Brilliant political move yesterday by Romney - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

Tex · 02-08-2008, 02:48 PM

Upon reflection, yesterday's move by Romney really was quite clever.

1. Since he still had a (long) shot at the nomination, he gave the impression of leaving of his own choice, rather than being forced out.
2. He did it at CPAC, where he would have his most ardent supporters and the friendliest crowd.
3. It came unexpectedly, leaving even lukewarm supporters "wanting more."
4. Casting it as "for the good of the party, and the country" left him with some enormous good will among party faithful. Taking one for the team, as it were.
5. Gave the best political speech of his career.

Already I've heard multiple commentators talk about the feeling of buyer's remorse among CPAC goers; likewise talk show hosts. The radio hosts in particular have a tough row to hoe these next few months. Now that they're stuck with McCain, the best they can do is "hey, he's better than Hillary or Obama." Not exactly a ringing endorsement.

I feel their pain.

If Romney wants to try again in a few years, he needs to get involved in the national party somehow. Either parlay his influence into a McCain gov't somewhere (cabinet position perhaps?), or get involved with the RNC or other conservative thinktank. Also, get out and campaign for senators and congressmen in vulnerable states/districts.

He does that for 4 years, and his conservative credentials will be solidified.

MikeWaters · 02-08-2008, 02:49 PM

He got no help from important party people in crunch time. He had better turn that around.

myboynoah · 02-08-2008, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

He got no help from important party people in crunch time. He had better turn that around.

Correct. I trust he has learned that lesson.

ute4ever · 02-08-2008, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tex

If Romney wants to try again in a few years, he needs to get involved in the national party somehow.

Well he DID bring up the fact that Ronald Reagan launched a candidacy in 1976 but did not receive the GOP nomination.

MikeWaters · 02-08-2008, 04:01 PM

I don't know that I would call it brilliant. It was really the only move he had left.

He took a look at the polls, then at the delegate count, then at his endorsement list, and then his bank account, and realized that he had probably a 1 in 1000 chance at the nomination.

Then he spun his dropping out as a magnificient gesture in defeating terrorism.

Yes, quite brilliant. I suspect Norcal and DJRoss and Tex ate it up.

Tex · 02-08-2008, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

I don't know that I would call it brilliant. It was really the only move he had left.

He took a look at the polls, then at the delegate count, then at his endorsement list, and then his bank account, and realized that he had probably a 1 in 1000 chance at the nomination.

Perhaps. He certainly could have still fought, and it was apparent that many of his supporters, both ardent and lukewarm, expected he would do so. At least for a few more caucuses.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Then he spun his dropping out as a magnificient gesture in defeating terrorism.

It was a magnificient gesture in uniting the party. Which (he hopes) has the effect of defeating terrorism, by defeating the two Democrat defeatists.

Your little tantrum about that makes as much sense as the people who say buying gasoline supports terrorism.

RockyBalboa · 02-08-2008, 04:21 PM

Even Romney won every Primary left....he would still lose because McCain would still get the most delegates. Romney did the math and saw the writing on the wall.

They showed via calculator on CNN last night that Romney basically had no choice because of that statistic.

NorCal Cat · 02-08-2008, 04:26 PM

It was well timed, shrewd, and probably the best move to make at this point, if he wants to make a serious run again.

Laura Ingraham said she and about 30 conservative leaders met with Romney after his speech. She said one of the leaders told Romney after the meeting that Romney is basically "their guy" now to carry the torch for conservatives going forward.

As others have said, it seems Romney is doing what he needs to in order to get more of the conservative leaders, and party establishment on his side.

MikeWaters · 02-08-2008, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorCal Cat

It was well timed, shrewd, and probably the best move to make at this point, if he wants to make a serious run again.

Laura Ingraham said she and about 30 conservative leaders met with Romney after his speech. She said one of the leaders told Romney after the meeting that Romney is basically "their guy" now to carry the torch for conservatives going forward.

As others have said, it seems Romney is doing what he needs to in order to get more of the conservative leaders, and party establishment on his side.

The real GOP leaders are getting behind McCain, not a Romney run in '12. If Laura Ingraham is one of the "conservative leaders," God help us.

The conservative chattering class was already in Romney's camp btw.

Coach McGuirk · 02-08-2008, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tex

Now that they're stuck with McCain, the best they can do is "hey, he's better than Hillary or Obama." Not exactly a ringing endorsement.

Sounds an awful lot like "Anyone but Bush!". And we all know how that went for two elections. "he is better than" doesn't inspire people that they are getting someone that can make a difference in their lives and will most likely not vote.

02-08-2008, 02:48 PM	#1
Tex Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 8,596	Brilliant political move yesterday by Romney Upon reflection, yesterday's move by Romney really was quite clever. 1. Since he still had a (long) shot at the nomination, he gave the impression of leaving of his own choice, rather than being forced out. 2. He did it at CPAC, where he would have his most ardent supporters and the friendliest crowd. 3. It came unexpectedly, leaving even lukewarm supporters "wanting more." 4. Casting it as "for the good of the party, and the country" left him with some enormous good will among party faithful. Taking one for the team, as it were. 5. Gave the best political speech of his career. Already I've heard multiple commentators talk about the feeling of buyer's remorse among CPAC goers; likewise talk show hosts. The radio hosts in particular have a tough row to hoe these next few months. Now that they're stuck with McCain, the best they can do is "hey, he's better than Hillary or Obama." Not exactly a ringing endorsement. I feel their pain. If Romney wants to try again in a few years, he needs to get involved in the national party somehow. Either parlay his influence into a McCain gov't somewhere (cabinet position perhaps?), or get involved with the RNC or other conservative thinktank. Also, get out and campaign for senators and congressmen in vulnerable states/districts. He does that for 4 years, and his conservative credentials will be solidified. __________________ "Have we been commanded not to call a prophet an insular racist? Link?" "And yes, [2010] is a very good year to be a Democrat. Perhaps the best year in decades ..." - Cali Coug "Oh dear, granny, what a long tail our puss has got." - Brigham Young

02-08-2008, 04:21 PM	#7
RockyBalboa Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 7,297	Even Romney won every Primary left....he would still lose because McCain would still get the most delegates. Romney did the math and saw the writing on the wall. They showed via calculator on CNN last night that Romney basically had no choice because of that statistic. __________________ Masquerading as Cougarguards very own genius dumbass since 05'.

02-08-2008, 02:49 PM	#2
MikeWaters Demiurge Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36,365	He got no help from important party people in crunch time. He had better turn that around.

02-08-2008, 04:01 PM	#5
MikeWaters Demiurge Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36,365	I don't know that I would call it brilliant. It was really the only move he had left. He took a look at the polls, then at the delegate count, then at his endorsement list, and then his bank account, and realized that he had probably a 1 in 1000 chance at the nomination. Then he spun his dropping out as a magnificient gesture in defeating terrorism. Yes, quite brilliant. I suspect Norcal and DJRoss and Tex ate it up.

02-08-2008, 04:26 PM	#8
NorCal Cat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Where do you think? Posts: 1,201	It was well timed, shrewd, and probably the best move to make at this point, if he wants to make a serious run again. Laura Ingraham said she and about 30 conservative leaders met with Romney after his speech. She said one of the leaders told Romney after the meeting that Romney is basically "their guy" now to carry the torch for conservatives going forward. As others have said, it seems Romney is doing what he needs to in order to get more of the conservative leaders, and party establishment on his side.