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HUDSONVILLE, MI -- Making her pitch for Mitt Romney's candidacy during stops in conservative corners of Michigan, Ann Romney said Tuesday that her husband was a “little reluctant” about running for president in 2012.
“Mitt was a little reluctant. And when we were making this decision, I thought to myself, you know what? This country is in so much trouble,” Ann said to about 200 Republicans gathered at a GOP luncheon here in Hudsonville.
The remarks reflect just how involved Ann seems to have been in her husband’s decision to run -- and the toll that losing the battle for the GOP nomination in 2008 may have had on him.
They also offer a window into how one political spouse coaches a politician commonly viewed as remote in his interactions on the campaign trail.
“It wouldn’t be worth it at all if we just went in there, and we just shuffle the chairs around,” Ann recalled advising her husband of his plan to pursue the presidency. “I’m not in for that. I’m in for, you’re going to go in there, and you’re going to knock heads.”
The tough talk won polite applause at the luncheon.
Later, Ann Romney returned to softer themes common to her stump speeches, including her husband’s sensitivity and care when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1998.
The message seemed to fill a picture of Romney that some said had been missing.
“I think she, as a woman, as a wife,” said voter Jane Jelgerhuis about Ann, “made the case for her husband that was probably more effective than anything I’ve heard him say.”
Earlier Tuesday, Ann visited a diner in Battle Creek where she pledged that the state of Michigan –- where she and Romney grew up -– would be “foremost” in their minds.
“We care very much about the people here. We care very much about jobs, and job creation here,” said Ann.
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May have been a little reluctant; but here he is stammerin'/studderin and swaying in the wind nonetheless
I could almost believe in what Mrs. Romney says, except the fact remains that Malibu Mitt is'nt about "Knocking Heads", because if he was, he would've already Planted the Vaginal Dictatorship Flag & run withit(like the Olympic Torch), like Rick Santorum is doing.
Malibu Mitt thinks the PathWay to the GOP nomination is singing "America The Beautiful" & measuring Trees in Michigan. Barbie has kicked Malibu Mitt(PlasticMan) to the curb & wants someone(Rick Santorum) to Tell Her what's best for her Reproductive system(and it aint Plastic).
Sorry Ann, your description does'nt Fly with Sane People!
Occupy SoggyBottom!
Oh, please. Reluctant to run? The guy is a perenniel candidate. The only thing that keeps him from being a career politician is he doesn't often win.
nomo here says: "he is stammerin'/studderin and swaying in the wind nonetheless,"
He gotta keep runnin.
Now, he's runnin from the east, he's runnin from the west,
He's runnin from everyplace he knows best.
He's lyin & cheatin & sayin things he don't really mean,
He's not a friend to you,
Not a friend at all,
He's just runnin.
He's sure been running for a loooong time for someone who's "reluctant."
Let's face it...Ann's as big a liar as her husband.
... and by the looks of things even the GOP is reluctant to vote for him.
Ann looked at Willard and said - pull up your big boy 'magic underwear', strap on your SuperMan cape & conquer the country! lol
Here's a thought for you Annie...
This country will be in MUCH more trouble if your husband gets anywhere near the White House!
DITTO ! Plus she has to say that so she looks like a devoted wife ...a real June Cleaver !
Go buy your first gut feeling. It seems to be what works most of the time. Willard had nothing else to do anyway so maybe he figured why not for something to do.
Who is she trying to kid?
Her husband has been running for President for the last 5 years...
You know, Feisty, I take back anything else I've said in this thread, and just want to ditto that last one of yours. Much more succinct, and absolutely accurate.
Thanks Paul!
Feisty, I had heard that story before from her, and my thought was, gee she's really hot to trot for him to run, has she measured the drapes yet?
Feisty,
Your opinion has my 100% concurrence here!
She's lying. Or was manipulated.
No way he let another person decide if he should run or not.
Much as a detest him, Romney has shown himself a remarkably smart and competent fellow over his career. And that's not to the sort of person who lets others decide for him.
Romney's campaign is for making a new episode of jackass. It's hard to run with your foot in your mouth, Mitt.
They all lose me the minute they drag out the spouse !..i have no interest in seeing their poor choices in mates ! Nor do i want to see their kids either !
Are we seeing a foreshadowing of "I am suspending my campaign to spend more time with my family"?
Mitt was so reluctant that he's been planning this for 18 years.
Well, I have to say that my gut feeling is that Willard, his wife, and their family are probably really nice people. Everyone who knows them on a personal level, even when they say that they would not support him for President, say that they really are good people.
However, it seems that their decision making foundation is flawed, rather than their intentions. Because they have lived in a very sheltered environment, they do not understand the plight of others, so their efforts to help are flawed. Not because they don't want to help, or do the right thing, they just don't understand what the right thing to do is.
Hmm, I'm starting to ramble . . .
Bottom line, these are really nice, sincere people who truly want to do good for the country. However, because they do not understand anyone who isn't in the same socioeconomic situation as they are, their efforts will only hurt anyone who does not share in that socioeconomic situation.
Luckily, none of his children, nor his wife, had to turn a profit for the shareholders...
Don't get me wrong, Mitter's religion has no bearing on his Presidential qualifications; but his cultural upbringing may be relevant.
Mormon children are generally not raised to be skeptical, questioning or independent thinkers. Obedience, conformity and diligence are rewarded. This is a legitimate question as to Mitter's temperament to cope with canny, lying, unscrupulous political and world leaders. I agree he is probably a really nice guy, but like Jimmy Carter, maybe too nice for the job.
I would be cautious in electing an Amish as a world leader; not because of religious beliefs (which are probably pristine), but because of his/her realistic exposure to the world.
Blah! Another Mitt Romney piece. Goliath super-pacs, personal wealth, and friendly free press. If only a truly honest, Earnest, and steadfast candidate had this kind of advantage.
The Romney camp has told some whoppers, but Romney reluctant to run for president. Now that's funny, I don't care who you are.
What? This robot has been running for at least 7 years and is less popular now in every state than in 2008...Anne pls try and tell the truth...
So, Ann just wanted to be FLOTUS?
Oh, please! He hasn't stopped running since he failed in 2008. This is just a political ploy to gain pity from the GOP voters. Nothing more.
ty79 - Please you are just as out of touch as Santorum! Only a very small group of religious crazies as we like to call them are on the same page as Santorum!
Hey you all out there that are posting your comments - get a life. Don't you all have something better to do that rag on everyone.
Do you understand the concept of 'irony'? Or was this sarcasm?
Thought lying was considered a sin of some sort? Mitt's been running for President since 2006 and he's never been "reluctant" about it. Too bad he picked the wrong party to run on, the GOP primary voter will never accept a Mormon as a true equal ... LOL
Can't run for a nomination from the party of hate, when you're one of the groups they hate.
Being a strong supporter of President Obama, I want to thank Mitt for running. ;-)
That is almost laughable, Romney has been running for president since the day he was elected governor of Ma. The man will never be president!