Elections Blog

http://www.frontpageflorida.com/ TAMPA – Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, who is expected to launch a 2008 presidential bid before year end, will give the keynote address to the Hillsborough County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Dinner scheduled for March 10 in Tampa.

Hillsborough Chair David A. Storck told FrontPageFlorida.com that Romney asked to speak at the annual party fundraiser, a gathering of elected officials, political activists, lobbyists, agricultural and business people. Last year, in coming House Speaker Marco Rubio, a Coral Gables Republican, was the keynote speaker before an audience of some 500 people.

Storck said ticket information for the event, which is open to the public, is available by calling 813-657-6499.

Copied from: FronPageFlorida.com

Kevin Davis Jr.

Technorati Tags: Mitt Romney, 2008, Presidential Election, Election 2008.

[Read more →]

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/11/17/romney_faces_a_reckoning_on_08/
With just seven weeks left in office, Governor Mitt Romney is bringing together his advisers and leading supporters for a postelection powwow this weekend as he nears the most important decision of his political career.

Romney, widely expected to launch a 2008 presidential bid in coming weeks, is convening the meetings at an undisclosed location. Aides to his Commonwealth Political Action Committee refused to say who is attending or how big a gathering it is.

“What I can say is it’s an effort to thank those who have been supporters of the Commonwealth PAC over the last year,” said PAC spokesman Jared Young.

The Commonwealth PAC, whose stated objective is to support Republican candidates around the country, says it raised $8.8 million and gave away $1.3 million to candidates and party organizations in the just-completed two-year election cycle.

For the full story, go to The Boston Globe.

Kevin Davis Jr.

Technorati Tags: Mitt Romney, 2008, Presidential Election, Election 2008.

[Read more →]

http://arkansasfamilycoalition.blogspot.com/2006/11/governors-barbour-and-romney-in-ft.html From the Arkansas Family Coalition- ArkFam.com:

Asa’s campaign sent out a notice this afternoon that Asa, Governor Haley Barbour of Mississippi, and Governor Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, will host a “Get Out the Vote” rally and watch party on Saturday for the University of Arkansas vs. South Carolina football game.

It will be at the Expo Center at Kay Rodgers Park (4400 Midland Blvd.) in Fort Smith and doors open at 5 p.m.

Food and entertainment will be provided, dress is casual, and the public is invited to attend.

Kevin

Technorati Tags: Mitt Romney

[Read more →]

http://wvgazette.com/section/Today/2006103019 Click here to read the story at The Charleston Gazette.

[Read more →]

http://www.huntingtonnews.net/state/061031-staff-wolfe.html From the Huntington News…

Photo Courtesy The Huntington News.
From U.S. Rep. Candidate Kim Wolfe Campaign Headquarters

Charleston, WV (HNN) – Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, a leading Republican on the national scene and possible 2008 Presidential candidate, met privately with West Virginia 3rd District Congressional Candidate Kim Wolfe and his wife, Deborah, at The Charleston Marriott Monday morning, Oct. 30, 2006 following a health care symposium.

Romney was stumping for Wolfe because, as he said, “Sheriff Wolfe is an outstanding public servant with a reputation of integrity, a strong background and position on Homeland Security, Strengthening our Borders, and other fundamental issues of concern to Americans, he is a man of integrity with a great family, he is a working man, and can best represent the hard working people of southern West Virginia.”

Romney went on to mention Wolfe’s involvement as a member of the United States

Anti-Terrorist Advisory Council and the Advisory Committee to The National Task Force on Community Preparedness and Response.

As Governor Romney and Sheriff Wolfe shared a telephone press conference, Romney kept bringing the conversation back around to Sheriff Wolfe’s congressional campaign, reinforcing Wolfe’s reputation for integrity and leadership, and the need for America to have true public servants who sacrifice to represent the people they serve, not special interests, political parties or their own selfish interests.

Wolfe definitely fits that description, as he purposely did not receive any financial support from any political party, PACs (political action committees), unions or other special interests, which leaves him, as Wolfe states, “free to just do what is right for southern West Virginians. When I do get elected, I will be obligated only to the voters, which is how it should be.”

Wolfe went on to say: “The framers of this great Nation did not intend for the Congress to be made up of professional politicians, but to be exactly as it was named: A House of Representatives: representatives of the people:

teachers, farmers, laborers, businessmen, and so on. My opponent is a multi-millionaire who has never had a “real job,” never had to struggle to pay the bills, educate his children, access good health care. I’m just like the people I seek to represent: I work hard every day, struggle to make ends meet, and have had an opportunity to work and gradually pursue education and expertise in areas that now allow me to be well-prepared to represent all of us in Washington, and especially, to continue to protect and serve.There is no more important issue facing America today than Homeland Security, and Mr. Rahall’s record is especially frightening in that area. He’s consistently voted against Homeland Security, against our military, against strengthening our borders and immigration reform, and against Israel. He is an endangerment to our fundamental safety and security.”

Governor Romney followed up his meeting with Wolfe with an appearance on Hoppy Kercheval’s West Virginia Talk Net radio show, during which he said: “I think you will see Sheriff Wolfe get elected because he’s focused on national safety, personal safety, homeland security and the fundamental issues Americans and southern West Virginians are concerned about. Regarding the war in Iraq, Romney said, I don’t think the American people want to see us ‘cut and run,’ and see the terrorists show up on our shores, they don’t want them on our doorstep.”

“The key decision is what the people of West Virginia want to do: If they think that homeland security is a high priority, they’re going to send Sheriff Wolfe to Washington.”

Asking about his consideration of a presidential bid and the public scrutiny and negativity that sometimes goes with it, radio host Kercheval asked, “Do you really want to go through that?”

Romney responded: Before entering into such a commitment, of course you have to consider the extraordinary cost on an individual and their family. But hopefully, those of us who are sincerely motivated to serve are not looking at it from a perspective of personal gain, but what good we can do.”

The Governor repeatedly drove home the point that if West Virginians are concerned about America’s safety and future,”they will send Sheriff Kim Wolfe to Washington.”

Ann Marie

[Read more →]

http://blog.beauprezforgovernor.com/2006/10/gov_mitt_romney.html There is a video at the Colorado Governor Candidate Bob Beauprez’s blog that you might be interested in seeing. Click the link, and it’ll take you to it.

Ann Marie

[Read more →]

http://www.qctimes.net/articles/2006/10/29/ap-state-ia/d8l1qls80.txt With Governor Romney’s work, and our help we can keep control of Governorships and Congress. Governor Romney is working hard to achieve this, we should be willing to as well. So Romney supporters, and republicans get out there.

By MIKE GLOVER | Sunday, October 29, 2006

AMES, Iowa - Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney toured heavily Republican western Iowa on Saturday to fire up voters in what could be a critical battleground region in next month’s election.

Romney heads the Republican Governors Association, which views Iowa as perhaps its best chance to pick up a governor’s seat held by a Democrat.

He predicts Republican voters in the region will not be soured by a spate of scandals in the GOP-led Congress and unrest with President Bush’s foreign policy.

“This is a critical election,” Romney said. “A lot of people are concerned about the ongoing conflict in Iraq, but they don’t feel we should cut and run, and they don’t feel that a change in leadership in their state is merited by what’s happening nationally.”

The tour is the latest of several recent visits Romney has made to Iowa, which will open the presidential nominating season in 2008. Romney is not seeking another term as governor and is building ties in Iowa while he considers a run at the White House.

Romney opened his day in central Iowa before heading west for events in Council Bluffs, Sioux City and Clear Lake, with GOP lieutenant governor candidate Bob Vander Plaats in tow. Vander Plaats, of Sioux City, has close ties to the Republican Party’s religious conservative wing, as well as regional ties.

Romney and other GOP strategists have targeted western Iowa as a key region in the Nov. 7 elections. A sex scandal involving U.S. Rep. Mark Foley and criminal probes that have forced some GOP lawmakers from office are fueling speculation that Democrats could grab control of at least one chamber in Congress.

The mood is crucial in Iowa, where there’s a competitive gubernatorial election with Republican Jim Nussle battling Democrat Chet Culver. To win, Nussle will have to generate an enormous turnout of conservatives, many of them in the western part of the state.

Those conservative voters weren’t energized in 2000, and Democrat Al Gore carried the state. In 2004, GOP strategists prioritized western Iowa voters as President Bush carried the state and won a close race.

Romney said those conservative voters can see through the distractions in this year’s campaign.

“I can say that as I come to events across Iowa and across the country that the base is going to go out and vote,” said Romney. “I do not think people are going to stay home.”

Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, doesn’t face a competitive election but says he’s also working overtime to drive turnout in western Iowa. He noted that Democrats have chosen not to contest many local elections in the region, giving voters fewer reasons to cast ballots.

“That’s not a bad strategy,” King said.

A service of the Associated Press(AP)

Ann Marie

[Read more →]

http://www.longmontfyi.com/Local-Story.asp?id=10679
Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave introduces Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney during a Musgrave re-election campaign rally Wednesday in Longmont CO.
Courtesy of Times-Call/Bradley Wakoff

Massachusetts governor a potential candidate for president in 2008

By Douglas Crowl
The Daily Times-Call

Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney visited a farm east of Longmont on Wednesday to stump for Rep. Marilyn Musgrave’s re-election bid in the 4th Congressional District.

Romney, who could be looking at a presidential bid in 2008, gave a short speech to a handful of Musgrave’s family and supporters.

Musgrave is running for her third term against Democrat Angie Paccione and Reform Party candidate Eric Eidsness.

Romney said the country needs leaders like Musgrave because of “tough times” ahead, including strong competition from Asia, too much spending in Washington and the country’s use of too much oil.

“Her reputation is known around the country as someone who cares deeply about America,” Romney said.

Musgrave introduced Romney and recalled how impressed she was upon first spending time with him.

“We were visiting with him and, you know, he was downright presidential,” Musgrave said with a laugh.

With 12 days left in her re-election campaign, Musgrave said she feels confident and strong.

“We have a good, strong lead that we are holding onto, and we are going to press on,” Musgrave said.

Musgrave’s spokesman, Guy Short, said the campaign’s internal polling shows the congresswoman ahead of Paccione by more than 10 percent, while a recent Denver newspaper poll also showed her ahead by 10 percent.

But Paccione’s campaign released its own numbers Wednesday, by Democrat pollster Andrew Myers, which showed Paccione ahead by 3 percent over Musgrave.

Myers called the race a dead heat, citing that as the reason national Republicans haven’t continued with television ad funding in Colorado’s 4th Congressional District.

Douglas Crowl can be reached at 303-684-5253, or by e-mail at dcrowl@times-call.com.

[Read more →]

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_4550616 Continuing the fight to elect Republican governors, Gov. Romney was in Colorado yesterday.

“What they don’t always expect is that Republican governors … understand and can make a difference for things like our schools and improving our quality of life through better health care,” Romney said.

~~~Thomas

Addendum

I think that these quotes from the piece deserved some “airtime” too, so I’m quoting them below.

“This is a big player, big dog. And more than just a pretty face - like another one I guess was in town yesterday - he can actually point to a record of accomplishment,” said Beauprez, referring to Tuesday’s visit of U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., who has said he also is considering running for president.

Mary Pat Link, a Republican businesswoman, said she sees similarities between Beauprez and Romney.

“I was impressed with the common-sense process he brought to government. Hearing him now, he’s very sharp, very poised, and that’s why I like Bob too,” she said.

Thanks Thomas for posting this!

Ann Marie

[Read more →]

http://www.mymanmitt.com/mittblog/index.php?id=50 Jason Bonham at My Man Mitt has a great recap of Romney’s recent visit and speech at the University of Chicago School of Business for their “Distinguished Speakers Series.”

For those of us very used to his “stump speech” (which is great, by the way) he gives at political events this one was a nice change of pace.

Apparently, Jason wore the Napoleon Dynamite “Vote for Mitt” shirt to the event. They look like they’re available here.

Jeff

[Read more →]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/la-na-romney13oct13,1,5242084.story?coll=la-news-politics-national OK, tell me how and why LA Times readers would really be interested in who Gov. Romney brings in as advisors to his Commonwealth PAC . . .

OK, is it just general informative news that they’re covering? I’m not buying that because Romney has been bringing in LOTS of advisors for his pre-campaign team and the LA Times hasn’t cared before. So what’s different about this one? Look how they introduces this and judge what their angle is . . .

Sally Bradshaw, a longtime political advisor and confidante to Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, confirmed Thursday that she has signed on as a consultant to Romney’s political action committee.

Known in Florida circles as Jeb Bush’s equivalent to President Bush’s Karl Rove, Bradshaw will advise the Romney campaign . . .

Nice unbiased reporting guys! Linking a Romney hire to President Bush and Karl Rove (when they are hugely unpopular!) Are they trying to set Romney up as “just another Bush?” Don’t look to the LA Times to be a source of positive or credible information regarding a possible Romney presidency (see here for their previous anti-Romney record)

The article finishes by tying Romney even tighter with Bush (but I think this part is good news for Romney!)

Bradshaw’s decision to work for Romney also confirms that the Florida governor, who is prevented by term limits from seeking reelection, is not planning his own White House bid for 2008.

“It should be no surprise that I am not running for president,” Bush wrote in an e-mail late Thursday. “After all, that is what I have told you and others in the press for a long time.”

Bradshaw said Thursday that Bush encouraged her to consider working for Romney, who will appear with the governor next week in Florida at several campaign events.

Wow, that’s exciting . . . Jeb sends one of his main advisors towards Romney! The article finishes . . .

Bush said Thursday that he is not supporting any candidates, but said Romney would be “formidable” if he runs.

Looks like Jeb is seeing the writing on the wall.

Jeff

[Read more →]

http://swannblog.com/2006/10/11/mitt-romney-comes-to-philadelpha/ For all of you in Pennsylvania, Governor Romney is heading there tomorrow on behalf of Lynn Swann running for Governor of the state.

Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney will campaign with Lynn Swann at the Enterprise Center in Philadelphia in a “major campaign event with Philadelphia clergy and community leaders” Thursday morning beginning at 10a.

The Philadelphia Boys Choir will perform.

Romney is considered one of the leading candidates for the Republican Presidential nomination in 2008 and has very good hair.

[Read more →]

http://hotair.com/archives/2006/10/11/ten-years-of-nro/ This one comes from HOT AIR. Governor Romney is really impressing pundits and non-pundits alike these days…

I just got back home from attending National Review Online’s tenth anniversary shindig down in DC. I won’t drop too many names, but nearly every famous conservative pundit was there, minus two–Rush Limbaugh and our own Michelle, whose place I took. Jonah Goldberg–check. Byron York–check. Bill Bennett–check. Laura Ingraham–check. Mona Charen–check. Etc. Famous non-pudits on the scene included Massachussetts Governor Mitt Romney, who looks and sounds like a POTUS from central casting, and former Cheney chief of staff Scooter Libby. Rich Lowry delivered a short keynote, followed up by Jonah Goldberg and Kathryn Jean Lopez. I spent most of my time talking with Jason Mattera from the Young Americas Foundation and A.J. Rice from the Laura Ingraham Show. Nice folks, nice crowd and a good chance to remember a time when NRO was pretty much the only frequently updated conservative site on the web. Before there was a Hot Air or a MichelleMalkin.com or an InstaPundit or any of the thousands of great sites we have now, NRO established the right’s beachhead on the internet.

[Read more →]

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/061011/dew011.html?.v=71 Looks like Governor Romney is really stepping up his Michigan appearances. Here’s another one scheduled for November 9th, 2006.

DETROIT, Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ — Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will discuss his state’s landmark approach to the health-care crisis and how a similar plan might work in Michigan at the Detroit Regional Chamber’s 2006 Small Business Conference on Nov. 9 at the Ford Conference & Event Center in Dearborn.

Ann Marie

[Read more →]

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061010/UPDATE/610100435&SearchID=73259484739026
AP Photo/Paul Sancya
Romney visited Detroit today to speak to New Detroit.
Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, the keynote speaker at today’s luncheon, said Metro Detroiters and others across the nation are up to the task. Romney’s father George Romney is a former Michigan governor and a co-founder of New Detroit.

“America will always solve the problems it faces if it owns up to them,” he said. “You can work as I will on the answers.”

Ann Marie

[Read more →]

http://pdfserver.prweb.com/pdfdownload/448535/pr.pdf Governor Romney to speak in Chicago tomorrow.

University of Chicago Graduate School of Business full-time MBA program and part-time MBA program hosts distinguished speaker series at the school’s main campus in Chicago. Gov Mitt Romney to speak to University of Chicago business school students.

( PRWEB ) October 10, 2006 — Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is scheduled to speak to MBA students at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business Wednesday, October 11 at 12:15 p.m.

Gov. Romney will speak at the student-organized Distinguished Speaker Series at the school’s main campus in Chicago.

The University of Chicago Graduate School of Business is one of the world’s top business schools. It offers full-time MBA, part-time MBA and executive MBA programs in addition to open enrollment executive education, custom corporate education and a Ph.D. program. The school has permanent campuses in London and Singapore in addition to two locations in Chicago.

Current enrollment includes 1,100 full-time MBA students, 1,900 part-time MBA students and 120 Ph.D. students.
Ann Marie

[Read more →]

From NH INSIDER

The Union Leader reports, “Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a potential candidate for President in 2008, will attend two events in New Hampshire this weekend. ”

“Romney will keynote the Republican State Committee’s state convention today at the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord. The event begins at 9 a.m.”

“…Tomorrow, Romney will campaign for New Hampshire candidates at the Frank Jones Center on the Route 1 Bypass in Portsmouth, beginning at 4 p.m.”

More in depth from The Union Leader:

Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, a potential candidate for President in 2008, will attend two events in New Hampshire this weekend.

Romney will keynote the Republican State Committee’s state convention today at the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord. The event begins at 9 a.m.

Prior to the convention, Romney is scheduled to host a breakfast for the delegates, also at the Capitol Center.

Tomorrow, Romney will campaign for New Hampshire candidates at the Frank Jones Center on the Route 1 Bypass in Portsmouth, beginning at 4 p.m.

Also expected to attend the rally are Sens. Judd Gregg and John Sununu, Rep. Jeb Bradley, state Sen. Charles Morse, who is a candidate for the Executive Council, and state Rep. Dan Hughes and Natalie Healey, who are state Senate candidates in the Portsmouth-Exeter area.

Ann Marie

[Read more →]

http://news.bostonherald.com/politics/view.bg?articleid=159233 Governor Romney continues streak of cash for Republican Governor Candidates…

PORTLAND Ore. - Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney brought more than kind words for Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron Saxton at a weekend fundraiser. He brought a $500,000 check.

Saxton said the donation sent a message to local donors that national Republican strategists think he can win.

“We watched the numbers, and the gap has closed,” said Romney, referring to the recent Saxton-commissioned poll.

Romney, who may seek the presidency in 2008, also appeared at a fundraiser at the Benson Hotel that Saxton aides said raised $115,000. About 90 people paid between $500 and $1,500 to attend.

Kulongoski’s campaign manager, Jim Ross, said the contribution “shows how important this race is on the national level.”

Ann Marie

[Read more →]

http://www.opinionjournal.com/diary/?id=110008991 Hot off the Press with this one:

Romney Rides High
A Mormon from Massachusetts wows social conservatives.

John Fund

Monday, September 25, 2006 12:01 a.m. EDT

WASHINGTON–Right now John McCain is the front-runner for the 2008 GOP presidential nomination. But everyone expects that a single major competitor will emerge to challenge him from the right. The question hung in the air of this past weekend’s Family Research Council summit in Washington: Who will that candidate be for the GOP’s powerful social conservative base?

FRC officials says they invited Mr. McCain to speak, but he declined. But another potential candidate benefited greatly from showing up. Surprisingly, it was Massachusetts’ Gov. Mitt Romney, a Mormon with a Harvard M.B.A who governs the nation’s most liberal state. The 1,800 delegates applauded him frequently during his Friday speech and gave him a standing ovation afterward. Mr. Romney detailed his efforts to block court-imposed same-sex marriage in the Bay State and noted that the liberal Legislature has failed to place a citizen-initiated referendum on the ballot. He excoriated liberals for supporting democracy only when they think that the outcome is a foregone conclusion that favors their views. He certainly picked up fans at the summit. “I believe Mitt Romney may be the only hope social conservatives have in 2008,” says Maggie Gallagher, author of a book defending traditional marriage.

The tall barrier many see as blocking his acceptance by evangelical voters–the fact that many Americans view Mormonism with suspicion or worse–may prove to be a mirage. “Everyone I talked to said they didn’t have a problem with it,” one attendee told me. “If enough people say that to each other, Romney creates a virtuous circle in which evangelical activists decide he’s acceptable.”

Interesting . . . very interesting. One recent GOP activist who tried to take Romney’s Mormonism to task in South Carolina was viewed as very bad taste. Fund later continued.

[Romney] impressed three separate and distinct audiences in Washington last week in a 24-hour speaking blitz. On Thursday about one out of eight House Republicans came to hear him address a weekly luncheon hosted by Rep. Jack Kingston of Georgia. Mr. Kingston told the Boston Globe that Mr. Romney made a very positive impression and was clearly positioning himself for the role opposite Mr. McCain that Mr. Allen once occupied.

Immediately afterward, Mr. Romney went across town to address a group of K Street lobbyists and economic conservatives. “He was impressive in explaining how he governed as a conservative in Ted Kennedy’s home state,” said columnist Robert Novak. The next morning, Mr. Romney appeared before the Family Research Council’s summit. “He won over a lot of people when he recalled how as a businessman he had rescued the 2002 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City,” says Chris Butler of Americans For Tax Reform.

That experience helped solidify Mr. Romney’s reputation as a can-do manager who knows how to delegate. “He is the only elected official I’ve met with who gave me a detailed power-point briefing on my area of expertise,” says Bob Moffit, a health-care expert at the Heritage Foundation who worked with Mr. Romney to craft a law mandating that everyone in Massachusetts buy health insurance.

I’ve seen that powerpoint presentation at the Heritage Foundation’s website. Romney quickly masters various areas of expertise (I also remember how he spoke and diagrammed like an engineer during the Big Dig crisis and how well versed he was in his press conferences during the Mass flooding a few months back)

But Mr. Romney also has many advantages. He is perhaps the only candidate who can plausibly claim a base in several states. He has a contributor base in Massachusetts; a large reservoir of political goodwill in Michigan, where he was born and his father served as governor in the 1960s; and the loyalty of many Mormons in Utah and neighboring states. He has a built-in corps of volunteers and contributors in any state where Mormons, the fastest-growing religion in America, have a real presence.

And then there is the charisma and poise that Mr. Romney seems to exude naturally. “Many people say he certainly looks like a president–sort of a cross between Ronald Reagan and John F. Kennedy,” says Genevieve Wood, who founded the conservative Center for a Just Society. Anyone who draws comparisons to those political genes merits further watching.

That’s not the first time I’ve heard the Reagan comparison. This WSJ writer has it right . . . Romney’s on the Rise!

Jeff

[Read more →]

http://www.opinionjournal.com/diary/?id=110008891 The Opinion Journal has a good article about Mitt Romney’s visit to the FRC.

Kevin

Addendum by Jeff:

Kevin, You beat me by less than 2 minutes on this one. I’m going to leave mine up.

[Read more →]