Romney To Huckabee: "No Whining"

By: Scott Conroy
Topics: Mitt Romney

(CBS)

From CBS News' Scott Conroy:

ATLANTA -- Mitt Romney fired back against Mike Huckabee over the former Arkansas governor's accusation that Mitt Romney has engaged in "voter suppression" in arguing that a vote for Huckabee is a vote for John McCain.

"I don't think he's chosen the right word," Romney said at a press conference after speaking to hundreds of enthusiastic supporters at a rally here. "It's not voter suppression. I want people to vote, but I want them to vote for me. That's sort of the nature of politics, as I understand it."

In recent days, Romney has avoided responding to Huckabee's barrage of attacks, as the former Massachusetts governor seeks to portray the nomination fight as a two-man race between himself and McCain. But in his remarks this afternoon, Romney hit back hard.

"First a couple of rules in politics," he said. "One: no whining. And number two: you get them to vote for you and so I want them not to vote for Mike Huckabee and not to vote for John McCain and to vote for me … that's not voter suppression. That's known as politics."

Romney was flanked by former Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Penn. — a prominent conservative advocate who endorsed Romney last week. Santorum stepped to the microphone to make his own case about why Romney is the only choice for voters who want a conservative candidate as the Republican nominee.

"The reason I got in this race is I wanted to make sure a conservative got elected," Santorum said. "I've been saying for a year that it isn't John McCain. I think more and more people are coming to that conclusion — that it's not John McCain. The alternative — the only alternative — to stop the McCain 'Twisted Talk Express' is Mitt Romney."

Scott Conroy
Scott Conroy is a National Political Reporter for RealClearPolitics and a contributor for CBS News.
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by allenfuller-2009 February 5, 2008 7:24 PM EST: What''s this I hear? Romney''s whining again!

"McCain and Huckabee had a back-room deal! No Fair! Waaah!"; Reply to this comment


by bren4824 February 5, 2008 5:22 AM EST: boatdocster:

Read the numerous articles that I posted here about both "Insane McCain" and the "Huckster".

A few of those written about McCain are by Pat Buchanan.

Did you know that there is now a national campaign by Limbaugh, Hewitt, Levin, Ingraham, etc. to stop McCain?? MANY people/groups said that they will NOT vote for McCain if he becomes the nominee---including Limbaugh, Hewitt, Levin, Coulter, etc.

He definitely does not sound like the true conservative to me!!!; Reply to this comment


by bren4824 February 5, 2008 5:18 AM EST: firstceb:

"That said, why is Romney and Mccain so close in the State Romney governed? Huckabee has 60% of the vote for the State he Governed."

What??? Are you crazy??? Is the "Huckster" telling you this?? If so, he is LYING again!!!

The "Huckster" doesn''t have close to 20% in any state---let alone 60%.

Are you falling for hte "Huckster''s" lies???; Reply to this comment


by tarcilbuper February 5, 2008 4:47 AM EST: Bren4824: is this your personal blog? I don''t know why this site has let you astro-turf for Romney.

I guess you''re the self-elected arbitor of "real conservativism".

Republicans gave up the Conservative banner to Libertarians long ago pal.

It''s OK, the Demos surrendered the Liberal banner to the Greens.

The RNC/DNC are the bi-lateral corporate party of America.

BTW, Billary is really Cheney in a dress and no matter which of the Republicrats wins WE LOSE!!!; Reply to this comment


by boatdocster February 5, 2008 3:26 AM EST: Another Romney spin job

Imagine this - Romney flanked by Santorum, a huge GOP loser in Pennsylvania.

Calling McCain a liberal and Romney a conservative is like saying the Iraqi people will welcome us with open arms and their oil will pay for all. Nice spin, but totally false.; Reply to this comment


by xantiphi February 5, 2008 2:53 AM EST: Senator Harry Reid Utah is democrat
Mormons threaten no one...if you know of any church that has received threating letters from the Mormon church why haven''t you turned them into the legal authorities( what you are saying would be a criminal act)
you are like Huckabee, you don''t tell the truth.
Mormons are free to vote their choice.; Reply to this comment


by marinepatriot February 5, 2008 2:39 AM EST: I never made my mind up in no church. No church even mentioned his name out of fear from the letters Romney and the Mormon Church send to Christian denominations Nationwide. Intimidation is a tactic that terrorists use.

If it is wrong for Christians to hear about the values Huckabee believes in, then why is Romney expected to lock 85% of the vote in Utah? You are not so naive to think that the Mormon leaders in Utah didn''t give ole Mitt a wink of approval do you? Scarey?

That said, why is Romney and Mccain so close in the State Romney governed? Huckabee has 60% of the vote for the State he Governed.

Vote for the proven leader. Vote Huckabee.; Reply to this comment


by xantiphi February 5, 2008 1:49 AM EST: Bren4824
those that plan to vote for Huckabee, they are not going to change their mind, absolute proof could be befor their eyes, they are not going to believe it.
Their mind was made up the day their preacher told them to vote Huckabee. I''ve know some of these type people like forever, they are like trying to reason with a brick, because when a preacher tells them...that is it for them.
I have been wondering...having church campaigns, seems to me like it would be illegal " seperation of church and State"
that is one to check on.
Where is Huck hiding that son of his? Romney''s son''s are out helping him campaign.; Reply to this comment


by news4all February 5, 2008 1:37 AM EST: Huckabee is the one that asked his supporters to "let the air out of the tires" of anyone not voting for him so they couldn''t vote. He also said to "do whatever it takes" to help him win and added "I don''t want to know about it". He and McCain have been a couple of whining, immature, manipulative, sneaky hypocrites! They both shoot their mouths off before thinkning and believe it''s okay to tell half-truths as long as you do it with a chuckle. Those are not the traits that qualify someone for the presidency.

Romney has all the qualities of a great leader and he is willing to admit his mistakes, listen to others and improve. He has only changed for the better over the years. Romney has the education, integrity, self-control, experience and vision we so desperately need as a country right now.; Reply to this comment


by giantrobot2 February 5, 2008 1:29 AM EST: *** ALERT ****

Tony Perkins and James Dobson of FRC (Family Research Council) value voters guide that I just received today clearly shows they are supporting Mike Huckabee for President.

Out of all the questions they asked of Republicans and Democrates, Mike Huckabee scored 100% in all questions.

It also shows that Mitt Romney''''s liberal positions are still showing through him in the questioning.

It says Mitt Romney supports human cloning and embryo destruction. Plus it says Mitt Romney would vote for passage to water down the Federal Marriage act of 1996.

Plus it says Mitt Romney will vote to allow passage of law that allows the Government to take away private land of it''''s citizens whenever it wants to.

Do Republicans want a liberal like Mitt Romney running our party or a true conservative like Mike Huckabee running our party?

It''''s clear that Tony Perkins and Dr. James Dobson are supporting conservative Mike Huckabee in the value votes results I just received today.

If you are a conservative who has admired what Tony Perkins and Dr. James Dobson has down for the nation, please go vote tomorrow for Mike Huckabee who they are clearly showing they are supporting.; Reply to this comment