Romney: “I Don’t Expect to be a Part of It”

McCain already campaigns with the enthusiasm of a turnip, and if he fails to pick Romney, it simply means he doesn’t WANT to win in November.
McCain acts like he’s given up; he looks and sounds tired, and yet remains a candidate for one of the most stressful jobs in the world… at 72 years old!
The RNC is just as crazy as the DNC; they’ve presented us with a “heads you lose, tails you lose” election.
If I were religious, I’d say “God help America.”

Romney has good positions on abortion and on The Federal Marriage Amendment (banning homosexual marriage), so for the most part he would be acceptable to most of the social conservatives. But there is a difference between being acceptable to the social conservatives and getting them excited enough to go out and vote for the ticket in massive numbers. That’s what has to happen for McCain to win. Social conservatives have to get excited and vote in massive numbers in the border swing states (Ohio, Missouri, West Virginia) as well as in Florida. That’s how Bush won. It’s the only way McCain will win.
The best way to get the social conservatives excited enought to go out and vote in massive numbers is to put Huckabee on the ticket as VP.

No other VP candidate particularly moves me, and McCain surely doesn’t. Ironically, it could be Obama that motivates me to vote for McCain, if I do.

And not so much Obama as the forces that are behind him.

Why are we all so bent on taking things out of context? Did Romney mean what he said about McCain on the economy? YES. But it was in the context of comparing Romney to McCain. If you take McCain and compare him to Obama he comes out looking like a genius. It’s still not his ‘strong suit’ but he’s a powerhouse when compared to Obama on the economy. Romney’s not stupid and he’s not flip flopping. It’s called viable politics in America. We speak in relative terms because so many in the electorate are not sufficiently nuanced to handle much beyond a few sound bites a day.
But things can be painted however the presenter wants them painted, be it the media or a rival campaign.

Jake… On another ABC blog is a story about rappers Ludacris and Jay-Z writing so-called “songs” in support of Obama. If the “social conservatives” get hold of this, it will do more damage to BHO than Jeremiah Wright’s craziness.
But before McCain can energize voters he must energize HIMSELF. He comes across as bored, acting like every time he steps in front of a microphone is a tedious chore.

Unlike Tim Kaine, Romney has the political savvy and self control to reign in his emotions on whatever it is he knows about his Veep status. And I’d bet that it’s pretty good news for him…
http://www.political-buzz.com/

Romney’s an interesting guy.. Lots of polish.. McCain could use a bit more passion.. But, remember he “Beat” Romney.. Just don’t see the magic there.. Basically, McCain’s gonna need a bunch more slip-ups by Obama, increase his Geritol usage, and get a “Looker” for a Veep.. Then he might win.

With reference to Jake Long’s comments, why is it that every internet article regarding Mitt Romney as a possible VP results in an endless barrage of comments from Huckabee fans suggesting that he is the better choice?
Mike Huckabee offers McCain nothing. McCain needs to balance his skills and abilities with a VP who is strong where he is not.
McCain has strong military and foreign policy abilities but needs help with economic credentials which Romney has. McCain needs important swing states like Colorado and Nevada and Michigan which Romney can help him win in. McCain needs help raising money to counter the fortune amassed by Obama which Romney has proven he can do.
Huckabee does none of the things McCain needs. He couldn’t even raise money for his own campaign which did remarkably well on a shoe-string budget. He didn’t win anywhere in the West. And for all the talk of needing evangelical voters, none of those voters is going to vote for Obama and they are not now, nor have they even been a block of voters that Huckabee has a lock on. Read the exit polls. Evangelicals supported McCain, Romney, Thompson and Huckabee in the primary.
The economy is the number issue with voters and McCain admits he knows nothing about it so he must pick someone who balances out this weaknesses or he has no chance of getting elected. Republicans everywhere need to put personal preferences aside and realize that the guy you like most may not fit the bill. Whether Huck’s Army likes it or not, their guy would be a terrible choice and almost every political strategist agrees. So the Huck fans need to stop attacking Romney and accept the fact that he may be the only VP choice who can keep Obama from ascending to the throne he thinks he has already won and imposing a very liberal agenda on all of America.

Romney is one of the few who understands economics, such as the REASON GM has just cut more jobs: because so many Americans think it’s “cool” to always buy foreign.
And Romney’s religion is controversial enough that he will keep quiet about it, because he KNOWS it’s controversial.
It’s questionable whether ANYONE can save McCain’s lackluster campaign, but Romney has a chance.

Beth… I don’t listen to Rush anymore, but that’s SCARY! Even READING the lyrics is scary; they are full of obscenities and not-very-well concealed suggestions of violence.
Remember when Henry Kissinger got mad at the Captain and Tenille for performing a “dirty song” (Muskrat Love, which isn’t dirty) in the White House while Nixon was President? I wonder what he’d think of the kind of “entertainment” that will be in the White House after January.

mitt gives Mccain his chances to appoint any person he needs, but Huckabee seems that he want the VP post and then he can help Mccain to win the south.

Mitt for VP! Executive experience, leadership outside of politics, and a strong knowledge of the economy.

The McCain camp has been relentlessly hounding us for a campaign contribution. The ONLY way that will happen is if and when he adds Mitt Romney to the ticket. Then our family will contribute the maximum and work our behinds off to get McCain/Romney elected.

There is so much excitement built up over Mitt Romney as VP. Can you imagine the disappointment if McCain doesn’t choose Mitt? It’s gonna be ugly! C’mon, McCain, pick up the phone and invite Mitt to be VP! Go Mitt!

Mitt Romney is the right VP choice for McCain. The duo would be unbeatable….
Mitt Romney ==> economy
John McCain ==> Foreign Policy and National Security
Barrack Obama ==> zero
Hillary Clinton ==> economy, foreign policy and national security

Mitt is the only classy pick for McCain. If the Huckites can get over their hate, I think the Republicans can win. WE need smarts, and Mitt has got plenty. McCain is a great man, but he sometimes needs a communicator to drive home the point.
Nobody fears the Democrats more than Gov Mitt Romney….Wake up, America!

Jake… On another ABC blog is a story about rappers Ludacris and Jay-Z writing so-called “songs” in support of Obama. If the “social conservatives” get hold of this, it will do more damage to BHO than Jeremiah Wright’s craziness
—————————————
Whoa. These lyrics are explosive. Obama said the man was talented and his campaign did condemn the lyrics. But, this will ignite all those hard working white folks that Hillary won over. I am offended by this type of junk, and I don’t consider myself easily offended. It will infuriate a lot of people to know that Obama likes this artist and has called him talented. Can you imagine this type of music in the Oval Office?

As Republican presidential candidate John McCain weighs his running-mate options, political experts say Mitt Romney would energize fundraising and generate the most enthusiasm in the Rocky Mountain West.
Speculation that Romney, who dropped out of the presidential primaries in February, tops McCain’s vice-presidential list has burgeoned in recent weeks as voters rated the economy their No. 1 concern.
A Washington outsider who co-founded a private-equity firm and served as Massachusetts’ governor, Romney is viewed as balancing the perceived shortcomings of McCain, who has been an Arizona senator for 22 years and has admitted that economic issues aren’t his strength. Prior to dropping out of the campaign, Romney was substantially vetted, and he knows how to throw — and take — a punch.
Those factors alone might help a McCain-Romney ticket in the West. But Romney’s ties to the region, which include attending Brigham Young University in Utah and rescuing the 2002 Winter Olympics, could reap big political gains for McCain.
It was Romney, after all, who beat McCain in five Western primaries.
“Romney knows the mountain West, he knows how to talk to people there and he had a strong ground troop of volunteers,” said Dan Schnur, director of the Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics at the University of Southern California and communications director for McCain’s 2000 presidential campaign.
Not that Romney doesn’t have negatives. Though he may help McCain in Michigan, where Romney’s father was governor, he could be a liability in the South.
He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, considered a cult by some evangelical Christians and Southern Baptists. Despite his central-casting good looks, he often comes across as aloof. And he and McCain taunted each other in the primaries, which could be exploited by Democrats.
But in the West, those problems are molehills, not mountains. Romney raised millions of dollars in the region — not known as a fundraising hot spot — and Arizona, Colorado and Nevada have large Mormon populations. In GOP strongholds such as Utah and Idaho, many LDS members are expected to help in get-out-the-vote efforts in surrounding states.
“They are a group that is situated in tight social groups, . . . and many see him as a pioneer ” said David Campbell, a University of Notre Dame professor. “They may mobilize to act in other important states like New Mexico, California and Colorado.”
In Colorado, for instance, where Romney beat McCain by 42 percentage points, El Paso County overwhelmingly backed Romney. The county is home to Colorado Springs, a conservative epicenter for evangelical Christian organizations.
Even Focus on the Family leader James Dobson — who has softened his stance on McCain, a candidate he had said he would never vote for — doesn’t think Romney would be a bad VP choice.
“Dr. Dobson liked his speech about faith very much,” said spokesman Gary Schneeberger, referring to Romney’s December address, where he spoke about the importance of religion in American society but that it should be separate from public responsibilities. “He wants a pro-life running mate, and Romney qualifies for that.”
McCain’s campaign declined to comment for this story. Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom said Romney “expects to be campaigning for John McCain as a supporter and not as a member of the ticket.”
Others whom McCain is reportedly considering for VP include Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal — although last week, Jindal pulled himself out of contention.
Western primary voters favored Romney and his conservative, core party values over McCain, who often is viewed as a maverick by his own party. And Romney was the only GOP candidate to build a strong presence in those states.
“The organization is in place, but it would be fully energized if Romney was the VP,” said Ryan Erwin, a Las Vegas Republican consultant who served as a Romney adviser during the primary.
The enthusiasm factor should not be underrated. For instance, even the McCain campaign added his home state of Arizona to the list of “battleground” states. Presidential rival Barack Obama, who has no real organization in the state, outraised McCain in Arizona in June, and a recent Zogby poll showed McCain trailing Obama by 3 percentage points there. Pollster John Zogby said: “Picking Romney would probably solidify Arizona behind McCain.”

Just listened to McCain on Lars Larson and that man sounds like dead man walking. No zest, tired, boring and to be honest I think his memory is iffie. If McCain chooses Huckabee I will not vote for him. Crist of FL would really be a bad choice, to old men. Mitt is needed to help with the economy, he’s a Washington outsider, he’s passionate in his speech and very intelligent. Plus what really should interest McCain is the $$ he can raised.
I use to be a GOP but left when the religious right got a leash around the party. I just left the Dem party in May and went Independent, I’m thankful that I live in an open primary state.

I agree with many of the other comments here. I will vote for a McCancer/Romney ticket, but only because I think there’s a chance that useless old man will croak in office. Obama seems nice enough, but his base includes the two most dangerous groups in America:
(1)Wealthy liberals who mean well but have not based their world views in reality
(2)Undereducated minorities who’ve bought into the idea that they’re owed something
It sure didn’t work for South Africa, though old Nelson was nice, and it won’t work for us.

Here’s one reason, among many, why Huckabee couldn’t hack the V.P. positsion:
From Politico,com by Jonathon Martin
http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/0708/Huck_compares_McCain_to_Dole_.html
July 29, 2008
Categories: Huckabee
Huck compares McCain to Dole
[Mike Huckabee, speaking a bit more freely in his new capacity as a Fox News contributor, used a "Hannity & Colmes" appearance last night to offer a candid assessment of McCain's performance last week.
Huck used two words that dare not speak their name in McCainworld: "Dole" and "anger:"
ESTRICH: He went to a German restaurant that didn't go very well. He had the time at the cheese counter at the grocery store. I mean, I have to tell you, if I were John McCain I would be glad I didn't get a lot of press last week.
What is wrong with the McCain campaign?
HUCKABEE: Well, I think he missed an opportunity. Instead of having some fun with it and showing sort of a buoyant 'hey, do what you've got to do, let Obama go play basketball, I'm solving problems.' Do it with tongue and cheek.
Frankly, I thought he looked more like Bob Dole in the last days of the 1996 campaign saying 'look at the record, look at the record,' and there was some anger and sense of frustration there.
He shouldn't show that. He needs to show that nothing is getting to him, it's rolling off his back, and I think he missed an opportunity to do that last week.]
Huckabee can’t control his squirrel-eating mouth.

Either it is MITT-McCain or I will NOT vote.

Reagan Republican here. The prospect of having Romney on the ticket rekindles my desire to be a Republican in spite of the mismanagement of the party in recent years. gov. romney’s desire to reach a broad based majority of Americans reminds me of a former governor of California that sought and won office in ’80. Evangelicals would be wise to put aside religious differences and vote for a ticket that would have a much broader outreach than any other mccain vp running mate could muster.

Interesting thought, Kelly.
I’m hearing Pawlenty’s name a lot now but an announcement of Romney as the VP choice just prior to his departure for China would ensure a lot of media coverage of his every move at Olympic events and likely a lot of interviews by Mitt from the venues he attends.
He’d be followed around and anything he says or any interviews he grants could potentially be seen by much broader audience that those viewers who normally watch political TV shows. The tie-in would reinforce his past role, cast him positively as an on-the-ground cheerleader for Team USA and help burnish the new McCain team’s international credentials.
Sounds brilliant to me but McCain’s campaign hasn’t exactly exuded brilliance so far so I wonder…

the only issue is economics
chinese rmb went from 8.5 t0 6.5 in one year
only romney can attact the many angles wrecking the economy
can obama hell no
mcain gets excited about tooo many other issues missing the point
so romney for vp can help and to blast obama on economy

One more thing. Look at the numbers. Obama is NOT looking out for American’s best interests. He’ll be taxing us to death:
Proposed changes in taxes after the 2008 General election:
CAPITAL GAINS TAX
MCCAIN
0% on home sales up to $500,000 per home (couples). McCain does not propose any change in existing home sales income tax.
OBAMA
28% on profit from ALL home sales
How does this affect you? If you sell your home and make a profit, you will pay 28% of your gain on taxes. If you are heading toward retirement and would like to down-size your home or move into a retirement community, 28% of the money you make from your home will go to taxes. This proposal will adversely affect the elderly who are counting on the income from their homes as part of their retirement income.
DIVIDEND TAX
MCCAIN 15% (no change)
OBAMA 39.6%
If you have any money invested in stock market, IRA, mutual funds, college funds, life insurance, retirement accounts, or anything that pays or reinvests dividends, you will now be paying nearly 40% of the money earned on taxes if Obama becomes president. The experts predict that ‘Higher tax rates on dividends and capital gains would crash the stock market, yet do absolutely nothing to cut the deficit.’
INCOME TAX
MCCAIN (no changes)
Single making 30K – tax $4,500
Single making 50K – tax $12,500
Single making 75K – tax $18,750
Married making 60K- tax $9,000
Married making 75K – tax $18,750
Married making 125K – tax $31,250
OBAMA (reversion to pre-Bush tax cuts)
Single making 30K – tax $8,400
Single making 50K – tax $14,000
Single making 75K – tax $23,250
Married making 60K – tax $16,800
Married making 75K – tax $21,000
Married making 125K – tax $38,750
Under Obama, your taxes could almost double!
INHERITANCE TAX
MCCAIN 0% (No change, Bush repealed this tax)
OBAMA Restore the inheritance tax
Many families have lost businesses, farms, ranches, and homes that have been in their families for generations because they could not afford the inheritance tax. Those willing their assets to loved ones will only lose them to these taxes.
NEW TAXES PROPOSED BY OBAMA
New government taxes proposed on homes that are more than 2400 square feet.
New gasoline taxes (as if gas weren’t high enough already)
New taxes on natural resources consumption (heating gas, water, electricity)
New taxes on retirement accounts, and last but not least….
New taxes to pay for socialized medicine so we can receive the same level of medical care as other third-world countries!!!