2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: About Governor Mitt Romney At The St. Petersburg, FL GOP Debate - Vol III

WHAT THEY'RE REALLY SAYING ABOUT GOVERNOR ROMNEY AT THE ST. PETERSBURG, FL GOP DEBATE – VOL III

Townhall's Hugh Hewitt: "Romney Wins. Big." (Hugh Hewitt, "Romney Wins. Big." Townhall Blog, www.townhall.com/, Posted 11/29/07)

Hewitt: "Mitt Romney won the last night's debate because he emerged as a plausible, indeed compelling match-up to Hillary." (Hugh Hewitt, "Romney Wins. Big." Townhall Blog, www.townhall.com/, Posted 11/29/07)

Hewitt: "Rudy hit him hard --and below the belt, with the 'sanctuary mansion' shot. But so what? We aren't expecting the Clinton's to play nice. Our candidate will have to be able to be 'strong' without being 'mean,' superior on the issues and intellect and ahead on the key test of 'Who shares my values?' That's Romney, and I expect the Clintons know it and will work overtime to take him off the board in the next six weeks. What did Romney do when Rudy swung low? Romney counter-punched. Hard. And for as long as it took. That exchange was the key to this debate. It is why Romney won. Hands down. Going away." (Hugh Hewitt, "Romney Wins. Big." Townhall Blog, www.townhall.com/, Posted 11/29/07)

Hewitt: "Rudy swung hard and didn't phase Mitt. Huckabee played the victim card and Mitt refused to let him do so. Mitt wins both rounds. And the debate. And, I think, the nomination." (Hugh Hewitt, "Romney Wins. Big." Townhall Blog, www.townhall.com/, Posted 11/29/07)

Hewitt: "Many GOPers who are leaning Romney in their minds wanted some show of knuckles and they got it." (Hugh Hewitt, "Romney Wins. Big." Townhall Blog, www.townhall.com/, Posted 11/29/07)

Hewitt: "'Is Romney tough enough, or too nice for the show?' Tonight the skeptics got their answer: Romney will take on Hillary in the fall debates and beat her. Handily." (Hugh Hewitt, "Romney Wins. Big." Townhall Blog, www.townhall.com/, Posted 11/29/07)

The American Spectator's Philip Klein: "The defining moment of the debate was the Romney vs. Rudy exchange on immigration, and I thought Romney came off better once Giuliani went with the 'Sanctuary Mansion' line. Not only did the argument lack substance, but it came off as a cheap shot." (Philip Klein, "Closing Thoughts," The American Spectator's AmSpec Blog, Posted 11/28/07)

The Weekly Standard's Terry Eastland: "Unfortunately for Thompson, Romney and Huckabee both turned in generally strong performances." (Terry Eastland, "Debate Wrap-up," The Weekly Standard, 11/29/07)

MSNBC's Joe Scarborough: "I talked about the disconnect between Middle American voters and the media. A lot of people in the media would love that answer and a lot of democrats would love the answer that John McCain gave, it was very inspiring.  But most Republican voters in Middle America would agree with Mitt Romney.  We don't want to go round and talk about what we do to people…Middle American Republican voters agree with Mitt Romney." (MSNBC's "Morning Joe," 11/29/07)

New York Post's Rich Lowry: "Romney is fluid and unflappable, and showed early on tonight in immigration exchanges with Giuliani and Huckabee something that he has seemed to lack in this campaign - toughness." (Rich Lowry, Op-Ed, "Battling The Past," New York Post, 11/29/07)

Palm Beach Post's Florida Politics Blogger, Brian E. Crowley: "So a quick handicap - Mitt Romney ... [was] the most fun to watch." (Brian E. Crowley, "It's Over – Now It's Time For The Instapundits," Palm Beach Post's Florida Politics Blog, www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs, Posted 11/28/07)

Fox News' Frank Luntz: "Mitt Romney came at Rudy Giuliani directly at the beginning of the debate, and watch how more favorably the reaction is from our dials… when Mitt Romney so clearly differentiated his point of view on immigration to Rudy Giuliani's, that's the incredible response he got back." (Fox News', "Fox & Friends," 11/29/07)

Luntz: "[Huckabee] did well and improved his image. He didn't outperform Romney or Thompson, but he continues to pleasantly surprise people. Thompson and Romney won. Rudy and McCain lost. Immigration was THE issue." (Mike Allen, “Obama Would Hire (Bill) Clinton,” The Politico, 11/29/07)

The New Republic's Noam Scheiber: "I thought Romney hit the right note on immigration... " (Noam Scheiber, "YouTube Debate Wrap-Up," The New Republic's The Stump Blog, www.blogs.tnr.com, Posted 11/28/07)

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: About Governor Romney At The St. Petersburg, FL GOP Debate - Vol II

WHAT THEY'RE REALLY SAYING ABOUT GOVERNOR ROMNEY AT THE ST. PETERSBURG, FL GOP DEBATE – VOL II

National Review's Kate O'Beirne: "Romney's performance is his strongest in the series." (National Review's "The Corner," corner.nationalreview.com, Accessed 11/28/07)

Michelle Malkin: "So, who won? Quick and dirty reaction: Romney looked strong and energetic …" (Michelle Malkin, "Liveblogging The CNN/Youtube," https://michellemalkin.com/, Posted 11/28/07)

TownHall's Mary Katherine Ham: "[Romney] came across serious and conservative." (Mary Katharine Ham, "Who Won?," https://www.townhall.com/blog, 11/28/07)

The American Spectator's Philip Klein: "… I thought Romney got the better of that [immigration] exchange. It's one thing to use Romney's illegal immigrant lawn care workers in a joke, but it's another thing to try and base a serious criticism on that." (Philip Klein, "Sanctuary Mansion," The American Spectator Online, 11/28/07)

CBS' Vaughn Ververs: "In the opening minutes, Romney and Rudy Giuliani sparred over illegal immigration… Romney appeared to get the upper hand in the exchange, challenging Giuliani on his charge and the sometimes vocal audience sounded a note of apparent disapproval at the mayor's line of attack." (Vaughn Ververs, "Romney Battles, Huckabee Shines In GOP Debate," CBS'S Horserace '08 Blog, https://www.cbsnews.com/blogs, Posted 11/28/07)

Captain's Quarters' Ed Morrissey: "Romney gets the edge here, especially for beating Rudy Giuliani like a bongo drum on immigration." (Ed Morrissey, "CNN/YouTube Debate – CNN Wins," Captain's Quarters Blog, www.captainsquartersblog.com, Posted 11/28/07)

· Morrissey: "Romney has this issue [of interrogations] exactly correct. We should not start defining these techniques on national debates for the reasons Romney said." ("Heading Right," www.headingright.com, Accessed 11/28/07)

Power Line's Scott Johnson: "Best performance: Mitt Romney." (Scott Johnson, "Best And Worst Of The Debate," Power Line Blog, https://www.powerlineblog.com/, Posted 11/28/07)

· Johnson: "Best line of the night: Mitt Romney, on abortion ('I was wrong')." (Scott Johnson, "Best And Worst Of The Debate," Power Line Blog, https://www.powerlineblog.com/, Posted 11/28/07)

National Review's Kathryn Jean Lopez: "Romney played it straight and didn't over explain the abortion change. Seemed a wise and effective approach, especially in this format." (National Review's "The Corner," https://corner.nationalreview.com, Accessed 11/28/07)

Heading Right's Macranger: "Good answer [on life]. People do change." ("Heading Right," www.headingright.com, Accessed11/28/07)

The American Spectator's Philip Klein: "[Gov. Romney] showed more humility by saying several times he was wrong, that he isn't perfect, that he hasn't always made the right decisions. It worked a lot better for him." (Philip Klein, "Romney's Abortion Flip-Flop Answer," The American Spectator Online, 11/28/07)

Townhall's Hugh Hewitt: "I agree with most of the posters at The Corner that Mitt is doing very, very well." (Townhall, www.townhall.com Accessed 11/28/07)

Former Secretary Of Education Bill Bennett: "Mitt Romney talked about education as the next civil right…Liberals have failed inner city blacks overwhelmingly in the last 30 years.  That's why the question from the father and son was so pertinent and I thought Romney did a good job on it." (CNN's, "Post Debate Coverage," 11/28/07)

Townhall's Mary Katharine Ham: "… I grew up in the inner city, in public schools. The plight of those who live there is real, sad, and cannot often be solved by the Nanny State.  Romney focuses on families, empowerment, police protection in solving black-on-black crime, and invokes Bill Cosby. Well done. It addressed the question directly and treated the questioners' concerns with respect. It was a serious answer with real application, not a flippant appeal to the family values crowd that would have made him look disconnected, which it easily could have been." (Mary Katharine Ham, "Romney's Winner Answer on Black-on-Black Crime," Townhall.com, www.townhall.com, 11/28/07)

The American Spectator's John Tabin: "Romney's answer is pretty good; family's important, of course it is" (James G. Poulos, "Black On Black Crime," The American Spectator Online, 11/28/07)

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: About Governor Mitt Romney At The St. Petersburg, FL GOP Debate

WHAT THEY'RE REALLY SAYING ABOUT GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY AT THE ST. PETERSBURG, FL GOP DEBATE

The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder: "Romney had a strong night, seemed raring to go, seemed to be willing to take on everybody, anybody, all comers, seemed to want to pick every fight possible." (Marc Ambinder, "The Debate In Review," The Atlantic Online Blog, https://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/, 11/28/07)

National Review's Seth Leibsohn: "This Is Mitt's Night." (Seth Leibsohn, "This Is Mitt's Night," National Review's The Corner, https://corner.nationalreview.com, Posted 11/28/07)

Bill Bennett: "I think that Romney stood out tonight.  I think he was loud and clear.  Conservative.  He was 'all-in' as you'd say in Texas Hold 'Em." (CNN's Post-Debate Coverage, 11/28/07)

Bill Bennett: "I thought he came across very strong.  I think you guys are absolutely right.  That opening debate between Romney and Giuliani was, I think, the pivotal point of the evening.  And I think points to Romney.  Giuliani came across badly." (CNN's Post-Debate Coverage, 11/28/07)

ABC News Live Blog: "Romney is engaging very, very directly -- and dare I say he's getting the better of Giuliani in this exchange, funny accents and all." ("Live-Blogging During GOP Debate," ABC News' Political Radar, https://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar, Posted 11/28/07)

· ABC News Live Blog: "And Romney gets the first applause by noting that illegal immigrants already broke the law." ("Live-Blogging During GOP Debate," ABC News' Political Radar, https://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar, Posted 11/28/07)

National Review's Kathryn Jean Lopez: "[T]his is Romney's best debate performance yet. He reminds us he has experience and outside of Washington, he's tackled difficult issues, and does not let his temper get the best of him with a New York bully (something that will come in handy)." (Kathryn Jean Lopez, "So Far," National Review's The Corner, https://corner.nationalreview.com, Posted 11/28/07)

CNN's Bill Schneider: "A clever answer from former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney on farming. He says we need food independence like we need energy independence — keep the farmers on the farm. His reasoning: We need to be able to compete with other countries that support their farmers." (Bill Schneider, "Schneider: Romney Scores Points On Farming Answer," CNN's Political Ticker, https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com, Posted 11/28/07)

MSNBC's Domenico Montanaro: "While the sanctuary mansion line got good laughs, Romney's explanation and questions left Giuliani without an answer." (Domenico Montanaro, "Giuliani Flustered?" MSNBC's First Read, https://firstread.msnbc.msn.com, Posted 11/28/07)

National Review's Rich Lowry: "Rudy let his temper get the best of him—clear winner of the exchange: Romney." (Rich Lowry, "Mitt V. Rudy," National Review's The Corner, https://corner.nationalreview.com, Posted 11/28/07)

National Review's Seth Leibsohn: "I'd be surprised after this debate if Mitt doesn't see national numbers looking more like his Iowa or NH numbers after tonight's performance.  Brilliant response to the black on black crime questions." (Seth Leibsohn, "Changing Times," National Review's The Corner, https://corner.nationalreview.com, Posted 11/28/07)

The New York Times' Katharine Q. Seelye: "But finally, a father-son team, from Atlanta, want the candidates to talk about black-on-black crime, and while Mr. Romney gets in a nice line about mothers and fathers and family values, none of the candidates really address the issue that the young son raised." (Katharine Q. Seelye, "Live-Blogging the YouTube Debate," The New York Times' The Caucus Blog, https://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/, Posted 11/28/07)

National Review's Ramesh Ponnuru: "So Romney did pretty well in the debate, and won the immigration exchange." (Ramesh Ponnuru, "A Good Day for Giuliani," The Corner Blog, corner.nationalreview.com, Posted 11/28/07)

Townhall's Mary Katharine Ham: "Mitt makes a good point that homeowners should not be required to check papers of workers hired for their and connects it to regular Americans by suggesting that that's what Rudy wants them to do." (Townhall, www.townhall.com, Accessed, 11/28/07)

The Plank's Isaac Chotiner: "Romney definitely got the best of Giuliani on their early immigration skirmish (which actually got rather heated). Rudy's line about Romney's mansion was cheap and silly. And Romney is more appealing when going negative than any of the other candidates." (The New Republic's "The Plank," https://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/default.aspx, Accessed, 11/28/07)

National Review's Kate O'Beirne: "Romney's reference point about how MA liberals reason is effective. Reminds us that he gets them and fought them." (National Review's "The Corner," https://corner.nationalreview.com, Accessed 11/28/07)

Captain's Quarters' Ed Morrissey: Romney and Huckabee had a good spar over giving better benefits to illegals for school than to citizens. Romney is absolutely 100% right on this issue. I hope Iowans realize that Huckabee may very well be worse than Bush on illegal immigration." (Heading Right," www.headingright.com, Accessed 11/28/07)

Transcript Of Iowa Chairman Doug Gross YouTube Statement

YOUTUBE STATEMENT: IOWA CHAIRMAN DOUG GROSS
Transcript Of Doug Gross Statement

"Governor Romney tonight demonstrated his deep and thoughtful understanding of the challenges that America faces, and he answered with strong, conservative solutions.  Throughout this campaign, Governor Romney has demonstrated a knowledge and an optimistic vision that Iowa voters really recognize is essential to taking our government forward and our country forward.  His strong performance showed that he has the vision, the experience, and most importantly, the values to be our next President."

Transcript Of Al Cardenas YouTube Statement

YOUTUBE STATEMENT: AL CARDENAS
Transcript Of Al Cardenas Statement:

"Hello, welcome to Florida.  I'm Al Cardenas, one of Mitt Romney's chairmen in this state.  We just finished a very exciting debate here at CNN.  We're in the spin room and we just want you to know how proud we are of Mitt Romney.  Once again, he proved that he is the candidate that can best coalesce our forces to bring victory next November.  Of all of the candidates, some of which have some strengths, some in the social conservative arena, some perhaps in foreign policy, there's only one candidate that stands for a strong America, strong families, strong economy and strong families – that's Mitt Romney and he proved it today.  He's the one candidate that can coalesce all Republicans to win in November of next year. Keep your eye on Mitt, please support him, we think he's the winner.  Thank you."

Transcript Of Senator Jim DeMint's YouTube Statement

YOUTUBE STATEMENT: SENATOR JIM DEMINT
Transcript Of Senator Jim DeMint's Statement:

"Earlier this month, I started a campaign to get 100,000 signatures on an earmark reform petition that would demand that Congress stop all this wasteful spending.  I’m also proud to be a leader of another campaign to stop the wasteful spending in Washington and that’s the campaign to elect Governor Mitt Romney as the next President of the United States.  Tonight, we saw again in the debate, that Governor Romney has the commitment and the experience to manage our government in a way that would make it smaller, allow us to reduce taxes and keep our economy strong.  I encourage you to join me in the next campaign to make sure Governor Romney becomes the next President of the United States."

Romney Communications Director Matt Rhoades Statement On The Eighth Republican Presidential Debate

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY LAYS OUT AN OPTIMISTIC VISION FOR A STRONGER AMERICA

Dearborn, MI – Tonight, Romney for President Communications Director Matt Rhoades released the following statement on the eighth Republican presidential debate:

"At tonight's debate, Governor Romney stood out as the one Republican presidential candidate who is offering clear and substantive differences with the Democrats.  On taxes, fiscal discipline, national security, families and ethical standards, Governor Romney is the one candidate who can lead our Party against Hillary Clinton and the Democrats.  Governor Romney won tonight's debate by demonstrating that he has the experience, vision and values to build a stronger America."

Romney For President Launches New Television Ad, "Historic Choice"

ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT LAUNCHES NEW TELEVISION AD, "HISTORIC CHOICE"

Boston, MA – Tonight, at the CNN/YouTube Republican Debate, Romney for President launched its newest television ad, "Historic Choice."  The ad highlights the challenges confronting our country and the importance of electing a leader who has the experience, vision and values to move America forward.  Throughout his career, Governor Romney has had an exceptional record of turning around numerous companies, the 2002 Winter Olympic Games and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  As President, he will tackle the big problems by defending America from foreign threats, making our country more globally competitive, securing our borders and defending our most traditional values.    

The ad will be airing as part of the campaign's rotation in Iowa and New Hampshire.  Script and viewing link are below. 

Script For "Historic Choice" (TV:30):

ANNOUNCER:  "It's an election like no other.

"An enemy lurks waiting to strike.

"Our main street economy is competing with mainland China.

"Legal vs. illegal doesn't seem to matter.

"Basic values like marriage are suddenly open to debate.

"For these challenges, ordinary isn't good enough.  We need the leader who gets the big stuff done. Take charge, demand results, no excuses.  Mitt Romney – the right experience, the right values, the right time."

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY:  "I'm Mitt Romney and I approve this message."

Romney For President Launches New Television Ad, "Take Charge"

ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT LAUNCHES NEW TELEVISION AD, "TAKE CHARGE"

The ad highlights Governor Romney's record of enforcing our immigration laws and opposing efforts to increase the benefits for illegal immigration.  As President, Governor Romney will work to secure our border, reform our immigration system and fight sanctuary policies. 

The ad will begin airing today as part of the campaign's rotation in Iowa and New Hampshire. 

Script For "Take Charge" (TV:30):

ANNOUNCER:  "Illegal immigration – we need smart, tough solutions, not just talk.

"What will it take to fix it?  Technology, new ideas, guts, values – Mitt Romney.

"He said no to driver's licenses for illegals; no to in-state tuition; fought for English in the classroom.

"The only candidate with a proven record of fixing the big problems.

"From day one: Mitt Romney will do what he does best – take charge, demand results, no excuses."

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY:  "I'm Mitt Romney and I approve this message."

Romney For President Launches New Radio Ad, "Stronger Economy"

ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT LAUNCHES NEW RADIO AD, "STRONGER ECONOMY"

Boston, MA – Today, Romney for President launched its newest radio ad, "Stronger Economy."  The ad highlights Governor Romney's call to cut spending in Washington and lower taxes on the American people.  Governor Romney has a record of fiscal leadership in Massachusetts and he was the first presidential candidate to sign the "Taxpayer Protection Pledge" to oppose any effort to increase taxes.

The ad will begin airing as part of the campaign's rotation tomorrow in Iowa.

Script For "Stronger Economy" (Radio:60):

ANNOUNCER:  "Governor Mitt Romney on controlling wasteful spending and lowering burdensome taxes."

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY:  "I saw the potential of economic conservatism when I became governor.  Our state budget was $3 billion short.  Liberals wanted to raise taxes, but I cut government instead.

"I eliminated and combined duplicative agencies and programs, and I balanced the budget 4 years in a row."

ANNOUNCER:  "As president Mitt Romney will audit Washington top to bottom.  Mitt will cap non-defense spending – a bold plan that'll save $300 billion in 10 years."

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY:  "We have an opportunity to really make a change in this country. 

"I'm going to cut spending.  I'm going to cut taxes. 

"Lower marginal tax rates for all Americans."

ANNOUNCER:  "And Mitt Romney is the first candidate to take the tax pledge."

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY:  "I signed the tax pledge because I want everyone to know where I stand.  We've got to get taxes down and grow our economy."

ANNOUNCER:  "A stronger economy?  Vote Mitt Romney for President."

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY:  "I'm Mitt Romney and I approved this message."

ANNOUNCER:  "Paid for by Romney for President.  MittRomney.com"