Romney Wins CPAC 2009 Straw Poll (Again)

For complete Straw Poll results visit: www.cpac.org.

MSNBC reports:

For the third straight year, Mitt Romney won the CPAC presidential preference straw poll with 20% of the vote. Bobby Jindal finished with 14%, just ahead of Ron Paul and Sarah Palin, who got 13% each.

CPAC over the years has drawn a younger crowd of student activists. (57% of the respondents to the Fabrizio-McLaughlin poll were between 18 and 25.)

Newt Gingrich finished with 10%, Mike Huckabee 7%, Mark Sanford 4%, Rudy Giuliani 3%, Tim Pawlenty 2%, Charlie Crist 1%, and 9% said they were undecided.

Just 55% said they were satisfied with the potential GOP 2012 field; 44% said they wished the Republicans had a better field.

To show just how conservative this crowd was, 95% said they disapproved of the job President Obama was doing -- 80%, in fact, said they “strongly disapproved.”

Of the job Republicans are doing in Congress, 70% said they approve.

The results were announced just before Rush Limbaugh delivered the closing speech to the conference. When the results were announced, a very small number stood up when it was announced Romney had won. They clapped and cheered, but it was a tepid reception.

Mitt Romney @ CPAC 2009

[David Keene's introduction and Governor Romney's remarks start 1/3 of the way into the video. Video courtesy Ustream.]

Click here for a copy of Mitt Romney's Remarks to CPAC 2009.

Mitt Romney's Free and Strong America PAC

Free and Strong America PAC

Mitt is Back on the Trail:

I miss the campaign trail. Yes, it was grueling, but it was also energizing and what we did together was important for the country. You heard me speak time and again about how critical the current times are for America. Because I believe that so profoundly, I have helped form Free and Strong America PAC to promote conservative policies and candidates. Senator McCain’s presidential campaign is at the top of the list. (Read more)

Mitt Endorses McCain

Could Romney look and sound any more presidential? Oh, how I wish their roles were reversed.

Mitt at CPAC '08

Nothing seemed out of the ordinary on Thursday, February 7th. CPAC had just begun and everyone was anticipating a day headlined by Mitt Romney and John McCain. Loyal Romney volunteers spent the morning in the hallways of the hotel handing out stickers, mitts, signs, and EFM buttons.

It was only moments before Romney's speech that I took my seat in the ballroom and was confronted by rumors that a Mitt farewell speech was imminent. The news was crushing and feelings of disappointment and loss set in swiftly. Adding to my state of mixed emotions and confusion, Laura Ingraham came out on stage and gave a rousing introduction filled with hope and historical context, making it seem as if Romney would go on and continue to fight for the nomination.

Despite the known outcome, a devoted and enthused crowd hung on every word of a speech that was delivered with confidence and strength. It was met with resistance from the audience, who undoubtedly wanted to see their candidate -- the conservatives' conservative -- fight on.




While I'm still digesting the fact that Romney is out of the race, I have spent a lot of time reflecting on the events, experiences, and interactions that I have had since I started supporting Romney for President almost two years ago. Recounting the many conversations I had with people whose opinions of Mitt Romney evolved from doubt or utter dislike to support are most special.

I didn't think it would be possible to admire and respect Mitt Romney more than I already did, but I was proved wrong on Thursday. As much as I dislike being forced to confront the question that many other conservatives are now asking themselves, "Can I vote for McCain in November?" it is one where I will have to consider the same reasons Mitt mentioned in his departing speech -- support for our military and love of country.

Super Tuesday Scorecard

Romney Wins: Colorado, Utah, Minnesota, Montana, Massachusetts and North Dakota

The other results:

• Hucktard gets: Tennessee, Georgia, Arkansas, Alabama, and West Virginia (52% Huckabee, 47% Romney, 1% McCain -- dirty McLame campaign tactics in play, according to the Romney campaign.)

• McLame picks up: California, Arizona, Connecticut, Oklahoma, New Jersey, Delaware, New York, Missouri, and Illinois

While flipping channels, trying to escape the coverage, I wound up finding Tom DeLay commenting on the results. He believes we have a long way to go before the convention, specifically mentioning the states that are voting on March 4th -- Texas and Ohio -- and that John McCain won't be able to garner enough delegates. And, when asked about the most popular topic of the day -- James Dobson's comments -- DeLay had this to say about his former colleague, "McCain has done more harm to our party than anyone I know." And, he didn't stop there. "He's always been the anathema of the conservatives of the party."

If Mitt's speech was any indication, this campaign is not only going to go on, but it will go on more determined, more resolute, and more energized. On a side note, I can't stop contemplating how I escaped liberal NY for conservative GA, and neither state chose my candidate. (For the ultimate Georgia analysis, check out The Other McCain.) In any case, we need to rally around Romney, and with the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), the conservative movement's premier event fast approaching there is no better time.

What's Happening on Super Tuesday '08

The day has been filled with all kinds of interesting interviews, commentaries, news analysis, polls, etc. It's hard to keep up with everything, especially while traveling, but here are a few highlights.

Ann Romney was in Atlanta campaigning for Mitt:

(Correction: Mitt was at "Georgia Tech" on Monday, not "Virginia Tech.")

Mitt was on Laura Ingraham's show:


Afterwards, Laura discussed Wayne Grudem's article on Townhall.com from October:

Can evangelicals support a candidate who is politically conservative but not an evangelical Christian? Yes, certainly. In fact, it would demonstrate the falsehood of the liberal accusation that evangelicals are just trying to make this a “Christian nation” and only want evangelical Christians in office. For evangelicals to support a Mormon candidate would be similar to supporting a conservative Jewish candidate—someone we don’t consider a Christian but who comes from a religious tradition that believes in absolute moral values very similar to those that Christians learn from the Bible. Here in Arizona a few years ago I voted for Matt Salmon, a Mormon candidate for governor. He lost, but his policies would have been much more conservative than those of Janet Napolitano, who has now vetoed dozens of pro-life, pro-family bills.

And, she talked about James Dobson's comments regarding John McCain, which our friends over at Evangelicals For Mitt have posted.

Rush Limbaugh practically endorsed Romney and Hot Air has the rundown including Rush's "endorsement" in his own words.

Let's hope all of these (late) endorsements aren't too late to change some hearts and minds.

Georgia Mittens and Romnerds in Action

Romney was in Atlanta today -- UPDATE coming later!




Update: The amount of spirit and energy present at the Romney rally held earlier today at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center was incredibly high. Romney supporters were out in full force -- a host of notable Georgia elected officials, College Republicans, Rick Santorum, Sadie Fields, the chairman of the Georgia Christian Alliance, and our hometown hero, Herman Cain. (Check out Herman Cain's official endorsement of Mitt Romney here.)

Romney entered the room to thunderous applause and the noise level only increased each time Mitt delivered a line. Check out pictures of the event (H/T Randy) and local coverage. It was also covered in the Boston Globe and TIME.

Update: Later on in the day, Mitt Romney said this on the Sean Hannity radio show regarding Senator McCain, "It's one thing to reach across the aisle. It's another thing to walk across the aisle."

Levin: Rally for Romney

H/T reader Ruth for sending me Mark Levin's article over at National Review. Levin provides an exemplary breakdown of the Romney-McCain match up.

Let’s get the largely unspoken part of this out the way first. McCain is an intemperate, stubborn individual, much like Hillary Clinton. These are not good qualities to have in a president. As I watched him last night, I could see his personal contempt for Mitt Romney roiling under the surface. And why? Because Romney ran campaign ads that challenged McCain’s record? Is this the first campaign in which an opponent has run ads questioning another candidate’s record? That’s par for the course. To the best of my knowledge, Romney’s ads have not been personal. He has not even mentioned the Keating-Five to counter McCain's cheap shots. But the same cannot be said of McCain’s comments about Romney.

Last night McCain, who is the putative frontrunner, resorted to a barrage of personal assaults on Romney that reflect more on the man making them than the target of the attacks. McCain now has a habit of describing Romney as a “manager for profit” and someone who has “laid-off” people, implying that Romney is both unpatriotic and uncaring. Moreover, he complains that Romney is using his “millions” or “fortune” to underwrite his campaign. This is a crass appeal to class warfare. McCain is extremely wealthy through marriage. Romney has never denigrated McCain for his wealth or the manner in which he acquired it. Evidently Romney’s character doesn’t let him to cross certain boundaries of decorum and decency, but McCain’s does. And what of managing for profit? When did free enterprise become evil? This is liberal pablum which, once again, could have been uttered by Hillary Clinton.

...

Why recite this record? Well, if conservatives don’t act now to stop McCain, he will become the Republican nominee and he will lose the general election. He is simply flawed on too many levels. He is a Republican Hillary Clinton in many ways. Many McCain supporters insist he is the only Republican who can beat Hillary Clinton or Barak Obama. And they point to certain polls. The polls are meaningless this far from November. Six months ago, the polls had Rudy winning the Republican nomination. In October 1980, the polls had Jimmy Carter defeating Ronald Reagan. This is no more than spin.

...

Let’s face it, none of the candidates are perfect. They never are. But McCain is the least perfect of the viable candidates. The only one left standing who can honestly be said to share most of our conservative principles is Mitt Romney. I say this as someone who has not been an active Romney supporter. If conservatives don’t unite behind Romney at this stage, and become vocal in their support for him, then they will get McCain as their Republican nominee and probably a Democrat president. And in either case, we will have a deeply flawed president.

A Night to Remember

Before sitting down for tonight's debate at the Ronald Reagan Library in California, which is the last before Super Tuesday, the four remaining Republican presidential candidates shook hands with Nancy Reagan with Reagan's Air Force One as the backdrop.

From the beginning, Romney gave strong and definitive answers. It began with the first question Andersen Cooper posed to Romney, and from that moment on he never missed a beat. Since McCain refused to acknowledge Mitt's stance on the war in Iraq and troop withdrawals, Mitt finally said, "How is it that you are an expert on my position?" And when it came to explaining Mitt's record in Massachusetts, McCain quoted twisted statistics and policies that Romney was able to counter most successfully. In fact, Mitt said it best when he told McCain, "facts are stubborn things, I'm proud of my record."

When it came time to explaining the health care initiative in Massachusetts, Romney said that the state's desire was to have "no more free riders." This is yet another sign of his desire to increase individual responsibility and remove the burdens that the government places on taxpayers to pay for other people's healthcare.

As McCain skirted the central issues of his dreadful McCain-Kennedy amnesty bill, Romney took the opportunity to expose the z-visa program and explained his process for making sure all illegals go home and start the process like everyone else. He summed it up by strongly stating "illegal immigration -- that's gotta end."

Huckabee's game plan was answering every question posed to him with a sarcastic remark or joke. While laughter can be used effectively in particular situations, his abuse of it was blatantly un-Presidential. And, as long as Huckabee continues to make statements exclaiming that "he's [Rush Limbaugh] very wrong" he is not going to gain any ground with Republican voters.

While everyone is projecting Tuesday's winners and potential delegate counts, tonight's debate could prove to be the deciding factor for Mitt Romney, since he had the most to gain from it. This was a much needed opportunity to rebut the lies and misconceptions that were fueled by his opponents prior to -- and conveniently close to -- the Florida primary. Let's hope for the best and do what we can to make sure Mitt comes out succesful on Tuesday.

A picture is worth how many words?

What are your thoughts when you see this picture?














AP caption reads: Republican presidential hopeful, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney goes through a security screening on the tarmac of the the airport in St. Petersburg, Fla., Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008, prior to boarding his charter plane.(AP Photo/LM Otero)

H/T to reader Jeff who came across JFM this morning and sent in the picture. I like his take on the situation: I see we got a good handle on airport security after 9/11……

It is truly a laughing matter

From Michael Ramirez over at Townhall.com.

H/T reader Geoff from UC Berkeley.

Silver in the Sunshine State

Romney delivered his speech from St. Petersburg, Florida and it could have easily been one of his finest yet. He hit upon his core message of working towards strengthing our families, economy and military, while bringing change to Washington.

It's hard to even imagine McCain who championed the Democratic Party's platforms in Congress more times than he has supported conservative ideals as being the Repubican nominee. But, now that we are seeing a McCain - Romney match up, there is no better situation because of the stark contrast between these two candidates: a liberal McCain versus a conservative Romney. And, with rumors circulating that Giuliani will endorse McCain, could it become any clearer?

In the coming days, we might learn about what part of Mitt's message did not resonate with a majority of Florida voters, or how many voters changed their votes because of deceitful McCain campaign tactics.

Before Romney thanked his family, the volunteers, staff, local leaders, and politicians, Ann Romney stated that "Our hearts are warm and they are filled with gratitude." As Mitt mentioned some of the people assembled, two names stuck out to me: Mel Sembler, national finance co-chair of Romney for President, and Meg Whitman, CEO and President of eBay, and former colleague of Mitt Romney's at Bain & Company.

Mel Sembler has written about why he supports Mitt over at JTA:

As president, Mitt will govern by emphasizing his core principles: faith in free enterprise and free trade, accountability in education, personal responsibility, tolerance, strong families and a strong national defense. Our country faces what could be a defining moment in shaping its history, and I believe Mitt Romney can provide the kind of leadership that is sorely needed. Americans are losing faith in Washington and the ability of our elected officials to tackle the new generation of challenges facing the American people.

America needs a proven leader and executive like Mitt Romney, not another lifetime politician who has never run a corner store, let alone the largest enterprise in the world.

I am confident that millions of Americans will conclude, as I have, that America and its allies deserve nothing less than Mitt Romney as the next president of the United States.

Tomorrow night is the big debate at the Reagan Library and there's no telling what could go on, given the climate of the race. There's no doubt that Hucktard will stick to his personal attacks and McCain will invoke his image as a "maverick" which in plain terms means that he is game to sell us down the river at any time.

As always though, I remain optimistic because Mitt Romney's campaign is grounded in the principles of true conservatism. Super Tuesday will prove to be more interesting than most people predicted.

Happy Birthday to...

...David French. David is not only one of my personal heroes, he is also a great American hero proudly serving in the Army Reserves as the Squadron Judge Advocate for Sabre (2d) Squadron, 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment at Forward Operating Base Caldwell in Iraq.

Please include David and his incredible family in your thoughts and prayers. You can support David and the other brave soldiers of Sabre Squadron by participating in Operation Send-a-Box.
And, if you haven't already, check out David's posts at Evangelicals for Mitt.

"Why they Hate Mitt Romney"

Amy D. Goldstein has written a tremendous piece over at the American Thinker. She breaks it down into eight components and sums it up like this:

Why do the Republican candidates hate him? Because they don't have any answers to his challenges. They seek to undermine him by using personal attacks more worthy of a middle school playground than a presidential contest. This is politics and Washington as usual, and choosing any candidate that employs these tactics will only get us more of the same. One would hope that Americans could see beyond these base attacks and choose the candidate who is best for the country - Governor Mitt Romney.

Operation Send-a-Box

On this Tu B'Shevat I'll be participating in Operation Send-a-Box. While it is customary to eat fruits of the Holy Land -- grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates -- and more recently people have taken up tree planting, I have decided to use this Tu B'Shevat to help Operation Send-a-Box reach its goals and most importantly do what I can to show my great appreciation and gratitude to the troops who are defending and preserving our freedom.

Highlights from "The Tonight Show"

Jay Leno mixed up the interview (watch it here) with Mitt Romney touching on the serious and the lighthearted:

• Mitt discusses how he starts the day with Ann's granola and jogs three miles every other day.

• Leno likes that it's a "real moment' when Romney confronts the reporter at the Staples store who accuses him of allowing a lobbyist to run his campaign.

• Mitt left michigan 41 years ago; it was his sense of optimism contrasted with McCain's pessimism that resonated with the people of Michigan.

• Mitt believes in putting "more money in the hands of individuals" and wants to less money spent on tort lawsuits, more on innovation.

• Ann is campaigning in Las Vegas and that's where Mitt is headed.

• Leno jokes that he's got "35 children"; it's clear that Parker Mitt is the standout and is referred to as the "little campaigner."

• Tomorrow is South Carolina and Nevada, and as Mitt said, "all conventional wisdom is out the window here."

• And in the spirit of a late night comedy show it ended with a joke: Jay Leno asks, "whose got a bigger head [Romney or Ted Kennedy]." Mitt answers, "it's a competition all three of us could join."

TONIGHT: Mitt on "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno

According to the NY Times:

Mr. Romney will be flying this afternoon from Reno to Burbank, Calif., to tape “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno.

“It occurred to us the best way to be in South Carolina and Nevada at the same time, was to be on the Tonight Show,” said Eric Fehrnstrom, the campaign’s traveling press secretary. “Plus, it worked for Mike Huckabee, he won Iowa.”

If you're not a "Mitten," then you're a...

..."Romnerd," a term coined by Nancy French, Co-founder of Evangelicals for Mitt.

Mittens Redefined

From the Rush Limbaugh show transcript:

CALLER: He exudes the most powerful morality I have seen in any candidate.

RUSH: So you have no doubts he would never cheat on his wife?

CALLER: That is correct.

RUSH: This is fascinating. Ruth, I can't thank you enough.

CALLER: I thank you, Rush, and just keep up the wonderful work. My husband and I listen to you every day, and we love you, and just keep that faith, because there are Republican conservatives out there who will prove who the true candidate will be, and I believe it will be Romney.

RUSH: We'll see. I'm glad you called, Ruth.

RUSH: We have decided to come up with a name for you babes who are smitten with Mitt Romney, first of many, but this works: Mittens. We're going to refer to you as Mittens.

For all you Drudge Report readers

When you need to know what's going on, the Drudge Report is where it's at.

Gold in Michigan

What a night! And, a victory speech worth watching:



Highlights from the news coverage following the sweet victory:

• Mitt Romney smiling from ear to ear, ends his speech with a few questions to the exuberant crowd, but my favorite is when Mitt asks, “Is Washington broken?” and the crowd responds with an almost deafening “Yes!”

• Newt says this win "revitilized his [Mitt's] campaign" and is a "significant blow to McCain."

• Mitt has more votes, more delegates, more money and Sean Hannity adds, “It’s about delegates at the end of the day here." Newt then poses the question, “At what point does it make you the front runner?” and says that Romney can have a real “sense of achievement.”

• Dick Morris reiterated the significance of the Romney victory by calling it a "big win" but as is typical of Dick Morris he went on to discuss Hillary and the racial tensions among the democrats and their campaigning.

• Rush Limbaugh says, "The Drive-By Media, and some analysts on our side, have risked their professional reputations by so misreading the results in Michigan. Romney won among actual Republicans, topping McCain among Iraq war supporters and Huckabee among evangelicals. He must now be called the front-runner. Notice that every state is make-or-break for Mitt, but never for Huckabee or McCain."

Silver in New Hampshire...

The spirits were high as Mitt Romney delivered his concession speech -- a "gracious one" at that according to Chris Wallace. Mitt is such a stand up guy that despite all of John McCain's personal attacks Mitt still congratuled his win.

Chants of "We love Mitt!" were pervasive. Romney went on to acknowledge his second place finish, "Another silver, I'd rather have a gold but I got another silver."

Another is right. No other candidate can claim one gold (Wyoming) and two silvers (Iowa and New Hampshire).

Romney is in a great position moving on...let's go Michigan!

And remember what Rush Limbaugh said, "New Hampshire is not a conservative bellwether. Iowa's caucus is weird. After NH, the race for the GOP begins."

Mitt wins last NH debate before primary

Good news from Sunday's FOX News debate:

• Frank Luntz's focus group comes in undecided and leaves supporting Mitt

• "Terrific debate for Mitt Romney" -- Fred Barnes, Weekly Standard

• Chris Wallace thought Romney had the best performance that he has ever seen

Not your typical holiday card

When it came time to sharing holiday greetings with family and friends, one JFM reader (my sister) designed her own personal Chrismukkah card. It speaks for itself.

Prager: In Politics Values Matter, Not Theology

http://dennisprager.townhall.com/columnists/DennisPrager/2007/12/11/in_politics_values_matter,_not_theology

Or take Judeo-Christian values. I have written 24 columns explicating the meaning of Judeo-Christian values, yet never once used the term "Judeo-Christian theology" because there isn't a Judeo-Christian theology. Judaism and Christianity differ on most of the major beliefs of Christianity -- the Trinity, the place of Jesus, whether the Messiah has come, the nature of salvation, and more. But they share almost every important social and moral value. Once again,the relationship between shared theology and shared values is next to nil.

Therefore the theological beliefs of a public figure should matter only when one is choosing a theological leader, never a political leader -- unless those beliefs form the basis of social and moral values that one abhors. It is very important to know the theological beliefs of one's clergyman or the head of one's seminary, but as far as the head of one's country is concerned, only his moral and social values matter. I would much sooner vote for an agnostic whose values I shared than for a believing Christian or Jew whose values I did not share.

TheUltimateJew on Mitt Romney's monumental speech

Jackie Mason found "A Chanukah Message in Romney's Speech":

Watching Mitt Romney's speech on religious tolerance in America inspired me to give this message to close the eight day celebration of Chanukah.

Republican Jewish Coalition Presidential Candidates Forum

Mitt Romney delivers a great speech to the RJC:

Governor Romney: "Until only recently, too many American leaders remained silent while the Iranian regime tortured dissidents, funded terrorists targeting Americans and Israelis, subjugated and stoned women, threatened the destruction of Israel, and rushed toward nuclear weapons. This was not just under Ahmadinejad. Former Iranian President Khatami referred to Hezbollah, as the 'shining sun that illuminates and warms the hearts of all Muslims and supporters of freedom in the world.' Yet when Harvard invited Khatami to give an address on the eve of the 5th Anniversary of 9/11, the media and Washington elites praised him as a 'moderate.' I took a different course. I was asked to have my state police lead his convoy to Harvard, I said no way."

Governor Mitt Romney on Rosh Hashanah

http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/Rosh_Hashanah

Boston, MA – Today, Governor Mitt Romney issued the following statement regarding Rosh Hashanah: "As we approach the Jewish New Year, Ann and I wish the Jewish community a happy and healthy Rosh Hashanah. With this new year, we hope that new strides are made to reach lasting peace and security for all Americans, as well as comfort for Jewish communities around the world.

"Much of our country's strength derives from values deeply rooted in the Jewish tradition – values that stress the importance of the family and the home. The beginning of a new year ushers in a fresh start and an optimistic outlook on challenges that must be addressed and solved. "

Again, Ann and I wish the Jewish people a happy and healthy holiday with their family and friends. L'Shanah Tovah Tikatevu."

Dennis Prager "loves" Romney's answer...

...on campaign-finance reform:

Romney: Iran must be stopped and can be stopped

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/01/24/romney_talks_tough_on_iran/

Romney's short, forceful address came on a four-day trip to Israel this week, a visit that serves two important political objectives: It further deepens his foreign policy resume and helps him strengthen ties to American Jews, a group of voters and donors the GOP believes is increasingly integral to the party. "When you take time in the middle of a busy campaign to go abroad, the place you pick to go is a powerful statement of who you are and what you believe," said Ari Fleischer, President Bush's former press secretary and a board member of the Republican Jewish Coalition, which sponsored Romney's visit.