Romney jokes about Thompson delays

Yahoo News ^ | 9/3/07 | PHILIP ELLIOTT

[asparagus]

Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney on Monday said he would welcome Republican rival Fred Thompson to the race, but also took some jabs at Thompson's long delay in formally announcing his candidacy.

Thompson, the "Law & Order" television actor and former senator from Tennessee, is expected to officially enter the race this week. Instead of attending a Wednesday night debate in Durham, N.H., Thompson will be in Los Angeles to appear on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

"I think it will boost the ratings for Jay Leno's show, but I'd rather be doing well in New Hampshire," said Romney, who is leading in most polls in this early voting state.

Thompson's candidacy has been a shadow on the GOP contest. He has equivocated about getting into the race, while his campaign organization has been in flux. His entry comes remarkably late in a campaign cycle that began days after the 2006 midterm elections.

"Well, I guess the only comment I'd make to Fred Thompson would be: Why the hurry? Why not take a little longer to think this over?" Romney jokingly told reporters. "From my standpoint, if he wants to wait until January or February, that would be ideal."

That's when the primaries unfold in rapid succession.

Romney spent Monday opening his fall campaign, marching in a Labor Day parade in Milford and attending retails stops elsewhere. He said voters would note who is there — and who is not.

"I think people will notice there have been a bunch of guys who have been working real hard to get to know voters across the country," Romney said.

As for Thompson's entry, Romney quipped: "I think he'll have some fun. We're going to presumably have some debates with him. We'll have had five without him."

[Reagan Man]

Fred Thompson:

Talking About Federalism, April 23, 2007

My friend, Ramesh Ponnuru, over at National Review and I had a little disagreement over the issue of Federalism (you can read the original article here). It might seem a little like “Inside Baseball” but, actually, it deals with something that is of importance to everyone who is concerned about the expanding power of government. Our government, under our Constitution, was established upon the principles of Federalism — that the federal government would have limited enumerated powers and the rest would be left to the states. It not only prevented tyranny, it just made good sense. States become laboratories for democracy and experiment with different kinds of laws. One state might try one welfare reform approach, for example. Another state might try another approach. One would work and the other would not. The federal welfare reform law resulted from just this process.

Federalism also allows for the diversity that exists among the country’s people. Citizens of our various states have different views as to how traditional state responsibilities should be handled. This way, states compete with each other to attract people and businesses — and that is a good thing.

Everyone in Washington embraces Federalism until it comes to someone’s pet project designed to appeal to the voters. Then, oftentimes, even the most ardent Federalist throws in with the “Washington solution” crowd. I fought this for eight years in the Senate. I remember one vote (I believe it was 99 to one) when mine was the only vote cast for Federalism. The bill would have created a federal good Samaritan law.

Now I can assure you that I have nothing against good Samaritans. If a person stops to help someone in distress on the highway and something bad happens, generally, the good Samaritan should not be sued by some overly ambitious trial lawyer. But states are, and have been for years, perfectly capable of handling this burning issue — as well as all of the sub-issues that are raised, such as who should be protected as a good Samaritan. What if he was intoxicated and made a slight misstep while applying medical relief? What if he was not impaired, but made a gross error and turns a minor problem into a significant one? You get the idea. This is traditionally state law stuff. Is this really something the federal government should involve itself in?

I thought not, but even some of my conservative colleagues (as well as writers) get caught up in the desire to federalize an issue if they could help a “good guy” or stick it to a “bad guy.” This may be a desirable goal in the abstract but I don’t think our Founding Fathers had this in mind. Adhering to basic principles that have served our country well is much too important. That’s why I suggested to Mr. Ponnuru that if conservatives use Federalism as a tool with which to reward our friends and strike our enemies, instead of treating it as a valued principle, we are doing a disservice to our country — as well as to the cause of conservatism.

http://www.abcradionetworks.com/article.asp?id=395162&SPID=15663

[fieldmarshaldj]

"I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone attack a politician for the failures of his peers to be elected."

It is the singular responsibility of the sitting Governor for the failures or successes of his party. To claim otherwise is just being ignorant. Nobody can defend with any intellectual honesty that Romney had a successful record in that department. He was a colossal and miserable failure. And we don't reward failures with the Presidency.

"Romney invested quite a bit of his own money in helping Republicans become elected."

His "investments" stopped after 2004. He told the GOP to kiss off afterwards and left everyone in the lurch. People begging for his help. Sorry, but Precious can go and take a long walk off a short ocean pier.

"That it didn’t transpire in Massachusetts—well, I think your logic is looking like a few logs tossed in the ocean for a few months..."

Nothing to deny. It's what he did. This man did more to make the Democrats an unassailable and uncontested political regime in MA better than any Democrat Governor could have. It will take decades, if ever, to undo the damage between his hero Weld through Precious, and make the state even remotely competitive again.

[jonathanmo]

Good god, man. HE'S TALL! Have you not been paying attention. He was in the Senate for 8 years or so! He's was Majority Leader.

No, wait. That was Bill Frist, an equally qualified candidate.

Thompson was a second banana movie and television actor. He played good guys. He talks well and writes essays. He subs for Paul Harvey now and then. That's enough these days, given the dearth of conservative leaders.

[CheyennePress]

Your standards of judgement have been swirling around the oceanic currents for a few too many months there, my friend.

Get out of Nashville and breathe a bit.

[fieldmarshaldj]

"I tend to have very little respect for those who can but criticize. It’s very easy to do that."

If the subject of this thread were Hillary, would you be making the same claim ?

"It’s far more difficult to lead."

Yes. Too bad Precious didn't need be bothered with doing so. Nobody put a gun at his head to force him to go to Massachusetts and become Governor. He made promises, and he broke them. Now he expects to be rewarded. Remember, kiddo, I used to support him. I saw what he did. Everyone else just has their heads buried up their asses who can defend him.

"Lots of guys can sit in their LazyBoys and moan at the offensive coordinator. Precious few of them can get in the booth, put on a headset, and play the part with any success."

I wouldn't have left my people and party in the lurch, nor if I FAILED in my job gone begging for a promotion. I'd have to not only be majorly egotistical but in a complete and absolute state of denial to my incompetence. Do you know any legitimate business that rewards failure on the part of its employees with becoming President of the company ? I don't.

[TAdams8591]

You sound like someone who knows and understands little about resumes or politics, and absolutely NOTHING about Mitt.

Here's a clue, perhaps you should remove your stand on the issues from your resume and you might obtain better employment. : )

[fieldmarshaldj]

At least I have standards, kid. Some people will sell them out... and for what ? For those Precious supporters that want him rewarded with the Presidency, ones that have been enlightened on his record of shame and yet STILL support him, must harbor secret desires to see the Republican party shrunk to moribund status at the national level. Read whatever you want into that, but you know what I’m getting at.

[WOSG]

“You’re supporting a guy who lost to Ted Kennedy, for crying out loud,”
The guy who came closest to beating the one the liberals call their “Liberal lion” in a Democrat-heavy state. An impossible task, actually, but Romney came closest to pulling it off.

It would be great if we had more high-profile candidacies like that.

For example, I would esteem Rudy Guiliani all the more if he went after Hillary in 2006 Senate race, even if it would be an uphill battle.

[3niner]

I have not made up my mind about Fred, yet, but I am inclined to make some comments in his defense.

First, like many Americans, I ignore straw polls. I also ignore those stupid "debates" that have been staged so far. (If we ever get some real debates, in this election cycle, I will watch them.)

As it happens, Fred has communicated more effectively to me, than any other candidate. I may not agree with everything he says, and I'm not convinced that it all represents his true views, but his communication has been effective.

Second, why should I care when he declares his candidacy? I don't vote until late January. If I can't figure out who will get my primary vote in 4 1/2 months, I don't deserve to vote. How long is it going to take you?

Third, if Fred's campaign is "crumbling and incompetent", how come he seems to be running a close second, without having even entered the race.

While I am skeptical of Fred, I am even more skeptical of Rudy McRomney, at this point, and it doesn't look like there's a fifth candidate who has any chance of winning the Republican nomination.

By the way, I am more than skeptical when it comes to John McCain, he has already achieved "no way in hell" status with me.

[hiredhand]

Romney is a pandering liar, instills no confidence and is a prime example of the depths to which the Republican Party has fallen. He's one of the three Turds Who Won't Flush....Giuliani, Romney, and McCain...the UNFLUSHABLES. They're RINOs, leftists, gun grabbers, pro-homosexual, pro-abortion...all depending (or course) on the current audience, because one wants to be pro life when addressing Evangelicals, but pro abortion when addressing feminist groups. They're simply not different enough from Hillary and Obama to make any significant difference.

It's been a couple of days since I've said this, so I'll write it yet again...

If one of the unflushables is nominated by the GOP and ends up on the Presidential ballot in 2008, the GOP will have effectively handed the election over to Hillary Clinton. TOO many of us will not vote for the lesser of two evils again. We're through with voting for GOP polidiots, knowing they're really leftists, simply to keep somebody like Hillary from winning.

Hopefully, with Fred T. officially stepping into the race soon, the three Unflushables will become a moot point and just go away. But should one of them make it on the 2008 Presidential ballot, courtesy of the GOP, Hillary Clinton will be the 44th President of the United States.

[prairiebreeze]

If Fred looks lethargic (which he doesn’t) the Rudy McRomney’s must appear to be chomping at the bit, straining every nerve....and foaming at the mouth.

[Clara Lou]

1) Tell us, please, how "Romney jokes about Thompson delays" is a "Romney thread."
2) Tell us where it is written that a Thompson supporter cannot post on a "Romney thread," or vice versa. A few of the Hunter supporters seem to share the same kind of idea.

[TAdams8591]

Mitt Romney's Resume. Read it and weep. You should be so successful.

Mitt Romney Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has been widely recognized for his leadership and accomplishments as a public servant and in private enterprise.

Elected in 2002, Governor Romney presided over a dramatic reversal of state fortunes and a period of sustained economic expansion. Without raising taxes or increasing debt, Governor Romney balanced the budget every year of his administration, closing a nearly $3 billion budget gap inherited when he took office. By eliminating waste, streamlining the government, and enacting comprehensive economic reforms to stimulate growth in Massachusetts, Romney got the economy moving again and transformed deficits into surpluses.

At the beginning of Governor Romney's term, Massachusetts was losing thousands of jobs every month. By the time he left office, the unemployment rate was lower, hundreds of companies had expanded or moved to Massachusetts and the state had added approximately 60,000 jobs from the low point of the recession.

One of Governor Romney's top priorities was reforming the education system so that young people could compete for good paying jobs in the global economy of the future. In 2004, Governor Romney established the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship Program to reward the top 25 percent of Massachusetts high school students with a four-year, tuition-free scholarship to any Massachusetts public university or college. He has also championed a package of education reforms, including merit pay, an emphasis on math and science instruction, important new intervention programs for failing schools and English immersion for foreign-speaking students.

In 2006, Governor Romney proposed and signed into law a private, market-based reform that ensures every Massachusetts citizen will have health insurance, without a government takeover and without raising taxes.

Governor Romney was elected to the Chairmanship of the Republican Governors Association by his fellow Governors for the 2006 election cycle, and raised a record $27 million for candidates running in State House contests around the country.

Romney first gained national recognition for his role in turning around the 2002 Winter Olympics. With the 2002 Games mired in controversy and facing a financial crisis, Romney left behind a successful career as an entrepreneur to take over as President and CEO of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee.

Governor Romney has said he felt compelled to assume the seemingly impossible task of rescuing the Games by both the urgings of his wife, Ann, and by the memory of his father, George Romney, who had been a successful businessman, three-term Governor of Michigan, and a tireless advocate of volunteerism in America.

In his three years at the helm in Salt Lake, Romney erased a $379 million operating deficit, organized 23,000 volunteers, galvanized community spirit and oversaw an unprecedented security mobilization just months after the September 11th attacks, leading to one of the most successful Olympics in our country's history.

Prior to his Olympic service, Mitt Romney enjoyed a successful career helping businesses grow and improve their operations. From 1978 to 1984, Mr. Romney was a Vice President at Bain & Company, Inc., a leading management consulting firm. In 1984, Romney founded Bain Capital, one of the nation's most successful venture capital and investment companies. Bain Capital helped guide hundreds of companies on a successful course, including Staples, Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Domino's Pizza, Sealy, Brookstone, and The Sports Authority. He was asked to return to Bain & Company as CEO several years later in order to lead a financial restructuring of the organization. Today, Bain & Company employs more than 2,000 people in 25 offices worldwide.

Governor Romney has been deeply involved in community and civic affairs, serving extensively in his church and numerous charities including City Year, the Boy Scouts, and the Points of Light Foundation. He was also the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in 1994.

Governor Romney received his B.A., with Highest Honors, from Brigham Young University in 1971. In 1975, he was awarded an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he was named a Baker Scholar, and a J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School.

Paid for by Romney for President, Inc. All content © 2007 Romney for President, Inc.

[Beagle8U]

“You sound like someone who knows and understands little about resumes or politics, and absolutely NOTHING about Mitt.”

I know whats on Mutt’s resume. Anti gun, pro abortion, and pro queer.

Just a slicker version of Rooty.

[TAdams8591]

Mitt Romney's Resume. Read it and weep.

Mitt Romney

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney has been widely recognized for his leadership and accomplishments as a public servant and in private enterprise.

Elected in 2002, Governor Romney presided over a dramatic reversal of state fortunes and a period of sustained economic expansion. Without raising taxes or increasing debt, Governor Romney balanced the budget every year of his administration, closing a nearly $3 billion budget gap inherited when he took office. By eliminating waste, streamlining the government, and enacting comprehensive economic reforms to stimulate growth in Massachusetts, Romney got the economy moving again and transformed deficits into surpluses.

At the beginning of Governor Romney's term, Massachusetts was losing thousands of jobs every month. By the time he left office, the unemployment rate was lower, hundreds of companies had expanded or moved to Massachusetts and the state had added approximately 60,000 jobs from the low point of the recession.

One of Governor Romney's top priorities was reforming the education system so that young people could compete for good paying jobs in the global economy of the future. In 2004, Governor Romney established the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship Program to reward the top 25 percent of Massachusetts high school students with a four-year, tuition-free scholarship to any Massachusetts public university or college. He has also championed a package of education reforms, including merit pay, an emphasis on math and science instruction, important new intervention programs for failing schools and English immersion for foreign-speaking students.

In 2006, Governor Romney proposed and signed into law a private, market-based reform that ensures every Massachusetts citizen will have health insurance, without a government takeover and without raising taxes.

Governor Romney was elected to the Chairmanship of the Republican Governors Association by his fellow Governors for the 2006 election cycle, and raised a record $27 million for candidates running in State House contests around the country.

Romney first gained national recognition for his role in turning around the 2002 Winter Olympics. With the 2002 Games mired in controversy and facing a financial crisis, Romney left behind a successful career as an entrepreneur to take over as President and CEO of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee.

Governor Romney has said he felt compelled to assume the seemingly impossible task of rescuing the Games by both the urgings of his wife, Ann, and by the memory of his father, George Romney, who had been a successful businessman, three-term Governor of Michigan, and a tireless advocate of volunteerism in America.

In his three years at the helm in Salt Lake, Romney erased a $379 million operating deficit, organized 23,000 volunteers, galvanized community spirit and oversaw an unprecedented security mobilization just months after the September 11th attacks, leading to one of the most successful Olympics in our country's history.

Prior to his Olympic service, Mitt Romney enjoyed a successful career helping businesses grow and improve their operations. From 1978 to 1984, Mr. Romney was a Vice President at Bain & Company, Inc., a leading management consulting firm. In 1984, Romney founded Bain Capital, one of the nation's most successful venture capital and investment companies. Bain Capital helped guide hundreds of companies on a successful course, including Staples, Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Domino's Pizza, Sealy, Brookstone, and The Sports Authority. He was asked to return to Bain & Company as CEO several years later in order to lead a financial restructuring of the organization. Today, Bain & Company employs more than 2,000 people in 25 offices worldwide.

Governor Romney has been deeply involved in community and civic affairs, serving extensively in his church and numerous charities including City Year, the Boy Scouts, and the Points of Light Foundation. He was also the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in 1994.

Governor Romney received his B.A., with Highest Honors, from Brigham Young University in 1971. In 1975, he was awarded an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he was named a Baker Scholar, and a J.D., cum laude, from Harvard Law School.

Paid for by Romney for President, Inc. All content © 2007 Romney for President, Inc.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Lighten up, Francis.

Nicknames do not suggest fear.

[fieldmarshaldj]

"If one of the unflushables is nominated by the GOP and ends up on the Presidential ballot in 2008, the GOP will have effectively handed the election over to Hillary Clinton."

Bingo. And even if by some miracle they make it through, their non-Conservative agenda will be like dropping an atomic bomb on the national party, and the 2010 midterms will make 2006 look like 1994 by comparison to the GOP. We have another 1958-style election, and it will take decades to recover. If the Conservative GOP loses, this nation loses.

[Saundra Duffy]

“I dont think Romney takes a back seat to anyone in the leadership category.”

After all the negative posts, I was happy to see yours. Good grief! Me thinks they protesteth a little too much!

[fieldmarshaldj]

Repeated for your benefit, since you must be quite blind.

Mitt’s accomplishments on his watch:

Helped to elect more Democrats to the legislature than almost any other state in the nation — almost 90% rodent legislature.

Helped to keep the all-Democrat federal delegation to Congress in place.

Helped to elect “Coupe DeVal” Patrick, Marxist Rodent, to the Governorship.

Yup, amazing ! Just imagine what he’ll do for the Republicans in DC. He’ll reduce them to caucusing in a phone booth, just like he did in Boston. Who needs a Republican party, right, Mitt ? If I were a Democrat, I’d be cheering on his candidacy. Not even Hillary or Obama could bolster the rodents as much as Precious can.

So, if you consider helping the Democrats and burying the GOP successful, there you go. I hope I am NEVER that successful.

[hiredhand]

Bingo. And even if by some miracle they make it through, their non-Conservative agenda will be like dropping an atomic bomb on the national party, and the 2010 midterms will make 2006 look like 1994 by comparison to the GOP. We have another 1958-style election, and it will take decades to recover. If the Conservative GOP loses, this nation loses.

I could not agree with you more!