Michelle Malkin » Live from CPAC: Romney speaks…”Frankly in this time of war, I cannot let my campaign be a part of aiding a surrender to terror…I feel I need to stand aside”

Live from CPAC: Romney speaks…”Frankly in this time of war, I cannot let my campaign be a part of aiding a surrender to terror…I feel I need to stand aside”

By Michelle Malkin • February 7, 2008 12:44 PM

Video here. And N.Z. Bear has pics/vid from the foot of the podium.

Talked to a couple of Romney staffers. Plans are still up in the air over whether to attend the Lincoln Day Dinner event in Baltimore tonight, which McCain is scheduled to attend.

***
12:43pm Eastern. I’m starting a new thread for Romney’s speech…awaiting his official announcement of the suspension of his campaign. And possible endorsement today of John McCain.

Laura Ingraham continues to warm up the crowd. “It’s not enough to say you’re a footsoldier for Reagan. The question is: “What have you done for conservatism lately?”

(Applause)

LI introduction: “Mitt Romney is the conservative’s conservative. Above all, he is a class act.”

Romney enters. Loud applause, standing ovation. Tanks talk radio.

I love being introduced as the conservative’s conservative.

I look forward to joining you many, many more times in the future…

…To all of you, thank you here for caring enough about america to show up to speak up to stand up for conservative principles…

Conservative principles are needed now more than ever…face a new generation of challenges…unless america changes course we could become the france of the 21st century…

He’s very energetic.

“Culture makes all the difference…The threat to our culture comes from within. welfare state. dependency is culture killing. we’ve got to fight it like the poison that it is. (Applause.)”

Talks about fatherless children.

It’s time for the people of America to fortify marriage by constitutional amendment so liberal judges cannot attack it.

(Applause.)

Europe is facing a demographic disaster…Stand up for family values and morality and culture. Conservatives here and across the country will always be honored to stand on and for principle.

We face economic competition unlike any we’ve known before…China and Asia…if we don’t change, they will pass us by as world superpowers.

Invest in nuclear energy, clean coal, etc. Cheers and applause. Simply put, America must never be held hostage by the likes of Putin, Chavez, and Ahmadenjiad.

(Standing ovation.)

Segues to government spending. Let’s not just focus on pork. Any plan for the future must include entitlement reform. We have to solve it, not just acknowledge it.

(Applause.)

Government workers make more than private sector employees. Lower taxes. take a weed whacker. stand up to the increasingly voracious appetites of the unions in our government.

(Applause)

And finally…the threat of radical violent jihad…they hate everything we believe about freedom, just as we hate everything they believe about radical jihad…

But there’s an important difference from 1976. Today we are a nation at war.

I disagree with sen mccain on a number of issues…(audience boos) but i agree with him on doing whatever it takes to be succesful in iraq…

And i agree with him on eliminating al qaeda…

If i fight on in my campaign all the way to the convention, i want you to know that i forestall the launch of a national campaign.

Crowd: “NOOOOO!”

Frankly in this time of a war, I cannot let my campaign be a part of aiding a surrender to terror.

This isn’t an easy decision. I hate to lose.

…Not just about me…i entered this race because i love america. i feel i have to now stand aside.

We cannot allow the next president of the United States to retreat in the face of evil extremism.

Romney makes a rousing exit.

Afterward, a CPAC official moved on to the next session and mentioned John McCain’s appearance this afternoon.

The mere mention of his name provoked a fresh round of boos.

Posted in: 2008 campaign, John McCain, Mitt Romney

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#238987

On February 7th, 2008 at 5:35 pm, Ordinary Coloradan said:

One last morsel for the troll:

Fed this is not YOUR blog. Stop posting that garbage here, and your misdirections, mistatatments and your paulista propaganda. It only impresses imbeciles like you. Find an appropriate thread or start your own blog.

This is supposed to be about Romney’s ending his campaigning and its effects on the race, not your self centered “its all about meeeee and RuPaul” crap.

Grownups here are trying to figure a path out of this mess. Play somewhere else.

Don’t go away angry, just go away.
#238992

On February 7th, 2008 at 5:40 pm, lucnmf said:

Why now? If he planned not to stick it out, he should have dropped out and supported Thompson before he dropped out. Damn it!
#238995

On February 7th, 2008 at 5:41 pm, Fed Up said:

On February 7th, 2008 at 5:17 pm, jrlingreenbay said:
Again – nice try, here’s the wording of the “Use of US Armed Forces” portion of the resolution:

SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES.

(a) AUTHORIZATION. The President is authorized to use the Armed Forces of the United States as he determines to be necessary and appropriate in order to

(1) defend the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq; and
(2) enforce all relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions regarding Iraq.
After Saddam was deposed – a new threat emerged, that of an insurgency and unstable Iraq. That instability poses a clear and present danger to the United States and the entire Middle East

I know that Ron Paul has a rather narrow view of the world – and it would be nice if we only had to worry about things inside our own borders….

But the world doesn’t work that way.

green bay, I don’t have to be accountable to you as to what I do in my personal life do I? Perhaps you do support the Patriot ACT and an intrusive government.

Anyway, to your points…

Ron Paul wrote the following before Congress became derelict in their duty:

1. This resolution is not a declaration of war, however, and that is an important point: this resolution transfers the Constitutionally-mandated Congressional authority to declare wars to the executive branch. This resolution tells the president that he alone has the authority to determine when, where, why, and how war will be declared. It merely asks the president to pay us a courtesy call a couple of days after the bombing starts to let us know what is going on. This is exactly what our Founding Fathers cautioned against when crafting our form of government: most had just left behind a monarchy where the power to declare war rested in one individual. It is this they most wished to avoid.

As James Madison wrote in 1798, “The Constitution supposes what the history of all governments demonstrates, that the executive is the branch of power most interested in war, and most prone to it. It has, accordingly, with studied care, vested the question of war in the legislature.”

2. For more than a thousand years there has been a doctrine and Christian definition of what a just war is all about. I think this effort and this plan to go to war comes up short of that doctrine. First, it says that there has to be an act of aggression; and there has not been an act of aggression against the United States. We are 6,000 miles from their shores. Also, the Christian doctrine says that the proper authority must be responsible for initiating the war. I do not believe that proper authority can be transferred to the President nor to the United Nations.

Ron Paul asked Congress to declare war, but Hyde shut him down:

“The Congress cannot give up its power to declare war unless
accomplished by a constitutional amendment. Article 10 of the Bill of
Rights to our Constitution clearly states that the power not given to the
federal government by the Constitution is prohibited to the federal
government. There is nothing in the Constitution which allows the
Congress (the Legislative Branch) to give away its power to declare war to
the president (the Executive Branch), yet Henry Hyde clearly states, “We
are saying to the President, use your judgment”.

“The Congress cannot take power which is not given them by the Constitution, nor do they have the authority to give
away a power assigned to the Congress by the Constitution.”

Also read Paul’s comments: http://www.antiwar.com/paul/paul50.html

Excerpt: “When Congress issued clear declarations of war against Japan and Germany during World War II, the nation was committed and victory was achieved. When Congress shirks its duty and avoids declaring war, as with Korea, and Vietnam, the nation is less committed and the goals are less clear. No lives should be lost in Iraq unless Congress expresses the clear will of the American people and votes yes or no on a declaration of war.”

You reap what you sow and the “New” warmongering Republican Party that lost in November of 2006 and will lose by a landslide in November of 2008 with that “100 years in Iraq” guy.

Fed Up
#238997

On February 7th, 2008 at 5:43 pm, Fed Up said:

On February 7th, 2008 at 5:35 pm, Ordinary Coloradan said:
One last morsel for the troll:

Fed this is not YOUR blog. Stop posting that garbage here, and your misdirections, mistatatments and your paulista propaganda. It only impresses imbeciles like you. Find an appropriate thread or start your own blog.

This is supposed to be about Romney’s ending his campaigning and its effects on the race, not your self centered “its all about meeeee and RuPaul” crap.

Grownups here are trying to figure a path out of this mess. Play somewhere else.

Don’t go away angry, just go away.

People ask me questions, I answer them. People say stupid things, I call em on it.

But you’re right…I do have a “message” to get out to those that don’t want war, big government and all of those things the “New” Republican party thinks they can win with.

Good luck with that!

Fed Up
#239003

On February 7th, 2008 at 5:47 pm, Fed Up said:

terrorists, thugs…semantics…

either way, Paul is still running and Giuliani is supporting the 100 year guy that you’re stuck backing.

Again…good luck with that!

Fed Up
#239015

On February 7th, 2008 at 6:03 pm, nyc123me said:

RP is ineffectual and of no consequence, so why bother discussing him? Might as well discuss a dust bunny.
#239042

On February 7th, 2008 at 6:39 pm, ent said:

Regarding John McCon getting the veteran vote, I’m not so sure about that. After graduating the Naval Academy with a class rank of 894 out of 899, he embarked on a military career so undistinguished and full of favoritism that it makes John Kerry’s military career look respectable by comparison.

Or so say the Vietnam Vets Against John McCain. I fully expect that the libs, who vehemently attacked the swift boat vets in 2003, will milk this “swift boating” opportunity to the max, now that McCon has a lock on the nomination.
#239056

On February 7th, 2008 at 6:51 pm, Mr_Conservative_Cat said:

My personal crystal ball has been foggy as of late, but I’ll be amazed if Romney backs McCain.It seems to me that he’s doing the brave and right thing Huckabee should have done: get out and stop splitting the conservative vote. This makes me think that while an endorsement for Huckabee is unlikely, one for McCain is even less likely. Logic suggests he’s gotten out to keep from splitting the conservative vote. That would mean no kudos for McCain. And as much as the Huckster is no Romney/no Reagan, I’d choose him over McCain. He was a governor. He ran something. And I think he really would try to take down the IRS.

A tear-in-the-eye heartfelt applause for Romney. I only wish Huckabee had had Romney’s courage first, something for which I’m not sure I’ll quite forgive him.
#239058

On February 7th, 2008 at 6:55 pm, Concerned Citizen said:

Hold your nose in November and hold your ankles for the next four years.
#239085

On February 7th, 2008 at 7:41 pm, Fed Up said:

On February 7th, 2008 at 6:51 pm, Mr_Conservative_Cat said:
My personal crystal ball has been foggy as of late, but I’ll be amazed if Romney backs McCain.It seems to me that he’s doing the brave and right thing Huckabee should have done: get out and stop splitting the conservative vote. This makes me think that while an endorsement for Huckabee is unlikely, one for McCain is even less likely. Logic suggests he’s gotten out to keep from splitting the conservative vote. That would mean no kudos for McCain. And as much as the Huckster is no Romney/no Reagan, I’d choose him over McCain. He was a governor. He ran something. And I think he really would try to take down the IRS.

A tear-in-the-eye heartfelt applause for Romney. I only wish Huckabee had had Romney’s courage first, something for which I’m not sure I’ll quite forgive him.

Hey CC…looks like Huckabee will be the next one going down then….

~~GiulianiRomney~~

Now it’s down to a theocrat and a lib…

I’d choose the theocrat too if I were you…

But as you know, I’m still supporting the rEVOLution till November.

Congrats to your Giants though…How’s your hockey team doing?

Fed Up
#239106

On February 7th, 2008 at 8:17 pm, Jim M. said:

I do not think it is coincidence that the percentage of people in the US suffering from mental illness is the same as the percentage of Ron Paul supporters.

Fed Up – your comments here are only reinforcing the opinions people have about Ron Paul and his supporters.
#239139

On February 7th, 2008 at 8:50 pm, Mr_Conservative_Cat said:

Fed Up,

Hey CC…looks like Huckabee will be the next one going down then….

Don’t be so quick to cite your wishful thinking as fact. Paul doesn’t stand even a prayer, and I say that as a Christiam. What is his delegate count again? But hey, keep supporting him for President of the United States. After all, everyone should have a hobby.

GiulianiRomney

Yes, the two guys with the best record of accomplishment lose out over posture and appearance. But then, this is the United States in the year 2008, isn’t it?

But as you know, I’m still supporting the rEVOLution till November.

Well, a revolution is better than evolution any day. At least a revolution can sometimes have manifest evidence to support its existance.

Congrats to your Giants though…How’s your hockey team doing?

The Rangers are in 7th spot for the playoffs (caps out at spot 8), so they’re not where one would want them, but better than most. Down one goal to Ana as we “speak”.
#239146

On February 7th, 2008 at 8:56 pm, rcool487 said:

I just want to say two things.

As a conservative college student, I (and my conservative boyfriend) were both saddened today about Romney’s departure. We both looked into the candidates and agreed with Romney. He is the “conservatives’ conservative” and I am truly disappointed that this is how the race is occurring. (Especially because it’s my first time I get to vote for President.) I desperately want another Reagan to come out of the closet somewhere and I hope my fellow conservatives do to. Maybe it’ll happen someday?

Also, I just got yelled at by a liberal. Sheesh. You would think they would know how to be nice to people in a discussion since “being nice” is all they worry about.

God Bless America.
#239162

On February 7th, 2008 at 9:05 pm, nyc123me said:

Was just saying to my g/f – why do so many Americans seem to hate America so much? Her answer was pretty simple – because they have no idea what it’s like to live any differently (she lived in Russia for years). So true.
#239280

On February 8th, 2008 at 12:47 am, tacodawn said:

rcool487 don’t let the liberals get to you! Say what you need to say and try and ignore them.

Once in a great while they come around, grow up and become Conservatives.

It’s at that point when they finally admit they were wrong that we smile.
#241245

On February 11th, 2008 at 12:41 am, Ombre Rose said:

On February 7th, 2008 at 5:40 pm, lucnmf said:
Why now? If he planned not to stick it out, he should have dropped out and supported Thompson before he dropped out. Damn it!

What kind of lunatic would hate McCain and love Thompson?

One who does ZERO – ZILCH – NADA research on THEM!

HAW HAW HAW!!!! “We’re Sisters! Two of a Kind!” originally sang by Rosemary Clooney and Vera Allen was written just for Fred and John.