Romney will skip forum organized by DeMint

The Hill ^ | August 24, 2011 | Michael O'Brien

[maggief]

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) will skip a South Carolina forum for presidential candidates hosted by Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), scheduled for Labor Day.

Romney will spend the day in New Hampshire instead, a campaign official said Wednesday; the former Massachusetts governor has concentrated heavily on winning the first-in-the-nation primary.

[maggief]

Romney turns down DeMint Labor Day forum
By: CNN Political Producer Shawna Shepherd

(CNN) – Mitt Romney will not attend a Labor Day forum in South Carolina organized by conservative kingmaker Sen. Jim DeMint, who endorsed Romney’s run for president four years ago.

Romney spokesperson Ryan Williams, citing scheduling conflicts, said the candidate will instead spend the day in New Hampshire, sending another signal that the former Massachusetts governor is not focusing on the early Southern primary state like he did in 2008. He was not previously listed as attending the event by the organizers.

Last week CNN confirmed Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, Texas Rep. Ron Paul and businessman Herman Cain will participate in the Palmetto Freedom Forum, to be held Sept. 5 in downtown Columbia. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich accepted the invitation Tuesday becoming the fifth participant, the campaign confirmed via Twitter.

Also invited were two Republicans still flirting with a bid: former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Though unexpected, if they choose to accept they have until 5 p.m. Wednesday to indicate they will participate.

(snip)

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/24/romney-turns-down-demint-labor-day-forum/

[Diogenesis]

"We, the anointed, need do NOTHING."

---

[hosepipe]

Myth Romney or Barney Frank whats the difference..
Better he does not show up.. he has nothing to add to the conversation..

[Crichton]

I don't agree with restricting debate participants based on national poll numbers.

If DeMint's running the show he should use common sense to pick the invited candidates.

I would invite:

Gov. Perry
Gov. Romney
Sen. Santorum
Rep. Bachmann
Rep. McCotter
Mr. Cain

I'd prefer to exclude the "too much free time" candidates:
Gov. Roemer
Rep. Gingrich

And the fringe candidates:
Gov. Huntsman
Gov. Johnson
Rep. Paul

I would not invite candidates who have not announced a campaign. What's the point? If you are going to throw a wide net, invite Gov. LePage of Maine or Gov. Jindal or Gov. Carcieri or Gov. Heineman or Rep. Ryan. None of them have announced a run either.

[sickoflibs]

This morning someone from Politico said that Romney is following the 2007 McCain strategy: Lay low and let the others draw all the (MSM) negative attention, and step in and win by default.

That won't work with me Mitt!

[Will88]

Romney is probably hoping to win in the blue states while several conservative candidates split the vote in red states and battleground states. Other than winning South Carolina, that’s about what McCain did.

[Hotlanta Mike]

Mittens avoiding the Tea Party? Enough said...

[sickoflibs]

RE :"Romney is probably hoping to win in the blue states while several conservative candidates split the vote in red states and battleground states. Other than winning South Carolina, that’s about what McCain did."

Good point! It's like we have to send weaker RINO's like Huntsman money to stay in and fight off Romney.

[Datom]

Doesn’t Sarah Palin have a little “get together” planned for Labor Day?

[Soul Seeker]

That won’t work if conservatives rally around one option and they seem to be rapidly narrowing the field. Romney is in a lot of trouble.

[Antoninus]

That won’t work if conservatives rally around one option and they seem to be rapidly narrowing the field. Romney is in a lot of trouble.

Exactly. We can not let this joker win because the conservative vote is split. After the first primaries, we'll need to rally around the strongest conservative candidate fast.

[freeangel]

“Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) will skip a South Carolina forum for presidential candidates hosted by Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), scheduled for Labor Day”

You betcha. He already has a lock on the GOP nomination by way of the good ole boy elitist network.

[papasmurf]

Gee, what a let down. I guess RuPaul gets all of my rotten tomatoes.

[papasmurf]

Seriously though, if Gov. Palin doesn’t jump in, our next nominee will be either Romney or Perry. My gut says MythRomney and his henchmen will steal it.

[texmexis best]

My gut says that Romney will win 10 states or so like he did last time and lose to Perry or Palin.

Romney has been invisible for a year. Absolutely missing....

[Steel Wolf]

You can run, Mittens, but you can't hide. At some point, you'll need to get in the ring and fight. This isn't 2008. Either Perry or Palin will easily win the nomination by being aggressive and making waves.

The idea that you can sit back and win by not losing is a losing strategy. It only worked for McCain because ... you were so awful. It's not going to work for you. So, get cozy on that pile of cash. It's only going to be tears and humiliation for you once you get off it.