specific promises for keeping down government spending and repealing McCain-Feingold. But much of the applause in the room was clearly driven by the volunteers, who were carefully placed throughout the large ballroom at Washington's Omni Shoreham Hotel.

I'm not even sure where to begin.

The Romney "busses" with "scores" of students amounted to 3 vans that the campaign paid for. Each van could hold about 7 people. This but hardly qualifies as the exaggerated "SCORES".
As for the "Mormon" thing that is pure conjecture. You can judge for yourself here. I for a fact that 3 of them were not Mormon. Is anyone else uncomfortable with the Evans/Novak overtones here?
As for the "applause" from the "carefully placed" volunteers. Nonsense. Watch the video. I pan the crowd several times. The entire front section didn't have a single Mitt-wearing t-shirt but they gave him a standing-O just the same. Just to get into the event you had to be there an hour ahead of time. There was not strategic placement. This is pure animus in my book.

More junk from E/N:

Unlike Romney's cash-rich operation, Brownback's homespun campaign just had to make a strong enough showing at CPAC to prove that he does not belong in the second tier of candidates.

Again, go listen to the students here. This not manufactured. Many of these people were local DCers. Many of the people I spoke to did not choose to go on camera because they work for local consevative think tanks.
As Matt Lewis pointed out:
Some people will tell you that Mitt Romney didn't deserve to win (because he bussed in College Republicans to vote for him). That's like saying George W. Bush didn't deserve to win because he raised more money than his opponent. Romney's ability to organize, inspire, and transport college students to the conference is precisely why he did deserve to win! A campaign that has the organizational ability to bus in college students has the organizational ability to do a lot of other things, too. The rules allow for it, so what's wrong with Romney doing what he has to do (within the rules) to win?
I sense a lot of anger and anti-Romney rhetoric in the report.

Labels: cpac, evans novak


	8 Comments: 21% Mormons at CPAC???!?!? From Havard, S.C., Georgia, Chicago, Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio? Where are the Mormons? I guess there are so many LDS in there areas then Romney has it in the bag. Talk about about NoFacts, I mean Novaks. It sounds like a convenient rationalize of Romney's victory. I guess the student that Howard Fineman wasn't a evangelical??? By Anonymous, at March 7, 2007 at 6:57 PM I guess the RNC Insider Poll is really all Mormons too? And all the congressman that are endorsing are all Mormons? How insulting and bigotted is that? By Anonymous, at March 7, 2007 at 7:01 PM If this solely Mormon support, then how come Hatch didn't do as well in CPAC when he ran? I am amazed how lazy the analysis is in this piece! By Anonymous, at March 7, 2007 at 7:03 PM Oh good grief, this is just so much more BOO HOO-ing from someone not as interested in a factual rendition of what happened as he is in projecting his wishful thinking, a type of therapy for him perhaps. Clearly. Thanks for pointing the guy out as a charlatan, haven't read his stuff before. Will skip it in the future as well. By Anonymous, at March 7, 2007 at 7:03 PM Another MSM classic of writing a story to fit their pre-conceptions. Facts? We don't need no stickin' facts. By Anonymous, at March 7, 2007 at 8:33 PM I subscribe to the Evans-Novak Report and usually enjoy it. I find it very informative and I think he offers some very objective analysis. Maybe he had an especially busy week, however; since it seems he didn't have enough time to do some real research. By Anonymous, at March 8, 2007 at 12:17 AM Novak is the greatest trash talker in the Republican party. It would be helpful if he could just get over it and become a Democrat. He wouldn't do any more damage to Republicans and he would end up being more honest. My understanding is that Novak was a Democrat at one time, and we ought to encourage his return--the sooner the better. By Publia, at March 8, 2007 at 8:50 AM Assuming your bus calculations are correct, that's 21 votes. Remove them from the final tally and Romney still wins by 3%. When will the liberal (and many conservative) voices stop with the 'Romney wins the CPAC poll but. . .' comments! By Anonymous, at March 8, 2007 at 11:07 AM Post a Comment


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	1 Comments: The Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) is often misunderstood. Some accuse the Church of not believing in Christ and, therefore, not being a Christian religion. This article helps to clarify such misconceptions Baptism: Early Christian churches, practiced baptism of youth (not infants) by immersion by the father of the family. The local congregation had a lay ministry. An early Christian Church has been re-constructed at the Israel Museum, and the above can be verified. http://www.imj.org.il/eng/exhibitions/2000/christianity/ancientchurch/structure/index.html The Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) continues baptism and a lay ministry as taught by Jesus’ Apostles. Early Christians were persecuted for keeping their practices sacred, and not allowing non-Christians to witness them The Trinity: A literal reading of the New Testament points to God and Jesus Christ, His Son, being separate, divine beings, united in purpose. . To whom was Jesus praying in Gethsemane, and Who was speaking to Him and his apostles on the Mount of Transfiguration? The Nicene Creed”s definition of the Trinity was influenced by scribes translating the Greek manuscripts into Latin. The scribes embellished on a passage explaining the Trinity, which is the Catholic and Protestant belief that God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The oldest versions of the epistle of 1 John, read: "There are three that bear witness: the Spirit, the water and the blood and these three are one." Scribes later added "the Father, the Word and the Spirit," and it remained in the epistle when it was translated into English for the King James Version, according to Dr. Bart Ehrman, Chairman of the Religion Department at UNC- Chapel Hill. . . .He no longer believes in the Nicene Trinity. The Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) views the Trinity as three separate beings, in accord with the earliest Greek New Testament manuscripts. The Cross: The Cross became popular as a Christian symbol in the Fifth Century A.D. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) think the proper Christian symbol is Christ’s resurrection, not his crucifixion on the Cross. Many Mormon chapels feature paintings of the resurrected Christ or His Second Coming. Christ's Atonement: But Mormons don”t term Catholics and Protestants “non-Christian”. They believe Christ’s atonement on the Cross covers all mankind. The dictionary definition of a Christian is “of, pertaining to, believing in, or belonging to a religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ”:. All of the above denominations are followers of Christ, and consider him divine, and the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament. It”s important to understand the difference between Reformation and Restoration when we consider who might be authentic Christians. If members of the Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) embrace early Christian theology, they are likely more “Christian” than their detractors. * * * And the 2005 National Study of Youth and Religion published by UNC-Chapel Hill found that Church of Jesus Christ (LDS) youth (ages 13 to 17) were more likely to exhibit these Christian characteristics than Evangelicals (the next most observant group): . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . LDS Evangelical Attend Religious Services weekly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71% . . . . 55% Importance of Religious Faith in shaping daily life – extremely important .. 52. . . . . . . 28 Believes in life after death . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 . . . . . . 62 Believes in psychics or fortune-tellers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 . . . . . . 5 Has taught religious education classes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 . . . . . . 28 Has fasted or denied something as spiritual discipline . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 . . . . . . 22 Sabbath Observance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 . . . . . . 40 Shared religious faith with someone not of their faith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 . . . . . . 56 Family talks about God, scriptures, prayer daily . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 . . . . . . 19 Supportiveness of church for parent in trying to raise teen (very supportive) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 . . . . . . 26 Church congregation has done an excellent job in helping Teens better understand their own sexuality and sexual morality . . . . . 84 . . . . . . 35 By Anonymous, at May 14, 2007 at 3:47 PM Post a Comment


	3 Comments: Once again Justin Hart is one stop shopping when it comes to CPAC. You beat the MSM out with the CPACnews, and just as I was saying to myself, "I wonder what other Joe-Schmoe attendees at CPAC thought about Romney?" - you plaster You Tube with the appropriate interviews. Thank you much. By Anonymous, at March 4, 2007 at 2:44 PM Great videos! I would like to add them to this page: http://myclob.pbwiki.com/Why-I-Support-Mitt-Romney-for-President I have been getting some videos and text reasons why people like Mitt... I know how to embed things from YouTube... Could you put these on youtube or show me how to embed them? By Myclob, at March 5, 2007 at 10:09 AM Sorry. I guess they are already youtube! I will be adding them to the site, if you don't mind! By Myclob, at March 5, 2007 at 10:10 AM Post a Comment


	1 Comments: Nice! Get off the tracks, because the train is coming. By Scott Allan, at March 3, 2007 at 6:18 PM Post a Comment


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	1 Comments: Justin, Thank you so much for covering this. What an inspiring stump speech. Probably the best I've heard from him yet. By American Yak, at March 2, 2007 at 11:10 PM Post a Comment


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	1 Comments: http://race42008.com/2007/02/21/more-on-romneys-abortion-acrobatics/ By Anonymous, at March 3, 2007 at 2:02 AM Post a Comment


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Today, Governor Mitt Romney will make remarks at the 34th Annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). Below are key excerpts of Governor Romney's remarks as prepared for delivery.

Governor Romney On The State Of Conservatism:

"Conservatism is alive and well. And it is needed more than ever. America faces a new generation of challenges, critical challenges. Today is similar in many respects to what we faced as a nation 30 years ago, looking at the menacing face of communism.

"In fact, 30 years ago, in this very conference, one man stood up and told America what was needed. It was conservatism, a new coalition of conservatives that would lead to a brighter future for the nation. Ronald Reagan said this: 'What I envision is not simply a melding together of the two branches of American conservatism into a temporary uneasy alliance, but the creation of a new, lasting majority.' And here is where he said that this conservative alliance would lead: 'I have seen the conservative future, and it works.'"

...

"It is the conservative coalition represented here that can build a brighter future for America: economic conservatives, social conservatives, and national security conservatives."

Governor Romney Calls For Repeal Of McCain-Feingold:

"To me, a fundamental principle of democracy is at stake. It is the people who are sovereign in America, not a few folks in black robes. Judges add things that aren't in the Constitution, and they take away things that are in the Constitution. In that regard, they let the campaign finance lobby take away First Amendment rights. If I'm president, I will fight to repeal McCain-Feingold."

Governor Romney On The Need To Restrain Spending:

"As you know, I'm proud to be the first Presidential candidate to sign Grover Norquist's tax pledge. But I have another pledge I am making to you today. If I am elected President, I will cap non-defense discretionary spending at inflation minus 1 percent. That alone will save $300 billion over 10 years. If Congress sends me a budget that exceeds the cap, I will veto that budget. I don't care if it's a Republican or Democrat Congress, I will veto that budget.

"And I know how to veto. I like vetoes. I vetoed hundreds of spending appropriations as Governor. And, by the way, if Congress doesn't want to do the cutting itself, then give me the same line item veto I had as governor.

"And one more thing, I will personally lead a top to bottom review of government programs, agencies, procurement and spending. It's time to cut out the mountains of waste and inefficiency and duplication in the federal government. I've done that in business, I've done that in the Olympics, and I've done that in Massachusetts. And boy, I can't wait to get my hands on Washington."

Governor Romney Calling Upon The Strength Of The American People:

"If we are to keep America strong, we must turn to the source of America's strength. Liberals think that government is the source of our greatness. They're wrong. The American people are the source of our strength: hard working, educated, skilled, family-oriented, willing to sacrifice for their family and their country, God-fearing, freedom-loving American people. They always have been the source of our strength and they always will be."

...

"Thirty years ago, in challenging times, a great coalition was forged in these halls. Today, we face a new generation of challenges.

"If we in this room lock our arms together, we can forge the political will to rebuild our military might. If we in this room will simply march forward we can propel America's growth and prosperity to lead to the world. If we in this room lift up our eyes, we will lift the spirit of the nation.

"Now is the time, this is the place, for us to stand together, to lead a great coalition of strength, for our families, for our future, for America. May God bless this great land."

Labels: cpac

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Mitt Romney at CPAC: Part 1

Mitt Romney at CPAC: Part 2

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Mitt Romney at CPAC: Part 6

Mitt Romney at CPAC: Part 7

Mitt Romney at CPAC: Part 8

Excerpts from Mitt Romney's Speech