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.
~”Another reason why Mccain will have to turn right to get support.”~
Problem is... he won’t stay there.
~”I’ve maxed out my contributions to Romney’s primary campaign.”~
There are always anti-McCain 527’s. Club for Growth comes to mind.
Never give in, Never give in, never, never, never .. - Winston Churchill, October 1941.”
Good comment, WOSG. We live to fight another day. All conservatives must now back Mitt bigtime. Especially those residing in the Super Tuesday states.
However, one caveat. If it ends up being McInsane as the Pub nominee, that is when I bow out. No one can convince me to vote for that party traitor. He is the enemy within.
“How much cash does Mccain have left?
I wouldn’t be surprised if George Soros and other democRAT donors will be glad to give McCain all the cash he needs.”
McInsane doesn’t need any cash. He has the MSM.
Mitt’s not giving up and neither should we. In fact, we should all donate to the Super Tuesday, Stop McCain Fund to show our resolve(found on mittromney.com)!
A little advice — stop wasting your own money on this RINO and let him spend his own money.
A real conservative third-party candidate has a better chance of becoming President than Romney
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You know, I thought all the MittNittWitts admired RINO Romney because he has 250 Million Dollars
Lots of money equals virtue to them...like George Soros, and the Clintons
You would think that a person with any brains would hang onto her wee bit o’ change and let the ambitious billionaire pay his own way instead o’ being a whore
But that’s one way of gather in’ in th’ riches...
Soak the poor like the shameless liberal he is...
Flame away
Why haven’t I seen one Romney ad here in CA?
Yes, you refer to The 5 Browns. Remarkably talented bunch. Their parents sacrificed a great deal while they were honing their skills.
http://www.the5browns.com/
http://youtube.com/watch?v=KQAJTL5ztBY
You mentioned Juilliard. Actually, all five were accepted. At one point, they were all attending at the same time.
~”Conservatives need to develop a game plan for dealing with the Hobbesian choice of McCain versus an even worse democrat.”~
I plan to sit at home and sip my favorite beverage. I’d rather defeat Clinton in four years than try to reelect McCain. Either one will be equally damaging to conservatism and the nation.
~”So it is about his religion all along..”~
Only to you and your friends, Nana.
All conservatives must now back Mitt bigtime. Especially those residing in the Super Tuesday states.
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TN voters passed the Marriage Act in 2006 One man one woman
We’re not interested in a RINO who pushes same-sex marriage
No conservative will vote for that abortion pusher
Other pro-abortionist might but not anyone with any decency, who knows what he really is
RINO Romney - Mr ABORTION-ON-DEMAND
Romney - Champion of Abortion 1994
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9IJUkYUbvI&feature=related
Romney - Champion of Abortion 2002
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_w9pquznG4
Flame away Kill the messager
Huh how did she make that leap?
Wow
I sent in my 100 bucks. Gonna get two t-shirts out of it, too! :-)
~”I do not get the delegate count this story talks about when these are the official numbers”~
The story doesn’t include RNC votes - our version of superdelegates - that have pledged to Romney.
“Flame away Kill the messager:
I don’t have to. Everyone knows your screwed on tight.
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.
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Ahhhhhhhh I didnt say it
Its from the article
You never flamed the author
Explain please...
***CRICKETS***
Did you actually read the article ????
Why should I explain to you? I don’t like dumbing things down that far.
Let’s see now
It’s OK to push abortions, like the Clintons do
But not OK to object to someone pushing abortions
Oh I get it
You are pro-abortion
I guess you like the idea of condoning the BBQing and butchering of innocent babies
Just dont call yourself conservative
I got your number, you ghoul
I’m obviously smarter than you, so I’ll explain it to you..
The words in the article speak for themself
Sad that folks are picking a confused old man who couldnt get a job today at McDonalds.
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Has Romney ever had a real job ???
Like at McDonald’s
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