E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSWith five days until New Hampshire voters go to the polls, Mitt Romney had just one brief morning event in the state before heading to South Carolina, leaving his other closest rivals with a captive audience. NBC's Peter Alexander reports.
CHARLESTON, S.C.-- Mitt Romney almost never names his GOP rivals on the stump, even when drawing implicit contrasts with them, and today's rally with some 500 supporters in Charleston was no exception. With friends like Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who endorsed the Massachusetts governor Wednesday, he doesn't have to.
"Senator Santorum and I have a strong disagreement. A strong disagreement; that he believed that earmark and pork barrel projects were good for America. I think it's wrong for America," McCain said, to rising applause from the crowd. "And so does Sen. DeMint, and so does Sen. Lindsey Graham, who have been staunch fighters against earmark and pork barrel spending, and I know you're proud of them."
McCain's criticism followed the same line of attack deployed by Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who tried unsuccessfully to blunt Santorum's surge in Iowa by labeling the former Pennsylvania senator a "prolific earmarker" and condemning him for loading up senate bills with "Pennsylvania pork." Both McCain and Perry referred to earmarks as a "gateway drug," to corruption.
McCain joined Romney, and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley for the first time Thursday in the Palmetto state, after a trio of appearances together in New Hampshire yesterday and earlier today. The 2008 primary winner was warmly received here -- and his support could help Romney in the state, where many analysts believe Romney would need to follow a similar approach to McCain's four years ago: hope the social conservative vote splinters, and claim victory with a plurality in the center.
Romney and McCain will campaign together Friday in two counties McCain carried in 2008 -- Charleston and Horry -- and where his brand is likely to remain strong. Both counties have heavily military presence, and plenty of retirees and transplants.
Voters like Barbara Johnson, a retired former health department worker, represent that sweet spot for Romney. A registered Democrat and a transplanted New Yorker, Johnson said she and her husband both voted for McCain in 2008, and would support Romney this cycle because she felt he was fiscally conservative, but socially more moderate than the other contenders.
"I voted for McCain last time. I think we need more conservative views fiscally, and we need, we need someone who knows how to cut the deficit and cut the budget and make it run within means, the same way that we do with our family," Johnson told NBC News. "We need jobs and smaller government."
But to win here, Romney will still have to make deeper inroads with Tea Party supporters, whom a recent NBC poll found overwhelmingly supported Gingrich instead of him, or find many more voters like Mrs. Johnson. In the December NBC/Marist poll of likely South Carolina voters -- after the Haley endorsement, but before McCain signed on -- Romney trailed Gingrich here by 19 points.
Leave a Comment:
I heard the tag team of Romney/McCain did not play very well in New Hampshire.
Like when the McNasty told the crowd, Willard won IA by a landslide? lol
Mitt Romney's top campaign contributors:
Goldman Sachs $235,275
Citigroup Inc $178,450
Merrill Lynch $176,125
Morgan Stanley $170,350
Lehman Brothers $154,800U
BS AG $125,150
JPMorgan Chase & Co $123,800
Bain & Co $121,475
Marriott International $121,150
Bain Capital $118,550
Kirkland & Ellis $111,700
The Villages $110,900
Credit Suisse Group $104,900
Compuware Corp $103,550
Huron Consulting $102,050
PricewaterhouseCoopers $92,250
American Financial Group $87,550
Affiliated Managers Group $82,112
Cerberus Capital Management $79,450
Sun Capital Partners $77,850
WHO DO YOU THINK THIS BLOKE WORKS FOR?
I saw a bit where a Chinese/American woman really chewed out the former governor. He was none too pleased. (tongue in cheek)
I'm interested in the list that Obama has for contributors. That ought to be quite an impressive list since he's said he's going to raise a billion dollar warchest. You know, I hope he actually does raise that much money... then have him run television ads every few minutes... people will get so sick and tired of seeing his face on the screen they'll turn him off... Obama already gets all the free advertising he wants... but I guess since he's really done nothing these past 3 years he feels he needs to pay for it too.
Daily Kos/The Boston Globe:
Republican Senate nominee Mitt Romney's rescue of a business consulting firm was achieved in part by convincing the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. to forgive roughly $ 10 million of the company's debts, according to sources close to the deal and federal records obtained by The Boston Globe.
*****************
But Mitt Romney also said - Let Detroit/the Auto Industry Go Bankrupt.
Just goes to show you who he'll stand up for and who he won't stand up for.
The Hill/Obama Diary:
Jon Huntsman was endorsed for president by The Boston Globe on Thursday.
The Boston Globe is Romney's hometown paper for those of you confused as to where he lives exactly.
Jon Huntsman was endorsed for president by The Boston Globe on Thursday.
----------------------------------------------
That's officially the funniest thing I've read all day. Poor Wllard.
Anything that sticks in Mitts craw is a great thing!
Now do Obama.
Part of me wants McCain to crawl back into the 2008 hole he came out of and part of me wants him to keep campaigning with Mitt Romney. Is it just me or does anyone else ever remember a former Presidential nominee touring around with a current candidate for the nomination? I could understand if it was a former President, but someone who lost a Presidential contest and to Barack Obama of all people. Is this really a smart tactic for Romney? McCain seems to be just as mad and bitter as he was in 2008. If only we could get Sarah Palin on the tour with them. That would be the final nail in the coffin of the Romney campaign.
Also, I am slightly annoyed at Senator McCain's attempt to rough shot over the nomination process. I've said this a few times now, but New Hampshire does not matter and nobody should care about the results. The state would normally have 23 delegates, but because they moved their primary up, they were penalized by the Republican National Committee. The delegates for the state have been reduced by 50% to 12. Additionally, New Hampshire will have proportionally allocated delegates this year. Even if Romney is able to receive 50% of the vote, that would only net him 6 delegates of the 1,144 needed to secure the nomination. That is 0.5% of the delegates needed to win the nomination. So with all due respect Senator McCain, STFU, sit down and let democracy happen.
Mitt Flip Flop Romney, the one time governor of Liberal Mass. Has supported Abortion, Gay Rights, Gun Control, Stem Cell Research and has reverse himself on all of these issues.
He took both sides on the financial bailout, the stimulus bill, the auto loan package;
His biggest Flip-Flop of all Health Care Reform The national Law is modeled on the one that he championed as governor in Mass that requires every citizen to have health insurance. Now he has Flipped-Flopped Mr. Flop has taken a hard slide to the right pandering to the tea party.
Mitt Flip-Flop Romney, a wishy-washy, flip flopping politician without any core convictions, principals or believes a man who will say or do anything to get elected telling one crowd one thing and another crowd another. You simply can’t trust this guy to tell you the truth.
Mitt Flip Flop Romney LMAO!
And now we have that loser McCain endorsing the Flip Flopper. McCain was the crazy old coot who picked the wing nut Palin as a running mate so what does that say about the crazy old coot!
Ron Paul is the republicans only hope to unseat Obama, These morons are still trying to continue business as usual. Term limits, No money from lobbyists or face TREASON charges. FIX OUR COUNTRY.......
McCain ? That crazy old coot ...He is a shill for the " TIN MAN "? McCain is a moron ..He was caught and punished for invading a sovereign nation ..Why would anyone even listen to this senile old man ?
When I think of John McCain, I think about songs about clouds. And old men yelling at said clouds.
Both McCain and Perry referred to earmarks as a "gateway drug," to corruption.
How about those the way these two hypocrites open the gates for corporate tax breaks?
Whenever I think of McCain... my mind travels right to Democrat.
Those 1%ers sure stick together, don't they... ;)
Say it isn't so,
Are you disparaging Mr. McCain's military service? Regardless of how you regard his politics, seems a bit harsh.
Some people have no respect Mark. McCain's politics are what lost him the presidency... along with a piss poor campaign... but his military service to this country is untouchable.
Yes, Brian, his campaign was awful. He completely lost me when he brought Sarah Palin on board. '08 was a bad voting year for me, sorry to say but I abstained.
Who is the TINMAN?
Hey Phine,
You think Christy is going to have to blow even harder now?
Romney is the TIN MAN
McCain is a first class example of a LOSER. He is a cry baby butt head who exploited the fact that his daddy and his granddaddy were Admirals while he was a raggedy assed dufus who didn't know enough to keep his arms at his sides when being catapulted from a dying plane so he broke both arms.
The Viet people did NOT break his arms. This so called 'war hero' is a tragic case of assembled lies, wished it were so and a bunch of smoke and mirrors all aimed at making him what is was not and what he is not... a hero. He is and was a womanizer, he single handedly destroyed most of an American air craft carrier. He was an associate of that criminal Keating but was 'freed' by his loathsome pals in the Senate.
An endorsement from this loser is tantamount to the Judas kiss.
So say goodbye to Willard and say good riddance to the Loser McCain.
Hitting Santorum, not a bad thing at all. But seriously, McCain supporting Romney? That had to be very expensive indeed.
Dost thou thinkest that the former GOP presidential nominee is in need of financial aid, or the promise of a cabinet position?
Couldst be, couldst be.
Well, my liege, I do hope that the gentleman from Arizona did receive the promise in writing. I doubt not that the current GOP favorite would renege on such an oath.
phine -
Hope he's not expecting Secretary of Defense, 'cause Herman Cain's already got that one locked up. When Bob Schieffer on CBS asked him if he really thought he was qualified, his answer was:
"Bob, allow me to remind you of something that didn't get picked up when I
was beat up about what I didn't know. I served on the Citizens Advisory Board of the Strategic Air Command in Omaha, Nebraska, for several years when I was
there. I was exposed to some of those issues at that particular time. I started
my career as a ballistics analyst with the ... Navy. I've actually been on a
Navy ship. So, I have been around some of these issues. So, it's not that I'm
totally -- "
Schieffer interjected, "Sir, if I may interrupt. I have been on a Navy ship,
too, but I don't think that qualifies me to be Secretary of Defense."
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-500202_162-57351188/cain-on-mission-and-talks-defense-secy-spot/
By the way, I keep looking at the headline on this thread and picturing McCain literally hitting Santorum while Romney's campaign figuratively heads south. I think it's time to call it a day!
Herman Cain, SecDef. That will give me nightmares.
Gingrich said he would consider Sarah Palin as Sec of Energy!
(Primal scream) NOOOOOOOOOO
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sandy, you mentioned "she whose name must never be spoken!" Don't scare me like that.
JoAnne in PA
More likely Cain having been on a Navy ship was he was hired by Newt to clean the toilets.
Cain just makes it too easy!!!
I was always proud to say I was an independent.
Then along came the Tea Party. Now the GOP has no more Statesman.
How many indies besides myself do you think they are losing.
OK phancy... no cheating. Who's the current SecDef?
Ahhh Sandy, you're a closet liberal. I've read your posts... Can't hide on these boards... (smile)
Wrong, I voted for Ronald R. and H. W. Bush and George twice.
Men who thought "compromise" was not a dirty word.
Senator Dole was a statesman. But, sadly the GOP has none now.
Sandy - Sadly, you are pretty much correct. Unless one pops out of the woodwork between now and the election, the republicans will be settling for mediocrity. Hard to win with mediocrity as your hearld. This might actually be the first election in history where an incumbent president will win with unemployment numbers in the 9% range, debt in the $17 trillion range, a list of accomplishments about as long as a Hersheys kisses tab and still no experience. It will make the democrats really proud though...
Brianb - There is were I disagree with you. See I voted for Obama in '08.
Because of his accomplishments I will vote for him in 2012.
Who knows who will get my vote in 2016? If the GOP, allows the TEA Party to
continue run the party, it is over for them.
BB
The current SecDef is Leon Panetta. Just stopping by, saw question. Been reading trashy who-done-it.
Go ahead and listen to McCain. After all this is the same guy that introduced us to Sarah Palin.
Yeah, let's listen to John McCain he gave us, huh, what? He is the one responsible for her? Never mind.
McCain believes in pork regardless of what he sais. All sitting Senators and Representatives do. Otherwise, they wouldn't not get reelected since pork is merely money coming to your district or state in return for your vote on an issue. A Senator that doesn't bring federal money to my state is useless to me and I would replace him at the first opportunity. The money will be spent. It just won't be spend on my bridges or my roads or my schools. Why would I ever vote for a Senator like that?
Ah, the stench of hypocrisy. So refreshing. And Senator McCain is so very good at it.
No, they load the bills with pork, then vote against the bill. After it gets passed, then they go back to their district/state and brag about how they got all of that money for their district/state.....without ever mentioning that they voted AGAINST the final authorization bill that included all of that pork.
Yuck. Sinky pork.
What happens when you filter out hypocrisy from a politicians lips?
Answer: . . . . . . . [cue background cricket chirps]
Come on Rick!!!!!
Which Rick?
Nice to see you this evening, my dear friend Pat!
Hope the new year is treating you well, so far...
Hello Feisty. All is well here. The New Year has been busy busy busy.
Hope all is well w/you!!!!
Life is good my friend - even if I had to take my daughter to the airport today to go home! ;o(
We still had a GREAT 3 weeks together & I can't wait to see you in March! {{hugs}}
I will be there Feisty. I can't stay for too long because as you know, I need to buckle down big time and save for my trip to commie country (right no joe?)
LMAO!
You little Commie you!
That broad is SO bitter, she can't see straight!
God forbid, someone wants to educate themselves...
Which Rick?
----------------------
The one who spells his name with a silent "P"?
Many thumbs up!!!
In my mind that could be either one.
Keeps us guessing!!!!
Silent "P" - LoL
Rick Santorum is against everything, and I mean 100% everything - that I'm in favor of.
And I hope he beats Willard and Karl Rove and John McCain.
Go Rick!!!!!!!!
Considering John McCain hates Mitt Romney's guts and will never get over the primary fight of 2008 (just like he will never forgive Obama for beating him thanks to McCain's pathetically bad campaign), it is rather odd that McCain would endorse Mitt and that the Romney camp would trot it out in such a public manner. McCain is hardly a fire-and-brimstone conservative, and will likely hurt Romney among the Tea Party crowds. They despise McCain for his loss to Obama and his less-than-stellar right-wing credentials. This hurts Romney more than it helps. http://www.sunstateactivist.org
John McCain is known to hold a grudge or two (or three or four......)
apparently for just a year or two!
This is so funny. Just a few months back, McCain referred to Tea Partiers as "hobbits." Now the teabaggers are going to be stuck with a nominee they abhor who has NOW been endorsed by McCain, whom they also hate.
Are ya startin' to notice that you're insignificant in the grand scheme of things, tea-nuts? Well, you should. That "stand your ground/shut it down" thingy didn't work out so good for ya after all, did it? Hateful buggers.
Many of them will figure out they have been played for suckers by the GOP bosses, believe me, they will extract their revenge, can you say it's cold in hell?
McCain is no genius politically, he hired the very people torpedoed his own campaign.
But mr grover, the gop, & the rushbo never say mormons believe that blacks cannot be leaders. It's as though they believe blacks are alright as long a they don't play quarterback. And romney sounds like that's what he means in his obama attacks. He should look at the real world.
Its' real simple... Let me write a chart for you...
GOP = 1%
DEM = 99%
I am going to love watching the GOP fall all over themselfs and help Obama get re-eleceted.
Obama 2012 FTW!!
Many people who watch this video change their vote
http://tekgnosis.typepad.com/tekgnosis/2012/01/ron-paul-many-people-who-watch-this-whole-video-change-their-vote.html
LMAO I watched a slightly different video involving Ron Paul. His speech just post the Iowa caucus. I saw Rand Paul refuse to agree with dad's plan to withdraw from NATO by not applauding and he also did not applaud getting out of Afghanistan. watch that one and see if it switches your vote as it did mine.
So John (The Loser) McCain supports Mitt the Cult of Joseph Smith member Romney.
There's a match made in Tiawan.
So the old fa*t McCain is supporting the obvious GOP candidate. Will Willard make the same mistake the old dude did and pick a silly loon for a running mate just to appease the extremist element?
From the article:
That polling was taken between December 4 and 6, a lifetime ago in this contest. Talk about outdated info!
"Are you disparaging Mr. McCain's military service? Regardless of how you regard his politics, seems a bit harsh."
Hm.. Kind of like the republican swift-boat campaign against the war-hero Kerry.
If the progressive McCain goes after Santorum, then that anoits Santorum as the true conservative in this race.
I Love John McCain. It hurts me to see him NOT running for President in 2012! More Americans want him to run than any of the other GOP candidates combined! With his over 59,000,000 votes in 2008 - excellent for a Republican candidate in a time when Americans wanted a political change in the White House, he would beat the pants off of Obama in 2012! I don't care for Romney at all. I'd go to the ends of the Earth for McCain, but I just can't vote Romney. So, I'm voting John McCain as a write-in!
Why waste your vote?
That circus fellow was correct. He said there was a 'fool born every minute' and they all came to see his show. Welcome to the circus Bonadio. Welcome .
Maybe next year you can be welcomed to the world?
Maybe he said 'second'?
Sorry Karen. McCain lost all his credibility when he named that shockingly unqualified hyper-polarizing religious fanatic to be a heartbeat away from leading the world.
She would have been the Western World equivalent of Kim el Dum.
If you don't agree, then why is she not in the race this time?
Wasting my vote is voting for someone who I don't care for, and someone I don't believe in. If Obama brings in Hilary as his VP 2nd term, its 4 more years!
I smell a setup. If Romney actually wins the GOP nomination, I bet he picks Bachmann as his running mate. Shades of 2008 all over again. It appears more and more every day that the GOP primaries are nothing more than a dog and pony show. Without the pony.
What is all the hoopla about. The money men need The Mittster. With the Mitt Man in there, these frauders, money launderers and War Profiteers will have the free skate they think they deserve.
As far as McCain. The dude wasn't tortured. When his jet fighter was hit by the SAM missile, he forgot to release the canopy before blowing the rockets on the ejection seat. He's lucky he wasn't killed. The guy is a chump.
And a womanizer, and a liar, and fraud, and a cheat and a oh well you get the idea.
And he is foul mouthed ass whose wife must like being abused verbally (the local paper in Phoenix agreed not to print what this insult to maleness said in a public meeting to his wife) but it leaked and it is a true measure of this corrupt boil on humanities ass. Look it up it is on the web.
And this is the fool who would have his hand on the nukes? This is the fool who would in a drunken state release missiles on innocent citizens because their leaders (like our leaders) are fools?
The McCain’s, the Gingrich's, the Durbin’s, the McConnell’s, the Schumer, the Snows, the Collins, the czars and the squatter must go. IF NOT ? Kiss your country goodbye and make it a long and juicy kiss because that is all you will get before the wall falls on you.
So Willard, enjoy the moment because that is all you have. And when you lose in the pattern established by McCain and you call him to commiserate ? He will say WHO ? ta-ta old fellow ta-ta.
Wow Josh. You said what I didn't have the nerve to. Kudos.
White-haired Republicans busily rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic...
Anyone who accepts and supports either of these men is a fool. Sorry, no offense intended. By the way,I like your comment Jack Knowlton. Very clever and to the point.
Hey, I'm going to start calling him Two-Bit Mitt because he can't get more that a quarter of the votes.