Romney Suspends Presidential Campaign

After Disappointing Super Tuesday, Former Mass. Gov. Bows Out

(CBS/AP)  John McCain effectively sealed the Republican presidential nomination on Thursday as chief rival Mitt Romney suspended his faltering campaign. "I must now stand aside, for our party and our country," Romney told conservatives.

"If I fight on in my campaign, all the way to the convention, I would forestall the launch of a national campaign and make it more likely that Senator Clinton or Obama would win. And in this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign, be a part of aiding a surrender to terror," Romney told the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington.

Romney's decision leaves McCain as the top man standing in the GOP race, with Mike Huckabee and Texas Rep. Ron Paul far behind in the delegate hunt. It was a remarkable turnaround for McCain, who some seven months ago was barely viable, out of cash and losing staff. The four-term Arizona senator, denied his party's nomination in 2000, was poised to succeed George W. Bush as the GOP standard-bearer.

McCain and Romney spoke by phone after Romney's speech, though no endorsement was requested nor offered, according to a Republican official with knowledge of the conversation.

Romney launched his campaign almost a year ago in his native Michigan. The former Massachusetts governor and venture capitalist invested more than $40 million of his own money into the race, counted on early wins in Iowa and New Hampshire that never materialized and won just seven states on Super Tuesday, mostly small caucus states.

McCain took the big prizes of New York and California.

Romney met with senior staffers yesterday morning to go over his options, Romney press secretary Eric Fehrnstrom told CBS News. He then went to an “all-staff meeting” where he received cheers from his staff and was encouraged to continue his run. He subsequently went home to Belmont to write the speech he delivered today. It was then he decided to suspend his campaign.

Romney's exit was a surprise to his supporters and staffers, reports CBS News' Scott Conroy. Minutes before Romney suspended his campaign, staffers were still hanging campaign signs and balloons in the ballroom. Most staffers were not told of his decision until just before Romney took the stage this afternoon.

"This is not an easy decision for me. I hate to lose. My family, my friends and our supporters ... many of you right here in this room ... have given a great deal to get me where I have a shot at becoming president. If this were only about me, I would go on. But I entered this race because I love America," Romney said.

There were shouts of astonishment, with some moans and others yelling, "No, No."

Romney responded, "You guys are great."

McCain prevailed in most of the Super Tuesday states, moving closer to the numbers needed to officially win the nomination. CBS News estimates that McCain now has 699 delegates, Huckabee has 162, and Romney has 157. It takes 1,191 to win the nomination at this summer's convention in St. Paul, Minn.

By suspending his campaign, Romney holds onto his delegates, at least until the party convention this summer.

Romney claimed he was the true conservative in the race while McCain has been criticized by some on the right. McCain acknowledged the rocky relationship.

"I am acutely aware that I cannot succeed in that endeavor, nor can our party prevail over the challenge we will face from either Senator Clinton or Senator Obama, without the support of dedicated conservatives," McCain said in prepared remarks to the same conference.

Romney acknowledged the obstacles to beating McCain.

"As of today, more than 4 million people have given me their vote for president, that's of course, less than Senator McCain's 4.7 million, but quite a statement nonetheless. Eleven states have given me their nod, compared to his 13. Of course, because size does matter, he's doing quite a bit better with the number of delegates he's got," Romney said.

"The odds against Romney picking up enough delegates to win the Republican nomination grew exponentially after Tuesday night and that math became obvious," said CBSNews.com Senior Political Editor Vaughn Ververs. "Doing this on the day both he and McCain are speaking at a premier conference of conservative activists represents an olive branch of sorts to McCain, helping clear the field for healing to begin between the Arizona senator and his conservative critics."

The Huckabee campaign said the former Arkansas governor would push on.

"We're still in the race and we're still competing for delegates, and today demonstrates how long and windy to the White House this is," said Chip Saltsman, Huckabee's campaign manager.

Romney's departure from the race came almost a year after his formal entrance, when the Michigan native declared his candidacy on Feb. 12, 2007, at the Henry Ford Museum of Innovation in Dearborn, Mich.

Over the ensuing 12 months, Romney sought the support of conservatives with a family values campaign, emphasizing his opposition to abortion and gay marriage, as well as his support for tax cuts and health insurance that would benefit middle-class families.

"We need to teach our children that before they have babies, they get married," he told voters at his campaign events.

But he was dogged by charges of flip-flopping, a criticism that undermined the candidacy of another Massachusetts hopeful - John Kerry in 2004. In seeking to unseat Sen. Edward M. Kennedy in 1994, Romney said he would be a better advocate for gay rights than his rival and he favored abortion rights.

[cpaide]

"The former Massachusetts governor and venture capitalist invested more than $40 million of his own money into the race..."

i bet that dumb@ss writes it all off as job hunting expense, so it only cost him $20 million and stupid taxpayers pick up the rest. so mutt gets the last laugh again.

[hungry1968]

Huckabee has the most executive experience and the best ideas. The media bias against him is nauseating. We are very close to a monolithic media-controlled (un-American) form of rule, with Fox and the other major media being the ringleaders. Wake up people and do your own research. Look at both sides. Go to www.mikehuckabee.com. Don''''t be sheep.

Posted by bdribus at 09:27 AM : Feb 08, 2008





For his state, he had a failed economy, a failed immigration plan, and a failed crime policy.

He is completely unaware of current events, as evidenced by his thinking Bhutto''s assassination had something to do with illegal immigration.

He has no plan for the economy, foreign policy, or the war on terrorism.

His only policy is, "I''m a minister so vote for me!!"

How do you think McCain is winning when most of the GOP dislikes him? It''s because they dislike him LESS than they dislike Huckabee.

[bdribus]

Huckabee has the most executive experience and the best ideas. The media bias against him is nauseating. We are very close to a monolithic media-controlled (un-American) form of rule, with Fox and the other major media being the ringleaders. Wake up people and do your own research. Look at both sides. Go to www.mikehuckabee.com. Don''t be sheep.

[radiob-2009]

Predictable,now how long before Huckabee and Paul drop out? A week at most. The democratic party will find their "shield of invinciblity" is nothing more than a mirage in the end and McCain wins the presidential election. They had a chance to win the election until they narrow it down to Hillary and Obama. Another 4 years of stagnation is what we can expect.

[hungry1968]

Another candidate trying to win favor by saying, "Look at me!! I''m a christian".

Good riddance to all of the "religious" candidates and the intolerance they bring to the party.

[formrusmcsgt]

With Romney gone and Huckabee hopelessly behind, the poor neocons are shaking in their boots at the realization that they are now, indeed, just a fringe movement that makes a lot of noise but is no longer heard.

[gce65]

Good! Take your magic underwear and hit the road!

[alphaa10-2009]

headpop said (to singingrick), "I was a Christian before you came along..."
---
There is a good chance you are still a Christian-- and what makes you believe "singingrick" has anything to do with Christian belief? People who attempt to use religion as a political pulpit eventually are trapped in the snare of their own making.

From Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson (Go Giuliani!) to Jim Bakker and (gasp!) even Jim Jones, America holds the current world record on demagogues who used religion as their ticket to personal ambitions. It is a sorry spectacle, and one which does hold America up to ridicule.

But America is not the sum of its self-appointed leaders. Neither hatemongers nor corrupt politicians have put religion in a bottle, no matter how hard they try.

My suggestion is to take counsel in prayer and meditation, and consider the second of the two main commandments to continue trying to love your neighbor as yourself-- even the one with warts where ideas should be. Remember the power of God never depends on what any person declares Him-- or you-- to be.

[alphaa10-2009]

RushLimbaug4 said, "...You need to dig even deeper into your pockets and purchase the fine goods of my sponsors so that I may spread my message of hope and good will into every cubicle, every kitchen, and that is right, every public space in America at no less than 10 decibels..."
---
Excellent parody of the old-time, rostrum-thumpin'' GOP evangelist. The only misstatement is the usual decibel level for the GOP medium is 100+, while the audibility of content is usually below -.08 db.

[ontheleft]

So this is what it''s come to. The last Romney fan standing is now carrying on conversations with himself.

Good Night Romney....and Good Riddance.

[singingrick]

I love that this upsets the fascists who''ve taken over the Republican party!

They think that to be a modern conservative, you have to walk lock step with their dictates and their talking points.


Goodbye neocons! You have done enough damage and you don''t learn from your mistakes. Go crawl back under the rock you came from.


lol!

[otdky07]

For the record. I think that all of the candidates on both sides, Democrat and Republican, just plain s u c k!

[quantitave2]

For those who have yet to vote and favor Mitt Romney, I encourage you to cast your vote for him in spite of his having "suspended" his campaign. It will still deliver the message to Mr. McCain how important it is for him to reach out to all factions of the republican party. For those of you who find it necessary to spew your venom at the talk radio hosts or anyone who may have an opinion different from yours, I encourage you to remember that in America, for now, all Americans are entitled to their own opinions---and should you vehemently disagree with the talk show hosts, for goodness sake---turn off the radio!!!!

[rushlimbaug4]

I%u2019m sad to see Romney go. He is and always has been a man of great integrity and dignity and he proved it again in his speech today.

Before today I would have said I could never support McCain. However, after Romney%u2019s gracious speech I may be able to give him my support; I will at least listen. I will however, be listening carefully to Obama as well. Our country needs more tolerance and respect for each other. I can easily accept his character and I%u2019ll have to see about his policies.


Posted by Todd_I at 11:20 PM : Feb 07, 2008

Now you see, I can get behind your concept that all a man has to do is speak well of himself and that is good enough you; that one does not have to observe Romneys actions to see if he is truly a man of integrity and dignity. But you really lost me when you talk of supporting McCain. God has not endorsed McCain, simple as that. I suppose it is not good enough for you that our one and only God Almighty does not want McCain in office. You are just another Lib underneath a gorgeous gilded Republican facade.

[spammers.hell]

It''s a good thing.

[todd_i-2009]

I%u2019m sad to see Romney go. He is and always has been a man of great integrity and dignity%u2013he proved it again in his speech today. Maybe next time he will not have to start a 100 meter dash from 50 meters behind Giuliani and McCain. Maybe next time he won%u2019t be tripped at the starting line by Huckabee and his gang, a group of people intent on preventing a Mormon president at all costs. One quality the Democrats exhibit is tolerance. Next time the Republicans will hopefully have learned this from them.

Before today I would have said I could never support McCain. However, after Romney%u2019s gracious speech I may be able to give him my support; I will at least listen. I will however, be listening carefully to Obama as well. Our country needs more tolerance and respect for each other. I can easily accept his character%u2013I%u2019ll have to see about his policies.

[rushlimbaug4]

God help America NOW (Bush is still in office)!!!!!!!!!!!!


Posted by myshiba at 11:03 PM : Feb 07, 2008

God did bless America when he put Bush into office twice. Apparently God has become incensed at out lack of support for the War in the Middle East and our inability to increase the profit margin enough to keep the Stock Market afloat thus harming our economy. Since we seemed to have turned our back on the Wealth, the truly worth of Gods love, God is now punishing us by putting McCain on the ballots to ensure anyone who is face down in the gutter stays there!

You reap what you sew! It is time to get behind the War in the Middle East! You need to dig deep into your pockets and give to your local church so they can send bibles to the troops! You need to dig even deeper into your pockets and purchase the fine goods of my sponsors so that I may spread my message of hope and good will into every cubicle, every kitchen, and that is right, every public space in America at no less than 10 decibels

[j-whitman]

The last thing America needs is another dishonorable liar ------ McCain is a 24 year veteran of what''s wrong with government today

[j-whitman]

On the Emergency Stimulus Plan our nation needs immediatly

Guess who was Missing in Action on the Vote ??? John McCain -
---- He was in D.C but, he refused to represent his own state.

A Yes vote whould have given checks to America''''s Veterans

A No vote would have been the conservative & party line ------ He "Surrendered" to lesser values

[briannorwood]

How does a liberal governor from Massachussetts become a "true conservative"?

-- By claiming to be a "life-long" member of the NRA -- while having hunted only "twice"...for "varments, if you will"

-- By switching from pro-choice to pro-life after his epiphany at a stem cell research lab.

-- By voting in the Democratic primary in 1994 (the Clinton years)

Drink the Koolaid. Believe in the uber-right! It''s working pretty well so far...LOL!