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Here's more on the Palmetto Freedom Forum.
Posted on 08/24/2011 10:48:58 AM PDT by americanophile
(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.
But event organizers - a small group of well-connected DeMint supporters calling themselves the "Keep Your Powder Dry Caucus" as they search for a 2012 candidate to get behind - did not invite two declared candidates, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman.
(Excerpt) Read more at politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com ...
Wasn’t Senator DeMint a Romneybot last time? I guess Gov. Romney’s loyalty only goes one way, unlike Gov. Palin’s!
He supported Romney, over McCain, yes, but he’s been distancing himself for some time. It probably doesn’t much matter for Romney’s bigger strategy, which is to stay aloof, go long, and pick up the delegate-rich late primary states. He knows he can’t compete on southern, social conservative ground.
Preferring Romney to McCain is not exactly being a Romneybot... DeMint is one of the few true-blue good guys in the entire federal government. This forum is likely to be quite hostile to Romney’s candidacy - it makes sense for him to skip it, even though he can’t forever evade his crypto-socialist agenda.
He supported Romney, over McCain, yes, but he’s been distancing himself for some time. It probably doesn’t much matter for Romney’s bigger strategy, which is to stay aloof, go long, and pick up the delegate-rich late primary states. He knows he can’t compete on southern, social conservative ground.
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Exactly right — except for Florida. Jay Cost, who I really like, had a great article over on Real Clear politics. Jay is an unabashed conservative political scientist, and he basically stated that Romney and Perry both could win the primary. I have to admit that I am for Perry at this point, but I would vote for Romney in a heartbeat over No-Bama.
Follow Sen. DeMint on Twitter
Here's more on the Palmetto Freedom Forum.
I like Perry as well. I'm not so sure I would vote for Romney if he's the nominee. I'm Pro-Life and he's all over the place on that. Also, as bad as obama's ratings are I don't think Romney beats him. Why vote for socialism light instead of the real thing? In addition to that once he's the nominee all the details about Mormonism will come out.
Bad move for Romney....not that he has a snowballs chance in South Carolina!!
In a way, I wish DeMint invited all of the candidates, especially since it’s so early. But I still like DeMint very much.
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