Mitt Romney In Sacramento, CA

Republicans, Romney and Race

Sure to be one of the questions at the big debate October 9th (Fred's actually going to show up this time) is the question of why none of the top tier GOP candidates have attended same of the "ethnic" debates that have been held thus far, such as the Gay debate on Logo, the Latino debate on Univision, or the African-American debate hosted by Tavis Smiley (could that really be anyone's name?).

Of course, all of the candidates have cited scheduling conflicts. There have been varying opinions on this issue. Joy Behardt of ABC's "The View" questioned whether the Republican canidates were busy attended a "Klan rally". Newt Gingrich thought it was a mistake on the part of the candidates not to attend, and Star Parker defended their decision thusly:

So it's no surprise that all the Democrats showed up for Smiley's PBS debate for them a few months ago at Howard University. Ninety percent of the black vote is Democratic, so this is a key base for the party.

Of course, they have to show up and pitch this crowd. Particularly this year, when one of the two leading Democratic candidates is black.

But why, when barely one in 10 Republican voters is black, would it be a good use of candidates' time, when they are battling each other for their party's nomination, to court blacks? The time for reaching across the divide is during the general election, not in the primary struggle.

Surely Smiley understands this basic reality that he is distorting into something else.

On top of this, he's got an event that is transparently set up for Republican failure. The host, Smiley, is a liberal, the sponsoring venue, PBS, is liberal, and the journalists selected to do the questioning -- Cynthia Tucker, Juan Williams and Ray Suarez -- range across the spectrum from left to center. There's not a conservative to be found.

Still, JC Watts has a good point as well when he mentions:

It's time my party's leadership considers why 50 percent or more of black Americans support Republican ideas like parental choice in education, are pro-life, pro-marriage, support faith-based organizations getting a piece of the government social services pie, are pro-homeownership and pro-business ownership, yet only 8 to 10 percent of this demographic votes Republican.

If my party could attract even 20 percent of the black vote rather than the 8 to 10 percent we do today, the Democrats would never win another national election.

So what does Governor Romney think of the Tavis Smiley debate? CBN had a chance to ask him just that, here was his response, and follow up question:

Romney: Every month we get invited to do about 10-12 debates, and you can do about one a month because you've got to raise the money, and you've got to do the grassroots work and getting on in the early primary states, and so you can't do all the events that you get invited to. And so you have to decide okay, what's the debate going to be this month, and we've got a debate and we had one in September. We've got one or two now in October. We're gonna have debates right on through, and I'm happy to debate.

I don't really care about the setting we go to. I'm happy to go anywhere we possibly can, and certainly we want to attract African American and Hispanic voters, and I think the Democratic party has done a wonderful job with the mainstream media convincing them that because we didn't do that debate, that means we don't care about minority voters.

Well that's ridiculous. Of course we care about minority voters. We're not entirely brain dead. We want people in the entire country to vote for us -- Hispanic voters, African-American voters -- we all want them in the primary and in the general. So this is not a signal that somehow we don't care. It's the same message we've given to ABC, NBC and CBS and all the other people that have asked us to do more debates than we can do, and that is that when you do a debate. You call for one in the last couple of weeks in September, which is the last part of the quarter, most of us have got things lined up.

Brody: But there's a sensitivity with the African-American community with this. Would you concede that? Obviously there's a downside here to not even to show up because it sets you and others up for this criticism?

Romney: Well it's not going to be the last opportunity we have to debate with the African-American community.

This is a pretty good answer, and 100% accurate. But, in my opinion the question is wrong.

If I were a candidate (and I'm not!) I'd answer the question about attended the various minority targeted debates this way:

In general I think too much gets made of courting the black vote, the hispanic vote, the irish vote, the faith vote, the gay vote, the polish vote or what have you.

We are all Americans. If America is protected and safe, if America has a strong economy, and if America supports family values- those are things that affect every American.

The Democrats have already had debates on the Spanish channel and the Gay network, and a debate targeting African-Americans. I guess it's only a matter of time before they go on Court TV after the "Lawyer vote", or Sci-Fi Network after the "Geek vote". Categorizing people based on their race or other criteria only serves to divide and balkanize the country.

It seems inherently racist to suggest that the only way to reach out to Latinos is on Univision. As if no Latinos watch CNN or FOXNEWS for that matter. As if they are one issue voters, and wouldn't care about the type of things we are talking about at tonight's debate, things like the economy, defeating the jihadists, creating strong families or improving education.

We hear a lot today about celebrating diversity and that's great. But, let us not forget to also celebrate the things they have in common, the common values that all Americans share help to build relationships of trust - so that the country can be united as one. We are all Americans. When we act as one nation of Americans regardless of race our national defense is stronger, our economy is stronger, our families are stronger and America's future is brighter and her best days ahead of her.

GOP insiders want MITT!

http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2007/09/hillarys_inside.html

September 27, 2007
Hillary's Insider Advantage
Every day, the political class rates the 2008 White House hopefuls on the quality of their campaigns, how much money they’ve raised or how they performed in the latest debate. But who would make the best president?

Participants from both parties in the latest National Journal Political Insiders Poll believe that Hillary Rodham Clinton would be the best Dem to hold that job, while they split on which GOP contender would make the best president.

A hefty plurality of Dem Insiders (49%) think Clinton is best suited for the Oval Office, followed distantly by Chris Dodd and Barack Obama, who where tied for second with 13%.

Republican Insiders also give the nod to Hillary, but by a much smaller margin, 33 percent. As one GOP Insider said, she is “very pragmatic and solution-oriented. Although many GOP leaders in Congress don’t agree with her, there is a level of respect that is needed for the next executive.” . Bill Richardson, with his record as a tax-cutter in NM, was judged by 26% of the GOP Insiders as the best Dem, followed by Joe Biden, with 19%.

Among the GOP presidential field, 41% of GOP Insiders favored Mitt Romney followed by John McCain, 24% , and Rudy Giuliani, 23%. Twenty-eight percent of the Democratic Insiders, citing his bi-partisan tendencies, thought the best GOP pres. would be McCain, followed by 23% for Romney and, 18% for Mike Huckabee.

The Insiders also weighed in on whether they would like to see the WH noms in both parties agree to use only public financing in the general election. Here the two party’s different philosophies showed through. Among Democratic Insiders, 58% said they’d like to see that deal struck, while 39% said they wouldn’t.

As one Democratic Insider asked, “How is it better to have candidates spend the time raising money, unless we think that begging is an essential presidential trait?” But contrast that sentiment to the whopping 81 percent of Republican Insiders who were opposed to such a deal, while only 18 percent would take it. Said one GOP Insider, “Taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay for the television commercials they despise" [JAMES BARNES].




Posted at 03:39 PM

Pancakes and Handshakes in Sacramento

http://www.news10.net/display_story.aspx?storyid=33253


Pancakes and Handshakes on Romney Campaign Stop
Written by Ayesha Thomas, Multimedia Producer



Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney made a stop in Sacramento Thursday. The former Massachusetts governor stopped by the I-Hop restaurant on Advantage Lane to greet supporters.

After kissing babies and shaking hands, Romney spent some time with reporters answering questions about healthcare, energy conservation and former California Gov. Pete Wilson's endorsement of Romney’s GOP rival Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of New York.

On the latter subject, Romney didn’t seem worried at all about the Wilson endorsement.

"I'm actually doing pretty well," Romney said. "I saw a new poll in California. I'm coming up and up and up. In New Hampshire I was in single digits when the year began. Now I'm in the lead. So I'm feeling pretty darn good."

Romney added, "I'm not surprised that Gov. Wilson would support Gov. Giuliani. They're both pro-choice. I think that's pretty expected."

Romeny did blast Giuliani for his policies on illegal immigration.

"His posture also in saying that if you’re working here and paying taxes, then sign them up. In my opinion, that’s also the wrong course. In my opinion, amnesty or anything like amnesty is not the right way to go," said Romney. "We should invite illegal aliens to get in line with everyone else."


Copyright 2007 News10/KXTV . All Rights Reserved.

Romney Wins Michigan Staw Poll!

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070924/NEWS06/709240357/1008

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney came out on top this weekend at the biggest gathering of Michigan Republicans before their January 15th primary. At the Michigan Republican Leadership Conference, Romney, whose father served as governor of the Wolverine State, took 39% in a straw poll sponsored by The Hotline.

Romney led Arizona Senator John McCain, who received 27%, and Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX), with about 11%. While the 979 people who cast ballots are much more die-hard than the Michigan electorate as a whole, the results indicate that top Michigan Republicans are skewed toward their prodigal son. If Romney’s lead holds in Iowa and New Hampshire, a win in Michigan could make it hard for the rest of the field to find their first win.

Romney, McCain, Paul, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Rep. Duncan Hunter and former Senator Fred Thompson all addressed Michigan Republicans during the conference. The poll was conducted Friday and Saturday, and the results were unofficially certified by the Michigan Republican Party.

The results, which come close to mirroring recent polls (Romney leads by 7.6% in the latest RCP Michigan Average) again show that Thompson’s rise to the top will not be easy. McCain’s second-place finish, despite a blow he suffered when Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox left his camp last week, may mean he still has some fight left in him, though he places fourth in the RCP Average. And Paul, who beat out both Thompson and Giuliani, continues to show surprising grassroots-level support. Whether he can translate that into votes remains, however, to be seen.
Full results after the jump.



Full Results
Romney 39% (383 votes)
McCain 27 (260)
Paul 11 (106)
Giulaini 11 (104)
Thompson 7 (70)
Huckabee 3 (25)
Hunter 1 (12)
Brownback >1 (3)
Tancredo 0 (0)
Uncommitted 2 (16)


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Of course, the reason this is extremely interesting is that the Romney name is so popular in Michigan that the Republicans would actually have a good chance of carrying the state in a Presidential election for the first time since 1988.

That is 17 more electoral college votes going to the GOP. That would give Mitt Romney a victory in the 293- 235 range assuming Hillary was able to capture all of the same electoral votes that John Kerry did.

Which brings up another interesting point, for months now we've been listening to Rudy Giuliani say that he's the only one that can beat Hillary. What is he basing that on? Some random polling data? From what I've seen Giuliani has shown the ability to do is- pull out of the Iowa straw poll, and lose the Michigan poll as well. He can't put together any type of mobility to show support from ground organization in any of the straw polls. He is losing in New Hampshire, Iowa, Michigan and Nevada and is unlikely to carry the south, yet somehow still thinks he's the only one that can beat Hillary???

Can anyone explain that to me? If Rudy Giuliani is incapable of organizing a team capable of getting him the lead in a single early state, or win a single straw poll - what makes him think he can beat Hillary? Let alone run the White House and serve as Commander in Chief?

Romney Competitive In California

http://weblog.signonsandiego.com/news/breaking/2007/09/california_presidential_poll_1.html

There are some new poll numbers out of California, and Mitt Romney is on the rise. The last poll came out in June with Mitt Romney getting 13% of potential vote, and Rudy Giuliani having a double-digit lead with 31%.

In today's released poll however Giuliani has slipped to 22% and Mitt has risen to 16%. Fred Thompson is also getting 16%, and John McCain 15%. What does this mean?

It means that California is in play. The land of fruits and nuts is anyones for the taking, though it had been previously written off to Giuliani. In fact California was considered a key piece to the Giuliani strategy of ignoring the early primary states, and hoping for a big win on Super-Duper Tuesday. That strategy might not work out as well as hoped. Giuliani is trending downward in California and Mitt Romney has not only risen in the polls, but has raised more money in Silicon Valley than any other GOP candidate.

Based off conversations I've had with neighbors, friends and other voters - I wouldn't be at all suprised if Mitt Romney took California. He is extremely popular among Latinos, many of whom are still registered as Democrats. This is anecdotel I know, but the fact of the matter is his numbers continue to go up, and Giuliani's continue to decline. Look for Romney to continue to gain ground as the race tightens.

Which reminds me, Romney will be visiting the Golden State next week his schedule:

Romney, one of the leading Republican presidential candidates, heads to Silicon Valley where he is scheduled to appear Monday at an "Ask Mitt Anything" town hall. The forum is at 2:30 p.m. at David's Restaurant in Santa Clara.

The campaign says it's open to all; just RSVP on the Romney Web site at california@mittromney.com.

Romney also has scheduled two more "Ask Mitt" events in California: Sunday at Chapman University in Orange and Sept. 26 in Long Beach.

Romney also expects to hit the retail campaign circuit next Tuesday in Bakersfield and Sept. 27 in Sacramento.

Romney-Watts 2008!

Well, our poll has come to a close, and we have a definate winner, with 56% of the vote you guys picked JC Watts as Mitt Romney's running mate.

Some notable quotes from Congressman Watts:

"The government taxes you when you bring home a paycheck. It taxes you when you make a phone call. It taxes you when you turn on a light. It taxes you when you sell a stock. It taxes you when you fill your car with gas. It taxes you when you ride a plane. It taxes you when you get married. Then it taxes you when you die. This is taxual insanity and it must end."

"My father taught that the only helping hand you're ever going to be able to rely on is the one at the end of your sleeve."

"They've turned race and poverty into an industry. They say Republican policies have hurt poor people. Point to them. Look at the major cities where you have black leadership. You have black mayors, black city officials. But you often have the highest crime rate, the highest unemployment. Maybe it's time we look at different [policies] for dealing with old problems."

"I`ve said it publicly many times, and will say it once again: I am the NRA. I am proud of the principles you are fighting for."


"But I am convinced that we can prevail. If we do our best, our best will suffice. The strength of America is not our guns or Hollywood or government - the strength of America is our people - you, me, us, other Americans, our hopes, dreams ambitions, our ideas and most important our goodness."


Check out JC Watts in rare form on CNN: