Thursday, February 07, 2008
Romney Almost Brings a Tear to My Eyes
Romney’s words made me feel a little misty. I admire that he would be willing to sacrifice his own ambitions to bring an opportunity for unity in the Republican party.
Even though we face an uphill fight, I know that many in this room are fully behind my campaign.” You are with me all the way to the convention. Fight on, just like Ronald Reagan did in 1976. But there is an important difference from 1976: today… we are a nation at war.
And Barack and Hillary have made their intentions clear regarding Iraq and the war on terror. They would retreat and declare defeat. And the consequence of that would be devastating. It would mean attacks on America, launched from safe havens that make Afghanistan under the Taliban look like child’s play. About this, I have no doubt.
I disagree with Senator McCain on a number of issues, as you know. But I agree 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. 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 Senator Clinton or Obama would win. And in this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign, be a part of aiding a surrender to terror.This is not an easy decision for me. I hate to lose. My family, my friends and our supporters… many of you right here in this room… have given a great deal to get me where I have a shot at becoming President. If this were only about me, I would go on. But I entered this race because I love America, and because I love America, I feel I must now stand aside, for our party and for our country.
I will continue to stand for conservative principles; I will fight alongside you for all the things we believe in. And one of those things is that we cannot allow the next President of the United States to retreat in the face evil extremism!
That bolded bit is something that I doubt you’d see from many career politicians these days, and it speaks well of Romney. It doesn’t hurt that he’s young and I’m sure he’ll be making this run again in the future, perhaps with very different results.
I’m sure it was a difficult decision. Unlike some (perhaps many) people who will drop by RSong today, I also happen to think it was the right choice. Bravo!
Comments & Trackbacks
"Vote McCain. Sure he sncks, but he’s a damn sight better than Clinton or Obama!” ... not exactly a slogan that rallies the troops, but there it is.
I still think Lileks said it best on McCain ... it was something like: Sure, he seems like a great guy, you could go out and have a couple drinks with him. And you’ll be having a great time, right up until the time he smashes a beer bottle and shoves it up in your face over something you said 6 years ago.
I didn’t watch the speech, but from all accounts it was a good one. Probably even sincere. But Romney isn’t dumb, and I’m sure he can see the wisdom of not throwing any more of his own money at a failing campign. And, by emphasising party unity, he doesn’t burn any bridges for 2012.
But I’ll say this. I hope that the Republicans will be thinking really hard on the subject of just who to run for 2012. I’m not a Republican, having changed my registration to unaffiliated some years ago, in disgust. Does anyone think the McCain will make a 2-term president? Maybe McCain does, and his mother.
I’d sure liked to have been a fly on the wall watching Ann Coulter’s face.
I’ve actually never registered for a party.
I’m with you ... it seemed as sincere as Romney can seem, but I also see some pragmatism (and personal fiscal responsibility ... lol) there…
Yeah, if he means it he’s a class guy, and if he’s pandering it’s a skilled and effective pander. And it does set him up nicely for a run next time, after the fallout from this election dies away and he’s “that guy who was so great and classy last time”. Not bad positioning for a third-place finish.
To me, it was just oldly timed with Huckbee’s “I’m not backing out no matter what, no matter WHO tells me to” speech on Super Tuesday. One of them had to back out, so there goes Romney. Not that I’m not glad. I disagree with that guy on almost everything. I’d be extending my visa for 4 more years for sure if he’d won it.
I just wish there were a constitutional prohibition against anyone who has served in the senate running for president.
Hey, I can actually read the secret word thing to post. That’s a plus!