Posted on 01/29/2008 9:05:48 PM PST by NormsRevenge
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Republican Mitt Romney, his family and supporters vowed to carry his campaign into the vote-rich Super Tuesday contests next week after narrowly losing Florida's primary to rival John McCain.
In his concession speech Tuesday night, Romney issued a call to arms to conservatives to support him, vowing to cut federal spending, end illegal immigration and teach children "that before they have babies, they should get married."
But it was his wife, Ann, who took the microphone after Romney delivered nine minutes of prepared remarks, who explained the reasons for continuing.
"We feel as though the conservatives are starting to rally around Mitt," she said, as her husband stood beside her. "This is just a send-off point; this is not an end. It's another beginning. We have 22 more states to go after, and we will be able to do that."
The defeat marked the fourth time the former Massachusetts governor and the Arizona senator had gone head-to-head in a major contest, with McCain winning as he had earlier in New Hampshire and South Carolina. Romney claimed victory in his native state of Michigan.
Romney's team believes that as the field narrows, most likely next with the departure of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Romney's ability to raise money and spend his millions will allow him to better highlight the contrast between his business background and McCain's long tenure in a Washington.
There are 21 GOP contests on the ballot on Feb. 5, with 1,023 delegates at stake. A total of 1,191 are needed for the GOP nomination.
It was the contrast in backgrounds that Romney highlighted in a concession speech that otherwise echoed familiar themes from the trail, as if the loss presented no jeopardy to the future of his campaign.
"At a time like this, America needs a president in the White House who has actually had a job in the real economy," Romney said, adding that "at a time like this, knowing how America works is more important than knowing how Washington works."
As the audience cheered, he declared: "Washington is fundamentally broken, and we're not going to change Washington by sending the same people back, just to sit in different chairs. I think it's time for the politicians to leave Washington and for the citizens to take over."
Despite Romney's upbeat posture, the loss was a setback.
As the former venture capitalist had done in earlier contests, Romney spent the most on television advertising of any GOP candidate in Florida. His staff was stocked with aides to former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, a veteran of state politics who secured a win for his brother, George W. Bush, in the disputed 2000 election.
In addition, with McCain winning all 57 of Florida's convention delegates, Romney ceded a major talking point: He no longer has the most delegates in the field. Romney began the evening with a 59-26 lead over McCain; McCain ended it ahead 83-59.
McCain gained late momentum with endorsements from Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., the state's top elected Hispanic leader, and Republican Gov. Charlie Crist.
He also made use of one of Romney's campaign tactics, running negative radio and Internet ads against his rival and fielding calls that accused Romney of favoring taxpayer-funded abortion. McCain also claimed Romney supported a timetable for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq. Romney had not.
From Florida, Romney was headed to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., for a debate Wednesday night. He also planned two days of politicking in the state and a series of fundraisers from Beverly Hills to Sacramento.
He was stopping in Salt Lake City on Saturday to attend the funeral of Gordon B. Hinckley, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who died Sunday. Romney is trying to become the first Mormon elected president.
After that, the schedule most likely will include stops in Colorado, Georgia and other states before concluding on Tuesday in Massachusetts, one of the Feb. 5 states.
Can we give Romney 100 million votes now and deliver the other 100 million after he delivers ? ......
I do not get the delegate count this story talks about when these are the “official” numbers:
Magic Number 1,191
McCain
97
Romney
74
Huckabee
29
Paul
6
Giuliani
2
I wish Huckabee didnt have all that baggage
He would be more palatable to conservatives if he hadnt condoned the illegal aliens in his state...
At least hes a lifelong pro-lifer..
and is not for gay rights
and is strong on the WOT
He has Duncan so maybe he will keep him straight...
If Duncan or Marsha Blackburn (also pro-lifer) was in the VP spot
I’m afraid that ... yes, Romney loses to McCain who loses to Hillary ... may come to pass. if that is what you are hinting at.
All we can do is try to stop it by rallying to Romney and warning people about McCain.
Alrighty, SW! Way to go!! Romney can take California on Super Duper Tuesday!!!
GOOD ATTITUDE!
Folks read her comment. Buck up. It’s never over.
Fight for Mitt now to beat McCain. Fight for good conservatives later.
Never give up.
“Never give in, Never give in, never, never, never .. “ - Winston Churchill, October 1941.
nana he is not strong on terror. He freaking started changing positions in he fall when he started getting noticed.
He is a “let’s be nice to them/turn the other cheek/and everything will just be grand. Plus he is a freaking bigot and if my son hung a dog and beat it to death I would PERSONALLY turn him in to the police. and to call republicans in his state shiites? well sound like a nice conservative to me NOT. he has been riding with mccain to kill off romney so he can be mcpain’s vp. ant that’s not 10% of what is wrong with him.
Why don't you help do it too then? A vote for McCain = a vote for Amnesty.
So classic, so true.
(((HUGS)))
Sad that folks are picking a confused old man who couldn’t get a job today at McDonald’s.
McCain shouldn’t be worried about CFR with all the free gushing press he receives.
I don't care how many times I have to say it, but he just isn't.
Massachusetts is a liberal haven, and he did accomplish a lot of things while in the enemy den, but you can't label him because of where he calls home.
He's telling you the truth when he says he is pro-life, pro gun, pro-Constitution and pro individual liberty. He has not lied.
McCain on the other hand, has told one whopper after another and then sicked his 527s after Mitt with a load of crap that he sold to the ignorants in Florida.
We have to back the most conservative candidate and the best for the future of this country. At least you can hold your nose and do a Dole vote.
As for McCain, the MSM that created his new personae, will chew him to pieces as soon as he wins the nomination. They are not attacking him because they want you to be forced to vote for him.
Hillary may well win in any case, because Dem's are turning out at rates that far exceed republicans. The reason is simple, The base is all busted up. The MSM is responsible for this. They are running the Conservatives like wild mules to the slaughter. You just don't see it coming. Your self image is blocking your view, and know it and how to pull your chain.
Puleeeze. Huck came in FOURTH.
In the national polls he is way behind. HUCK IS DONE. KAPUT. OVER. He is running to be McCain’s poodle aka VP slot, nothing more. If you want to feed his vanity be warned - you are only feeding more votes to McCain.
If you want to stop McCain, the vote to make is Romney.
I haven't see one McCain sign in San Diego. I've only seen Rudy and Romney signs (and Ron Paul). Maybe all the crazy, McCain-loving Republicans are in the north? A friend of mine who was working on the Rudy campaign here said she doesn't know of any Rudy supporters who will be switching to McCain. We shall see.
-—McCain is up by at least 10 pts in CA and Romney has to battle Huckabilly and antimormom bigotry in the south. McCain must self destruct for Romney to have a prayer.-—
Which is why the Huckster is staying in. McCain will reward him. Only a great conservative backlash will save us and Romney. Many intelligent conservatives have seen this for some time now. Coulter comes to mind.
I see what you mean, could be a long, long haul....
I'm sure he's already getting lots of that payoff from selling us out. Heck, he's probably getting it in Ameros.
he is not strong on terror. He freaking started changing positions in he fall when he started getting noticed”
Huckabee talks about it now but is not a life long WOT guy ???
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Thats bad...
I want my troops to have someone in their corner and the country protected...
I dont trust people who say anything to get elected...
Thats why Im glad Ive already voted for Duncan
I wont take the responsibility for the FOUR RINOs left
We all are in a pickle this year...
Give it up Mitt. The other liberal won. You endorsed all his liberal positions before you decided to run for president anyway.
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