Romney is peaking way too soon
Romney threw out red meat today at CPAC:
Former Gov. Mitt Romney pledged a thorough review of the federal government at the Conservative Political Action Conference in a speech Friday that stressed the Massachusetts Republican's record as governor in a liberal state.Republicans don't seem to be buying the rhetoric from him though. He finished fifth in a South Carolina straw poll last night:"If elected president I will personally -- personally -- lead a top-to-bottom review of government programs, agencies, and procurement and spending," Romney said. "It is time to cut out the mountains of waste and inefficiencies and duplication in the federal government."
"I've done that in business. I've done it in the Olympics. I've done it in Massachusetts, and frankly I can't wait to get my hands on Washington," he added.
Romney also criticized certain judges while taking an indirect dig at one of his opponents for the GOP nomination, Arizona Sen. John McCain.
"Time and again, judges add things that aren't in the Constitution and they take away things that are in the Constitution," he said. "And in that regard, they let the campaign finance lobby take away First Amendment rights. If I'm elected president, I will fight to repeal McCain-Feingold."
Arizona Sen. John McCain won a Spartanburg, South Carolina straw poll Friday, an early sign of how conservative South Carolinians might view the GOP presidential field.Romney, much like McCain, scares the hell of me. The main reason is because I can't tell where he stands on anything.McCain beat former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani by two votes, 164-162, according to Spartanburg County GOP chairman Rick Beltram. California Rep. Duncan Hunter came in third with 158 votes.
A total of 776 people voted in the straw poll.
Full results:
Arizona Sen. John McCain: 164
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani: 162
California Rep. Duncan Hunter: 158
Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback: 85
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney: 80
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich: 33 (write-in)
Comments
I agree about Romney. He's got the rhetoric down but is low on proof. I'm just not feelin' him.
Guiliani seems like the true front-runner right now. Of course, it's still too early in my opinion.
I look forward to watching the CPAC webcast of Newt on Saturday. He will be the closer. He's still my favorite as a potential.
Hmmmmm, maybe a Guiliani/Gingrich (vice-versa) ticket?
Posted by: joe.politico | March 2, 2007 07:14 PM
It is still early but when the Nation gets to see these two side by side it will be a no brainer! Romney is much more electable. I am concerned about him coming from Mass. but he talks the talk, looks good doing it, has a great personality, and has a good wife to back him up.
I will agree Giuliani presents a different angle and his national presence from 9/11 and his brilliant actions dealing with the Saudi Prince. He did a great job in New York but he is going to run into a lot of trouble in the South.
The funny thing I see developing is that these 3 are above everyone else but none of them will chose the other to be his running mate, in my opinion. Look for outside running mate from whoever wins, maybe Sen Chambliss or even Sonny! However, there is Dr. Rice that could make a huge impact!
Posted by: Rep Davis | March 3, 2007 09:44 AM
Romney reminds me of G. W. Bush. Says all the right things, but is too new on the scene to be sure he won't become a puppet to big-government special interests once elected.
Posted by: Chris Farris | March 3, 2007 11:00 AM
Look for outside running mate from whoever wins, maybe Sen Chambliss or even Sonny!
I've been lucky enough to have worked,in a small fashion, with Sonny and always thought he would make a great running mate to a top tier Republican. I know recently Newt was in GA and had conversations with Sonny (on what, I can only speculate).
I agree that Romney has 'the look' but, thats my concern. 'All that glitters ain't gold' and his political history throws light on the fact that he is not a true conservative.
Posted by: joe.politico | March 3, 2007 11:03 AM