Obviously things are not shaking out quite the way I had hoped. That’s OK, because as much I as I like Mitt Romney, he is not the reason I am active in politics. The Conservative Movement will do fine with or without Mitt Romney, so either way things shake out, I am not too worried about it.
A friend of mind today told me I must be affected by sour grapes because I think it’s important to still call McCain out on his things. Of course that is insulting to me. As if I only care about Mitt and not the good of the party. As if it’s all personality for me. The only reason I like Mitt is because he is good for the party. I just don’t think we are at the point to crown McCain. We might be there pretty soon, but we might not.
Believe me, when it’s time to support the person who can steer our party in the correct direction I will.
Is that person McCain? I don’t know. Until last night I would have said yes, but for a guy who is supposed to winning over conservatives to be bad mouthing the business practice and the running of corporations really makes me wonder what’s his agenda. We are the party of defense, but we are also the party of business. We won’t be able to fight very many battles in Iraq if we tell the business sector it’s wrong to make money. Last I checked wars aren’t free.
I do see the rational behind voting for him for judges. But the recently corroborated story by Fund makes you really wonder if we are getting a different story because we are in the primaries. Do we really think in a debate with Obama, when McCain is asked what kind of Justices we will have he will say “Roberts, Alitos and Scalia?” I sincerely doubt it. But again, I am open to being convinced.
I am open to the possibility of supporting McCain in the generals. I am also open to the possibility of Mitt carrying on and forcing a win or a brokered convention. And frankly, just because McCain has an “R” next to his name does not mean he would be good the party. He needs to prove it beyond winning a bunch of independents over in NH, SC and FL. He needs to show us why he can be trusted, because nothing in his background or campaign has indicated such.
Next week I will be reporting from CPAC and will have the chance to hear McCain speak directly to conservatives. We will be able to assess two things at that point 1. Does McCain have enough delegates to claim the nomination 2. If McCain is worthy of conservative support. I will tell you then if I think he answers these two questions.
And oh yeah, McCain being a POW is not a good excuse for everything nutty he has said and done. We aren’t electing the Crazy Man Next Door, this is for President, and there is a certain level of decorum that in my opinion is expected, no excuses. It’s a lousy excuse and it’s “weak sauce.” McCain needs to win this on ideas and ability, not his Vet status.
January 31st, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Jeez, Jason, don’t even talk like this! What’s the matter with you? It’s not over yet!
I have been reading all over the blogosphere today and conservatives are so disgusted and angry about John McCain being the MSM’s choice for the GOP that they are saying that for the first time, they will not vote – or if they do, they will only vote for congressman, etc. – not the President.
I cannot support John McCain. Besides the fact that he is a liberal in Republican’s clothing, he is, in my opinion and from my observations, mentally unstable and emotionally unstable.
He brags about his Vietnam experience and constantly reminds us of his POW status.
But he is a deserter of the conservative movement, a traitor to the GOP and a man who obviously loves the enemy more than his family.
I would rather see a liberal in the office for four years than someone who is a liberal with the name of Republican. They will both ruin the country – but let the one who has the name “liberal” do it — at least then the Conservative Republicans can come to the country’s rescue.
January 31st, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Talk like what? I am just saying my problems with McCain. I am not ruling out Mitt, just explaining my many problems with John and my thought process.
January 31st, 2008 at 7:29 pm
McCain will NEVER be POTUS. He may be the republican nominee, but I will sit this one out if he is. This will be the first election in 37 years of voting.
January 31st, 2008 at 7:30 pm
To support McCain or not is between each individual and his or her conscience. I’ve posted from the beginning that he is a deal-breaker for me. If somebody trusts him and genuinely thinks he will be good for the country, they should vote for him. I think he would be a disaster for America, so I won’t. We have had a few guys posting who don’t trust Mitt and think he’s inauthentic….they shouldn’t vote for him and have every right to try to persuade the rest of us about their view. They’re wrong, but they are obligated to express their convictions. So I’m very hesitant to tell anybody to desert the party….because I don’t know if it’s right for them. I just know it’s right for me, IF he gets the nomination.
January 31st, 2008 at 7:31 pm
grandmat 100% correct.
January 31st, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Are the conventions in August and September? With the conventions being so late and if both parties have to go to convention, is it possible that we could have a R v D debate with 4 candidates? Or is it standard practice that the general only have 1 candidate from each party?
I think it would be cool to have the 2 v 2, maybe it would be easier for all of us to decide.
January 31st, 2008 at 7:32 pm
There is one reason I cannot vote for McCain in the general election: Immigration
America cannot allow the legalization of 20 million law breakers who are a poor fit for the modern economy, and who would continue to place a serious drain on our health, welfare, and education systems.
Hillary or Obama might also support Amnesty, but at least with them, we can run Republican opposition to whatever they put forward. We came way too close to Amnesty with Bush last year, I don’t want to tempt fate twice with another pro-amnesty Republican in the White House.
January 31st, 2008 at 7:42 pm
I am rooting for the man I despise, Romney, to stop the man who would destroy economic conservatism from within, McCain.
I don’t want Romney to get the nomination: I am rooting for him to force a brokered convention, where the party can reassess and give a new look at Rudy, Fred, Newt.
January 31st, 2008 at 7:54 pm
I still say Mitt should put Thompson on the ticket, win the south on Tuesday, and win the nomination. Why is that not a really good way to go from here? Please, Rombots, let me hear what you have to say. Doing nothing at this point is to accept defeat. Waiting until after Tuesday is probably accepting defeat. Putting Thompson on should win this thing, why not do it?
January 31st, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Jason – I thought it was well written and good thought. I would rather eat sour grapes than stomach voting for McCain in the election. I know many people that feel the same way – I just hope enough people pay attention to realize they shouldn’t decide their vote based on an edited interveiw from Good Morning America – or the slanted Evening News.
And I definitely agree that there needs to be a level of decorum that can’t be excused away with a POW record.
And according to McCaIn we are supposed to believe that he is qualified in the economy because he was a POW – I still can’t put that one together (based on his answer at the debate last night).
I am all for Romney for giving him a real run for his money and proving that the machine of the Rebub old school establishment is not who picks the candidate (which THEY picked McCain before Jan of 2007) but it is the people.
Thanks for your thoughts!
January 31st, 2008 at 7:59 pm
All of us Romney supporter are pretty down right now, but we have to rise up, ‘fresh courage take’, quick acting like we’re defeated, and show we have some fight in us. Let’s have some idea that we can filter up to the campaign for them to peruse.
Sometimes we thing that they are so much above us they have already thought of every possibiity. Well, I was in business long enough that I realize the experts don’t know much more that the common man, or the grunts as we said in the Corps.
January 31st, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Considering that Mitt Romney is a fake, fraud, and phony…. the conservative movement will do much better without him.
January 31st, 2008 at 8:07 pm
I was just listening to Hugh Hewitt’s radio program. Hewitt is an environmental lawyer and works with builders every day to help them comply with the environmental laws in California.
He said that the McCain-Lieberman global warming bill would dwarf all the other environmental laws the construction company and other companies have to comply with. He said it would be a complete disaster for our economy.
Mitt Romney also said the same thing and said that as the national government burdens business more and more with outlandish regulations and taxation, they will slowly but surely move to other countries where they can at least break even and hopefully make a profit.
Hugh will be discussing McCain-Lieberman in his next segment (it is now 5:05 p.m.).
Remember, McCain is the candidate who said he’d like to see our interest rate be 0%. For anyone with half a brain, think through the ramifications of a 0% interest rate…especially you seniors living off of your 401k investments.
Jason, sorry – I just got the impression that you were giving up a little bit.
Also, just heard Mitt on Hewitt’s show that he is in this thing the WHOLE WAY! That’s what I needed to hear.
Remember, a vote for Huckabee is a vote for McCain.
January 31st, 2008 at 8:08 pm
“Putting Thompson on should win this thing, why not do it?”
Announcing a VP pick now could be a very good move – but it shouldn’t be Thompson. One of the key functions of a VP pick should be annointing a favorite to run in 2016, otherwise we are going to end up in the same mess eight years from now. Thompson doesn’t help us in that area.
January 31st, 2008 at 8:09 pm
everyone is saying that fred thompson wouldn’t be VP. even if mitt took the highly unorthodox step of offering it to him, i dont think he’d take it. i also dont think it would win him the south; fred didnt exactly blow the doors off the barn in SC and FL
January 31st, 2008 at 8:10 pm
#9 – Hey, ILguy – Jim Robinson at Free Republic (formerly FredRepublic) just endorsed Huckabee.
I think JR has completely lost it. I think also that what’s keeping him from supporting Mitt is religious bigotry or envy-hatred.
If Thompson were on the ticket as VP (I think he would make a great VP and have grown fond of FDT over the last few months) I think it would be great!
January 31st, 2008 at 8:11 pm
#8 – Thanks, Metro. I am hoping that there are a lot more people like yourself. We cannot let McCain be the standard bearer of the GOP – he would destroy the GOP and the country in ways we can’t even imagine right now.
January 31st, 2008 at 8:13 pm
“Considering that Mitt Romney is a fake, fraud, and phony…. the conservative movement will do much better without him.”
Not when you consider that the alternatives include amnesty, populism, and more rights for terrorists.
January 31st, 2008 at 8:14 pm
this will be coming out once he gets the nomination…beleive me
MEDIA FIREWORKS: MCCAIN PLEADS WITH NY TIMES TO SPIKE STORY
Thu Dec 20 2007 10:56:57 ET
Just weeks away from a possible surprise victory in the primaries, Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz has been waging a ferocious behind the scenes battle with the NEW YORK TIMES, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned, and has hired DC power lawyer Bob Bennett to mount a bold defense against charges of giving special treatment to a lobbyist!
McCain has personally pleaded with NY TIMES editor Bill Keller not to publish the high-impact report involving key telecom legislation before the Senate Commerce Committee, newsroom insiders tell the DRUDGE REPORT.
The paper’s Jim Rutenberg has been leading the investigation and is described as beyond frustrated with McCain’s aggressive and angry efforts to stop any and all publication.
MORE
The drama involves a woman lobbyist who may have helped to write key telecom legislation.
The woman in question has retained counsel and strongly denies receiving any special treatment from McCain.
Rutenberg, along with reporter David Kirkpatrick, has been developing the story for the last 6 weeks.
Rutenberg had hoped to break the story before the Christmas holiday, sources reveal, but editor Keller expressed serious reservations about journalism ethics and issuing a damaging story so close to an election.
McCain campaign officials Rick Davis, Charlie Black and Mark Salter are also said to have met with the NEW YORK TIMES in an effort to halt publication.
Developing…
January 31st, 2008 at 8:15 pm
#19 – typical McCain – against freedom of speech.
January 31st, 2008 at 8:16 pm
they are going to beat him over the head with this…they just didnt want to waste it during the primary
January 31st, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Didn’t the NYT endorse McCain? What did he promise them to keep the story out of the headlines? OR Do they hold on to the story just long enough for him to receive the republican nomination and then expose him for the Dems to win the election.
January 31st, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Just like the rest of the liberal MSM, the NYT is trying to pick the GOP nominee for the dems to run against.
January 31st, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Here’s the real “Straight Talk”;
after Sen. McLiberal gets the nomination,
myself & a lot of other good Conservatives
will focus on local and state races, and sit
out the national election. Johnny will lose
in an electoral landslide & hopefully we can
groom a proper Conservative for 2012.
As for the other 2008 “pretenders”;
Huckabee will run again & never get the nomination.
Mitt’s political career is finished.
January 31st, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Joe c. We need someone that can help win the south next Tuesday with Huckabee still in there. Its nice to think about 2012 and 2016 etc, but this is a crisis. We have to win the South 5 days from now, and I think Fred could do it.
January 31st, 2008 at 9:17 pm
#24 – Mitt’s political career is finished?!
Look how far Mitt Romney has come since he entered the race. He was virtually unknown and at the bottom of national polls.
Now he is one of the top two frontrunners. Everyone has contended with Mitt Romney: Huckabee, McCain and Giuliani.
Mitt has been the man to beat – in every state.
If Mitt is not the nominee, I hope he gives it another chance later. Either McCain or Hillary/Obama will make a total mess of things and in 2012/2016 – Mitt Romney would be looked upon as a Savior for the nation.
And, P.S. — it’s not over yet!!!
Mitt said he’s in it for the long haul. That’s what I needed to hear!
January 31st, 2008 at 9:22 pm
beth, Mitt is the man to beat in every state, but who cannot win except in Mormon heavy states and his homestate.
Even in a closed primary. Even with Rudy taking away a lot of McCain’s votes.
PEOPLE DO NOT LIKE THIS MAN. It’s that simple. We told you that for months.
January 31st, 2008 at 9:24 pm
I can vouch for Jason’s conservative bona fides and lack of any cult of personality. Stay the course JB. Mitt is still in this.
January 31st, 2008 at 9:36 pm
Gamecock,
Thanks.
January 31st, 2008 at 9:44 pm
Ann Coulter said that if McCain was the nominee, she would not only endorse Hillary, she would actively campaign for her. She was cut off when she tried to explain why McCain would do more damage to America than Hillary would. I’m inclined to think she is right.
January 31st, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Metro, among New Hampshire Republicans, in the exit poll, Mitt’s favorability was 62% even though only 32% actually voted for him. Maybe you don’t like this man, but don’t speak for everyone else. If people don’t like Mitt, Mitt did better than Rudy in every state. Does that mean people don’t like Rudy either and you were too dumb to realize it? Republicans like both John McCain and Mitt Romney and they like Rudy also, but so far, by a very narrow margin, more Republicans have voted for John McCain. I hope that isn’t so by the time of the convention.
February 1st, 2008 at 12:02 am
#27,
Nevada has about 9% members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I wouldn’t call that Mormon heavy. Utah is Mormon heavy, but there are an awful lot of liberals in Salt Lake City. They are the ones who elected super liberal Rocky Anderson for Salt Lake City.
Also in Michigan, he grew up there but hadn’t lived there in many years. His dad was a governor 40 years ago. John McCain had won it by a landslide last time he ran, but of course the media doesn’t talk about this and of course many independents voted in that primary.
Romney has been competitive in every single state. People are trying to pin the idea that no one likes him, but tons of people like him and have voted for him. He is a wonderful man of conviction who has done many great things.
As far as Florida being a closed primary, many independents registered as republicans, and with the Chris and Martinez endorsement, McCain got votes that he never would have gotten. He did not win the conservative vote again. Add to that the fact that he played dirty tricks by lying about Romney’s record gave him the state.
February 1st, 2008 at 12:21 am
#19,
That is a very serious charge on McCain. Does anyone know if it is true? I don’t think it is fair to spread rumors if it is not true.