2008 Presidential Campaign Blog

Governor Mitt Romney On Victory In Maine

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY ON VICTORY IN MAINE

Boston, MA – Throughout the state of Maine, people have gathered at their local caucus site over the last two days and cast their vote for conservative change in Washington.   With only a few caucus sites left to report tomorrow, Governor Romney issued the following statement concerning his victory in Maine:

"Today, the people of Maine joined those from across the nation in casting their vote for conservative change in Washington.  All across the state, men and women gathered to help chart the future course of our country.  Tonight, they have made their voice known and have endorsed our conservative vision for a stronger America.  Like many Americans, the people of Maine are tired of Washington promises made but broken. 

"The need for change in Washington is even more apparent today.  With our economy facing uncertain times, we need a leader who actually understands how the economy works and how jobs are created.  We also need a leader from outside of Washington who is ready to meet the long-term challenges facing our country.  With a career spent working in the economy, creating jobs, turning around faltering institutions and imposing fiscal discipline, I am ready to bring conservative change to Washington.  In this campaign, I am proud to have the support of the people of Maine."

Mitt Romney Minnesota Live Streaming Video

Mitt Romney Minnesota Live Streaming Video

Ann Romney To Visit Mitt Romney Minnesota Phone Bank Sunday

Ann Romney will rally supporters at a Mitt Romney phone bank Sunday in Oakdale, Minnesota.

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) Endorses Governor Mitt Romney

U.S. SENATOR LISA MURKOWSKI (R-AK) ENDORSES GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY

Boston, MA – Today, just days ahead of Alaska's Caucus, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) announced her endorsement of Governor Mitt Romney for President of the United States.  Senator Murkowski joins a strong Romney for President team in Alaska that includes Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell.    

"Governor Romney is the proven executive that Alaskans and all Americans need in the White House.  At this time of economic uncertainty, we need a leader who actually understands how the economy works and why jobs are created.  That leader is Mitt Romney.  Furthermore, he has promised to tackle some of our country's most long-standing challenges, including energy independence.  Like most Alaskans, he also supports opening up ANWR," said Senator Murkowski.  "On Tuesday, Republicans in Alaska face a critical decision, and the choice is Mitt Romney."

Announcing Senator Murkowski's support, Governor Romney said, "Senator Murkowski has been a strong voice in the United States Senate for confronting the long-term economic challenges confronting her state and our nation today.  She understands the importance of making our country independent of foreign oil and recognizes we can do that by developing more sources of domestic energy.  In the coming days and months, I look forward to working with her to build a stronger America."

Mitt Romney Will Hold A "Change Begins With Us" Rally Saturday In Edina, Minnesota

On Saturday, February 2, Governor Mitt Romney will campaign in Minnesota

Location:

Frauenshuh, Inc.
1st Floor Atrium
7700 France Avenue
Edina, MN 55439

Time: 7:30 p.m.

                                                                                                

The Denver Post Endorses Governor Mitt Romney

THE DENVER POST ENDORSES GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY

"GOP Nominee: Romney Would Be A Better Executive"
The Denver Post
February 1, 2008

"Republicans have weeded a diverse and talented field of presidential candidates down to two finalists and a beguiling but quirky pair of also-rans, Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul.

"Arizona Sen. John McCain, now the frontrunner, is an American hero, a foreign-policy expert and a veteran of the Washington trenches. But with a volatile economy overtaking Iraq as a chief concern among voters, we believe that Mitt Romney is the best choice for Colorado Republicans.

Romney For President Totals Over $27 Million In Total Receipts For The Fourth Quarter

ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT TOTALS OVER $27 MILLION IN TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER
$90 Million In Total Receipts For The Year

Boston, MA – Today, Romney for President announced it reported over $27 million in total receipts for the Fourth Quarter, ending December 31, 2007.  The Campaign again opted to raise no general election funds and reported $9 million in primary contributions.  The total receipts include Governor Romney's loan of $18 million.

For the entire year, Romney for President had total receipts of $90 million.  In the past month, Governor Romney's message of conservative change in Washington has resonated with people across this country.  Governor Romney has won three states, placed a strong second in another three and had a strong showing in South Carolina. 

In the Fourth Quarter, Romney for President focused on growing its network of grassroots support ahead of the critical early caucus and primary states.  For the year, Romney for President will report more than 119,000 contributors to Governor Romney's effort.  In the Fourth Quarter, Governor Romney focused on meeting with voters across the country and campaigning. 

"Over the past year, our campaign expanded Governor Romney's grassroots support across the country, and we have seen Americans rally to his message of bringing conservative change to a broken Washington.  As this campaign progresses and more Americans cast their vote, we will continue to build Governor Romney's network of grassroots support," said Romney for President national spokesman Kevin Madden.

FAST FACTS About Romney For President's Over $27 Million Fourth Quarter Total:

Amount Reported In Primary Contributions In The Fourth Quarter:  $9 Million
In The Fourth Quarter, Governor Romney Loaned $18 Million To Romney For President
Total Amount Raised In Primary Contributions For The Year: Approximately $53.5 Million
Total Amount Of Revenue For The Year: $90 Million
Total Number Of Donors In 2007:  More Than 119,000
Contributions Received From All 50 States And Washington, D.C.
NO General Election Money Collected In 2007 (General Funds Cannot Be Spent During The Primary Election)

Romney For President Launches "Experience Matters" Television Ad In California

ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT LAUNCHES "EXPERIENCE  MATTERS" TELEVISION AD IN CALIFORNIA

Boston, MA – Today, Romney for President launched its "Experience Matters" television ad in California.  The ad highlights Governor Romney's belief that our nation's leader must have the experience "to run the largest enterprise in the world."  Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) does not have that experience and our nation cannot afford a leader who needs on-the-job training when it comes to executive leadership and the economy.  Governor Romney has led businesses, the 2002 Winter Olympics and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  In each case, he brought change and turned around institutions.  As President, he will do the same for our government.

The ad will begin airing tomorrow in California.

Script For "Experience Matters" (TV:30):

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY:  "Hillary Clinton wants to run the largest enterprise in the world.  She hasn't run a corner store.  She hasn't run a state.  She hasn't run a city.

"She has never run anything.  And the idea that she could learn to be President as an internship just doesn't make any sense.

"I have spent my life running things.  I've learned how to run a business.  I've learned how to run a state.  I ran the Olympics.  In each case, I've brought change.

"And if there's ever been a time we needed change in Washington to bring strength to America, it's now.

"I'm Mitt Romney and I approved this message."

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT: Governor Mitt Romney At The Second Reagan Library Debate - Vol. II

WHAT THEY'RE REALLY SAYING ABOUT GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY AT THE SECOND REAGAN LIBRARY DEBATE – VOL. II

Fox News' Frank Luntz: FOX NEWS' FRANK LUNTZ: "First off, who won the debate tonight? I always begin that way." VOTER: "Romney." LUNTZ: "Who says John McCain won the debate tonight raise your hands, 3, only 4 of you. Who says Mitt Romney, about half of you." (Fox News' "Hannity & Colmes," 1/30/08)

Watch The Luntz Post-Debate Focus Group: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZOSDnNoQyg

National Review's Kathryn Jean Lopez: "He hit back and defending his honor and truth on Iraq. I don't think most Americans get "timetables was a buzzword." I think they get that neither of these guys are Harry Reid. The sum of it is oddly, unnecessarily, McCain came off badly during an Iraq round." (Kathryn Jean Lopez, "Is Romney Reading the Corner?" National Review's The Corner Blog, https://corner.nationalreview.com, Posted 1/30/08)

· Lopez: "I think Romney came off effective and competent." (Kathryn Jean Lopez, "Weird, Irritating Debate," National Review's The Corner Blog, https://corner.nationalreview.com/=, Posted 1/30/08)

Townhall's Mary Katharine Ham: "Mitt Romney is exactly right on letting states take the lead on global warming and emissions standards if they want to tighten them, but he does the work McCain wouldn't do by pointing out that those actions have consequences in higher costs and lost jobs. When he talks these issues, he is smart and right." (Mary Katharine Ham, "Global Warming Mania!" Townhall Blog, www.townhall.com, Posted 1/30/08)

Captain's Quarters' Ed Morrissey: "Mitt Romney won this debate. He looked crisp, sharp, had facts at his command, and exuded confidence." (Ed Morrissey, "Live Blog And Wrap Up," Captain's Quarters' Blog, https://www.captainsquartersblog.com/, Posted 1/30/08)

CNN's Bill Schneider: "A couple of Romney's answers were quite good, particularly on the Iraq timetables issue." (Bill Schneider, "The Night's Big Winner: Huckabee," CNN's Political Ticker Blog, https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com, Posted 1/30/08)

· Schneider: "Romney's giving a pretty interesting conservative explanation of a health care plan that otherwise makes conservatives nervous. As he explains, it forces people to pay their own way — which they get." (Bill Schneider, "Romney Makes A Sale On Health Care," CNN's Political Ticker, https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com, Posted 1/30/08)

· Schneider: "Romney's giving a full-throated rebuttal to McCain's charge that he proposed a timetable on Iraq withdrawal – and he's right. That was a strong answer." (Bill Schneider, "Romney Calls McCain Out," CNN's Political Ticker, https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com, Posted 1/30/08)

National Review's Mark Hemingway: "I think I can say that Romney was the clear winner in the debate." (Mark Hemingway, "For the First Time," National Review's The Corner Blog, https://corner.nationalreview.com, Posted 1/30/08)

· Hemingway: "[Gov. Romney] showed an admirable fighting spirit." (Mark Hemingway, "For the First Time," National Review's The Corner Blog, https://corner.nationalreview.com, Posted 1/30/08)

· Hemingway: "Romney kept his head about him and remained gracious even as a number of his charges against McCain stuck." (Mark Hemingway, "For the First Time," National Review's The Corner Blog, https://corner.nationalreview.com, Posted 1/30/08)

The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder: "Applause from audience when Romney says Reagan would have found the dirty tricks reprehensible." (Marc Ambinder, "Debate Wire," Atlantic Online, https://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/, Posted 1/30/08)

· Ambinder: "Romney gives a strong answer that weaves together his experience with his resume...notes that Abe Lincoln wasn't a military leader..." (Marc Ambinder, "Debate Wire," Atlantic Online, https://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/, Posted 1/30/08)

Instapundit's Glenn Reynolds: "GOOD POINT BY ROMNEY about how McCain shouldn't 'demean' people who start businesses. McCain has been doing that a lot, acting as if meeting a payroll is somehow less honorable than working for the government." (Glenn Reynolds, "Good Point By Romney," Blog, https://instapundit.com/, Posted 1/30/08)

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: About Governor Mitt Romney At The Second Reagan Library Debate

WHAT THEY'RE REALLY SAYING ABOUT GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY AT THE SECOND REAGAN LIBRARY DEBATE

National Review's Jim Geraghty: "When Romney takes his shots at McCain, it's both strong and fair - he acknowledges that McCain has some areas in which he's a conservative, but he takes several fair shots - McCain Feingold; voting against the Bush tax cuts twice (McCain noted earlier that he had voted to make them permanent)." (Jim Geraghty, " How Rarely I Get To Write This: Romney Takes McCain To School," National Review's The Campaign Spot, https://campaignspot.nationalreview.com, Posted 1/30/08)

· Geraghty: "I like that Romney says that the original version of the McCain-Kennedy immigration legislation wasn't so bad, and that it got worse as it moved through the process. It shows familiarity with the legislative details." (Jim Geraghty, " How Rarely I Get To Write This: Romney Takes McCain To School," National Review's The Campaign Spot, https://campaignspot.nationalreview.com, Posted 1/30/08)

· Geraghty: "'Let me help you with the facts, Senator.' Wow. Romney nails him for pointing out the study McCain is referring to in his answer about job creation and loss includes his predecessor, Jane Swift, who lost many jobs on her watch." (Jim Geraghty, " How Rarely I Get To Write This: Romney Takes McCain To School," National Review's The Campaign Spot, https://campaignspot.nationalreview.com, Posted 1/30/08)

· Geraghty: "Where the heck has this Romney been? He just calmly and clearly took McCain to school." (Jim Geraghty, " How Rarely I Get To Write This: Romney Takes McCain To School," National Review's The Campaign Spot, https://campaignspot.nationalreview.com, Posted 1/30/08)

The American Spectator's John Tabin: "Romney corrects some of McCain's facts – McCain confused Romney's lieutenant governor with his predecessor, among other things. I think Romney won this exchange." (John Tabin, "Romney Vs. McCain," The American Spectator Blog, www.spectator.org, Posted 1/30/08)

CNN's Bill Schneider: "Romney's response scores big points with conservatives – and with a lot of Americans who aren't conservative." (Bill Schneider, "Big Points For Romney On Immigration," CNN's Political Ticker, https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com, Posted 1/30/08)

· Schneider: "Romney is winning this big-time — McCain's wrong. We already have timetables for everything in Iraq, whether we stick to them or adjust them later on." (Bill Schneider, "Romney Has McCain On The Ropes," CNN's Political Ticker Blog, https://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com, Posted 1/30/08)

National Review's Mark Hemmingway: "Not that I needed anyone to tell me the McCain-Lieberman cap-and-trade program is a bad idea, but Romney's dissection of it was clear and compelling." (Mark Hemmingway, "Not That I Needed Anyone," National Review's The Corner, https://corner.nationalreview.com=, Posted 1/30/08)

Captains Quarters' Ed Morrissey: "Romney dominating near the close -this debate is owned by Mitt." (Ed Morrissey, "Romney Dominating Near The Close," Heading Right, https://headingright.com/, Posted 1/30/08)

· Morrissey: "Romney's Playing Ball Control. He's answering in depth, and by doing so he gets more air time. He's using the format to his advantage." (Ed Morrissey, "Romney Dominating Near The Close," Heading Right, https://headingright.com/, Posted 1/30/08)

· Morrissey: "Romney is getting the best of this exchange … Romney does a good job of keeping the tone even and factual while scolding McCain for getting the data incorrect." (Ed Morrissey, "Romney Is Getting The Best Of This Exchange," Heading Right Blog, https://headingright.com/, Posted 1/30/07)

Commentary Magazine's John Podhoretz: "Mitt Romney is doing a great job. Very commanding. He's far more substantive than McCain." (John Podhoretz, "Mitt Romney," Commentary Magazine, https://www.commentarymagazine.com/, Posted 1/30/08)

Ankle Biting Pundits' Bull Dog Pundit: "We're 45 minutes in and I'm not going to go point by point, but I have to say that Romney is hitting the notes he needs to." (Bull Dog Pundit, "GOP Debate," Ankle Biting Pundits, https://www.anklebitingpundits.com/, Posted 1/30/08)

· Bull Dog Pundit: "Purely on substance Romney hit it exactly right when he started talking about the need for entitlement reform.  When he said we have to 'change the deal' on Social Security and Medicaid for people in their 40's I almost stood up and cheered. He also did a great job of pointing out John McCain's conservative apostasies." (Bull Dog Pundit, "GOP Debate," Ankle Biting Pundits, https://www.anklebitingpundits.com/, Posted 1/30/08)

Heading Right's Douglas Gibbs: "Romney's expertise …and knowledge of economics and facts is outshining his opponents." (Douglas Gibbs, "Romney's Expertise," Heading Right Blog, https://headingright.com/, Posted 1/30/07)

Heading Right's Faust Wertz: "Romney's answers are great … Clear, to the point but explaining what needs to be explained, and he looks comfortable." (Faust Wertz, "Romney's Answers Are Great," https://headingright.com/, Heading Right Blog, Posted 1/30/07)