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Mitt Romney is paying his dues on behalf of John McCain

The buzz these days in the Republican vice presidential sweepstakes may surround Condoleezza Rice, but Mitt Romney is doing the type of grit work that will keep his name in the mix -- as well as potentially pay long-term political dividends for himself.

John McCain's campaign just announced that the former Massachusetts governor -- who, having failed in his own White house bid, must have time on his hands -- will travel to southeastern Pennsylvania to make a speech Thursday evening touting the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.

We can't imagine they'll be turning them away at the doors of the Willow Valley Resort and Conference Center in Lancaster (a city that boasts of the Dutch Wonderland theme park). The state's GOP primary on April 22 will be simply a rubber-stamp event, and for most normal folks it's still a little early to get fired up for the general election campaign.

Romney's appearance, however, signals that the McCain camp sees Pennsylvania as a "blue" state that it can win come November, despite the much-publicized bump in the number of registered Democrats there.

Indeed, a poll released today by Strategic Vision shows McCain barely trailing Hillary Clinton in a fall matchup, 45% to 42%, and running ahead of Barack Obama, 48% to 41%. (In the impending Democratic primary, the survey, in line with most other recent polls, shows Clinton with a shrinking lead over Obama, 47% to 42%).

Romney is speaking at an event sponsored by local Republicans -- the folks ...

the McCain campaign need to get fully on board before launching an all-out fight in a battleground state such as Pennsylvania. Romney's willingness to play the good soldier in communing with the GOP base can't hurt his veep prospects.

And even if he gets passed over (as recommended by an ad campaign recently begun by a group of social conservatives), such efforts obviously serve Romney's purposes of one day again seeking his party's presidential nod.

-- Don Frederick

McCain starts talking about the VP spot

McCain starts veep talk

Email|Link|Comments (11) Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor April 2, 2008 09:54 AM

John McCain said today that he has started putting together a list of possible running mates and hopes to pick one before the Republican national convention Sept. 1-4.

"If I had a personal preference I'd like to do it before the convention to avoid some of the mistakes that I've seen made in the past as you get into a time crunch and maybe sometimes don't make the announcement right or maybe they have not examined every single candidate," McCain said on the Don Imus radio show.

Meanwhile, one possible name, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, talked up McCain, talked down the Democratic contenders as "unelectable," and downplayed his own vice presidential prospects during an appearance on MSNBC.

Romney said he does not expect to get that call from McCain, though he campaigned with McCain last week in Colorado and Utah and has said he would be honored to be asked.

Veepstakes

ROMNEY:

"Relaxed and tan after a little time off the campaign trail, Romney said McCain, whose credentials he once questioned, was ready to face the challenges of a fragile economy and the threat of violent jihadists. The former Massachusetts governor recently told Fox News that he would be honored to be McCain's vice president. On Thursday, he said McCain was ‘without question the right person to be the next president of the United States.’

“He pledged to do whatever was necessary to convince the American people ‘just how important it is to have a man of integrity, experience and capacity, who's been tested time and again, to lead our great nation.’

Mitt Romney, 'This is our candidate'

Romney on McCain: 'This is our candidate'

By Matthew D. LaPlante The Salt Lake Tribune Salt Lake Tribune

Article Last Updated:03/27/2008 02:54:52 PM MDT

Posted: 2:22 PM- Visiting Utah for the first time since the state's presidential primary, Republican candidate John McCain joked today that he still hasn't met any of the 10 percent of Utahns who voted for him. But seated between two of Utah's favorite politicians, the Arizona senator said he was confident that his neighboring state - which in fact only gave him about 5 percent of the vote in its Feb. 5 Republican primary - would be in his corner come November. "I'm very happy the way our party has come together," McCain said shortly after a meeting of supporters and fund-raisers at The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City. Mitt Romney, who had the support of 90 percent of Utah's primary voters, was even more adamant. "When it comes time to get around our nominee, we do it," Romney said. "This is our candidate and he needs to be president." Both Romney and Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. - who joined McCain in fielding questions on Iraq, western water disputes, the economy, immigration and the NBA - have been named as potential vice presidential candidates. And McCain said either man would be well qualified for the job. Huntsman joked, however, that he was the "dangling preposition at this table," saying he was fully content to be Utah's governor. Huntsman, who maintains large approval ratings in Utah, has been a longtime supporter of McCain's, though Romney may be more key to ensuring Utahns open their hearts and their pocketbooks to the candidate. The former Massachusetts governor and 2002 Winter Games chief fought a sometimes bitter battle with McCain until finally suspending his campaign in early February. Now, Romney says, McCain's ascension to the presidency is a necessary part of the battle against "radical, violent jihadists" bent on "the destruction of out world as we know it." Romney said that's why he will campaign for McCain anywhere where his support will be an asset.

McCain, Romney to Campaign Together

McCain, Romney to Campaign Together
By LIZ SIDOTI

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — John McCain was getting some help Thursday from former Republican rival Mitt Romney, a pairing that two months ago seemed improbable as the two fought bitterly for the party's presidential nomination.

In their first campaign swing as allies, Romney planned to meet McCain at the airport in Salt Lake City and appear with the likely Republican nominee at a fundraiser. The two then were traveling to Denver for a second fundraiser.

McCain, who has struggled to raise campaign money, is on a weeklong western fundraising swing. Romney is popular in Utah and Colorado, states with large numbers of residents who are members of Romney's Mormon faith.

The former Massachusetts governor dropped out of the race last month after it became apparent it would be near impossible to topple McCain in the convention delegate race. A week later, he endorsed the Arizona senator and pledged to do whatever he could to help McCain win the nomination.

Since then, McCain has praised Romney repeatedly as someone who is certain to continue playing a large role in the GOP. Romney, for his part, has suggested that he'd accept the No. 2 spot on the ticket, though some Republicans privately speculate that he's looking ahead to 2012 and a possible repeat run.

Neither man appeared especially fond of the other during the campaign. Romney cast McCain as outside of the GOP's conservative mainstream and a Washington insider who contributed to the problems plaguing a broken system. McCain, in turn, argued that Romney's equivocations and reversals on several issues indicated a willingness to change his positions to fit his political goals.

More on Mitt and McCain?

JOAN VENNOCHI

McCain and Romney: Mitt's moment - at last?

By Joan Vennochi, Globe Columnist | March 23, 2008

I COULD see it.

A McCain-Romney ticket makes political sense for the GOP.

John McCain and Mitt Romney fought bitterly as presidential candidates and don't seem to like each other very much.

But, to quote Vice President Dick Cheney in his recent interview with ABC's Martha Raddatz: "So?"

A presidential nominee doesn't need another best friend. He needs a ticket-balancer - and from the ridiculous to the sublime, his ex-rival fits the bill.

Romney has hair; McCain has much less; Romney is robotic; McCain is temperamental. Romney shifts positions with enthusiasm; McCain does it without any. Romney is a very wealthy man who invested $45 million of his own money in his presidential campaign; McCain is rich, but not that rich. He took out a $3 million line of credit to subsidize his campaign.

But seriously - and I mean it - Romney offers much to McCain's presidential bid.

Conservatives love him, even though he is at best, a recent convert to their most fervent dogma. They trust him more than McCain to hold the line on taxes, especially taxes on the wealthy. Putting Romney on the ticket would also put conservative pundits and talk show hosts behind it, with passion instead of resignation.

At 61, Romney is a decade younger than McCain. He's a tireless campaigner, a good speaker, and strong debater. He dominated several of the showdowns between Republican contenders, and won their last debate in California.

McCain spent his entire political career in Washington and the US Senate. Romney's first and only elective office is governor of Massachusetts, a job he won on the strength of his private sector credentials.

At a time when the economy frightens everyone from Main Street to Wall Street, Romney has the most extensive and successful business background of any candidate on the national stage. McCain admits that economic theory is not his strong point.

The Arizona senator jokes that he bought Alan Greenspan's book, but hasn't had a chance to read it. Romney could write his own business book. In fact, he already did. Called "Turnaround," it chronicled his success in turning around the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.

McCain's foreign policy credentials are his strong suit, although they will be challenged if he makes more mistakes like his recent misstatement regarding Iran and Al Qaeda. In an interview, McCain said, "Al Qaeda is going back into Iran and is receiving training. . ." Iran is a predominantly Shi'ite Muslim country, and is working hard to close its borders to Al Qaeda fighters of the rival Sunni sect.

Whatever the topic, foreign or domestic, Romney exudes focus and discipline. And with that focus and discipline comes a huge wallet. His wealth was estimated at more than $250 million during the campaign, which means there's still plenty left. How much more might a man as ambitious as Romney be willing to spend as a VP contender?

Vice presidential candidates are expected to deliver their home state on Election Day. Massachusetts is rightly considered hostile territory for the GOP. Still, the most recent poll by Survey USA shows McCain tied at 47 percent with Barack Obama; Hillary Clinton beats McCain, 55-42.

The Bay State voted twice for Ronald Reagan. Today, Massachusetts has fewer than 400,000 registered Republicans. Yet on Feb. 5, 497,000 voters turned out for the Republican primary, which Romney won.

Even if Massachusetts is more than a long shot, Romney might help McCain snatch New Hampshire from the Democrats. Romney could also be helpful in Michigan, the state where he was born and beat McCain; and in Nevada, which has a large Mormon population

I haven't changed my mind about Romney. He's a smart, ambitious, and overly opportunistic man who believes in family and himself. Beyond that, he has no demonstrable core beliefs. He tailors the product/campaign to the consumer/voter. In 2008, he misjudged the market. He tacked sharply to the right on social issues, undercutting his strength on fiscal issues.

But, if he's the vice presidential candidate who puts all his focus on the economy, I could see him helping McCain in November.

Boston Globe 2008

Who should McCain pick as his VP?

New on-line poll at Newsmax. Well worth looking at.


Vote in This Urgent Poll

Who Should be McCain's Running Mate?

Newsmax.com, one of America's leading online news services, is conducting an urgent national online poll about McCain’s Vice Presidential running mate.

Newsmax will provide the results of this poll to major media. Additionally, Newsmax's results will be shared with every major radio talk-show host in America.

Newsmax reports have been cited by national major media, including Fox News, CNN and MSNBC.

Don't miss this opportunity to let your voice be heard! Many media outlets and national leaders are interested in your opinion. Hundreds of media outlets have reported on Newsmax's online polls.

McCain's McMate - SC Headlines.com

McCain's McMate
Benj Buck
March 19, 2008


Many people have speculated over McCain's running mate. To be honest, your guess is as good as mine and I'm not willing to place a bet on any possibilities yet; especially since we don't even know who McCain faces on the ballot. But let's at least consider the possibilities.

MITT ROMNEY: With Hannity & Colmes, the primary contender said that he'd be "honored" to VP up with McCain. Bringing charm to the ticket and leadership credentials that string a mile long, Mitt Romney would be a great choice. However, if Romney plans to occupy the Oval Office himself, he might consider staying clear of marring his resume.

LINDSEY GRAHAM: Perhaps one the first VP candidates discussed. Every since the infamous "Gang of 14" Graham has been seen as buttering McCain for a place on the ticket. Recently, Graham has put a lot of travel time in with McCain. If McCain faces Obama this might be a possibility; however, if McCain faces Hillary he'll most likely choose a more favorable conservative to distance himself more from Hillary.

MARK SANFORD: Another South Carolinian gives McCain some southern strength. Conservatives are going to love the Governor's track record and Sanford's ability to attract industries to South Carolina provides added bonus. Not to mention he brings youth to the ticket at 47. Another plus for a Sanford choice is that as a governor, he brings executive experience to the ticket. However, this young governor adds little "wow factor" as an unknown.

CHARLIE CRIST: Notice on a lot of McCain's stages a tanned, white headed man. Look in front of Lindsey Graham and typically right next to McCain. That's the new governor of Florida, a strategical swing state. Though McCain could use a pull from Florida, McCain needs youth.

KAY HUTCHISON: Perhaps most likely female possibility comes from Texas. Kay Hutchison finds approval with conservatives and brings more possibilities from a larger state.

MIKE HUCKABEE: Some say his only reason for staying around so long is to continue a support base that makes him a strong VP choice. He does bring personality, debate skills, and evangelicals for McCain. However, Huckabee's record as a governor is not the prettiest.

TIM PAWLENTY: Minnesota's governor seems a likely candidate as well. With youth (47) and economic-smarts, Pawlenty could pull support in the north. However, Pawlenty's support fell short of effective in Minnesota were Mitt Romney won the primary.

Romney Is McCain's Best VP Option

Romney is McCain's Best VP

(Weekly Standard) This column was written by Fred Barnes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When John McCain begins his search for a vice presidential running mate, he'll quickly come upon a sad fact. He wants a candidate who will be seen as a plausible president. That's criterion number one. He also wants someone who won't subtract from his campaign in any serious way. That's criterion number two. The unfortunate truth is that few Republicans meet these simple criteria. McCain doesn't have much of a pool to choose from.

But his selection matters enormously, all the more because of his age. McCain will turn 72 on the eve of the Republican convention this summer. Choosing a running mate is the first major decision that a presidential nominee makes. And the nominee is judged by the quality of his pick and even by the smoothness of his selection process. So McCain had better choose well.

He has the right idea in mind. McCain thinks three vice presidential picks from the recent past were wise: Republican Dick Cheney in 2000 and Democrats Joe Lieberman in 2000 and Al Gore in 1992. They were nationally known political heavyweights who passed the most important test. They were accepted almost instantly as ready to replace the president if necessary. And they had no significant drawbacks.

The list of plausible presidents is short. Mitt Romney, Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson, Tom Ridge, and Joe Lieberman qualify. That's about it. There are a number of popular Republican governors - Charlie Crist of Florida, Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, Mark Sanford of South Carolina, Haley Barbour of Mississippi - but they fall short of Cheney-Lieberman-Gore stature. It's not their fault, but it's nonetheless true.

So how about Lieberman in 2008? He's a pal of McCain, a brave backer of the war in Iraq, and now the most prominent Democratic supporter of McCain's presidential bid. He would surely enhance McCain's appeal to independents and moderate Democrats. He's a political adult.

But he's no Zell Miller. Lieberman is a liberal on domestic issues, including abortion. McCain already has trouble with conservatives and picking a Democrat would make things worse. Lieberman would probably subtract more votes from the McCain ticket than he'd add.

So would Giuliani and Ridge. True, Giuliani was a hero of 9/11 as mayor of New York, and Ridge, a former Pennsylvania governor, was President Bush's first homeland security chief. But both are pro-choice on abortion and would horrify social conservatives, an indispensable part of the Republican coalition. Giuliani or Ridge might prompt a third party pro-life presidential challenger.

Fred Thompson, the ex-senator from Tennessee and now a TV actor, is also a close friend of McCain. If he'd run a more spirited presidential campaign of his own this year, he'd be the obvious pick for running mate. But his campaign was dreary and disappointing. McCain needs someone more vibrant and upbeat.

That leads to Romney. He has run a vigorous national campaign and been vetted by the press and his opponents for the Republican nomination. These are very strong pluses. A pick who produces unhelpful surprises, as Geraldine Ferraro did in 1984 (her husband's business deals) and Dan Quayle did in 1988 (his National Guard duty), is exactly what McCain doesn't need. Romney is a known quantity.

Romney has three other add-ons. He's acceptable to conservatives and especially to social conservatives, who disproportionately volunteer as ground troops in Republican presidential campaigns. He's unflappable in debates. With the downturn worsening, the economy may surpass national security as the top issue of the campaign. And after years of success as a big time player in the global economy, Romney understands how markets work. He could shore up McCain's admitted weakness on economic issues.

Romney has allies in the Bush wing of the Republican party. President Bush favors him as McCain's veep. Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor, preferred Romney over McCain in the primaries, but never endorsed him publicly. Karl Rove, the president's political strategist, has hinted that he considers Romney to be McCain's best running mate.

Is there a downside to Romney? Possibly. It's not his Mormonism. He lost the nomination to McCain, but religion wasn't the reason. As a corporate turnaround artist, he rescued companies, sometimes by laying off workers. When he ran for the Senate from Massachusetts in 1994, the incumbent, Teddy Kennedy, raised the layoff issue with punishing effect. No doubt Democrats would use it again, and it might have resonance if a recession hits and unemployment is increasing.

Mike Huckabee's name is bound to come up in the veepstakes, since he's now run nationally and been vetted. According to Rove, he would "double" McCain's trouble with conservatives. Both foreign policy and economic conservatives would scream bloody murder if McCain chose the Huckster.

Presidential nominees once tried to balance their ticket with someone who'd helped win a state they might otherwise lose. This hasn't entirely gone out of fashion. Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota is often mentioned in this regard. Former House member John Kasich and ex-trade representative and budget director Rob Portman, both from Ohio, are too.

McCain has also been advised, at least by the media, to pick a much younger person for vice president. Governor Matt Blunt of Missouri, 37, and a handful of others have had their names trotted out. Some of them have impressive credentials. Blunt, for example, is an Annapolis graduate and a Naval Reservist called to active duty after 9/11.

But I don't believe the option of choosing a running mate for purely political reasons is open to McCain - not during wartime, anyway. His strong suit against Barack Obama, his likeliest Democratic opponent, or even against Hillary Clinton, is experience. In fact, Clinton has set up Obama to be attacked by McCain on this front.

Her TV ad raising doubts about Obama's readiness to be president was critical to her victories last week in the Ohio and Texas primaries. She also said in a campaign appearance: "Senator McCain will bring a lifetime of experience to the campaign. I will bring a lifetime of experience [to the White House] and Senator Obama will bring a speech he gave in 2002. I think that is a significant difference." In Obama's 2002 speech, he opposed the invasion of Iraq. One can envision her comment in a McCain TV ad zinging Obama.

McCain would throw away the experience issue if he named a much younger running mate or someone without national stature or a background in world affairs. Obama's response could be devastating: "If experience is so important, why did you pick a running mate who has so little, indeed less than I do?"

Romney thus appears to have the best ratio of virtues to drawbacks. But there's just one problem: McCain doesn't like him. Just how important compatibility is — that is something McCain will have to decide.

McCain aims to recharge campaign with money, credentials

Romney name resurfaces as possible running mate (Boston Globe)

Mitt Romney is getting talked up again as a possible vice presidential pick for John McCain.

But even as he argues that Romney appears the best choice, conservative columnist Fred Barnes acknowledges there's one big hitch - McCain doesn't appear to like Romney very much.

Romney endorsed McCain following the former Massachusetts governor's withdrawal from the race after Super Tuesday, but they attacked each other aggressively during the primary campaign.

In an article posted on The Weekly Standard's website, Barnes said McCain's pool of possible VP candidates is not deep. Romney has the advantage of having run a vigorous campaign and of being vetted by the press. "Romney has three other add-ons," Barnes writes, ticking off that Romney is acceptable to social conservatives, does well in debates, and is well versed in economic issues. Romney also has allies in the Bush wing of the Republican Party, Barnes argues.

"Romney thus appears to have the best ratio of virtues to drawbacks," Barnes concludes. "But there's just one problem: McCain doesn't like him. Just how important compatibility is - that is something McCain will have to decide."

Is Romney going to be McCain's VP?

Karl Rove is among those who have called for a unity ticket between Romney and McCain, who appeared together in Boston last month when Romney formally endorsed the Arizona senator. During the event, the two men ignored shouted questions from reporters about a possible ticket.

Some political analysts yesterday said such a union would not provide the complement McCain needs to win the general election.

“McCain’s problem is with the right wing, and I’m not sure Romney is a true, dyed-in-the-wool conservative,” said Henry Brady, political science professor at the University of California at Berkeley. “You use your vice presidential pick to solidify your internal politics, not to try to pick up independents.

Click here for the story

Bob Novak says:

Novak: Rove Wants Romney as VP

Sunday, March 2, 2008 10:22 PM

Former White House political guru Karl Rove is urging that Sen. John McCain pick Mitt Romney as his running mate, writes veteran Washington columnist Robert Novak.

According to Novak, Rove and other GOP bigwigs want Romney in the No. 2 spot despite the bad blood that exists between the former Massachusetts governor and McCain, an enmity that grew out of their heated rivalry during the Republican presidential primaries.

Insiders say that having Romney, who is worth between an estimated $190 million to $250 million, would bring an infusion of big bucks into the cash-strapped McCain campaign. Moreover, conservatives unhappy with McCain (like author Ann Coulter) who are threatening to vote for the Democratic candidate say they'll back McCain if he picks Romney.

Josh Romney says.. Not this year

Josh Romney will not seek office - at least not this year, he says

Mitt's son sizes things up
Josh Romney will not seek office - at least not this year, he says
'The family's not quite ready to hop back into another race,' says the Millcreek resident
By Thomas Burr
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 03/02/2008 12:50:56 AM MST

WASHINGTON - Josh Romney, the middle son of former presidential candidate Mitt Romney, toyed with the idea of running for Congress in Utah but says now he's definitely not going to jump into the race this year.

Josh Romney, 32, who lives in Millcreek just outside Salt Lake City, says after zipping across the United States for more than a year, including visiting all 99 counties in Iowa, he wants to take a break from politics before plunging into another campaign.

“Just having come off a tough election with my dad, I think the family's not quite ready to hop back into another race,” Josh Romney said Saturday. “It's going to be nice to spend some time with the kids and take some time out of politics.”

Two years from now, though, Romney says he may launch a campaign to oust Democratic Rep. Jim Matheson from his 2nd District seat.
“I guess I'm not ruling anything out or ruling anything in,” he says. But, “this one I'm definitely ruling out.”

“I really enjoyed the political process, enjoyed talking about issues that concern a lot of Americans, and thought I could be a good representative for a lot of Utahns,” Josh Romney said.
The Romney family is extremely popular in conservative Utah, where Mitt Romney pulled 90 percent of the Republican vote before suspending his campaign in February.

Mitt Romney owns a home in the state, ran the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and shares the same Mormon faith as more than 60 percent of the state's residents. Mitt Romney was skiing at Deer Valley earlier Saturday, Josh Romney said, and planned a dinner with his family that evening. Josh Romney said his dad is doing “really well” since he withdrew as a presidential candidate. Mitt Romney took several states in his presidential bid but was bested by Sen. John McCain, now almost a lock for the Republican nomination.

Josh Romney, who has three kids, ages 1, 3 and 5, says he plans to stay involved in Republican politics in Utah but isn't going to run for any positions this year.

He works as a real estate developer in Utah with Mitt Romney friend and supporter Kem
Gardner, a high-profile developer and owner of The Gardner Co.
tburr@sltrib.com

Romney for VP?

Romney Might Run Again in 08

Tuesday, February 26, 2008 10:44 AM

By: Newsmax staff

Mitt Romney is down, but he might not be out.

Romney suspended his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination after a disappointing showing on Super Tuesday, and has endorsed John McCain for the GOP nod.

But Romney’s son Josh says it’s “possible” his father might rejoin the race as a candidate for vice president or for president if McCain’s campaign stalls.

Romney hasn’t commented publicly about a recent New York Times article that implied McCain had an improper relationship with a female lobbyist.

McCain and the lobbyist have firmly denied the allegation, but subsequent reports have contradicted some of McCain’s denials, and further disclosures could raise questions about the viability of McCain’s campaign, Andrew Malcolm reports in the Los Angeles Times.

Because he suspended his campaign rather than terminating it, Romney still controls nearly 300 delegates he won in early primaries and caucuses.

Josh Romney, who campaigned actively for his father, told the Deseret Morning News that he is considering running for the House of Representatives from Utah’s 2nd Congressional District.

Asked if Mitt Romney might rejoin the race, Josh said it is “unlikely, but possible.”

Malcolm notes: “Such a move could provide a possible rallying point for conservatives.”

© 2008 Newsmax. All rights reserved.

Romney, look to Nixon and Reagan

Interesting article from Politico. Worth the read below.

Romney, look to Nixon and Reagan

By: Julian E. Zelizer
Feb 26, 2008 08:20 PM EST
Richard Nixon
Nixon lost to John F. Kennedy in 1960 in one of the closest presidential elections in American history.

With Mitt Romney long gone from the Republican presidential nomination fight, he needs to start thinking about what to do next. If he wants to run again in 2012 or 2016, good role models would be Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan.

Nixon lost to John F. Kennedy in 1960 in one of the closest presidential elections in American history. Many Republicans felt that the Kennedy family had stolen the election through their connections in Illinois. When Nixon lost his campaign to become governor of California in 1962, his political career seemed dead; he famously told reporters that they would not have Nixon to “kick around anymore.”

But Nixon didn’t give up. He embarked on a six-year project to reconstitute his public image by refining his ideas and strengthening his political connections. The ideas component of his rebuilding effort included a lot of writing and a lot of talking. Nixon, the famous red-baiting anti-Communist, set out to develop an image of himself as a diplomat and statesman in foreign affairs. In 1967, Nixon published an article in Foreign Affairs stating that China needed to be integrated into world affairs, even if its political system remained abhorrent.

While working as a lawyer in Manhattan, Nixon also delivered speeches throughout the country criticizing President Lyndon Johnson’s handling of Vietnam. Johnson complained to Sen. William Fulbright (D-Ark.) that Nixon “questioned and denounced us” yet he “hasn’t talked to any of the State Department people, any of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He has no conception of what’s going on about it.”

Nixon did not neglect politics, however. Staking his reputation on improving Republican numbers in Congress, Nixon campaigned for candidates nationally in the 1966 midterm elections and played a central role in mobilizing support for the GOP. He raised about $6.5 million and campaigned in solidly Democratic districts. When conservatives did well, Nixon received enormous credit, and many Republicans were indebted to his effort. Of 108 Republicans for whom Nixon campaigned, 77 won.

Reagan depended on the same combination of politics and ideas after losing the Republican nomination to President Gerald Ford. Tapping into the energy of the conservative movement, Reagan challenged the incumbent by criticizing détente with the Soviets and, more broadly, for having weakened America in the struggle against Communism. But Ford pulled out a victory in the final stages of the contest, narrowly winning the GOP nomination on the first ballot at the GOP convention in Kansas City.

When Ford lost the general election, Reagan kept politically active. He hosted a syndicated radio show to hone his messages and rhetoric, using the broadcasts to outline a bold vision of conservatism. When speaking about national security, Reagan continued to call for a massive buildup of the defense system and for the government to spend on weapons and aviation technology in place of ground troops.

(Click here for the rest of the article)

Former NJ State Chairman for Mitt Romney ahead of the curve

Below is a video clip of Senator Kyrillos talking about the State of New Jersey's fiscal crisis.

Fox News: Josh Romney Mulling Congressional Bid

Josh Romney Mulling Congressional Bid

Josh Romney, the son of former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, may take his own shot at politics, possibly running for Congress against Democratic Rep. Jim Matheson in Utah.

The 32-year-old real estate developer told the Deseret Morning News that the last year spent helping his father with his White House bid equipped him with the skills he would need to seek office. He could also fall back on a wide network of support that was built around Mitt Romney’s effort.
“I haven’t ruled it out,” Romney said, according to Monday’s newspaper. “I’m pretty young, but I’ve had good experience on the campaign trail.”

Romney said one consideration is whether he wants to go out on the road again and spend more time away from his wife, Jen, and their three children, Owen, 1; Wyatt, 3; and Gracie, 5.

Romney drove a motor home throughout Iowa and other states, including Wyoming, Alaska and Colorado, during his father’s presidential campaign. Mitt Romney, considered a favorite son of heavily Mormon Utah, won the Beehive State with 90 percent of the vote.

Josh Romney might run

Josh Romney mulling politics
He might run against Matheson for Congress
By Lisa Riley RocheDeseret Morning NewsPublished: Monday, Feb. 25, 2008 12:10 a.m. MST172 comments E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 

Utahns may get the chance to vote for a Romney this November after all — Josh Romney, the son of former GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney, says he's considering a run for Congress.

Of course, there's always the possibility that Mitt Romney may end up on the ballot as a vice presidential candidate — or even, some suggest, the party's nominee if the campaign of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., continues to falter.
Josh Romney told the Deseret Morning News that after a year of campaigning across country for his father, he's been approached to run as a Republican against 2nd Congressional District Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah.

"I haven't ruled it out," Josh Romney, 32, of Millcreek, said of becoming a candidate himself. "I'm pretty young, but I've had good experience on the campaign trail." Plus, he said, he likely could count on his father's supporters here in Utah.

He also has to consider whether he's ready to take on the rigors of another race and spend more time away from his wife, Jen, and their three children, Owen, 1; Wyatt, 3; and Gracie, 5; as well as his career in real estate development.

Josh Romney is the only one of the family's five sons who lives in Utah. His father, who served as the head of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, was considered a "favorite son" presidential candidate in Utah.

Story continues belowMitt Romney collected more contributions in Utah than in any other state except California and won Utah's Feb. 5 GOP primary with 90 percent of the vote. He and his family are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as are the majority of Utahns.

During his father's campaign, Josh Romney drove a motor home to each of Iowa's 99 counties and represented his father in a number of other, mostly Western states, including Wyoming, Alaska and Colorado.
The efforts of Josh Romney and his four brothers, though, weren't enough to keep his father in the race. Mitt Romney recently ended his bid for the White House after a poor Super Tuesday showing overall on Feb. 5 and endorsed McCain.

Josh Romney called speculation that his father could be back in the race as either a vice presidential candidate or even at the top of the ticket as the GOP's presidential candidate "possible. Unlikely, but possible."

Although Mitt Romney has taken himself out of the race, McCain's campaign has been hurt by a report that implied he had an improper relationship with a female lobbyist. Political pundits have said that could lead to an opening for another candidate, especially Mitt Romney.

For now, Josh Romney said, his father and mother, Ann, are taking a break from politics. This past weekend, they skied at Deer Valley, where they have a vacation home. Just after the announcement that ended the campaign, the family gathered in San Diego.
The end of his father's years-long quest for the presidency didn't come as a surprise, Josh Romney said. Mitt Romney had counted on winning the first two states to hold elections, Iowa and New Hampshire, but lost both as well as other key states, including Florida and California.
"My dad's a guy who understands the reality of a situation and can take a very unemotional approach, very objectively, and that's what he did," Josh Romney said. "Not winning isn't the end of the world."

Still, the loss in Iowa was especially tough, Josh Romney said. "It killed a lot of my dad's momentum, to be honest. That was really damaging," he said of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee winning Iowa after months of his father leading in the polls.
Huckabee, a Southern Baptist minister, brought out a surprising number of evangelical voters in Iowa.

They weren't voting against a Mormon candidate, Josh Romney said, but he did run into some "pockets of bigotry" occasionally on the campaign trail.
"When it's religion, you definitely take it personally," he said. "It's highly offensive, but I think that the vast majority of people we saw were very accepting. They said, 'Your dad shares our values and we don't care about his religion."'

Only a few times, he said, did he hear voters say they couldn't support a Mormon candidate for president. "I said, 'That's a very un-American thing to say.' I mean, this is a country that based on religious freedom," Josh Romney said.

At the beginning of the campaign, he said, there was much more attention on Mitt Romney's faith, including a Newsweek cover story. "People, when all they knew about my dad was that he was a Mormon, they had a lot of questions about it," Josh Romney said.
That interest had lessened as the campaign season wore on, he said, until Huckabee raised the question of whether Mormons believe that Jesus and the devil are brothers during a New York Times interview in December.

That may have hurt his father's campaign, because "it highlighted the fact that his religious views were different" and turned attention back to Mormonism for a few weeks, he said. "It was a smart political move for Gov. Huckabee."

Although there's been some suggestion Mormons didn't benefit from the scrutiny the campaign brought to their faith, Josh Romney believes the attention was helpful. "We're a people who are proud of our beliefs and want to share our beliefs," he said.
Josh Romney said that while he was disappointed his father's campaign didn't succeed, he felt some relief, too. He said he and other family members had mixed feelings about giving up their privacy and not seeing much of Mitt Romney over the next four to eight years.

"I was not that upset," Josh Romney said. "I didn't cry or anything."
Don't look for Josh Romney to hit the campaign trail for McCain, even though his father likely will soon.
"It's one thing to campaign for my dad, someone whose principles I line up with almost entirely," he said. "I can't say the same thing for Sen. McCain."

Obama might of had the $$$ but Mitt still beat him in Ohio

Romney beat Obama in January donations from Ohio

Posted by Sabrina Eaton February 21, 2008 12:24PM

Categories: Presidential candidates

Ohioans gave about $1 million to presidential candidates during the month of January, distributing slightly more money to Republicans ($521,000) than Democrats ($489,000).

Before a disappointing showing in the Feb. 5 "Super Tuesday" primaries made him drop out of the GOP race, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney raked in $234,962 from Ohio donors in January. Romney consistently raised more money in Ohio than other candidates, largely because of his support from Cincinnati fundraising powerhouse Carl Lindner.

Although Illinois Democratic Sen. Barack Obama led the national fundraising pack in January with $36 million in donations, Obama's $234,255 take in Ohio was slightly less than Romney's. Obama still edged out New York Democratic Sen. Hillary Clinton's $208,954 in Ohio donations from January.

Among Republicans, Arizona Sen. John McCain got $144,575 from Ohioans in January, former Arkansas Mike Huckabee raised $51,532, and Texas GOP Rep. Ron Paul got $40,792.

Cleveland Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich, who dropped out of the presidential race on Jan. 25, collected just $3,250 from Ohio donors that month.

Romney withdrawal was a boost for the GOP

Was Mitt Romney’s withdrawal a boost for the GOP? You bet!

With Mitt's exit and his strong endorsement of John McCain he did his party a big favor and sent national Democrats a strong warning.

The GOP can now see John McCain to start planning for his fall campaign and while continuing to seek out and reach any accommodations for the right. Mitt Romney was of course the favorite of many conservatives and spoke and acted well toward their base. We will all see what happens down the road for the possible Vice Presidential candidate.

Mitt Romney for New Jersey will continue on.

Why Being the GOP's No. 2 Isn't So Bad. (Historically)

Here is a good Washington Post commentary on coming in second in Republican primairies. Click here for the whole article.


Losers in presidential primaries have long been adept at moving from stinging criticism of the front-runner to fawning praise of the presumptive nominee, sometimes within hours. But if history is our guide, Romney's endorsement last week tells us something more interesting than that politics makes for strange bedfellows.

Romney's behavior follows a pattern that seems peculiar to the Republican Party. For political scientist Jason Berggren, who discussed in this column some weeks ago how Democratic and Republican front-runners often follow different paths to the nomination, what Romney's endorsement of McCain really tells us is who the Republican presidential nominee is likely to be -- in 2012 or 2016.

Republicans who lose presidential primaries fare very differently than Democratic primary losers do, Berggren has discovered. Democrats who come in second in presidential primaries rarely come back to win the nomination the next time around. Like Sen. John Edwards, who came in second in 2004 but third this time, Democrats who lose once rarely do better when they seek the presidency again.

Republicans who come in second, on the other hand, almost invariably come back to win the nomination the next time. Republican voters, in fact, seem to like nominees who have "paid their dues" by running, losing and being gracious losers. Seen in this light, Berggren said, Romney's endorsement of McCain might be less about his final bow in this campaign and more about his opening salvo for Republican support in the Iowa caucuses four or eight years from now.

"Romney might be thinking ahead," said Berggren, a political scientist at the University of Georgia. "He knows where the queue starts for 2012 or 2016. I can imagine Romney booking a flight to Des Moines the day after the general election."

AP: McCain Gets 50 Delegates From Mich., La.

McCain Gets 50 Delegates From Mich., La.

By KATHY BARKS HOFFMAN and DOUG SIMPSON – 6 hours ago

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Sen. John McCain, the presumed Republican presidential nominee, picked up a total of 50 GOP national convention delegates from Michigan and Louisiana Saturday.

Republicans met in both states to resolve how to divvy up delegates to the national convention in September.

Thirty-two of Louisiana's 47 delegates told The Associated Press they intend to vote for McCain, and three others also are expected to back him.

Likewise, a majority of Michigan's presidential delegates also say they'll back the Arizona senator now that primary winner Mitt Romney is out of the race, although it's still unclear how many will go to the national convention.

As a result, McCain has 903 total delegates nationally, according to an Associated Press tally. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has 245, while Romney's total dropped to 253. A total of 1,191 are needed to secure the nomination.

The McCain campaign said 43 of Louisiana's delegates have signed pledges to vote for McCain.

The Republican National Committee stripped Michigan of half its 60 delegates for defying party rules by moving its presidential primary to Jan. 15.

Counting just the 30 Michigan delegates allowed so far, 23 were supposed to go to Romney, who won Michigan's Jan. 15 primary. Although those delegates technically will go the Sept. 1-4 Republican National Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul uncommitted to any candidate, 18 now say they'll back McCain.

With the Romney delegates divvied up, McCain has the backing of 24 Michigan national delegates, while Huckabee has the backing of four. It was unclear which candidate two delegates would back.

But GOP activists are sure they'll get 57 pledged delegates and three unpledged delegates seated in Minneapolis-St. Paul, so they filled all those spots — plus 57 for alternates — during their state convention Friday and Saturday at the Lansing Center.

In Louisiana, Republicans meeting Saturday in Baton Rouge selected 44 of the state's 47 national GOP convention delegates.

Of the 44 delegates selected, 32 told the Associated Press they will back McCain, while three are uncommitted. Another nine delegates were unavailable.

Louisiana's Feb. 9 presidential primary would have pledged 20 at-large national GOP delegates had a candidate received at least 50 percent of the ballots cast. With Huckabee winning with 43 percent and McCain right behind with 42 percent, no at-large delegates were awarded.

Also, three party officials, all McCain supporters, are automatic delegates to the national convention.

Republicans at caucuses around the state cast ballots Jan. 22 for delegates and alternates to Saturday's state convention. McCain won those caucuses, giving him the advantage over Huckabee at the state convention.

Many of the state convention delegates wore "McCain" stickers on their lapels and cheered when Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina gave a speech urging them to support McCain.

"John is consistent and John McCain is fair," Burr said. "John McCain is stubborn, John McCain is real. You know just where you stand with him."

Huckabee supporters were not evident, other than one volunteer with yard signs. Huckabee had little or no campaign presence in Louisiana.

Romney Sends Endorsement, Delegates McCain's Way

Romney Sends Endorsement, Delegates McCain's Way

Mitt Romney formally endorsed Sen. John McCain's bid for the White House yesterday. In addition, says the AP, Romney "asked his national convention delegates to swing behind the likely nominee." Standing alongside McCain, the former Massachusetts governor said yesterday, "Even when the contest was close and our disagreements were debated, the caliber of the man was apparent. ... This is a man capable of leading our country at a dangerous hour." McCain said, "Primaries are tough. ... We know it was a hard campaign and now we move forward, we move forward together for the good of our party and the nation." The Los Angeles Times reports "Romney won about 280 delegates who will now be urged to back McCain, who began the day with 843 delegates. Huckabee had 242 delegates and Texas Rep. Ron Paul had 14." The Romney delegates "would be enough to put McCain past the 1,191 delegates needed for the GOP nomination."

McCain, appearing on CNN's Larry King Live, said, "I was a bit surprised because it's been a short time since the primary, since he decided to suspend his campaign. I'm very appreciative. He could have waited until like March 4, as you well know, after the Texas and Ohio primaries. So I was a little surprised. But I'm very appreciative he came out very quickly and this is an important time, as you know, to keep the momentum going in the race." The CBS Evening News reported, "Campaign sources say that immediately after Romney got out of the race last week, McCain called him, and their staffs have been in touch with each other ever since. However, they also say this was Romney's decision and his alone, and was not the result of pressure from the McCain campaign."

The media today see Romney's endorsement as surprising, given the acrimony between the two on the campaign trail. ABC World News said "the endorsement seemed an about-face, for the two men who had often locked horns in about a dozen debates." The Wall Street Journal notes the endorsement came "two weeks after declaring 'Washington is broken' and...McCain part of the problem." During the primary campaign, adds the Journal, "there was little warmth between the two men. They pounded one another in TV advertisements, automated phone calls, stump speeches and debates." The Washington Post recounts that Romney "called McCain 'wrong' and 'dishonest' and demanded that he apologize for saying the former governor wanted to withdraw troops from Iraq." He also "called McCain 'virtually indistinguishable' from" Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

McCain Turns Fire On Obama

In a potential preview of the general election fight, NBC Nightly News reported that John McCain "peppered" his regular stump speech in Rhode Island yesterday "with new jabs" at Barack Obama over how much pork he has brought home for his state. McCain said, "The senator from Illinois who says that he wants transparency in government will not reveal the number of earmarks that he received in 2006 and 2005." McCain "has long railed against taxpayer funded pet projects known as earmarks that lawmakers take on to unrelated legislation. McCain trumpets that he requested zero earmarks."

ABC World News reported McCain "was clearly looking ahead to the general election," and "seemed to save his harshest attack for Obama." McCain was shown saying, "Sen. Obama had, according to the National Journal, the most liberal Senator in the Senate. I had a very high ranking on the conservative side." Matthew Dowd, ABC News political contributor, said "He knows that right now Barack Obama is the hardest candidate for him to beat in November."

Romney Still Conservatives' Favorite

CPAC's Straw Poll for 2008:

Conservatives gathered in Washington, D.C., last week said they favor former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney to be the Republican nominee instead of the party's frontrunner, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) - even though Romney dropped out of the race on Thursday.

According to straw poll results released Saturday from the three-day Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), attendees would vote for Romney 35 percent to 34 percent for McCain.

FLASHBACK: CPAC 2007 Poll

CPAC's 2007 straw poll among Consevative activists.

Romney - 21%
Giuliani - 17%
Brownback - 15%
Gingrich - 14%
McCain - 12%

Old Story on PolitickerNJ: Mitt Romney's NJ State Chairman for the US Senate

Jersey Joe Kyrilllos?
By Wally Edge

Tags: U.S. Senate, Tom Moran, Murray Sabrin, kyrillos for senate, Joseph Pennacchio, Joseph Kyrillos, Joe Kyrillos, Frank Lautenberg, Anne Estabrook

Sources close to Joseph Kyrillos say the six-term State Senator and former GOP State Chairman is seriously considering a late entrance into the race for the Republican U.S. Senate
nomination. Kyrillos has some free time on his hands now that Mitt Romney has dropped out of the presidential race, and some of his friends suggest that Kyrillos gets that Republicans aren’t terribly excited about the other three candidates – businesswoman Anne Evans Estabrook, State Sen. Joseph Pennacchio, and Ramapo College Professor Murray Sabrin.

New Jersey Republicans have not won a U.S. Senate seat since 1972, but some party insiders still hold out hope that there could be an opportunity against Frank Lautenberg, who at age 84 is seeking his fifth six-year term. Lautenberg, as Tom Moran once explained, is just one broken hip away from his age being a real factor in the race.

Some Republican leaders view Kyrillos as a much stronger candidate than Estabrook, who has never run for office before and has been unspecific as to how much of her personal fortune she’s really prepared to spend in the general election. Kyrillos made some conservative friends by backing Romney early and aggressively, and he would be the only candidate in the race who had ever unseated a Democratic incumbent in a general election. And at age 47, with young children, he might offer a good contrast to Lautenberg.

One potential problem for Kyrillos: some of his teammates are already in other camps. Longtime consultant Larry Weitzner is working for Estabrook, as are fundraiser Lewis Eisenberg and Mark Duffy, who is Estabrook’s campaign manager. And Chris Pordom, his former aide, now works for Pennacchio.

Gov. Romney Speaks At CPAC 2008

The real "Jersey Joe" might jump in the US Senate race

There has been a public push for Mitt Romney's New Jersey state Chairman Hon. Joe Kyrillos to join the ranks of Murry Sabrin, State Senator Joseph Pennacchio, and Anne Estabrook for the New Jersey Republican nomination for the US Senate.

Please stop by http://www.draftkyrillos.com/ for further updates and details.

A Message From Senator Joe Kyrillos

Dear Friends,

As you have probably heard, today Governor Mitt Romney announced his decision to suspend his presidential campaign.

Gov. Romney entered this race out of love for America and to build a better tomorrow for future generations. It is because of that love that he has decided to step aside and help our party unite in a national campaign.

We have made a tremendous effort here in New Jersey and across the country for Governor Romney. I know that he greatly appreciates, as I do, everything that you have done.

Republicans cannot afford to be divided in the general election, and Governor Romney knows that our country must stand united in the fight against violent Jihadists. Protecting America from terrorism is too important to allow the Democrats any headstart in organizing their campaign.

Our efforts helped Governor Romney win 11 states and over 4 million votes for his vision of conservative change in Washington. Now, we must move forward in different ways, but always with the security of our homeland in mind. Many thanks for all of your hard work throughout this campaign.

With best wishes,

Joe Kyrillos