Posted on 01/27/2008 7:52:45 AM PST by jdm
Over a year ago and many times since, I wrote that I could give no endorsement, because I had honestly not made up my mind about which candidate to support. I also told the CapQ community that if I did make a decision, I would announce it as soon as I made it so that they knew where I stood. The deadline for that decision rapidly approaches, since Minnesota caucuses on February 5th, and I have decided to caucus for Mitt Romney.
This decision did not come easily. Some have complained about the choices available to the Republicans, but I have seen the field as a collection of highly accomplished, experienced candidates, almost all of whom I could support -- enthusiastically -- in a general election. That made the decision as hard as it was, and it forced me to analyze what I want to see in a nominee.
First, I want to have someone who supports conservative values. In this, we have no perfect candidates. Fred Thompson came closest, but he quit, and I'm not going to cast my vote for someone who has already dropped out. Romney, Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, and John McCain all have some claim to a portion of the conservative mandate based on their accomplishments. Of the four, I trust Romney and Giuliani most to continue supporting conservative principles in the face of opposition -- and in fact I'd probably trust Giuliani a little more.
Second, and very importantly, the Republican should have demonstrated success in executive management in both private and public sectors. This eliminates everyone except Romney and Rudy. John McCain wants to make the case that his experience as squadron leader qualifies, and it does demonstrate leadership, but not executive experience. Both Rudy and Romney have led entire organizations in both the public and private sectors, with Romney getting the best in this area. They have had the buck stop at their desk. Both Rudy and Romney have transformed failing entities (New York City and the Salt Lake City Olympics). McCain led 400 men, but he answered to commanders above him at several levels while doing so, and I have yet to see an argument for transformation under McCain's leadership.
Why is this important? The Democrats have no one who can match that experience. Putting McCain or especially Fred Thompson against the Democratic nominee, whether that is Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton, effectively cedes the inexperience argument. It argues that Republicans consider resumes to be irrelevant, and that will have us fighting with one hand tied behind our backs.
Third, we face a tough election if the economy turns south, even mildly. We saw this in 1992 and lost when Bill Clinton successfully convinced people that he had the best ideas for a turnaround. We have one candidate who has undeniable success in the global markets, who understands them and the players that run them. Romney gives us an advantage as the nominee that none of the others can match in this regard.
Over the last two weeks, my focus has come down to Rudy and Romney. Both would make good Presidents. Mitt, however, has shown that he will fight in every state, while Rudy played a bit of rope-a-dope -- and has apparently lost the gamble. Until the debate, I thought Rudy might have had the right idea, but Rudy still hasn't come out of the gate in any effective manner.
Romney is not a perfect candidate. We don't have any perfect candidates. In fact, I could still support Rudy, McCain, or Mike Huckabee without reservation in a general election against either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton. I think, though, that Romney has the most staying power, the better argument, and the best resume of the remaining Republican candidates. I will enthusiastically caucus for Mitt Romney on February 5th.
Addendum: I have thoroughly enjoyed interviewing the candidates in this race, and I believe I have given all of them a fair shake. Part of that "fair shake" includes being honest about my decision. It also means giving you a fair shake as well.
Yesterday's interview with Mitt Romney helped me firm up my choice. Be sure to listen to it on tomorrow's Heading Right Radio show at 3 pm ET.
If McCain was to get the nomination the MSM and dems will turn on him in a flash.
They’d harp on his old age and questionable health.
They’d harp on his decades long, inside-the-beltway political career and cronies.
They’d harp on his apparent instability and quick temper.
They’d harp on his lack of economic know-how and dearth of creativity or ingenuity.
They’d bring the Keating 5 scandal out of hiding and harp on it continuously on the nightly news as a reminder of the GOP’s corruption and greed.
Then, to add icing on the cake, they’d remind everyone of all the ways McCain is just like them ideologically - and they'll be asking who needs him when they offer a younger, wiser, more articulate, more forward looking version of the same thing.
I live in a very conservative town in California (yes, they do exist) and there are Romney signs everywhere.
I know they do exist. I lived in Bakersfield for many years before moving here to Santa Ynez. Romney is gaining momentum in both places.
Santa Ynez is interesting in that it is home to the Reagan Western White House. This is a very conservative Township in a very liberal area. Romney is doing well here because he seems like a great leader with an impressive track record. He is not just another seedy, sleezy Washington insider, living fat on our dime.
He clearly has NOT.
I've challenged McCainiacs to come up with any statement of apology for supporting the McCain-Kennedy bill and the Z via amnesty.
There is none. McCain has not changed. He is not being straight with us. He's still for amnesty. ay NO to proamnesty-proCO2caps-CFR-nannystate-RINO John McCain.
Maybe ...
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/01/27/liz-cheney-to-back-romney/
Vice President Dick Cheney’s daughter Elizabeth Cheney is joining Mitt Romney’s presidential bid, his campaign announced Sunday.
She previously stumped for former Sen. Fred Thompson of Tennessee who dropped out of the race last week.
In a statement released by Romney’s campaign, Cheney said the former Massachusetts governor “has distinguished himself as a leader who can guide our country with a clear vision for overcoming the threats we face today.”
She also called him “the only candidate who has outlined a comprehensive strategy for defeating the global Jihadist threat.”
Cheney, 41, once served as the principal deputy assistant secretary for Near Eastern Affairs at the State Department. She stepped down from the senior-level post in 2006.
Getting Captain Ed's endorsement is pretty impressive I'd say.
And then there's the Senator vs. Senator or Senator vs. Governor dynamic. No Senator has won the Presidency since JFK. The last 4 out of 5 Presidents have been Governors. A Senator vs. Senator race would eliminate that dynamic and bring the decision down to who do you like more? Liberal or no, Obama is vastly more likable than John McCain any day.
The best option, using this criteria, is to send a young(ish), energetic Governor with vast amounts of executive experience up against such an opponent. Mitt Romney is the only person in the race that fits that description. Plus, when Romney has talked about change and vision, he's actually been specific in what he wants to do.
And, if Hillary (also a Senator) gets the nod, and this is still the most likely outcome, this analysis still holds only more so. In her obsession to become President, Hillary and her husband will have so damaged the DNC's relationship with the black community by using the Democrat establishment to mercilessly beat down a black man that she may not be able to get enough votes to beat her Republican opponent. Again, a youthful, energetic Governor (read Washington outsider) would be best suited to go against such an opponent.
That's my two-cents, anyways.
White males in the South will not come out for WILLARD.
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I disagree on this conclusion.
If Mitt Romney is the candidate for the GOP and is running against either Hillary or Obama, I believe that white Southern men will be out in droves to vote for who ever is on the GOP ticket.
In fact,I think you will see more white males and females from the South voting in November 2008 for the GOP candidate than ever before.
McCain will get killed by Obama.
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McCain will get blown out of the ballot box by either Obama or Hillary!
He’s the one candidate that I believe will keep GOP voters at home rather than vote for McCain as Presient.
The only way McCain won’t be killed by Obama or Hillary is if he loses the Republican nomination and accepts the VP position on a DEM ticket with Obama or Hillary....he did at least “think” about it with Kerry in ‘04.
They don’t get much phonier than Governor Suntan (except for MYTH).
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IMHO, the only reason Crist is endorsing McCain is McCain’s government sponsored bill to have Taxpayers create a Hurricane Insurance Fund for Floridians.
I’m from Florida and don’t want any more government agencies involved in my life.
Crist is not a popular Govenor, so his support in Florida may be the kiss of death for McCain.
I also think GOP policy should be that anyone holding office in any elected capacity should be banned from making endorsements.
I held my nose and voted for Crist but don’t agree with his endorsementof McCain!
Ok- has anyone seen the FOX news crawler saying Fred’s endorsing Mitt? I just got an email asking about it???
And then there’s this:
http://degreeofmadness.typepad.com/degree_of_madness/2008/01/fred-thompson-1.html
Of course- this is possibly coming from FOX- so who knows...
Interesting that within about 40 minutes of that blog being posted it was removed- all it said was that FOX was running a ticker saying Fred was going to endorse Mitt- now it’s gone.
Can we do away with the dart board, replace it with the Candidates themselves, and which ever one screams the least after 10 rounds gets the nomination?
I heard rumors he might, among other things.
One good thing if he does, it will shut up the “McCain stalking horse” idiots, many of them Mitt supporters.
Exactly..
Fred NOT endorsing McCain tomorrow From Mark Levin at the Corner:
On another note, a rumor is making the rounds that Fred Thompson will endorse John McCain tomorrow. I checked with somebody extremely close to the situation. Fred said the other day that he won't endorse for now, and he is not endorsing for now. I suspect this rumor is being leaked by the McCain camp, which was the source of the earlier rumor that Fred was planning on throwing his support behind McCain if he didn't score well in Iowa.
I’m in Silicon Valley - Mitt signs everywhere. Haven’t seen one McCain sign.
Thank you, jellybean!
I’ve always thought McCain was behind the rumor in Iowa.
He was the only one to benefit from it, and it hurt Fred’s campaign.
I bet that made Fred as mad as a hornet...especially since it was his supposed “friend”.
I bet McCain is behind this one, too.
Have you heard anything from Fred since he dropped out of the race?
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