Romney gets ready for 2012

The Washington Post ^ | October 30, 2010 | Dan Balz

[2ndDivisionVet]

DAYTON, OHIO - Mitt Romney ambled through the exhibits at the InfoTech 2010 conference here the other day, shaking hands, posing for photos, sneaking an occasional chocolate turtle and, ever the salesman, promoting the candidacy of yet another Republican candidate.

On this trip, he was stumping for Rob Portman, the Republican Senate candidate who is heavily favored to win his race Tuesday. Romney was self-effacing as he moved along the rows of exhibits. "This is Rob Portman, he's running for Senate," he said as he introduced the former congressman to a group at one exhibit. "I'd love for you to vote for him."

All talk of a 2012 presidential candidacy was brushed aside. "I haven't made that decision," he said to one person who inquired about his plans. "I'm just working for this guy [Portman]. Let's get this guy in."

That's been the Romney way this fall. Head down, low profile, tending to the business of deepening relationships in a Republican Party that turned aside his bid for the presidential nomination in 2008. While other potential GOP presidential candidates have sought or drawn attention this fall, Romney seemingly has done the opposite.

He has campaigned in 25 states since the summer, according to a list prepared by his staff. Just recently, he crossed the million-dollar mark in money contributed to other campaigns and candidates from his political action committee. The money has gone to 21 gubernatorial candidates, 25 Senate candidates, more than 200 House candidates and a slew of people running for state legislatures....

[browniexyz]

What makes Romney think he means anything to the voting public other than being the guy who ushered in Obamacare with his mindless Romneycare? Maybe he’s just running for President because it’s a good money-making gig even though you’re not a viable candidate??

[Ronin]

Same here. And I can still remember the perplexity of talking to fellow Conservatives who wanted nothing to do with Bob and didn’t know anyone who did — and who could not for the life of themselves figure out where all the “Dole momentum” was coming from.

Well, I know! The MSM decides early in the game the Pubbie they are going to “support” and does everything they can to endow that candidate with an “aura” of inevitability, smugly secure in the knowledge that that person has numerous easily exploitable flaws that they can attack once the nomination is wrapped up.

It worked for Dole, it worked (last time) for McCain, they’re probably right in thinking that if they can con the pubbies into nominating Romney, it would work again.

I’m not falling for it this time.

[techno]

I promise to work with the Democrats and usher in a new spirit of cooperation and bipartisanship.

Romneycare has absolutely nothing to do with Obamacare.

[TribalPrincess2U]

Why is he wasting his time?

Ain’t gonna happen.

[RC one]

Mitt Romney- "Fortunate Son"

Romney had missed much of the American anti-Vietnam War movement and associated tumult while away, and was surprised to find out that his father had turned against the war during his ill-fated 1968 presidential campaign. The circumstances of his father's loss would grate on Mitt for decades. Regarding his own status in terms of the military draft, Romney had initially gotten a student deferment, then like most other Mormorn missionaries he had received a ministerial deferment while in France. Following his return, Romney got another student deferment. When those ran out and he became eligible for military service in 1970, his high number in the annual draft lottery (300) meant he would not be drafted.

Does anyone else see this as a major liability for Mitt and us? That's some HEAVY baggage and the left will have a field day with it.

[miss marmelstein]

Oily game show host.

[Reagan Man]

FO, Willard!

[2ndDivisionVet]

I figured the words “Romney” and “Washington Post” were all the warning a body needed...

[swain_forkbeard]

“Romney in 2012 will do for the Republicans what McCain did for them in 2008.”

I disagree, really. Romney would be a much better CANDIDATE. I don’t think he would be a much better PRESIDENT.

The conundrum is how to get a President elected who is, fundamentally, anathema to the DC establishment.

[hellbender]

Romney is another in a long string of country-clubbers who have frustrated the attempt to remold the Republican Party as a conservative vehicle. He leads in polls in my state. Has the Pubbie Party done anything, like ending open primaries, to keep these RINO creeps from getting nominated? No....

[freekitty]

Get lost Romney. You already showed who you are in MA.

[Luke21]

Nominating this clown would be akin to throwing the game.

[Diogenesis]

Romney is a proven loser. He is a whining, crying,
backstabbing, RINO who created RomneyCARE.

Romney is a terrible candidate, too.

But he is a spoiler like none other.

[hal ogen]

Romney = RINO. Get lost, you looser. Get lost.

[Diogenesis]

Romney CREATED ObamaCARE.

[SC_Pete]

No, after they help Hillary! knife Obama in the back, they’ll endorse the Female Marxist.

[Michael Barnes]

C’mon; really Romney? You can’t take a look across the country and see what’s going on?

[freedomfiter2]

Wow.
So is he going to challenge Obama in the primaries?

[Vendome]

Don’t do it.

You will go down very quickly as a laughing stock.