by Mary Kay Hastings
1:08pm EST, Reuters:
Republican candidate Mitt Romney dropped out of the U.S. presidential race on Thursday, a decision that makes Sen. John McCain the all-but-certain nominee of his party.
"I feel I have to now stand aside, for our party and for our country," he said in a speech to the Conservative Political Action Conference.Romney lost 14 of 21 states on Super Tuesday, the biggest day of U.S. presidential voting ahead of November's election, while Arizona Sen. McCain savored coast-to-coast wins and cemented his position as front-runner....
The former Massachusetts governor had vowed to fight on after Super Tuesday, but he and his campaign advisers discussed the situation on Wednesday. Romney has been helping to bankroll his campaign using his own personal wealth."This is not an easy decision for me. I hate to lose," Romney said.
Many Republicans are eager for an end to the nominating contest between McCain, Romney and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in order to begin what is expected to be a difficult fight against either of the two Democratic candidates, Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama.
Romney's decision will raise pressure on Huckabee to do the same.
"If I fight on in my campaign, all the way to the convention, I would forestall the launch of a national campaign and make it more likely that Sens. Clinton or Obama would win," Romney said.
Romney did not endorse McCain in his speech. The two have engaged in a bitter crossfire in recent weeks over who is the real conservative.
Romney said, "I disagree with Senator McCain on a number of issues, as you know."
But he said he agreed with him "on doing whatever it takes to be successful in Iraq, on finding and executing Osama bin Laden, and on eliminating al Qaeda and terror."
The McCain campaign declined immediate comment. McCain was to address the conference after Romney.
Comments:
Perhaps, if the liberals are right, and the vice-president is the one who runs everything anyway, then we can hope that Romney will be VP.
I am sad. Fo shizzle.
Posted by: Nathan Will Sheets at February 7, 2008 1:25 PMHOLY SNIKEYS
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Pottymouth.
Posted by: FetusFascist at February 7, 2008 1:34 PMRomney can't be VP, as McCain is not going to win. Second reason: McCain would never pick him. Maybe Fred Thompson.
Posted by: Hal at February 7, 2008 1:36 PMMcCain is not going to win the nomination, Hal? Who is going to win?
Posted by: Nathan Will Sheets at February 7, 2008 1:51 PMOkay, that was fun...not...Poor Bethany. I heard the news and tried to get a post up but of course I'm computer illiterate and, well, you saw what happened...but it's up now.
Pretty wild, Huh? I'd love to see a McCain/Huckabee ticket. Huckabee is my man when it comes to the life issue, but on other things, he made me a little nervous. McCain is great if we're attacked (By anything. Terrorists, China, marshmallows, midgets...he'll pull out the guns) but he made me very nervous on other issues. Together they'd almost make a halfway decent candidate.
Posted by: mk at February 7, 2008 1:58 PMsorry, I wasn't clear. McCain is not going to win in November.
Ergo, Romney can't be Vice President. He can be VP candidate on the ticket. But, McCain hates him
Posted by: Hal at February 7, 2008 1:58 PMThe question is: Would Huckabee also step down?
I'm with MK that there is not one "solid" Republican candidate out there for all the pertinent issues and a possible combo would be better.
Posted by: RSD at February 7, 2008 2:09 PMAnyone running third party? *wince*
Posted by: rosie at February 7, 2008 4:33 PMI can understand Huckabee being VP as he will take the heat off of McCain's back because he is not thought of as being conservative enough...Huckabee would get the conservatives.
America clearly made the right decision on Tuesday. Romney is gone, THANK GOD.
I overheard that if Barack were to be close to the nomination (every minute!), then it might be wise to announce Richardson for possible VP. Richardson has the experience and will gather in the latino votes. Interesting.
I heard last night that Glenn Beck would vote for Hillary (granted she was the nominee) if McCain got the nomination. They said on CNN I think that some of the other pundits agree. What are ya'lls thoughts on that?
Posted by: prettyinpink at February 7, 2008 5:12 PMMaybe another thought experiment,
If it were to happen, an Obama/Richardson ticket, would you vote for that over a McCain ticket?
Posted by: prettyinpink at February 7, 2008 5:14 PMMaybe another thought experiment,
If it were to happen, an Obama/Richardson ticket, would you vote for that over a McCain ticket?
Posted by: prettyinpink at February 7, 2008 5:14 PM
.....................................
Bill Clinton hung out with Richardson for Super Bowl. Couldn't help but wonder what they discussed. Clinton/Richardson perhaps?
Posted by: Sally at February 7, 2008 6:29 PMSally, perhaps. What would Richardson contribute to Clinton's campaign?
Posted by: prettyinpink at February 7, 2008 6:45 PM"What would Richardson contribute to Clinton's campaign?"
super bowl snacks
Posted by: Hal at February 7, 2008 7:18 PMLOL Hal!
Posted by: prettyinpink at February 7, 2008 8:07 PMSally, perhaps. What would Richardson contribute to Clinton's campaign?
Posted by: prettyinpink at February 7, 2008 6:45 PM
.........................................
The voice of one that doesn't suffer fools gladly.
Posted by: Sally at February 7, 2008 8:21 PMSally,
you are probably right
"What would Richardson contribute to Clinton's campaign?"
super bowl snacks
Posted by: Hal at February 7, 2008 7:18 PM
........................................
NM green chili can be addictive. Be it guac, fajitas. enchiladas, chili rejonos, stew..........
Posted by: Sally at February 7, 2008 8:26 PMnow you're talking sally. I'm warming up to a Richardson VP run
Posted by: Hal at February 7, 2008 8:28 PMnow you're talking sally. I'm warming up to a Richardson VP run
Posted by: Hal at February 7, 2008 8:28 PM
...........................................
I've encountered the man. He's tough. On fools and lackards.
Jill and her lackeys wouldn't make it past the front door of the White House without serious weaponry.
now you're talking sally. I'm warming up to a Richardson VP run
Posted by: Hal at February 7, 2008 8:28 PM
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...And Secretary of State Biden.
Posted by: FetusFascist at February 7, 2008 9:24 PMah, the "dream team"
Reality: nightmare.
Posted by: Anonymous at February 7, 2008 9:44 PMBiden might be nice, too. He's more of a moderate, lots of foreign policy experience, might soften Obama's liberal edge and inexperience.
Posted by: prettyinpink at February 7, 2008 10:34 PMdon't forget Edwards as Attorney General
Posted by: Hal at February 7, 2008 10:56 PMExcellent. Now all we need to get rid of Huckabee and the Republican Party already looks less crazy.
Posted by: MrBurns at February 8, 2008 4:05 AMI like how he managed to spin dropping out as a blow against terrorism. Mitt Romney: Failing for Freedom!
Posted by: Jen R at February 8, 2008 11:04 AMI'll tell you what now.
Alan Keyes.
Posted by: CrankyCatholic at February 8, 2008 5:00 PMCC,
How would America elect a person who is barely on its radar? Good luck getting his campaign off the ground.
Posted by: prettyinpink at February 9, 2008 2:34 AMOne of the reasons I don't like him:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/02/13/politics/main673732.shtml
I heard last night that Glenn Beck would vote for Hillary (granted she was the nominee) if McCain got the nomination. They said on CNN I think that some of the other pundits agree. What are ya'lls thoughts on that?
PIP, I watch him from time to time, and he goes overboard with the domatic "conservative" stuff, as if it would be an acceptable solution, which it would not be to most people. He sure doesn't like McCain, though.
Beck is awful fast to criticize certain people, but I rarely see him propose a practical, workable, and acceptable answer.
That said, on certain issues I do agree with him, and applaud his capacity to point out the baloney we hear from politicians.
Doug
Posted by: Doug at February 9, 2008 5:29 PMBob Kerry, Joe Biden - don't know what chance either one has for a VP slot, but they're really good guys who make sense when they speak.
Posted by: Doug at February 9, 2008 5:31 PM