Mitt Romney Honorably Suspends is Campaign.

Well it was gut wrenching for me to hear it, I was listening to Rush Limbaugh's show when he announced it. Romney is correct, we are a nation at was and we need to defeat the democrat candidates who are all about the US losing. uhg I wish people would have seen the great tings Mitt can do sooner, but as it has been rumored, there is always 2012.

I don't know what will happen to this site. I do not own it and was just an invited blogger. Either way, it has been a wonderful experience.

Karl

THE FAITH TO TRY, and THE WILLINGNESS TO SERVE

By:

Jebee Kenji Solis


The Governor a few days ago said this regarding running for President, "This is not something I'm doing because I need or I want it desperately for myself. I believe the country could benefit from the experience I've had, but that is not what motivates me."

So what motivates Gov. Mitt Romney?

Some people at 60's with lots of money, who worked hard and save, would rather be well at the comfort of their lives, vacationing, running a charity, living life quietly.

But Mitt Romney is more than willing to get out of his comfort zone, as well as his wife Ann who had MS, as well as theirs sons who have happy lives of their own because they have faith in the American people. They have the courage to try even the prospect may not look that bright at the end part, because they have the willing heart and mind to serve.

Mitt said the following in Michigan back in September. The whole speech is worth reading, but here's a part:

"I don't have to tell you that my Dad made a mark on Michigan. And he made a mark on me. And I guess that is at the heart of things; he's a big part of why I'm running for President today. In 1957, when he was the President of American Motors, he gave a speech in which he reported the following conversation: "

'My nine year old son' – that would be me – 'came home from school and said "Mom, we really build the best cars, don't we?"' "She said, 'Why Mitt, of course we do. Why do you ask?' "

'Well, if we build the best cars, why is it that less than three percent of the people agree with us?'

"After my Dad heard of this conversation, he took me aside and said, 'Look, Mitt, size doesn't always indicate strength and popularity doesn't always indicate truth, and sales volume doesn't always indicate value.' "

And then he added: 'Right always prevails.'


What had happen the last few state primaries confirmed my fear, that instead of moving forward, we are moving backwards. Instead of choosing who the right candidate for us is, we choose someone who trampled our belief and ideals, who will abandon our dreams and aspirations.

Mitt Romney shared and is sharing himself to be a servant because he rightly believes that service to his countrymen and service to the world is a selfless act. Sometimes, when you are truly blessed, you have a burning desire to serve and bless and lift the lives of others. He doesn't want money; he already said he will donate his salary to the charity once elected president. He doesn't need fame, he is already well-known. He doesn't need honor or glory. All he wants is to make sure his grandchildren and the generation that will come after them will have a better place to live. The kind of country people look up too for goodness, justice and freedom. The kind of America that reaches out to people around the world, and serves as a beacon of hope and success.

Mark Steyn over the Corner said "This was conservatives' last chance... The only chance was for a really good conservative leader to be elected and make a Reaganesque impression on the country that would delay the liberal fate. If Romney is defeated tomorrow, that will not happen, and tomorrow will live in infamy as a monumental defeat for conservatism."

We will find out today if Americans will stands for something. I can only wait and see. The choice is ours. The choice is exclusively ours.

Limbaugh says, "One Candidate Now Stands For All Three Legs of Conservatism"

Rush Limbaugh gave a full punch monologue today explaining how Mitt Romney is the only candidate that does embody the "three pillars" of conservatism.

Now, I think now, based on the way the campaign has shaken out, that there probably is a candidate on our side who does embody all three legs of the conservative stool, and that's Romney. The three stools or the three legs of the stool are national security/foreign policy, the social conservatives, and the fiscal conservatives. The social conservatives are the cultural people. The fiscal conservatives are the economic crowd: low taxes, smaller government, get out of the way.

Rush continues

So my take is, speaking for myself. I'm being honest here. All I do is tell you what I think. What you do with it is up to you. You are not mind-numbed robots as you know. I'm not a Svengali, I'm not a pied piper, and you're not lemmings running off the cliff. If I look at this roster of three candidates -- if I look at Hillary-Obama, about whom there's not a dime's worth of difference, because they're so far left it doesn't matter which one of them wins. If McCain adopts economic policies that sound very much like what you'd get from Hillary-Obama, and if I think those policies are going to take the country down the tubes I'd just as soon the Democrats take the hit for it, not us. Plain and simple.

And the coup de etat

I think that's pretty wise. I think right now Romney probably -- as the campaign has coalesced and as the campaign has progressing on down the highway -- I think the one candidate of the three still out there on our side matter (and actually it's just two, because Huckabee doesn't, in terms of a chance to win) in saying who more closely embodies all three legs of this conservative stool, you'd have to say that it's Mitt Romney. There's actually no choice in the matter. It certainly isn't Senator McCain.

Now add this to the endorsements of Sean Hanity, Laura Ingraham, Hugh Hewitt, Marc Levin and a host of other conservative media hosts, all of whom are well plugged into "us" the grass roots, and it makes a very compelling case who really is the conservative candidate that can unite us and lead this country.

Mitt Romney for President!

In Ronald Reagan's words

In Ronald Reagan's words

Ronald Reagan's name have been invoked during this primary season many times on both sides of the party line. Well here is something to do. Go to this page http://www.wwrdheritage.org/Resources.aspx and watch the six videos on the right side bar, they are from President Reagan's first inaugural address. The last two are from later in his presidency.

After you've watched the videos ask yourself, "Of the candidates who wants to lower taxes?" "Who wants to increase citizens' potential by reducing government?" "Who wants to lead us into the economic future with optimism?" "Who wants to keep the nation's defense strong?" Who...and insert what you heard in the videos.

There are plenty of other questions, those are just a few, but we have candidates who have been a part of Washington for years. During that time the military decreased, taxes rose, national threats grew and more intrusions into individual freedoms enacted...and "they" were there.

As for me, I don't want someone who desires limiting free speech via legislation. I do not want someone who believes open borders is sound national and defense policy. I do not want someone who wants to interfere with capitalist economic principles under the guise of saving the environment. I do not want someone who sees forbearance as weakness. I do not want someone who will stab my conservative back for the sake of liberal policy or reaching across the aisle.

There will not be another Ronald Reagan. But there are people who espouse the conservative values he lived by. I say seek out those people and put them in office.

Karl

Post note: I found the the Heritage Foundation page with clips of President Reagan's first inauguration speech thanks to Powder Tracks' blog. His blog inspired me to create this one.

ROMNEY WINS MAINE!

Yes! Gov Romney was one Maine's caucus...and do you hear about it in the media any where? This is a significant win; with the 18 delegates Maine has that put Romney now at 92 delegates to McCain's 97 delegates.

Here's an excerpt form the AP story found here:

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Mitt Romney coasted to a win in presidential preference voting by Maine Republicans on Saturday, claiming his third victory in a caucus state and fourth overall.

The former Massachusetts governor had 52 percent of the vote with 68 percent of the towns holding caucuses reporting. John McCain trailed with 21 percent, Ron Paul was third with 19 percent, and Mike Huckabee had 6 percent. Undecided votes accounted for 2 percent.

The nonbinding votes, the first step toward electing 18 Maine delegates to the Republican National Convention, took place in public schools, Grange halls, fire stations and town halls across the state.

The Associated Press uses presidential preferences expressed in those caucuses to project the number of national convention delegates each candidate will have when they are chosen at Maine's state convention, calculating that Romney will wind up with all 18 delegates when all is said and done.

Campaigning in Minnesota, Romney noted that his victory in Maine came despite McCain's endorsement by the state's two U.S. senators.

This should be receiving more media attention since Romney and McCain are now just 5 delegates apart. Some I've spoke to say it's just a caucus, well Iowa is just a caucus but we heard plenty about it and its results.

Folks, Romney is not out and don't be surprised if he comes out on top.

Highlights From Mitt Romney’s Conference Call

A repost of Jim Geraghty's Highlights From Mitt Romney’s Conference Call on National Review Online.

Moments ago, Mitt Romney completed a brief conference call with conservative bloggers.

Mitt Romney: It’s been fun to watch the Democratic race, Hillary and Obama are really going at it. I think Hillary has won four, Barack has won two. The national media says it’s not a done deal on that side. But it’s a different story on our side, apparently. We’ve had seven, Huck won one, John McCain and I have each won three.

And that last one was “very, very close indeed.” The Crist and Martinez support made a difference as well as Senator McCain’s false accusation about my support of pulling troops out of Iraq.

I give him a slight edge, but it’s a two man race now. It’s very unlikely Mike Huckabee emerges as our nominee… but he takes a slice of conservative voters who otherwise would come to me.

It is a battle for the heart and soul of the Republican Party.

Romney compares this race to 1976, Ford vs. Reagan. “Reagan was the Washington outsider with a message of positive change. We picked the insider, the more moderate, the more established. We lost, and the cost of that was Jimmy Carter… I don’t want to say I’m Ronald Reagan. I’m not, there’s only one. And I respect Jerry Ford. But in some respects, there are some similarities.”

He says McCain has “scores to settle.” "We have different philosophies. McCain Feingold is a disaster. I would repeal it if I could."

Hits McCain-Kennedy immigration, says McCain would sign it into law if he could.

"When only one nation participates in McCain’s climate change legislation, high-carbon industries will just move overseas."

Notes McCain voted against tax cuts, voted against ANWR.

"I have an optimistic, I’ll-fight-for-every-job attitude."

Reid Wilson: Why delay in buying ads?

Romney: It took 24 hours, wanted to figure out which states would be best for us. Wanted to take into account Florida, Rudy’s departure, Rudy’s endorsement.

Ed Morrissey: What are your strong states on Tuesday?

Romney: It’s very possible nothing is decided on Tuesday. There are other scenarios, but I think this goes on… We have number of states we think we can win, that we think we have a good shot, that we think we have a good shot, and states that aren’t good for us. I don’t know if I want to reveal which states are which.

California is a state that is good for us. 54 districts. When you have something that big, it gives you some encouragement. We’re doing well in some winner-take-all. Some are apportioned, even if we can’t win, we can pick up some delegates there. It’s a complicated matrix you have to go through.

When Sean Hannity says he’s voting for me, when Laura Ingraham says she’s endorsing me…

Rush has been going after McCain pretty aggressively. Michael Reagan has been pretty aggressive. The world of conservatism is pretty solidly behind my effort.

Rasmussen has McCain up 28 to 26 nationally – he should do well in some places, I should do well in some places.

I was talking to one governor, and he said, ‘I’m gonna wait until the end, see who is ahead, and that’s who I’m going to endorse.’

Amanda Carpenter: How is McCain is winning economic voters?

Romney: I scratched my head on that. It’s very possible that in Florida, most people thought top issue was economy. Then the governor endorsed. Forty percent said that the governor’s decision was important in their decision. You had two things that may not be causal, and he may have gotten more support than he otherwise would have.

I missed Phil Klein’s inquiry, but it sounds like Romney said he wasn’t aware of what was going out in the robo-calls criticizing McCain’s vote on Medicare reform…

“I’ll look into that call and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Dean Barnett: Iraq war is going to be settled one way or the other in the next few years. What is the next front on the war on terror?

Romney: We’re going to continue to see flare-ups. Pakistan is going to have everyone holding their breath. Afghanistan is not finished. When I visited Afghanistan, I concluded, ‘Iraq is going to be easier to fix than Afghanistan.’ Their economy and infrastructure are like 800 years old.

Cites Aznar of Spain calling for help in intelligence and advice to other countries, a comprehensive global basis.

And with that, it was off to Colorado for Romney.

Check out this add from the United Victory Fund. They point out a surprisingly liberal John McCain.

Speaker Hastert supports Romney

A Mark Levin talks with Denny Hastert. He was a Republican member of the United States

House of Representatives from 1987 to 2007, representing Illinois's 14th congressional district, and served as Speaker of the House from 1999 to 2007. He was was the Speaker of the House during the Clinton Impeachment. He has worked with all the republican candidates save Huckabee. Importantly, he supports Romney and for some fantastic reason's. He worked with Romney during the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. He speaks of taxes and issues such as McCain-Fiengold which, as he puts it, took more money out of the Republican party yet it's funny he got the nomination.

Last point. I agree with Speaker Hastert assessment that the media is setting up McCain for a REALLY big fall if he gets the nomination.

The audio is here ,it is worth your time.

By the way, is John McCain getting back at Bush and republicans for his loss in 2004?

Four pro-family leaders endorse Mitt Romney for Florida Presidential Preference primary

Recent changes by candidates for the Republican nomination for president have made it much clearer that Mitt Romney is the preferred candidate of choice in the Florida Presidential Preference primary.

The recent withdrawal of Fred Thompson from the nomination process and the news reports that Mike Huckabee will only have a minimal campaign in Florida leaves the winner take all race for Florida's delegates between Mitt Romney, John McCain and Rudy Giuliani. The news reports on these recent changes are provided below. Additionally, the Rasmussen Report provided below shows Mitt Romney has the best chances of winning while Huckabee and Thompson trail far behind.

Rasmussen Survey of 754 Likely GOP Voters January 20, 2008

Election 2008: Florida GOP Primary

Mitt Romney 25%

John McCain 20%

Rudy Giuliani 19%

Mike Huckabee 13%

Fred Thompson 12%

Ron Paul 5%

Not Sure 6%

Dennis Baxley, David Caton, Carole Griffin and Anthony Verdugo, representing over fifty years of combined pro-family leadership in Florida, support Mitt Romney in the Florida Presidential Preference Primary.

The election results from Florida's Primary on January 29th will play a significant role in the Republican nomination for president. Florida's election results are expected to heavily influence the choice of voters during the February 5th Super Tuesday primary that will be held in many other state.

Mitt Romney is clearly the most conservative candidate among the top three competitive candidates (Giuliani, McCain, Romney) appearing on the Florida Presidential Preference ballot in Florida.

Dennis Baxley is the incoming Executive Director for Christian Coalition of Florida and former Florida State Representative for District 24.

David Caton is the Executive Director of Florida Family Association.

Carole Griffin is a pro-family lobbyist in Tallahassee and heads the Eagle Forum in Florida.

Anthony Verdugo is the president of Christian Family Coalition.

Flip-flop, or honest change of heart?

I read few posts dealing with the dealing with the Romney flip-flop accusation. I decided it be best to simple post and provide the links since the authors did a fine job of addressing the situation. First I’ll start off with the amazing Susan Baldwin of Conservative Wordsmith, then add a dash of Ann Coulter and final top things of with a little Glenn Beck.

First Susan Baldwin:

Is Mitt Romney A Flip-Flopper Or A Lifesaver?

Tuesday, January 15, 2008 9:48 PM

Conservative Wordsmith Susan Baldwin writes: Is Mitt Romney really a pro-choice, pro-life flip-flopper? My answer is "No." Governor Mitt Romney is definitely not a flip-flopper. My position on flip-flopping is this: A true flip-flopper flips opinions back and forth constantly, just like rubber beach sandals, or flip-flops, constantly flip up and down while walking, because one's feet are only supported by a thong that fits between two toes.

Mitt Romney is not a true flip-flopper, as a real flip-flopper will change views on a particular issue many, many times, just like the example of the beach flip-flops I mentioned above. See the dictionary definition for "flip-flopper" below, and note the significance of the word "continually," which is a synonym for the word "constantly."

Mitt Romney did not continually change his viewpoint on abortion. Mitt Romney should be commended for his honest turnaround. The truth is that Mitt is now very much against the evil sin of abortion, and I believe that he will be a strong advocate for the unborn when he becomes the first Mormon President of the United States of America.

Related Links
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/flip-flopper

flip-flopper: a person who continually changes a point of view or decision, esp. a politician

Now Ann Coulter –

The Elephant in the Room

Posted: 01/16/2008

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=24505

Liberals claim to be enraged at Romney for being a "flip-flopper." I've looked and looked, and the only issue I can find that Romney has "flipped" on is abortion. When running for office in Massachusetts…Romney said that Massachusetts was a pro-choice state and that he would not seek to change laws on abortion.

Even when Romney was claiming to support Roe v. Wade, he won the endorsement of Massachusetts Citizens for Life [a pro-life group by the way]. Romney's Democratic opponents always won the endorsements of the very same pro-choice groups now attacking him as a "flip-flopper."

After his term as governor, NARAL Pro-Choice America assailed Romney, saying: "(A)s governor he initially expressed pro-choice beliefs but had a generally anti-choice record. His position on choice has changed. His position is now anti-choice."

Pro-abortion groups like the Republican Majority for Choice -- the evil doppelganger to my own group, Democratic Majority for Life -- are now running videos attacking Romney for "flip-flopping" on abortion.

Of all the Republican candidates for president, Romney and Rudy Giuliani are the only ones who had to be elected in pro-choice districts. Romney governed as a pro-lifer and has been viciously attacked by pro-abortion groups.

Don’t you just love how it’s the liberals who are attacking him as a flip-flopper.

Finally Glenn Beck –

Mitt Romney Interview

January 16, 2008 - 11:13 ET

http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/196/4356/

GLENN: Wait, wait, wait, wait. Wait, wait, wait. That's not evolution. I mean, if there's a clear case to be made some case for flip-flop, it's John McCain. He was just trying to hand free amnesty out to everybody and was like, wow, you know, that was a bad idea; we shouldn't do that. That, at least with your abortion thing, you had an explanation. I don't understand how McCain's not being labeled a flip-flopper.

GLENN: The first time we spoke, I don't know if you remember this, I said to you -- I was very, very skeptical and I said before you came on the air, I'll going to ask this guy for his pivot point and if he can't tell me the moment that it crystallized in his head on abortion, if he can't tell me the wallpaper color of when he realized, "Wait a minute, I'm on the wrong side of this issue," he's lying to you. And you told the story about when you changed and you didn't hesitate at all and I knew it was a valid pivot point. I'm a pivot point guy because I'm a alcoholic. I knew -- I can tell you the moment I said I've got to change my life. That's not the case with John McCain. That's a flip-flop. When it comes to taxes, you don't support them back then and now, "well, I'll make them permanent but I'm not really sure if I would do more tax cuts now." That's a flip-flop. He doesn't even understand what tax cuts do.

My Two Cents:

It takes great character to look at your life and realize something has to change. It isn’t easy and in politics it can be deadly since opponents will use it against you. For me, a father of six children, I will welcome any person with open arms who changes there stance to pro-life whenever that change may come. Is the real question/responce, "I’m a better conservative because I was a pro-lifer longer than you?" Or should the better response be, “Welcome to the light, we’re glad you are with us.”

Karl

Thad Conrad endorses Mitt Romeny

Today, Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) announced that he was endorsing Governor Mitt Romney and his candidacy for President of the United States. Senator Cochran joins a Romney for President team that includes Senators Robert Bennett (R-UT), Wayne Allard (R-CO), Jim DeMint (R-SC), Judd Gregg (R-NH) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT).

"It is an honor to join Governor Romney and his campaign for our nation's highest office. At this moment our nation faces unprecedented challenges, and Governor Romney has the experience, vision and values needed to strengthen our country for future generations," said Senator Cochran. "Governor Romney is a man of outstanding judgment and strong character. I look forward to working with him and helping to implement his conservative vision when he is elected our next President."

Welcoming Senator Cochran's support, Governor Romney said, "Senator Cochran has been a strong voice for the State of Mississippi and our conservative values in the United States Senate. He has been dedicated to improving the quality of life of all Americans while defending this great country from foreign threats. I am proud that he has joined our campaign to strengthen our military, our economy and our families."

This is great news having Senator Cochran supporting Mitt Romney.

Here is a fun little video of him and his family on one of Mitt's days off. I like the part with the kids watching the thunderstorm and when his son tries to light the whole box of firecrackers while standing over it.

Enjoy.