Romney on a roll: Golden state GOP embraces Yankee aura

World Magazine ^ | Saturday, August 26, 2006 | Hugh Hewitt

[JohnHuang2]

The third week in August found three would-be 2008 GOP nominees campaigning for contributions and friends in Orange County, Calif.: Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, his Virginia colleague George Allen, and Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

Each has a following, and each brings significant advantages to a race that includes two other top-tier candidates, former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani and of course Sen. John McCain, a frontrunner in media eyes but perhaps last in the love of his party's faithful.

Amid a gaggle of events and gatherings one stood out: a Romney event on Aug. 18 at a coast resort. Nearly 1,000 people showed up and Romney's CommonwealthPac garnered more than $1 million. The locals were stunned: Where did that come from?

Romney's performance at the state's semi-annual GOP Convention in Century City on Aug. 20—he received a rousing standing ovation following his keynote address and kudos as well from the arch-conservative California Republican Federation—kept the political buzz mounting. One local congressman remarked that Romney "is the most gifted politician I've ever met."

Patient, persistent Bill Frist remains a compelling candidate in small groups, and he has a huge stage on which to work for another three months. Frist's VolPac is busy extending the same sort of assistance to Republicans that Romney is delivering, as are McCain and Giuliani. Frist is also the candidate best positioned to pick up faith-based voters uneasy with Romney's sincere Mormon commitment.

[irishjuggler]

No thanks, no thanks, no thanks, no thanks and no thanks.

Hey, I hear ya. I can't get excited about any of these candidates. I wish we had a real conservative like Tom Coburn in the race.

[A. Pole]

That's like saying, "I wouldn't like where he would lead this country, but he'd be good at leading it there." At that point, it's time for a reassessment.

I would rather have a good pilot flying the airplane in a wrong direction than a nice guy who cannot even drive a bicycle.

[SierraWasp]

"(please tell me there is a next)"

Well, neither Condi or Newt turn me on either!!!

Even Hew Hewitt galls me the way he's been swooning over Schwartzenreneggenator. I sure hope there's somebody out there besides Cheney that I can vote for without being forced to hold my nose and my breath for four whole years!!!

I'm so sick of political pragmatism and the politics of expediency I could just PUKE!!! Hopefully, someone will appear on the scene that "considerate conservatives" can really get behind and push over the top again... (sigh)

We really need such a new candidate and another Lee Attwater like worked for daddy Bush to replace Karl Rover!!! (now that dude could do some serious "pickin an sangin!)

[JCEccles]

Demographically; geographically, and ideologically Romney-Allen is an ideal and well balanced ticket for 2008. Allen is still young enough to serve eight years as VP, then as president in his own right 2016-2024.

[Darkwolf377]

Clearly you've never been to virginia.

Sure I have.

There are plenty of people who walk around in boots and a cowboy hat out there. Don't forget, allen's had his cowboy style since 1980, long before it was bush was even doing it.

Whatever--none of that is important. What's important is Allen isn't from the south originally, and if you don't think that means he will be portrayed as a carpetbagger, maybe you've never been to Virginia, either.

Romney comes off as a boston brahmin. Given the choice between a boston brahmin and a cowboy, i think we all know which one the gop voters will pick.

If the party is that childish that it gives a crap about fake cowboys vs. fake brahmins, we're doomed. You may vote based on footwear, but I vote on the issues. I would wager most Republicans do, too. The regional bickering is fun to some, but it really is a retarded way to vote.

[Outland]

"I would rather have a good pilot flying the airplane in a wrong direction than a nice guy who cannot even drive a bicycle"

I'd rather stand still if the only other choice was to move backwards. Or in other words: It's better to hold ground than to give it up just to work even harder to reclaim it later.

[tiger-one]

Then stay home and fidget

[dokmad]

We all know the California GOP has lost its mind since Reagan.

Absolutely!

[Minuteman23]

Thanks for the ping. Lots of us Republicans are claiming we can't find a good man to run in '08. When I think of the kind of man I'd like to see represent me, Hewitt somehow springs to mind. :-)

Another masterpiece.