Romney Is Not Out

Don't count out a surprisingly strong showing by Mitt Romney on Tuesday.

For one thing, the polls are very tight; there was no real post-Iowa bounce for John McCain; he was rising before Iowa and seems to have a ceiling at about 35%.)

Romney seems liberated on the trail -- like a hose unbent. He is full of energy; his television ads are excellent; his debate performance last night was stellar.

He has spent more than $10M securing the approval of conservative Republicans, has held more than 40 town hall meetings in the state, has traveled here more than any candidate, is from a neighboring state, has a natural base here.

There are no alternative conservative choices with a shot at winning the nomination.

A lot of voters in Concord this morning told me they were choosing between Romney and Huckabee -- and this was at a McCain event.

And while there are many vestiges of the old McCain, he is more negative, has more baggage,
is still unacceptable on immigration, and was on the air late.

Comments

I sure hope so since there is little doubt that McCain would be a more difficult adversary in the general election but not a chance!

Mark, have been smoking too much of funny stuff with the Romney staffers? He is trying to spin a reasonably close second place (5 pts) as a victory when just a month ago he had a huge lead. That is a meltdown of epic proportions. Yes, there are plenty of Republicans who cannot stomach McCain but there are even more who cannot stomach Mr. Mitt-plastic.

Posted by rts | January 7, 2008 4:40 PM

Marc, "There are no alternative conservative choices with a shot at winning the nomination." Huh? Gov. Huckabee just won IA, has been in a statistical tie for the lead in the nation for a few weeks now, has potentially very strong showing in the states' primaries coming up. I support Gov. Huckabee because he is so conservative... ficon, socon, and on foreign policy and national sovereignty. I've supported him for many months because of his positions as a conservative. I don't understand the misrepresentations of his record except that too many people backed Mitt Romney too early, believing his earnest pleas that he was not the Mitt he appeared to be. We're talking about who is to lead our country, and I want a man who has settled principles and experience that he's not trying to hide.

Posted by Steve L | January 7, 2008 4:43 PM

" I support Gov. Huckabee because he is so conservative... ficon, socon, and on foreign policy and national sovereignty"

LOL!! Ha, that is making me laugh so hard. Where has Stevel L been. do your homework buddy.

huckabee is no fi-con or forieng policy conservative. seriously, what are you smoking? Absolutely hilarious. Delusional.

Posted by John Galt | January 7, 2008 4:54 PM

Steve L:

The short blip of Huckabee's presidential try brought a new word to the political vocabulary: Christian Socialist. We're not sure if you're just joking with your post or not? Two liberals (Rudy and Gomer) vs. two conservatives (Mitt and Fred). Everyone agrees on at least that much.....except you? You need to look at your definition of conservative. You may liberal but don't know it.

Posted by Eric | January 7, 2008 4:59 PM

Mr Ambinder makes some interesting comments here - but I do not know if they are founded in reality. I thought things were 'wide-open' relative to getting the nomination w/ Huckabee taking an advantage with Iowa and way out in front of Romney in national polling.

Now of course, Romney's 'core opposition' numbers are way up there with Hillary's (>45%) and he is less likely to beat the Democrats over any other Republican candidate. As such, I would hesitate to put him up as our guy. In addition, Romney in no way holds to the social conservative arm of the party (which the R establishment could care less about).

Posted by Kevin D | January 7, 2008 4:59 PM

As a NH GOP voter I will never vote for or support Mccain.

His support of amnesty, mccain feingold etc...is unforgivable.

He is an angry miserable old man and the sooner his campaign is ended the better.

F--- U Juan Mccain!

Posted by Bill Braskey | January 7, 2008 5:26 PM

WHO IS THE BEST CANDIDATE?
John McCain has been in DC for 25 long years. He is a big part of the Washington grid-lock problem. He is aging like a fossil at 71 years old. He has ridden his war hero status for a long time with small results in Congress. Military leadership can hardly translated to excellence in real life management, because you only has one acceptable way to respond to your seniors which is "YES SIR!” How can any one believe he can revitalize the country? He should be getting ready to pack up his office and move to Florida for his retirement.
Reagan changed party and he worked out fine. Pro-life, pro-choice is not the most important issue facing this country. I don’t give a darn if he is a Mormon or a Jew. We need someone to win back the leading role in the world economy. Romney has the records of success to show for. He is a proven winner in both the private and public sectors. You need a successful economy to create jobs.
Huckabee had 14 ethnical violations brought against him relating to finances as governor. Shortly before announcing his candidacy for the President of the United States, Huckabee ordered that the drives of 83 computers and 4 servers be destroyed during his transition phase in leaving office. He raised taxes 21 times and granted clemency to 1033 convicted felons, 12 murderers and rapists. Try to improve his tough on crime image with Chuck Norris. (Give me a break! If they were selling weight lose machine it would be more convincing!) He has a 2 1/2 year of religious higher education and as a minister selling religion for a living with people's donation for 12 years. Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_huckabee
Check their bios and decide with the facts, not hearsay.

Posted by John Nobrainer | January 7, 2008 5:33 PM

From one Christian consevative to another please be careful! Gov. Huckabee is like us on abortion and marriage but that is where our common ground ends! Immigration & taxes are big conservative issues too !! He couldn't even answer straight questions last night on the debate, about his record on taxes. He DID raise taxes, he IS soft on immigration and wants to give away our tax dollars to immigrants children for colleg. He cares about the life of the unborn children, but he puts murders back on our streets! This is a social issue, not to speak of a judgement issue! On foreign policy Huckabee is not a conservative and usually doesn't seem to know what he is talking about! God wants us to use our good judgement on voting. A lot is at stake don't be fooled because he talks like a Christian .... he is a different brand of Christian. Look who endorses him! Why doesn't Rush trust him? Why are the Homeschoolers being so cautious!!There are warning signs everywhere!

Posted by MJ | January 7, 2008 5:36 PM

" I support Gov. Huckabee because he is so conservative... ficon, socon, and on foreign policy and national sovereignty"

I think I can taste a little vomit in my mouth...sheesh.

Romney will come out of NH with more delegates than anyone and looking strong. If he wins, then watch out. If he loses big, then he will likely fade over time, but he will not go quietly I'm sure.

Posted by Mike | January 7, 2008 5:39 PM

Folks, that was an honest post. I meant what I said, and one of the happiest days of my life was the night Ronald Reagan won the presidency (my first presidential election I could vote in). I loved R. Reagan when it wasn't cool, and I always have. I followed Gov. Huckabee's campaign a long time, looked carefully at his record myself, even tried to follow up with people who knew him in AK. There have been people in the media I have respected for a long time who have misrepresented his record. I don't know what else to say; it has been sobering to me. If you really are an "old-school" conservative, look at www.mikehuckabee.com for yourself. He has not morphed. His principles have not changed, and he tells the truth. How would you like a guy on public TV to bump your arm, lie about you and misrepresent you, smile, and then expect you to defend yourself in a debate. It's not about substance, but spin. Gov. Huckabee has substance, not handlers.

Posted by Steve L. | January 7, 2008 5:59 PM

"there was no real post-Iowa bounce for John McCain"

Was one expected? He came in fourth place.

Posted by mad6798j | January 7, 2008 6:15 PM

John McCain is the nastiest human being I have ever seen campaign for President.

I do not like him as a man, would not want to have a beer with him and hope he never wins his Senate Seat again.

He needs to come home and find peace to live the rest of his years that way.

Posted by Carolina | January 7, 2008 6:24 PM

Simply put, a vote for McCain tomorrow in NH is a vote for the Dems come November. The reason is that many conservatives will not vote for him.

I am about as conservative as they come, and I know only one person who will vote for McCain (just being honest, my brother in law said he would, albeit grudgingly) Everyone else I know says that they just can't vote for a man who has done so much to fight AGAINST what they believe in.

True, Obama or Hillary would be worse, but there is a point where you say "at least I knew that they were a Democrat, and what they stood for." John McCain was supposed to be on our side.

Figuratively speaking, I would rather fight for the enemy than fight for a traitor. Look around, there are loads of good conservatives who feel the same.

Posted by Sam | January 7, 2008 6:33 PM

Huckabee is a liberal. Or should I call him, "OPEN THE PRISON GATES HUCK", or maybe "TAX $ SPEND MIKEY". I am a religious person. But I do not have a preference for working out my personal salvation only when the media is watching. And I don't respect those that do. I would vote Hillary over Huck, because at least she is straight about being a liberal and we KNOW her personal moments in the media spotlight are staged. Huck fools even himself that he is having genuine conversions as soon as the press gather. Help us, NH.

Posted by mythbuster | January 7, 2008 6:37 PM

Count the delegates. Romney isn't even close to being out of this. I agree with most of the others here, McCain is cynical and does not represent our party well. He pushed for the surge which was courageous, but he'd make a lousy president. He won't even make a decent candidate against Obama or Hillary. The Sunday night debate should have made it clear who was the best prepared. And, Huckabee will prove to be a joke.

Posted by trailman101 | January 7, 2008 6:41 PM

Mike Huckabee is the poor man's George Bush.

Posted by Vincent | January 7, 2008 6:41 PM

I see where Mitt won the vaunted Wyoming caucuses - great because in a general election against Obama that's probably the only state he'd carry(ok, maybe Utah also). Face it, Mitt has zero appeal to independents. The guy's the biggest phony to come down the political pike since, well, John Edwards. McCain's the only Republican who stands a chance of winning in Nov.

Posted by CTDem4Mac | January 7, 2008 6:44 PM

Know this. McCain, not a conservative, has stuck the conservative movement in the back too many times. He CANNOT rally the conservative base, which is a MUST to win a general election. Conservatives won't vote for the Democract, they simply will stay home.
Guliani is a liberal in most respects. He doesn't have the negatives McCain has, but he cannot inspire the conservative base either.

Weather you are a Mitt fan or not, he may be the only candidate that can rally the base. Thompson lacks energy to do it...and apparently the support.
Without the base, YOU LOSE. It's that simple.

Posted by Brandon | January 7, 2008 6:45 PM

Well, you’ve proven that you know nothing about military leadership and that “Nobrainer” is an appropriate pseudonym. The only thing Romney’s record in Massachusetts proves is that he’s willing to say anything to get elected. Just try thinking of one political principle that you’re confident he wouldn’t compromise to become President. Republicans that don’t oppose Romney on principle should oppose him for political reasons. If we nominate him we will get crushed by either Obama or Hillary. He’d almost certainly lose Iowa and Ohio and he’d probably put states like Virginia in play. On the other hand, name a state that Kerry won that Mitt could flip?

John McCain is the best chance we have of winning in November. General election polls prove it and thinking people on both sides of the aisle know it to be true.

Posted by Michael Hall | January 7, 2008 6:47 PM

Huckabee won Iowa and is leading nationally because he is a consistent conservative. Not sure how you missed this.

Posted by Ben | January 7, 2008 6:51 PM

I am legal resident, catholic, small business owner and WILL NEVER CONTRIBUTE my money to Huckabee! Illegal imigrant and taxes are the most things that is important to me!

Not interesting with Romney at the beginning campaign or debate. But later on find he is the one WHO ANSWERED CLEARLY problem and challange this nation have..., slowing down econoly, competion with China, taxes, rising health care cost!

Watch how fun and good comunicator Huckabee is but HE NEVER ANSWER clearly except in abortion or second amandent!

And to be honest, NOW I see him as such Christian BIGOT and THIN skin! Yes, yes, his Baptist must be better than Romney Mormon and other religion believe...SHAME!

Hope people can see beyond 'change' words and religion! To me it's still ECONOMY STUPID!

Posted by Ina | January 7, 2008 6:53 PM

John Nobrainer said...."Pro-life, pro-choice is not the most important issue facing this country."

45 million unborn babies terminated since Roe v Wade. That's equal to 15,000 occurrances of 911.

If thats not important...then nothing is.

Posted by Rifle | January 7, 2008 6:59 PM

Mike Huckabee has pledged to not raise taxes. He wants to get rid of the IRS. He insists that we use irresistable force when engaging in combat rather than the "light footprint" that we used initially in Iraq. He supported the surge and says that it is working. Mike is a staunch supporter of the 2nd amendment. Mike is pro-life and pro-marriage. Mike opposes embryonic stem cell research that destroys human life. Mike supports a federal constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman. He also supports the federal human life amendment. Mike trusts in Christ as his Savior and Lord and is not ashamed of Him. Wouldn't it be great to have a leader who prays to God? Don't we want God to bless this country? We have been blessed with President Bush over these two terms, and it would be great to have his godly legacy continue on. Please prayfully consider who God wants you to vote for, because we are all accountable to Him at the end of the day. We should vote for the candidate who is most pleasing to Him. We are made for God's glory, and we need to do what is right always, regardless of the consequences. Please prayerfully consider voting for Mike Huckabee, and may God bless you all!

Posted by David | January 7, 2008 7:06 PM

Marc,

You state Romney is energized and "like a hose unbent". I've been watching him for a while on CSPAN at his events and would agree completely with that characterization. Since Iowa, he's been different and more authentic.

In Iowa, he tried to appeal to the religious conservatives which was a tough sell against a Baptist preacher. Now, his message of change and taking apart Washington actually fits his life and his experience and it shows. He's now free to really talk about what he knows, what he loves, and want he genuinely wants to do in Washington. He sounds like he is now running on his merits instead of running against someone else's flaws. That makes all the difference.

Posted by Ci2Eye | January 7, 2008 7:13 PM

Hey McAmnesty, Try to find a Constitution and check out Article IV, Section 4, which states that the United States SHALL protect the states from invasion! Instead you, Jorge Boosh, Teodoro Kennedy, and Grhamnesty FACILITATED the invasion! All of you should be removed from office and deported!

Posted by PatN | January 7, 2008 7:18 PM

McCain is a traitor.

Posted by matt | January 7, 2008 7:23 PM

ROMNEY WINS "KID'S VOTE" BY A MILE:

Every 4 years, NH holds a "Kid's Vote". This is where 8500 little kids in NH vote for who they want as President.

Sounds meaningless except that THEY HAVE NEVER EVER BEEN WRONG!

Today, they went Romney - 35, McCain 20.

Lol, who knows?

Posted by Bill Mitchell, Raleigh, NC | January 7, 2008 7:24 PM

WILL Mike pledge to not give path amnesty to illegal imigrant, huh?

McCain - Huckabee, huh?

Seem 'PERFECT HOPE' for illegal imigrant future but also a 'PERFECT GOODBYE' for GOP future!!!

Posted by Ina | January 7, 2008 7:27 PM

To Michael Hall,

You said Romney would compromise any principle to get elected.

Yet, he may lose the election for one reason alone. He is clearly smart, well educated, articulate, energetic, experienced, and scandal-free. He has a great family and exudes the kind of class a President should have. He is everything we could want yet he may lose because of………his faith. So I ask, wouldn't it be politically expedient for him to renounce his Mormon faith? Overnight, his poll numbers would soar and the percent of voters who won’t consider him would plunge. Yet, he won’t do that? Why do you think that is? If he is so unprincipled, why won’t he do it?

Posted by Ci2Eye | January 7, 2008 7:28 PM

***Mitt Alert*** Mitt Romney has won the state of New Hampshire!. In a poll of 8,500 6th and 7th graders in NH, kids were asked who they would vote for for president, they picked Mitt Romney!!!!!!!!! FYI in the history of doing this poll the "kids" have never been wrong.

Results:

Mitt Romney - 35%

McCain - 20

Posted by Allen Ridge | January 7, 2008 7:29 PM

I think a Romney/Petraeus ticket would be bring the best and brighest and safest future for America. Having the best businessman in the country and the best military man, it just couldn't get any better than that.

Posted by sheryl | January 7, 2008 7:41 PM

Come on! All the reasonable pundits show Romney winning the debate yesterday hands-down. The focus group in the audience overwhelmingly picked him as well. McCain didn't do to badly, but he just doesn't have the same set of skills/talent the always-successful Romney has. So what if Romney changed his mind on abortion 10 years ago. He hasn't "changed his position" on anything in years, but to listen to the libs on this site, you'd think he's a different man every 10 seconds. Mccain is not a total disaster, mind you, Huckabee is strange, Ron Paul is insane, but Romney is the only exciting candidate in my view.

Posted by Andrew S | January 7, 2008 7:41 PM

The kids in NH probably are never wrong because they hear their parents talk. But anyway, Huckabee is still holding out as a conservative in some circles. I am not sure what Americans see in this guy. In answer to Romney (I mean the moderator since he won't talk to Romney) he said that the courts forced him into the net 500million tax hikes to fix education. I checked the education records and sure enough, it improved in Arkansas. So he can't take a credit for fixing education because in his own account the courts forced him to fix it with the money. At any rate, either Obama or Huckabee makes a good democrat. One has a terrible record and the other has no record. Hey but the guitar thing was cool wasn't it?

Posted by Randy | January 7, 2008 7:41 PM

CTDem4Mac...
Mitt is polling just as well with some independents as Mccain in NH. Check the polls and the facts before you speak.

Posted by Barc | January 7, 2008 7:56 PM

Steve L:

I hope you were kidding when you said Huckabee was a conservative. If not, he has fooled you along with many other conservatives. He is a Christian Socialist (income redistribution, etc) like someone mentioned earlier.

A person that raises taxes, increases government spending, give tuition breaks to illegals, granted clemency to convicted felons, etc. is not conservative.

Also, I never understood how Chuck Norris could consider himself a Christian when his show, Texas Ranger was full of violence.

Posted by Jim | January 7, 2008 7:58 PM

Romney should have been running like has has the past day or two the entire time. He spent way too much time focusing on the lack of merits of OTHER candidates instead of presenting a true vision of what he is all about and how he can change Washington. He spent more time critiquing why someone else (be it Giuliani early, Huckabee and McCain later) should NOT be President instead of why he SHOULD be elected. It may be too late, but it's a good change by his staff.

Posted by RB B | January 7, 2008 8:00 PM

David:

I am a true christian conservative. However, I do not want a Baptist pastor telling me how to live. I guess once he becomes president, he will pass a law that requires all businesses to be closed on Sunday so we can all go to church.

Posted by Jim | January 7, 2008 8:02 PM

Romney is the one to beat! He has the business experience to right our Economy! Vote for change...vote for Romney!

Posted by Jim Hewitt | January 7, 2008 8:07 PM

Young, sexy Obama vs crusty old grumpy McCain? Are you kidding me?

McCain would get slaughtered.

Posted by Bill Mitchell, Raleigh, NC | January 7, 2008 8:11 PM

Did it ever enter anyone's mind that with all the money Romney spends, he is planting people on all these sites to shore up the Romney appeal? You can't say Huckabee has any money to do that!!! Of course, it would be unethical, but that doesn't stop Romney. Look at his record in Mass...you will find a Republican that will say and do anything to be elected. How about the time he ran for Senate against Kennedy...even Kennedy said that Romney even back then changed his positions all the time to get elected. The Democrats would have a field day with Romney in the General Election. Remember how the Republicans cleaned Kerry's clock with being a flip flopper!!! Romney makes Kerry look tame.

Surely the people of New Hamphire can see past this phony. Why do you think he lost so big in Iowa? It wasn't just the evangelical vote, it was because they saw Romney for what he is...a plastic, professional phoney!!

Vote for Mike Huckabee...a real conservative. The Republican Party is changing and the values Huck has of caring for the poor in our country and not just the rich is going to be apart of that change. He had to raise taxes because he was given a HUGE DEBT when he was Governor and he had to improve schools (governament mandated). There was no money!!! The schools improved a lot with their scores improving every year. He left the state with excellent roads, more than Romney did in Massachusetts. He also left the state with over $800,000 surplus. I know some of you think Huckabee might be unethical because he took gifts in office...remember he was a pastor before he was a Governor and that behavior is very acceptable. Also, he doesn't have a lot of money to live on. The cases for unethical conduct were thrown out of court. I think he has more ethics than any of the other Republican candidates.

Posted by Skip | January 7, 2008 8:17 PM

I have been horrified by McCain's re-emergence as a contender.

As Laura Ingraham pointed out on her show this morning- has everyone forgotten about the fact that McCain pushed Ted Kennedy's immigration plan, the one that went up in flames on account of the American people being against it?

And McCain still supports the very same garbage to this day.

His idea of "getting the message" is to add some additional fraudulent features that are supposedly to make legalized anarchy palatable to the general public.

John McCain is a national nightmare, and the sooner he fades into obscurity the better.

As someone who believes in Republican principles, if it is an election between Obama and McCain I will eagerly cast my vote for Obama to see that McCain never sets foot in the White House.

(If Lou Dobbs runs, then I may vote for him provided it is absolutely certain that McCain will be unable to win.)

Posted by lance sjogren | January 7, 2008 8:18 PM

Huckabee, a Christian Socialist? Wow, you hit the nail on the head! I've been trying to figure him out and that is an excellent 2 word discription.

Posted by Deborah | January 7, 2008 8:19 PM

The criticism of Romney as a flip-flopper is justified, but Huckabee supporters are pots calling the kettle black, because the biggest flip flop of this campaign has been Huckabee's reversal from a La Raza open-borders anarchy supporter to an advocate of immigration enforcement.

I guess you would have a good counterargument that Huckabee is not a flip-flopper on immigration, however. Because it is clear he is really still an open-borders anarchist.

Posted by lance sjogren | January 7, 2008 8:22 PM

"Young, sexy Obama vs crusty old grumpy McCain? Are you kidding me?"

True indeed. It would be the politics of hope against the politics of an angry old belligerent/arrogant "know-it-all".

Posted by lance sjogren | January 7, 2008 8:24 PM

How can anyone dispute Romney's credentials? In business, he was super successful and help fund companies like Staples and Domino's when no one else saw there potential. With the Olympics, he turned what could have been an embarassment and black eye (specifically after 9/11) for the US, into arguably the best one there has ever been. As Governor, he left office with a surplus and didn't raise taxes to do it. He tackled the Health Care issue while still keeping it privatized and saved his state millions.

So, while everyone wants to talk about flip-flop, let's talk about his record. He is the only one that has proven that he can make a change and is not someone who can be bought. He already has enough and is trying to give back by serving his country. Remember, he took no salary to run the Olympics or as Governor. With all of this in mind, there is no doubt that Mitt Romney is the most experienced, most qualified person to bring about the changes that need to made to bring this country back to it's greatness.

I vote Romney!

Posted by Dan | January 7, 2008 8:27 PM

Enough with the flip-flop senario regarding Romney! That is getting lamer by the minute. The guy is sharp on his feet, and has a get-r-done resume...However, I totally agree with you about McCain! That guy scares me!

Posted by Deborah | January 7, 2008 8:29 PM

Obama has become a movement. The Republicans will have to get behind the only candidate that offers a new movement, with a populist approach. The GOP cannot put up another candidate who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, Romney. McCain will seem like Bob Dole. The only one who can out-communicate Obama is Huckabee. Huckabee has proven appeal to the middle. It is Obama who will come across as "preaching" with all that strut and cockiness he is developing and he will appear as a weird Al Gore type before it is over. Huck does not have the high negatives of Romney or McCain. He can reach the middle.

Posted by Truehawk | January 7, 2008 8:32 PM

Hey,Dan, how much does Romney pay you? He is the ultimate flip flopper and has been for a long time. We don't need somebody in the White House that we can't trust won't change his positions AGAIN!!!

Posted by Skip | January 7, 2008 8:32 PM

Hello, Marc, commenters-

I have a McCain-focused site. As a regular reader of this blog, I can see that Marc's post that "Romney is not out" has sparked a considerable number of comments. My two cents, going back to the original post-

Of course, I agree w/ him that Romney is not out. He has all of the advantages that Marc enumerated in the post. I doubt that anyone on either side on the ground in NH believes that their candidate has this wrapped up. There's way too much volatility in this particular primary for it to be over.

Moreover, we can't really be sure how many independents will in fact participate in the GOP primary, where they would break heavily for McCain. Is there a point that Obama might reach, where he'd draw so many independents to deprive McCain of a Republican victory? I certainly don't know...

Posted by ElectionNightHQ.com Publisher | January 7, 2008 8:32 PM

Ambinder has it about right. Do not believe the opposition charge that Romney is a flip-flopper. Read the article: "Listen, New Hampshire! Romney has been saying all along...."
http://christianprophecy.blogspot.com/

Romney's one change of mind doesn't even compare to the other candidates' changing all over the map in order to sound more like him.

Romney will win New Hampshire. Not by a big margin. But by enough to silence critics.

Posted by Christian Prophet | January 7, 2008 8:33 PM

Hey,Dan, how much does Romney pay you? He is the ultimate flip flopper and has been for a long time. We don't need somebody in the White House that we can't trust won't change his positions AGAIN!!!

Posted by Dixie | January 7, 2008 8:33 PM

I didn't realize that Romney took no salary as governor... That is very impressive, but not suprising. Thanks for that info. Helps with a few questions.

Posted by Deborah | January 7, 2008 8:35 PM

Hey, quit giving Dan such a hard time! You sound so angry... I've been looking for some answers and he makes some good points, as does the writer of this article.

Posted by Deborah | January 7, 2008 8:39 PM

Romney's making a great come back and I hope he continues.

Huckabee comes across like a huckster (pun intended); I don't trust him. McCain seemed like he was pleading too much, not what I would see as presidential material. I don't believe McCain has the vision we need to bring us through the world problems we are seeing. Rudy doesn't have the same level of experience as the others already mentioned. IMO, only Romney has what it takes to beat Obama when it comes time.

If Romney doesn't get the nomination, I'll do something I've not done before and vote for Obama. I'd rather have the devil I know in office, than the devil I don't know.

Posted by Rick | January 7, 2008 8:41 PM

Mike the Huck-ster!

He does not have this conservative evangelical fooled. His record is not conservative on anything but his pro life stance. He is many things but not a conservative no matter how many pairs of rose colored glasses you put on!
Can anyone say "Jimmy Carter II.

I rather have Romney anyday!

WN

Posted by Wayne Newcomb | January 7, 2008 8:42 PM

A lot of great comments from most of you. I am a Romney guy for one several reasons, but most of all he believes in family values. I want more protection for our children from the socialist liberal wackos that are trying to destroy this country. I want more conservative judges, especially on the Supreme Court. I don't want the ACLU to be allowed to run amok. I want to kick out every illegal alien (not undocumented workers as claimed by the dems). I want government spending put under control. I want the Bush tax cuts to be continued. I want someone from the private sector who knows how to put our government back in order. If there is one candidate other than Romney that can do all of these things, I don't see it from the current presidential aspirants.

Posted by big nicholas | January 7, 2008 8:48 PM

While I have been disappointed with McCain for his stance on immigration and McCain-Feingold, he is the standardbearer on the 2 primary Reagan principles:

1. A Strong National Defense (none of the other candidates compare)
2. Reduced Spending w/Proportional Tax Cuts

McCain is the only one to have a chance against Obama for 2 primary reasons:

1. He Draws Independents
2. The Media Loves Him

No, it's not the best hand to have, using the proverbial poker analogy, come Nov 08 and who McCain selects as his running mate will be crucial to him having a chance. Huckster is a regional candidate only and Mittster already has the Kerry "flip-flop" label engrained onto his wonderfully chiseled face, along with negative ratings comparable to Hillster. Thompson is toast and Guiliani, even if he were to win the nomination is abhorred even more so than McCain with the Christian conservatives.

Either we coalesce around a candidate soon or we not only face having a far-left wing President this year, but a fillibuster-proof Democratic Senate, and 2 more far-left Supreme Court judges on the bench.

Purge your animosity now for McCain and get behind him, or we are in for a painful 4 years!!

Posted by DAB | January 7, 2008 8:50 PM

The only thing PHONY about Romney are the PHONY issues that surround him.

"If you yell something loud enough and long enough, people start to believe it."

His religion and "Flip-flop" are not really issues! Just phony issues. Romney has no scandals to jump on unlike Huckabee (except of course, if you count the scandle of the scadalous USA olympic committee that he SAVED by turning the 2002 winter Olympics into a great credit for our country in front of the world). Since he really has only been successful as a governor and businessman, and since he's actually only trying to make America a better place, his opponents have to resort to jumping on his religion like Huckabee "Don't you believe the Devil and Jesus are brothers!!" OR "flip-flopper"... On real issues such as ECONOMICS, America's place in the world, bringing an outsider's view to Washington, IMMIGRATION, and HEALTH CARE, Mitt is the REAL DEAL!! He is a real opportunity for America. I don't know why folks don't see this...

Posted by Andrew S | January 7, 2008 8:53 PM

In my 76 years as an American, Gov. Romney is the best candidate for President that has come along in my lifetime in either or any party. If he is not elected, we shall all be the losers.

Posted by Judge William | January 7, 2008 8:55 PM

Hey Skip and Dixie,
I should ask you the same question since you both posted the exact same repsonse and that is always the sign of campaign staff spamming blogs.

As for me, I was actually a Thompson supporter and I also liked Huckabee until I studied their records. Huckabee is a liberal Republican and as much as he can hide behind his Christianity (I actually am glad that someone can speak of Faith), it still boils down to his record of raising taxes and giving illegals breaks, which act as a magnet for them to keep coming.

But how I came to support Romney was because I looked at his record when it was on his shoulders, and his record is VERY impressive. But of course, you revert to the old line about flip-flop witout answering my question which is, when you look at his record, can you deny that it is the most impressive of the bunch? Nobody even comes close, and that's why everyone is attacking him. The only thing that they have on him is "Oh yeah, he flip-flops" No, just go look at his record to see where he stands.

By the way, I can give you a long list of things that McCain and Huckabee have flip-flopped on as well. All you have to do is ivestigate it to prove what I am saying.

Posted by Dan | January 7, 2008 8:57 PM

Can anyone say, "conspiracy theory". "Mitt is paying for positive comments on this site" , pleeeeeeeeze. Just like Bush bombed the world towers. Some of you people are freaks.

Posted by Danbar | January 7, 2008 9:03 PM

I've been watching Romney since the 2002 Olympics and have always been impressed. He governed as a conservative in a liberal state, while McCain acted like a liberal when he should have been a conservative. Huckabee is just scary with his identity politics.

If ever there was a time for someone with intelligence, integrity, experience and leadership, that time is now and the person is Mitt Romney!

Posted by David | January 7, 2008 9:05 PM

Would Huckabee be a phony if the weight loss stories are not entirely honest?

There is pretty convincing evidence out there that he may have had gastric bypass. My question is if he's the nominee and it's true, would it sink the Republican ticket.

Calls have been made for him to release medical records so Republicans can have confidence in his story before voting.

Posted by JB | January 7, 2008 9:05 PM

Yeh repubs! Get behind the huck because he can beat Obama. Get behind Mike - slick willy - Huckaflipper. That's just what we need in this country, a genetic convergence of Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter.

Posted by Danbar | January 7, 2008 9:11 PM

When you're filling your car with $3 gas and buying some $2.65 a dozen eggs, remember who is running on stopping deficit spending. The war for oil is what caused prices for anything that eats grain to skyrocket. When THOSE prices rise, the fresh fruit seller raises his prices again, now you have some nice $5 a pound grapes in the market. Laugh all you want, it's YOUR money being spent. YOU'RE the one going to pay $250 a week for groceries. Still think Ron Paul sounds like a bad idea? He's the ONLY candidate, Republican or Democrat that is running on reducing your cost of living. Maybe you have plenty money. Me, I'm not so rich.

Posted by Louis Nardozi | January 7, 2008 9:12 PM

Christian Populist is a better descriptor of Huckabee; he's been described as the Republican John Edwards. He could be a decent candidate (in terms of electability, not quality); He could take the conservative Christian vote as well the Democratic working class, which tends to be more socially conservative.

However, perhaps as a liberal (I tend to identify with Democrats more) I'm not the best judge of your guys' voting base- but just so you know, in all recent Romney vs. Obama polls (last one being not a month ago), Obama beats Romney- by an average of over 12 points.

I can't argue with any of your arguments about McCain garnering conservative support, but he alone is able to beat Clinton (looking at polls), or even tie Obama.

I wish I could vote. Lower the voting age!

Posted by Nick | January 7, 2008 9:12 PM

Dear New Hampshire,

Join me tomorrow at the polls and let's support a TRUE REPUBLICAN, Gov. Mitt Romney. He's got the goods ... proven executive leadership, brains, business know-how, charisma, strong values, and a contagious optimism about our country’s future. He has a core understanding of how to keep America strong. He’ll strengthen families and lower taxes, so we’re all self reliant -- not reliant on the government. He'll get our military back to Reagan-era strength and give us the resources we need to defeat Islamic Jihad. He’ll solve immigration. He's a man of accomplishment and turns everything he touches to gold. He’ll bring back luster and life to the Republican Party, and certainly to America's standing in the world.

I admit, Senator McCain brings some strengths to the table; certainly the skills to be a great Secretary of Defense. He's just not presidential...way too cantakerous a fellow to bring our country together. He's got his talents and guts, but he's too stubborn and abrasive, and with too much of a maverick liberal streak to be our president. Wrong on immigration, wrong to vote against the Bush tax cuts, wrong on the 1st Amendment (McCain/Feingold) … the list goes on and on. I know you're tempted to vote his way NH - I was pulling for him too in 2000 - but I’ve learned a lot since then. His time has past. Sen McCain will let us down in November. He can't go the distance.

Romney is the most gifted candidate in the bunch - Republican, Democrat, or Independent - and he's the best choice for America.

Thanks for reading. See you all at the polls tomorrow morning!

Sincerely,

Matthew Bates
Nashua, New Hampshire
Capt, USAFR
Live Free ... Or Die!

Posted by matthew bates | January 7, 2008 9:13 PM

The republican/evangelical/conservative establishment base puts up candidates like Huckabee and Romney and says in effect, "if you don't vote for our idealogically purer candidate we will kill this puppy", referring to the overall objectives of a broader group of moderate to conservative voters. Well this year guys, kill away. If you don't want to offer up a mature and moderate candidate, then you can stew in your own juices.

The so-called "change" people want is to get some adults to represent the needs of the whole country to replace the infantile partisan idiots who seem to have the keys to the kingdom right now.

Romney is a hateful opportunist, cleaned up with big bucks, a shining smile and a fancy suit. In any event, his nomination will be a dead end for Republicans -- current polls show that he can't even defeat the only democrat who is more inately odious that he is -- John Edwards.

Posted by mrdon | January 7, 2008 9:14 PM

omney lives in his own world where god has a body and lives near planet kolob. Where his religion is the only true church. Where there are men on the moon that dress like quakers ( according to the prophet and founder of the LDS church, Joseph Smith).In Mitts world men have many wives , like his "prophet Brigham Young did. In Mitts world god changes his mind so I can too. Mitts god is a flip flopper too. Blacks can`t be priests, oh.. wait a minute .. yes they can.Men need to marry many women... aw crap.. thats a mistake. Indiand are filthy and loathsome according to the book of Mormon, uh ... uh.. wait a minute , lets change our scriptures fellas. Romney flip flops because his god and his church do. Whats the big deal ? Yes , Romney is out, you guys just don`t realize it yet.

Posted by DavidE | January 7, 2008 9:16 PM

McCain is grouchy old man and we will see any hopes of a republican president go down the drain if we nominate him. McCain needs calming medication and retirement. He is no conservative.

Posted by Danbar | January 7, 2008 9:18 PM

Keep in mind that much of McCain's support in the opinion polls comes from independents. Those same independents have to choose between either voting in the democrat or the republican primary. To the extent that Obama is making the deomcrat primary exciting, they may well choose to vote there rather than with McCain.

Under that scenarion, Romney ekes out a win.

Posted by Derek Phelps | January 7, 2008 9:21 PM

Ditto to Mr. Bates comments... I think I will join you!

Posted by Deborah | January 7, 2008 9:22 PM

"The only conservative" You got that right! As for conservatism, McCain is at best a John F. Kennedy Democrat.

And I don't know what Huckabee is. He applies a religious test to murderers and rapists to commute their sentences. Confess Christ is your get out of jail free card with him. What kind of judgment can we expect from this man? His poor judgment is responsible for a few deaths of the innocent. Give me a real leader with a real education and good judgment please -and someone who doesn't make us Christians look so stupid.

Posted by Phillip | January 7, 2008 9:22 PM

New Hampshire delegates are shared. Even if Romney comes in a close second he will walk away from New Hampshire with the most delegates thanks to his win in Wyoming and his good performance in Iowa (delegates are also shared in Iowa). A win for Romney in NH could seal his nomination, a slight loss means that the race will hash on until super Tuesday which is way too far into the future to predict with no clear front runner.

I get tired of the flip Mitt claims. Rarely are such claims backed up with any evidence. Saying it over and over does not make it so. Every candidate changes or modifies positions, even John McCain, which is why I thought his low shot on Romney at the debate Saturday night was hypocritical.

Posted by Dave | January 7, 2008 9:26 PM

Don't count ON a surprisingly strong showing by Romney tomorrow, either!

Posted by Bob Waters | January 7, 2008 9:27 PM

What I can't figure out is why any one but Romney is even a choice?
Can anyone name any one of the republicans that has anywhere near the depth of ability to solve problems, and turn things around than Romney?

Huck is a lib that is Pro-Life,
McCain is again a Lib that is pro-War,
Thompson has dirty hands on the McCain Feingold,
Rudy is great on crime, but has used our money to pay for personal guards for his mistress. And all this while he was in office!

So pardon me, I don't get it.
Not one of these guys backround and actual real life products campares to Mitt's.

Go ahead and elect one of these clowns, in Nov, I will vote 3rd party.

Posted by Joe U | January 7, 2008 9:28 PM

Interesting to me how many avowed liberals want to give us advice as to the fact that McCain is the only repub that can beat Obama. The lib dems have fought Romney from day one (mostly behind the scenes and hiding in the blogosphere) because their back room experts have concluded that Romney is their worst nightmare. The dems can't beat him and they know it.

Mark my words, the dems have been digging and scratching to find dirt on Romney in hopes of beating him in November. But how will they find dirt on the man who is so squeaky clean that he wouldn't take tax-payer dollars to pay his salary in Ma. Think about it.

Posted by Danbar | January 7, 2008 9:29 PM

Even if all the accusations that "DAVID E" makes about Romney were true (which they are not) - who cares? That is not what is going to dictate how he runs our country! You would have to be a fool to not see his record. You would have to be a fool to not see that he is the ONLY mega-conservative of the whole bunch. All across the board, he is a conservative. All the other GOP candidates are not 100% conservatives - they each lack in one or more areas. Romney has the purest record. Did he change his mind on something? YES! Thankfully! In order for him to be a "flip-flopper" he would need to change his mind again, and again. He hasn't done that - EVER. He went from being pro-choice to pro-life and all his records show nothing but pro-life!

What is wrong with this country, and alot of you wwho are reading this, is that we all flap alot at the mouth, but we do not take the time to STUDY each candidate and their RECORDS to see where they have stood, where they stand, and where they are headed in this political world. I for one, have studied them all.

My vote is squarely with Romney. He's the only honest one, that has NOT changed his voting practices and that is 100% conservative!

Mitt's the man!
(sorry for any typos!)

Posted by Teri N. | January 7, 2008 9:33 PM

Huckabee supporters, you are falling into a trap. I can't even count the lies that I have personally seen. And he is truly a prolife socialist. I know what he has on his web page,but he learned first hand from the clintons. Did you know the famous ad he showed at a press conference he said he was not going to run ran in two markets, and was particularly strange...he accused Mitt of not signing any execution orders...... MASS does not have the death penalty!
You should really do some real research. I will vote for a socialist who admits before I vote for Huck.

Posted by smitt | January 7, 2008 9:34 PM

As for you DavidE, the anti-mormon bigotry is old news and makes you sound like an idiot. Get over the tired old mormon hate speak. You show your ignorance and all but tiny minority of your fellow bigots are embarrassed for you. If you don't have the intellect to talk about issues stay away from these forums. You are not helping your candidate Mr. Huckabigot's case by showing the ignorance of his supporters.

Posted by Danbar | January 7, 2008 9:40 PM

DavidE,
I find your comments disgusting and reprehensible. I hope that everyone here will call you out for what you are. An ignorant bigot.

Posted by Dan | January 7, 2008 9:42 PM

There are no conservatives viable in the NH race. NH is no longer conservative and prefers their repubs moderate to liberal.
Just get the dang thing over. The state is as big as a postage stamp and indicates nothing but political tradition.

Posted by thatcher | January 7, 2008 9:42 PM

I'd like for some of Huck or McCain's supporters to answer my question. I keep hearing them say Romney is a phony who will do anything to get elected.

If that's true why won't he renounce his Mormon faith?

That's the one issue that may cause him to lose the election so it's the singular issue he needs to flip-flop on to win the election.

Whay won't he do it?

Posted by Ci2Eye | January 7, 2008 9:44 PM

I couldn't help noticing that when McCain said he was NEVER for illegal immigrant amnesty, no one called him on it, why? I seem to recall that him, and his buddy, Ted Kennedy, tried their very best to ram through an amnesty bill that was soundly defeated. Did I imagine that?

Posted by lee rader | January 7, 2008 9:47 PM

I'm middle class and I will never vote for Huckabee.

I was completely offended by his remark about you want to vote for a person you work with versus someone who laid you off.

My dad, now retired had a small business for 20 plus years and he had to lay folks off from time to time.

He didn't like the fact but keeping a business afloat sometimes is a tough thing and for Mike Huckabee to play that kind of class warfare I find it really offensive.

He demonization of people who are CEO or business owners is terrible and makes you remember that religious people can be very mean, judgemental and pious. I'll never vote for him.

Posted by sheryl | January 7, 2008 9:56 PM

In response to DavidE (posted Jan 7, 2008 9:16pm).

Martin Luther (the reformer) once said that he would rather be ruled by a competence Turk than an incompetent Christian.

Let's assume for a moment that Huckabee is really a conservative and yet he had to raised taxes, that could only means he is not competent.

Posted by Abel N. | January 7, 2008 10:06 PM

Matthew Bates....

I will join you in the polls tomorrow to vote for Mitt Romney.

Thanks for your service.

Vive le Romney!

Posted by Ben | January 7, 2008 10:12 PM