Clipmarks | merrie's 'romney' clips

Fred Thompson Speech (RNC Convention)

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 06:12:00 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: Once upon a time, Fred Thompson ran for president. His campaign was inexplicably late in starting and never got any traction. A lot of conservatives were disappointed because they were looking for a more traditional candidate to fill a perceived void. The choices in 2008 came down to Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, and John McCain. We still do not know why Fred Thompson ran such a poor campaign, a question that will not be answered in his RNC convention speech.

'Character you can believe in' 3:02 video at website
Fred Thompson says Sen. John McCain has the character that America can "believe in".

Clip Source: www.rightpundits.com

The job of Fred Thompson’s speech is to provide red-meat to the GOP faithful including ridiculing Obama for his gooey abortion views. He will defend Sarah Palin’s honor against the recent sexist attacks from Barack Obama’s campaign and discuss his long-term friendship with presidential candidate John McCain. Thompson worked with McCain in the Senate as one of the upper chamber’s coalition builders.

Undoubtedly the prurient network cameras will capture luscious pictures of Fred Thompson’s wife. Let there be no mistaking that the gorgeous Mrs. Thompson is a lookers rival for Sarah Palin at this convention. Stale interviews just do not do the women justice.

Where is Keith Olbermann? Did Dan Abrams replace him on MSNBC’s convention team?

Tags: rnc, john mccain, fred thompson

Reaction To Announcement on Governor Palin

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 07:49:22 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: The campaign has been busily preparing TV commercials to run against Mitt Romney — with aides gleefully watching hours of footage of Romney-McCain exchanges from the primary — but far little opposition research had been prepared about the Alaska governor. And aides said no commercials were ready to be immediately released, which the McCain campaign did when Mr. Biden was chosen.”

There’s more at the link, including that the Obama campaign had to delay its campaign flight for more Palin prep and, as a result, McCain-Palin got a half-day of uninterrupted media time.

The Obama campaign was not prepared for the Palin announcement, a choice that was unexpected but not totally off the radar. That’s not good in politics but it’s very discouraging in governing. In fact, it makes the Obama campaign sound as clueless as it often describes the Bush Administration.

Clip Source: patterico.com

The Obama campaign was critical of McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin — she’s too inexperienced and not ready to be a “heartbeat away” from the Presidency — followed quickly by Obama’s statement that his staff was too critical. This clearly isn’t what the Obama campaign thought they would be talking about the day after his acceptance speech.

And now the New York Times’ Caucus blog has this amazing information on why the Obama campaign had a mixed message:

“11:40 a.m. | Obama Reaction: The Times’s Jeff Zeleny has the following dispatch:

The Obama campaign had no immediate response to reports that Senator John McCain has selected the little-known Alaska governor, Sarah Palin, as his running-mate. Neither Mr. Obama nor Mr. Biden talked to reporters, but Mr. Biden could be seen wearing a wide smile in the front cabin of the plane.

Ms. Palin came as a surprise not only to many Republicans and journalists, but also to the Obama team.

Tags: gov sarah palin, mccain's vp choice, nytimes' caucus blog

Republicans Spread Message of Democrats’ Disunity

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:38:53 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: Because of the Republican offensive, senior advisers to Obama and Clinton were furiously trying to extinguish constant reports of party unrest Monday morning before the convention had even officially begun.

The RNC and the McCain campaign have already launched an ad entitled "Debra" that features one such disaffected Clinton supporter who says she is supporting McCain.

In the ad, Wisconsin delegate Debra Bartosevich says that the New York senator has "the experience and the judgment to be president."

"Now, in a first for me, I'm supporting a Republican, John McCain," Bartosevich says. “I respect his maverick and independent streak, and now he's the one with the experience and judgment. A lot of Democrats will vote McCain. It's OK, really."

Monday night, the GOP was hosting a "Happy Hour for Hillary" in downtown Denver, and earlier in the day, the Republicans released their first of the week's daily "Not Ready '08" memos — this one titled "A Party Divided."

Clip Source: thehill.com

The RNC has two-dozen staffers on the ground in Denver, Conant said, and they will have at least one high-profile McCain surrogate in town every day of the convention. Victory 2008 Chairwoman Carly Fiorina was in town Monday, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will be in town Tuesday, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani on Wednesday and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Thursday. Pawlenty and Romney are considered finalists to be McCain's running mate, and Giuliani is the keynote speaker at next week's Republican convention.

At the heart of the GOP's efforts is a Democratic convention that still has an 800-pound gorilla of a question — party unity. Republicans continue to point to a poll last week that showed only 52 percent of Clinton supporters lining up behind Obama, with 21 percent saying they will support McCain.

CNN released a poll Monday that showed 66 percent of Clinton supporters are now backing Obama

27 percent of her supporters now say they'll support McCain, up from 16 percent

Tags: denver, dnc, democrat disunity, obama, clinton supporters, mccain, mitt romney, rudy giuliani. tim pawlenty, carly fiorina

WSJ: The Unkindest "Cut" Of All

Sat, 23 Aug 2008 04:33:52 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: WSJ's embarrassing typo or a Freudian slip

Clip Source: www.suitablyflip.com

If You Don't Have Anything Nice To Say...

WSJ's James Taranto has caught the AP in either an embarrassing typo or a telling Freudian slip.

[McCain's] top contenders are said to include Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. Less traditional choices mentioned include former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, an abortion-rights supporter, and Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, the Democratic vice presidential prick in 2000 who now is an independent.

(HT: John Hinderaker)

Tags: mccain's top contenders, pawlenty, romney, ridge, lieberman

DNC Launches TheNextCheney.com

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 07:36:00 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: Republican National Committee spokesman Alex Conant said that instead of debating the energy crisis, Democrats are "obsessing over hypothetical political match-ups."

"The DNC is having fun with Washington parlor games, but the rest of the nation is debating the merits of McCain's 'all-of-the-above' energy plan versus Obama's 'inflate-your-tires' approach," Conant said.

Clip Source: weblogs.newsday.com

The new website tracks potential McCain vice president picks.

Posted August 5, 2008 8:45 AM

The Democratic National Committee today launched a new website, TheNextCheney.com, featuring potential GOP candidates for Sen. John McCain's running mate.

The site focuses on seven candidates to start with:

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney
Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.)
Former Hewlett-Packard chief Carly Fiorina
FedEX CEO Fred Smith
Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.)

With an unflattering photograph of Vice President Dick Cheney plastered across the front, the site contains criticisms of each potential veep candidate and an option for members of the public to sign up to receive alerts when a candidate is in their area. The site fits into the DNC's message that a McCain presidency would be a third term of President Bush.

Tags: dnc new website, mccain vp pick

McCain Should Pick Romney, And Soon

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 10:29:09 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: (3) Romney will bring economic credibility. With a few exceptions, qualities or qualifications have not been transferred from veep to the top guy. It's just as possible that, rather than boost McCain's economic bona fides, Romney would underscore the impression that those bona fides are pretty weak.

(4) Romney can raise extra cash. He probably can, but by itself this is not a reason to select him. A veep nominee is more important than an ATM, so Romney has to offer McCain something else. If he can, his fundraising prowess is really just a supplement.

McCain has an asset that Hillary simply lacked. He can outsource the attacks, handing the duties over to the veep pick. McCain can go back to being the maverick straight talker while the vice-presidential nominee can go after Obama. Never in his political career has Obama encountered an opponent who can land a blow as well as Romney.

This is why Mitt Romney might make a good veep candidate.

Clip Source: www.realclearpolitics.com

As John McCain mulls his veep pick, I'd offer some thoughts on what he should do. As the title indicates, I think Mitt Romney is quite possibly the best choice, and McCain should pick him soon.

Analysts have given multiple reasons for picking Romney over Tim Pawlenty, Rob Portman, Tom Ridge, etc. I think many of these hypothesized benefits are less than compelling:

(1) Romney will energize conservatives. Maybe, but the real question is whether they need energy. All that matters is if they vote, and it looks as though they will. This is an open election, and a consequential one. If the race remains reasonably close, turnout should be high, and conservatives should vote.

(2) Romney will bring Michigan. Do veep candidates really bring states? Color me skeptical. Most recent veep picks have not been chosen to win home states - which should tell us something. Anyway, who's ever heard of a veep bringing his dad's state?

Tags: mccain, vice-president, mitt romney

McCain-Jindal?

Mon, 05 May 2008 09:01:49 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: Another McCain staffer called my attention to this finding in the latest Fox News poll: McCain led Obama in the straight match-up, 46 to 43. Voters were then asked to choose between two tickets, McCain-Romney vs. Obama-Clinton. Obama-Clinton won 47 to 41.

That reversal of a three-point McCain lead to a six-point deficit for the McCain ticket suggests what might happen (a) when the Democrats unite, and (b) if McCain were to choose a conventional running mate, who, as it were, reinforced the Republican brand for the ticket. As the McCain aide put it, this is what will happen if we run a traditional campaign; our numbers will gradually regress toward the (losing) generic Republican number.

Clip Source: www.nytimes.com

Maybe that’s why, in separate conversations last week, no fewer than four McCain staffers and advisers mentioned as a possible vice-presidential pick the 36-year-old Louisiana governor, Bobby Jindal. They’re tempted by the idea of picking someone so young, with real accomplishments and a strong reformist streak.

It might also be a way to confront the issue of McCain’s age (71), which private polls and focus groups suggest could be a real problem. A Jindal pick would implicitly acknowledge the questions and raise the ante. The message would be: “You want generational change? You can get it with McCain-Jindal — without risking a liberal and inexperienced Obama as commander in chief.” I would add that it was after McCain spent considerable time with Jindal in New Orleans recently, and reportedly found him, as he has before, personally engaging and intellectually impressive, that the campaign’s informal name-dropping of Jindal began.

Tags: vice-prez, mccain, clinton, obama, jindal

Romney Joins McCain On Fundraising Trail

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 21:20:35 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: 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.

Clip Source: elections.foxnews.com

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.

Tags: mitt romney, john mccain, salt lake city, fundraising, utah and colorado, mormon

Playing By Obama's Rules

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 10:10:16 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: To observe Democrats this week, savaging one of their heroines, is to understand why the party is unready to rule.

This week, after being subjected for 48 hours to accusations of divisiveness by Barack Obama, and racism by his agents and auxiliaries in the media, Ferraro resigned from Clinton's campaign. What had she said to send the Obamaites into paroxysms of rage?

Obama's agents suggest that Ferraro deliberately injected race into the campaign. But this, too, is ridiculous. Her quote came in an interview with the Daily Breeze of Torrance, Calif., not "Meet the Press."

The attack on Ferraro comes out of a conscious strategy of the Obama campaign -- to seek immunity from attack by smearing any and all attackers as having racist motives. When Bill Clinton dismissed Obama's claim to have been consistently antiwar as a "fairy tale," and twinned Obama's victory in South Carolina with Jesse Jackson's, his statements were described as tinged with racism.

Clip Source: www.realclearpolitics.com

Barack Obama has a chance of being the first black president. And holding out that special hope has been crucial to his candidacy. To deny this is self-delusion -- or deceit.

Nor is this unusual. John F. Kennedy would not have gotten 78 percent of the Catholic vote had he not been Catholic. Hillary would not have rolled up those margins among white women in New Hampshire had she not been a sister in trouble. Mitt Romney would not have swept Utah and flamed out in Dixie were he not a Mormon. Mike Huckabee would not have marched triumphantly through the Bible Belt were he not a Baptist preacher and evangelical Christian. All politics is tribal.

What Barack's allies seem to be demanding is immunity, a special exemption from political attack, because he is African-American. And those who go after him are to be brought up on charges of racism, as has Bill Clinton, Ed Rendell and now Geraldine Ferraro.

Tags: obama, hillary, romney, huckabee, bill clinton, ed rendell, geraldine ferraro

Dances With Mitt>>>How Long Will McCain Play Coy?

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 08:38:30 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: On the other hand, the Pennsylvania primary in on April 22nd, and it seems likely that Hillary will make up some ground there, keeping the competition alive. Having a Romney underticket, with its implications for party unity would be an excellent contrast with the shambles apparent among the Democrats.

Aside from the perceptual issues, fund-raising gets that much easier as well.

My guess? Two to three more weeks before McCain announces Mitt as running mate.

Clip Source: www.uncorrelated.com

Its hard to get any media face-time with the two chihuahuas barking at each other in such entertaining fashion, but John McCain is teasing a little coverage by teasing the press about Mitt Romney as a possible VP.

While emphasizing that it was premature to announce possible candidates, he threw a pretty broad hint that Romney is at very least--first tier.

GOP presidential contender John McCain would not rule out Mitt Romney as a possible running mate yesterday, noting that the former Bay State governor ran an effective primary campaign and is a rising star in national politics.

“Millions of Republicans voted for him,” McCain said during a swing through New Hampshire. “He’s earned himself a place in the future of the Republican Party.”

how long McCain can play coy. Considering how long the Democrats misery can be expected to prolong itself, McCain is unlikely to be able to draw this out much past April. Figure a week of curtsies and bows and we're not much past the middle of April.

Tags: mccain, media face-time, running mate, clinton, obama, democrats

List Of Plausible Picks For McCain's Vice President

Sat, 08 Mar 2008 01:29:57 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: Five meet all the important criteria to be John McCain's running mate this fall. They are: Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty, John Kasich, Rob Portman, and Chris Cox. They edge out other superb candidates such as Mike Pence, Mark Sanford, and Paul Ryan. (former Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating.)

To review, the best candidate 1) will be obviously ready to become president at a moment's notice; 2) will be a Reaganite conservative; 3) should at least put into play a state, region, or constituency that otherwise would be far less attainable for McCain or for a typical Republican; 4) should be well rounded, preferably with at least interesting non-political item on his resume; 5) should have some executive or serious organizational experience; 6) should be intelligent, widely respected, good on TV, and preferably "cool" in persona to balance McCain's sometimes fearsome intensity; and 7) should clearly be a reformer with a record of occasionally bucking the establishment on behalf of principle.

Clip Source: www.spectator.org

In order from least plausible to most plausible among the five who fit all the criteria, here's the scouting report:

Mitt Romney:

His resume is a wonder to behold. His competence is readily apparent to any voter.

McCain seems to have developed a personal dislike for him, and McCain is not good at hiding such sentiments.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty:

Pawlenty seems able to keep conservatives happy while presenting a friendly persona.

Former House Budget Committee Chairman John Kasich:

There is no doubt that Kasich has an appealing and approachable personality

he can come across as a bit hyperactive, which might exacerbate rather than modulate McCain's intensity.

Rob Portman:

He immediately gives forth an air of (that overused word) gravitas, and he seems to be liked and respected by people across the entire ideological spectrum.

But is he a true Reaganite?

Chris Cox:

The best choice, bar none.

Other columnists have also written that he would make a good Veep choice

Tags: mccain, vice-president pick, mitt romney, tim pawlenty, john kasich, rob portman, chris cox

Romney Might Run Again in 2008

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 23:51:20 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: 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.

Clip Source: www.newsmax.com

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.

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.

Tags: 2008 campaign, mitt romney, vice-president, mccain

A Very Moving Moment In Recent American Politics

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 04:33:53 GMT

clipped by: merrie
clipper's remarks: >>>>>Romney Takes One for theTeam<<<<<
In which Mitt himself answers the question posed recently by InstaGlenn about whether Romney 2008 = Reagan 1976. What’s the best thing about this? The goodwill it’ll earn him among the party establishment for not dragging out the primary? The fond memory it creates in the mind of the base of a man willing to sacrifice his own ambition to support victory in Iraq? The venom it’ll draw from the left about him using the war as political cover for his own failure? Or the fact that it backs Huckabee into a corner by framing the continuation of his own campaign as effectively furthering the Democrats’ plans for withdrawal?

Clip Source: discerningtexan.blogspot.com

"...Gave Proof through the Night
That Our Flag was Still There..."

Clip Source: discerningtexan.blogspot.com

[Video]

A bittersweet day today, but a realistic one. I think Mitt has probably done the best thing for his party, and like Reagan in 1976, it gives Romney a leg up for the 2012 race. As you can see in the video Romney was doing his very best to hold in his (genuine, not faked....) emotions today. I can't speak for all Conservatives, but it damn sure resonated with me:

I can say this much: Romney showed me what he is really made of today. Unlike John McCain, Mitt is a team player. And he stands by his principles, the very principles which have made this country the "last best hope on Earth", to quote another great Republican. Very, very impressive.

Barring any unforseen circumstances, Mitt really won me over today. Count me in with Team Mitt in 2012

Tags: reagan, 1976, romney, 2008, team mitt 2012

Dishonest?....or.....Stupid?

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 06:58:11 GMT

clipped by: davboz
clipper's remarks: Take a good hard look at the antics of John McCain and don't let the "hero" card get in your way.
I ask America: Why do we put as frontrunners two smug, manipulating, LYING, backstabbers like Hillary Clinton and John McCain?
Ask yourself!
Ask your friends!
Ask your family!
Why do we flock to these people.
Is it a reflection of our own collective self-imagery? Then let's admit we ourselves may be scoundrels at times ~~ AND LOOK FOR SOMETHING BETTER IN OUR LEADERS!

Clip Source: rsmccain.blogspot.com

[Video]

Those are the possibilities as Bryan Preston sees it, and it's kind of hard to argue:

In this instance, McCain's insinuations are false, as any direct examination of Romney's statements clearly reveals. Yet this does not stop McCain from going back and repeating the insinuation.

McCain is trying to cast Romney as John Kerry, a characterization with no basis in fact. He attempts to create the appearance of an important policy difference where no such difference exists. Romney is completely committed to victory in Iraq. Romney has never proposed a time-certain pullout, which is what McCain is trying to suggest.

If you oppose McCain-Feingold, then you are pro-corruption, a greedy minion of Big Money. If you oppose McCain-Kennedy, then you are a racist who hates the Latino community. Et cetera. Ad infinitum.

what this exchange actually underlines is John McCain's massive sense of unlimited personal entitlement.

McCain can barely resist shouting: "HOW DARE YOU QUESTION ME, YOU GUTLESS PUNK!"

[Video]

Please Save U.S. From Four Years Of Unrelenting Moonbattery

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 20:55:16 GMT

clipped by: merrie

Clip Source: www.moonbattery.com

Dem'ed

Via Michelle Malkin:

Only a major comeback by Romney can save us from four years of unrelenting moonbattery.

Tags: hillary, mccain, amnesty, tax increases, universal health care

Clipmarks | merrie's 'romney' clips

Fred Thompson Speech (RNC Convention)

Reaction To Announcement on Governor Palin

Republicans Spread Message of Democrats’ Disunity

WSJ: The Unkindest "Cut" Of All

If You Don't Have Anything Nice To Say...

DNC Launches TheNextCheney.com

The new website tracks potential McCain vice president picks.

McCain Should Pick Romney, And Soon

McCain-Jindal?

Romney Joins McCain On Fundraising Trail

Playing By Obama's Rules

Dances With Mitt>>>How Long Will McCain Play Coy?

List Of Plausible Picks For McCain's Vice President

Romney Might Run Again in 2008

A Very Moving Moment In Recent American Politics

"...Gave Proof through the Night That Our Flag was Still There..."

Dishonest?....or.....Stupid?

Please Save U.S. From Four Years Of Unrelenting Moonbattery

Dem'ed

"...Gave Proof through the Night
That Our Flag was Still There..."