Romney Suspends Presidential Campaign

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

(CBS/AP) 
Throughout his campaign, Romney was questioned by voters and the media about his Mormon faith. Hoping to assuage voters skeptical of electing a Mormon president, Romney spoke on Dec. 6 in College Station, Texas, explicitly recalling remarks John F. Kennedy made in 1960 in an effort to quell anti-Catholic bias. He vowed to serve the interests of the nation, not the church, if elected president.

Fueled by what would grow to more than $40 million of personal donations, his campaign hired top-notch staff in the early voting states, and Romney scored an early win when his organization topped the field at the Iowa Straw Poll in August.

By that time, the national front-runners, McCain and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, had virtually ceded the lead-voting state to Romney.

Instead, McCain focused on New Hampshire, second on the calendar, while Giuliani employed an untested strategy of waiting out the early primary contests and instead staking his candidacy on a strong showing in the Jan. 29 Florida primary.

Romney's goal was to score back-to-back wins in Iowa and New Hampshire, clearing the field and creating momentum to roll through Florida - where he enjoyed the support of top aides to former Gov. Jeb Bush - and seal the nomination in the Super Tuesday contests.

Instead, Romney was beaten Jan. 3 in Iowa by Huckabee, an ordained Baptist minister who received an unexpected outpouring of support in the caucuses from voters identifying themselves as evangelicals.

Five days later, Romney suffered a second consecutive defeat in New Hampshire, when McCain won the primary in part with the support of independents attracted to his self-styled maverick campaign.

Romney, who headed the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, tried to cast each defeat in competitive terms, saying his second-place finishes amount to "silver medals." He also highlighted the "gold" he won in between and in the little-watched Wyoming caucuses.

Nonetheless, Romney took a cue from Huckabee's win, as well as Obama's Iowa upset of Clinton, as a sign voters wanted change in Washington.

On the stump, he retooled his speech to harken to the theme he broached in Dearborn, that America's future, and that of its government, were dependent on innovation. His campaign also hung new banners reading, "Washington is Broken," as well as a to-do list Romney would complete as president.

Romney and McCain went head-to-head in the Jan. 15 Michigan primary, and Romney won, in part by highlighting his background as a business consultant and venture capitalist. When McCain acknowledged what seemed to be obvious, that not all of Detroit's lost auto industry jobs would be recovered, Romney pounced.

He accused the senator of pessimism, outlining a $20 billion industry recovery package and telling audiences in economically ailing Michigan, "I will fight for every single job."

Romney also tweaked his stump speech to criticize McCain for stating that he was more familiar with foreign affairs and military matters than economic issues.

Highlighting his 25-year business career, he told audiences, "Senator McCain says the economy is not his strong suit; well, it is my strong suit."

As the calendar progressed, however, McCain picked up a big-ticket win in the Jan. 19 South Carolina primary. Romney instead focused on his victory in the Nevada caucuses the same day.

Ten days later, the two squared off again in the Florida primary, where McCain scored a major upset after winning endorsements from the state's two top elected Republicans - Gov. Charlie Crist, a popular figure who had previously said he planned to remain neutral in the race, and Sen. Mel Martinez.

The following day, Giuliani dropped out of the race and endorsed McCain. A day later, popular California Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneger announced his endorsement of McCain, reflecting a coalescing of Republican support behind the senator as he approached a Super Tuesday showdown with Romney.

Romney's final pitch was to label McCain a liberal like Clinton and Obama, a charge tantamount to heresy in the GOP. He was backed by conservative media voices like Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter.

[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!