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It was not so long ago that the idea that Senator John McCain would even entertain tapping Mitt Romney, his bitterest primary rival, as his running mate would have seemed preposterous, rating at least 7.0 on the strange-bedfellows scale. The McCain-Romney feud was the juiciest of the Republican primary season, featuring two men who generally just did not seem to like each other. Mr. Romney said Mr. McCain would set a “liberal Democrat course as president.” He said that one of Mr. McCain’s proudest accomplishments, his campaign finance bill, took “a whack at the First Amendment,” and told voters grappling...

It was not so long ago that the idea that Senator John McCain would even entertain tapping Mitt Romney, his bitterest primary rival, as his running mate would have seemed preposterous. On the strange-bedfellows scale, it would have ranked somewhere between Tom teaming up with Jerry and the Red Sox joining forces with the Yankees. The McCain-Romney feud was the juiciest of the Republican primary season, featuring two men who generally just did not seem to like each other. Mr. Romney said Mr. McCain would set a “liberal Democrat course as president.” He said that one of Mr. McCain’s proudest...

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) said Friday that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is “extraordinarily naïve” on foreign policy and the economy and predicted that the Illinois senator’s “sweet talk” would lose out to Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) “straight talk” in November. In the general election, Romney said, “people are going to focus on Sen. McCain, his vision for our economy, his vision for foreign policy, his years of experience, as opposed to somebody, Barack Obama, [who is] well-spoken, but extraordinarily naive, particularly as it comes to both.” Romney also said that he has not had any open and...

“This is our ethanol”So an exasperated Sen. Barbara Boxer screams that the farm-belt senators better support her regional selfishness in opposing California off-shore drilling against the national interest, in the same manner she went along with the ethanol boondoggle. Odd that she was so brazen in her confessional.Jackson’s N-wordI give some credit to Barack Obama. His ‘hope and change’ mantra drives some to near madness and has proved a wrecking ball of liberal careers. First, in 90 days he destroyed the Clinton political machine, leaving Bill’s past 7-year effort at PC rehabilitation, after Monica and the pardons, in shambles. Now...

Former Gov. Mitt Romney, who's increasingly visible on the campaign trail on behalf of the man who beat him for the Republican presidential nomination, Sen. John McCain, is about to forgive the $45 million he loaned himself for the primary struggles. The legal move of filing papers with the Federal Election Commission re-declaring Romney's loans as contributions is imminent, according to a report by Michael Kranish on the Boston Globe website. It would clear the legal deck for Romney to become a candidate again as, oh, say, the vice presidential Republican running mate of McCain. Republican presidential nominee to be...

If Not Romney, Who? by Steve Kornacki  |  July 17, 2008 Last week, I pretty much wrote off the idea that John McCain will offer his running-mate slot to Mitt Romney. I probably shouldn't have. (Talk about a flip-flop ...)My reason for dismissing Romney was simple: The political style he exhibited in his own presidential campaign -- abandoning just about all previously held principles in an effort to hew to every conservative interest group's issues checklist -- fundamentally violated McCain's sense of propriety and honor. This went far beyond, in my estimation, the usual hurt feelings and sour grapes that campaigns...

John McCain’s Veepstakes: Mitt Romney by John Gizzi (This is the thirteenth Veepstakes article. Already profiled have been Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Ohio Rep. Rob Portman, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint and South Dakota Sen. John Thune. ) When he launched his bid for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, former Massachusetts Gov. (2002-06) Mitt Romney was viewed skeptically by many conservatives. The son...

July 16, 2008 11:18 Romney Makes His VP Case Posted by Michael Scherer | Comments (41) | Permalink | Trackbacks (0) | Email This On Monday night, at a fund-raiser in New Mexico, John McCain said this about his former mortal enemy, Mitt Romney: “I’m appreciative every time I see Mitt on television on my behalf. He does a better job for me than he did for himself as a matter of fact.” This may not have been a joke. Yesterday, Romney sat down for an interview with CBS News. It is a striking interview, in part because Romney seems...

Former White House strategist Karl Rove may be trying some new political tricks to help fellow Republican Mitt Romney secure the party's vice presidential nomination.

The Massachusetts Senate today passed a bill that would repeal a 1913 state law that prevents gay and lesbian couples from most other states from marrying in Massachusetts. The bill, which had the support of Senate President Therese Murray, passed with no objections on a voice vote. Proponents of the repeal called the 1913 law archaic and discriminatory. "There are very few laws on the books that I can say that I'm ashamed that they're on the books," said State Senator Mark Montigny, a New Bedford Democrat. He said he opposed the law because of the "immorality of discrimination." "This...

The coming weeks will answer one very important question about John McCain: does he want to be the Republican Party's presidential nominee or does he want to be president?

The most obvious assets that Romney would bring to the Republican ticket include his economic expertise, fundraising prowess and potential to give McCain a boost in more than one battleground state. But a less talked about plus side to a Romney vice presidential candidacy is that despite his perpetually sunny demeanor, the former Massachusetts governor is not afraid to unleash razor-sharp political attacks against the opposition. "This is not the time for an amateur," Romney said of presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama. "This is the time for a tested, proven professional to lead our country." Romney brims with confidence and...

Political experts say the weakening U.S. economy, the No. 1 issue for voters, could sway McCain to pick Romney, whose experience as a successful former venture capitalist could compensate for McCain's weaknesses in economic matters.

Scott Romney, the older brother of John McCain’s former GOP rival Mitt Romney, will become a co-chairman of the McCain campaign in Michigan, CBSNews.com confirms.

ALBUQUERQUE - For those of you keeping track of who Republican presidential candidate John McCain might pick as his vice presidential running mate, consider this: McCain told a fundraising event in Albuquerque that he and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, whom McCain defeated in the race for the Republican presidential nomination, have become good friends. It was only a few months ago when the two were at each other’s throats in the often-acrimonious campaign. “Mitt and Ann Romney and Cindy and I have become good friends,” McCain said in describing how he feels the Republican Party is united now for...

Michigan should be a layup for Barack Obama. The state's economy is in the doldrums, blue-collar auto workers are losing jobs and the state hasn't voted for a Republican in a presidential election since 1988. But recent polls show the race is closer than many expected... Among the factors that could help Sen. McCain are Sen. Obama's decision not to contest Michigan's mid-January primary...and critical comments he made last year about Detroit's auto makers. But perhaps the biggest boon to his efforts: the unpopularity of the state's Democratic governor, Jennifer Granholm. Gov. Granholm has an approval rating of 30%... Voters...

Mitt Romney is best suited to run as John McCain’s vice president in the general election, former presidential strategist Karl Rove said Sunday. “Romney is already vetted by the media, strong executive experience both in business and in government, has an interesting story to tell with saving the U.S. Olympics, and also helps McCain deal with the economy, because he can speak with the economy with a fluency that McCain doesn’t have,” Rove told “Fox News Sunday.” But Rove, a FOX News analyst, added that Romney is not without flaws. “He’s been a little uneven in his performance,” Rove said....

It may come as a surprise to some on the left, but it is the Bush administration that made the state of Massachusetts' health-care revolution a reality. Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt, together with Massachusetts leaders from both parties, enabled our state to launch a health-care plan that is on track to get virtually every citizen insured. Moreover, Bay Staters are now able to own their own insurance with the same low rates that are paid by employers. And there is no more worrying that if you lose your job, you lose your health insurance. The Bush administration...

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney - 25 percent Rep. Eric Cantor - 14 percent Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal - 11 percent An outsider - 8 percent Former OMB Director Rob Portman - 6 percent Former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge - 6 percent Also receiving votes: Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, Vice President Dick Cheney, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, retired Gen. Jim Jones, former Rep. John Kasich, Rep. Sue Myrick, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, and former eBay CEO Meg Whitman, 3 percent each.

About a month ago, the California Supreme Court, in a 4-3 decision, issued a declaratory opinion that Proposition 22, which states that, “Only a marriage between a man and a woman is valid and recognized in California,” enshrined into statutory law by 61.4% of California voters in 2000 (over four million voters), was “unconstitutional” on the basis that "gender discrimination" violates the equal protection clause of the state constitution. The LA Times reported that: "The California Supreme Court struck down the state's ban on same-sex marriage Thursday in a broadly worded decision that would invalidate virtually any law that discriminates...

RFFM.org Guest Column by Gregg Jackson * About a month ago, the California Supreme Court, in a 4-3 decision, issued a declaratory opinion that Proposition 22, which states that, "Only a marriage between a man and a woman is valid and recognized in California," enshrined into statutory law by 61.4% of California voters in 2000 (over four million voters), was "unconstitutional" on the basis that "gender discrimination" violates the equal protection clause of the state constitution. The LA Times reported: "The California Supreme Court struck down the state's ban on same-sex marriage Thursday in a broadly worded decision that would...

Story after story in the last few days have proclaimed, “Romney top choice for VP” — and along those lines are also many quotes of Romney backers who warn they are holding off on their support for Senator Maverick, especially financially, until he puts Romney on the ticket. Mitt wins practically every poll when asked by voters who they wish to see as Vice President, most recently advancing to the Finals in the popular online MSNBC veepstakes poll (click here to vote for Mitt). So, Team McCain pay attention — there is an army of supporters waiting to help you...

Sen. John McCain will choose businessman and former Massachusetts Governor, Mitt Romney as Vice President, in his bid for the White House this November, a source closely connected with the McCain campaign, who asked to remain anonymous, told us earlier this afternoon. Though others were close in the running, the choice ultimately came down to the money–not the man. According to our source, the campaign narrowed their Vice Presidential options to Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney, the two most successful opponents of McCain in the bid for the Republican nomination. But despite Huckabee’s sway with far Right conservatives and evangelical...

When former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney dropped out of the presidential race on February 7, GOP insiders and observers in the press figured he would be persona non grata in John McCain's campaign. During the primary, the distaste that McCain felt for Romney (and, to an extent, vice versa) was palpable, surfacing quite clearly at times during debates. The two campaign staffs battled daily for the better part of a year, a bitter back and forth that furthered the storyline that the two men could never share a GOP presidential ticket. And yet, over the last few weeks, Romney seems...

Sen. John McCain will choose businessman and former Massachusetts Governor, Mitt Romney as Vice President, in his bid for the White House this November, a source closely connected with the McCain campaign, who asked to remain anonymous, told us earlier this afternoon.Though others were close in the running, the choice ultimately came down to the money–not the man. According to our source, the campaign narrowed their Vice Presidential options to Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney, the two most successful opponents of McCain in the bid for the Republican nomination. But despite Huckabee’s sway with far Right conservatives and evangelical voters,...

"The lack of an official endorsement from Rumsfeld most likely stems from the rift caused between the two over a statement McCain made in the past regarding Rumsfeld’s tenure in the White House. Rumsfeld, McCain declared, will "go down in history as one of the worst secretaries of defense in history." An aide for Rumsfeld, Keith Urbahn, tells The Hill Rumsfeld no longer follows presidential elections. Instead he is focusing his energy on the Rumsfeld Foundation, an organization that encourages young people to participate in public service, and his memoirs. “Mr. Rumsfeld is a Republican,” however, Urbahn quickly points out....

Election: Remember Mitt Romney? Politico reports John McCain's ex-rival now tops his running mate list. If so, it means McCain's getting serious about drawing quality people to smooth his weak spots. Excellent.Romney, who finished second in the long primary race, isn't the only good choice McCain could make for vice president. But he could be the best. In big ways, Romney has strengths where McCain is weak — like economics, a topic McCain has with a decent candor admitted to knowing little about. Romney's addition could cancel that out and create a strong ticket headed for victory. It's not that...

The recent attacks from a number of sources on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) reek of the same prejudice that, in the past, we have often seen used against Jews, Catholics, Muslims, and many others. This kind of behavior needs to be identified and condemned for what it is: religious intolerance and blatant bigotry. These attacks on the Mormon Church have come in three forms: preaching, publications, and video presentations. Honoring the freedom to speak and preach from the heart, the National Conference takes issue with using the pulpit, any pulpit, to promote misleading, distorted,...

Romney tops McCain veep list Mike Allen 51 minutes ago Surprising many Republican insiders, Mitt Romney is at the top of the vice-presidential prospect list for Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). But lack of personal chemistry could derail the pick. “Romney as favorite” is the hot buzz in Republican circles, and top party advisers said the case is compelling. Campaign insiders say McCain plans to name his running mate very shortly after Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) does, as part of what one campaign planner called a “bounce-mitigation strategy.” The Democratic convention is in late August, a week ahead of the Republicans...

The New York Times has broken the story that Bill Keller, founder of Liveprayer.com with over 2.4 million subscribers to his Daily Devotional and host of the Liveprayer TV program, is under investigation for possibly violating his tax exempt status in speaking out last year against former Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney's Mormon beliefs. Keller, who was the first Christian leader to speak out nationally against Romney's beliefs coined the now infamous phrase, "A vote for Romney is a vote for Satan." Keller maintains that he has done nothing to violate his tax exemption status and says his attorneys are...

<p>O.K., she doesn't really matter anymore in this throw-away society. But we've got some news on Hillary Clinton's political money matters.</p> <p>First, although she's no longer running, her campaign debt has grown LARGER.</p> <p>According to finance numbers submitted by her campaign to the Federal Election Commission late last night, at the end of May the New York senator had a total debt of $22.5 million.</p>

Romney Move On Arnold? Mitt Romney is moving to San Diego, and could anyone guess that the abode he's clamped his mitts upon is in La Jolla ? He claims that the move is not political and that he already has family in the San Diego area, but it's hard to believe that Romney is not mulling a run for governor, as at least a backup to a possible national role. Wasn't the first thing we heard from Bob Barr last year, upon his switch to the Libertarian Party, that he DIDN'T plan to run for any office? Romney's former...

The buzz is growing around the possibility of Mitt Romney landing on the ticket with GOP presidential contender John McCain, and one of the voices backing such a move is Romney’s predecessor as Bay State governor, Paul Cellucci. “Certainly Mitt Romney is on the short list, and he should be,” said Cellucci, who originally supported New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani in the presidential sweepstakes.McCain gave his most ringing endorsement yet of Romney’s chances of being tapped as his vice presidential candidate during a fund-raiser Monday, saying, “There’s nobody who represents me better today than Mitt Romney.” Cellucci says Romney, whose...

WASHINGTON - Republican presidential candidate John McCain spent a marathon day raising money on Monday, and it went well: after events in Virginia and Washington, D.C., the campaign and the Republican Party pulled in more than $2 million... Finally, there was praise for his opponent-turned-supporter, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. “There’s nobody who represents me better today than Mitt Romney,” McCain said. Are you listening, governor? That could be the sound of a vice presidential offer coming down the road …

In his pursuit of the presidency, Mitt Romney held fast to his Mormon faith, though his religion remains controversial with evangelicals and some other Christians. But his determined (and ultimately futile) wooing of evangelicals led him to make some statements that didn't quite square with Mormon beliefs and culture. And the effort itself may have deepened the impression of him as inauthentic—even to some fellow Mormons.

The first time she was ever called the most offensive of racial slurs, Tamu Smith was in the Salt Lake LDS temple. An elderly man spied Smith, a new bride, and asked aloud what a [racial epithet] was doing there. Instead of reprimanding him, temple workers defended him, saying he didn't know better. Smith didn't leave the LDS Church over such hurtful language then, and she remains faithful, but frustrated, nearly 15 years later. She will join other Mormons this week to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the June 8, 1978, revelation that opened the church's priesthood to "all worthy...

"Intrade, which correctly picked the winner of every state in the 2004 general election, evaluates the veepstakes chances of 30 prominent political figures..." According to Intrade, it's all Governors for the VP spot. Former Gov. of Massachusetts Mitt Romney takes the lead with 19.2%, followed by former Gov. of Minnesota Tim Pawlenty with 15.6% and lastly Former Gov. of Arkansas Mike Huckabee with 14.1% With all the campaigning that Romney has been doing on behalf of John McCain, many people are left wondering who he was truely campaigning for...McCain or himself. Romney attended McCains Memorial Day BBQ Bash. Although, Huckabee...

....If McCain ... of the top reasons he should pick Mitt Romney as his vice president: Number 1: Romney's not running for the vice presidency. Often, you see a person who seems desperate to be veep; most of the time, such lust cancels him out of consideration. But Romney's not running for it, and he doesn't need it to fulfill his future ambitions. Number 2: Romney has proven ability to raise money, attract donors and self-fund. Right now, a disparity exists between Obama and McCain in the cash-on-hand department. The two parties probably are equal on that score, but Democrats...

Political donors report Sen. John McCain complains he is under pressure from President Bush and his former political adviser Karl Rove to select former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as his vice presidential running mate. Since losing to McCain in the Republican primaries, Romney has become a strong supporter and helper of the presumptive nominee. During their contest, McCain indicated his dislike for Romney. Many economic conservatives view Romney as the best bet for a unified GOP ticket. Social conservatives are less enthusiastic about him, and many evangelicals still oppose Romney because of his Mormon religion.

President George W. Bush landed in Park City in Marine One around 5 p.m. this evening, where a small crowd of both supporters and protestors greeted him. The landing by Bush on ball fields adjacent to Park City Middle School drew the attention of local residents, who were gathering throughout the afternoon. What they saw was the landing of the iconic helicopter, as well as four other identical green U.S. Marine Corp. helicopters. They also got a wave from Bush before he climbed into a waiting SUV. The motorcade then quickly left, bound for the second fundraiser at Mitt Romney's...

Can we all agree, Mitt Romney is a long, long shot to become John McCain’s vice presidential running mate? But that doesn’t mean Mitt doesn’t still have the fever. He doesn’t smoke, he doesn’t drink, he doesn’t gamble, he doesn’t run around, but he’s got one addiction. He’s addicted to running for president. It’s an expensive jones - Mitt’s already out $47 million this campaign season, and he still needs that fix every day. Tonight, he’s back home - in his Utah home, in Park City - holding a fund-raiser for John McCain. Of course last weekend Mitt was in...

Despite the hype around the Memorial Weekend gathering in Sedona at Sen. John McCain's ranch, only Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is being given serious consideration for the vice presidential nomination, say McCain insiders with knowledge of the ongoing vetting process. "McCain has gotten a good look at [Mitt] Romney as a competitor and as someone who is running in support of his candidacy, and frankly he can't tell the difference." Florida Gov. Charlie Crist is not considered a serious candidate" http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=13271

Mitt Romney and at least two other potential running mates are among a small group of guests gathered this weekend at John McCain's Arizona retreat for something like a political version of "The Bachelor." The weekend of food and fellowship is being billed as a purely social occasion, but there is bound to be some jockeying for McCain's favor. Romney goes into the weekend with a leg up - of the Republicans who ran against McCain in the primaries, he has been the most active in supporting McCain since dropping out. Recently he has been spending much of his time...

I heard on tv that Gov. Bobby Jindal, Mitt Romney, Gov. Charlie Crist, Rob Portman, Senator Sam Brownback, Senator Joe Lieberman were invited to Senator McCain's ranch, and some (or all) are potential running mates. So I'm doing some research on them, and would like to hear what other FReepers think about these people. Of course, it's not a "done deal" that any of these will be the running mate, and it could be someone entirely different. I also like Sen. John Thune, Governor Palin, J.C. Watts, Michael Steele and a few others.

Dear [friend]: I'd like to update you on what's been happening since the campaign ended and to tell you about my latest venture. First, Ann and I have some exciting news. We have three new grandchildren on the way! That'll make 14 and counting. There's nothing like the love of our growing family to remind us of the truly important things in life. I've also been busy traveling the country again, campaigning for John McCain and appearing as a surrogate on his behalf. We've been to Pennsylvania, Nevada and Maine with plans to go to Oregon, Colorado and Texas in...

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney said presidential candidate John McCain has his own agenda and won't continue President Bush's policies. "John McCain is his own man," said Romney, a former McCain rival for the Republican nomination who has been mentioned as a potential running mate. "On economic matters, John McCain is in a very different place" than Bush, Romney said in an interview on Bloomberg Television's Political Capital with Al Hunt. "John McCain has been a frequent and vocal critic of George Bush. If you look at the conduct of the war in Iraq, John McCain was probably as outspoken...

BOSTON—Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has reached a deal to buy a home in southern California. property in La Jolla, just north of San Diego, Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom confirmed Saturday. While California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is term-limited and must leave office after 2010, the spokesman denied any political positioning. Romney finance chairwoman Meg Whitman, the former chief executive of eBay, is also reported to be considering her own campaign for California governor. "Gov. Romney has been looking at property on the West Coast because he has family in California, and because his wife, Ann, spends a good deal of...

    Dear Freepers,I'd like to update you on what's been happening since the campaign ended and to tell you about my latest venture.First, Ann and I have some exciting news. We have three new grandchildren on the way! That'll make 14 and counting. There's nothing like the love of our growing family to remind us of the truly important things in life.I've also been busy traveling the country again, campaigning for John McCain and appearing as a surrogate on his behalf. We've been to Pennsylvania, Nevada and Maine with plans to go to Oregon, Colorado and Texas in the...

(NOTE: This is a repost of an article that was recently posted here by another forum member. I had it pulled for copyright infringement. I am the true author of the article [I wrote it on my political blog] and am reposting it here because it seems there are many people who are interested in discussing this. Please do not steal other people's intellectual property.) ------- Ever since John McCain effectively clinched the Republican nomination back in February, he has had trouble staying in the headlines and getting media attention. After all, the chess match between Barack Obama and Hillary...