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PARK CITY, Utah -- After two days of meetings, meals and hobnobbing with the candidate, his top advisers and leading figures of the Republican party here in this exclusive resort community, Mitt Romney's biggest donors and bundlers say they are fired up and ready to go.
Charles Dharapak / AP
Mitt Romney greets attendees at the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials conference in Orlando, Fla.
"I’m going to do everything that I can do. I’m going to bundle every penny I can get," said Michigan lawyer Rodger Young, a long time Romney supporter who, like the hundreds of other guests here, have raised or personally donated more than $50,000 to Romney's campaign. "I think I came here with the idea that we were all going to take on more finance responsibility and I’m certainly prepared to do that."
"It’s even more than hopeful," a donor from New Orleans said of the atmosphere at the retreat. "We are beyond that now."
It is precisely that spirit which Romney and his campaign are looking to capture with this weekend's retreat, designed as a rally, a reward and a launching pad for top donors to continue to support the campaign -- and get their friends and family to do the same.
To generate such goodwill, Romney's campaign invited the donors and their spouses here for two days of briefings on campaign strategy and policy issues, intermixed with opportunities to rub elbows with Republican stars like Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, as well as the candidate and his family.
On Friday night, the campaign hosted a welcome dinner at Park City's Olympic park. Guests were ferried from their hotels by bus, up the mountainside, and treated to spectacular views and a cookout-style dinner where former New Hampshire Gov. John Sununu and former Secretary of State James Baker warmed up the crowd, and introduced Mitt and Ann Romney. The couple gave remarks and mingled with guests who were also entertained by Olympic ski-jumpers practicing their technique on the ramps and pools at the facility, which remains a training center for Olympic winter athletes.
Saturday's festivities began with a breakfast and included a strategy briefing from top campaign advisers. Among the highlights of the day, according to several donors who attended the event, was a lunchtime speech by former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who received not one but two standing ovations for a speech one attendee described as "exhilarating."
Rice along with Ryan and Jindal are among the names tossed about as part of the weekend's other major storyline: with few exceptions, nearly every Republican thought to be under consideration to become Romney's partner on the ticket is also attending this event in some capacity. Sens. Bob Portman, R-Ohio, and John Thune, R-S.D., are on the guest list, as are former Govs. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota and Jeb Bush of Florida, as well as the current Virginia governor, Bob McDonnell.
The Romney campaign has been tight-lipped about the vice presidential vetting process, with only Florida Sen. Marco Rubio confirmed to be receiving a "thorough vetting."
But Romney's adviser in charge of that process, his former Chief of Staff Beth Myers, has also traveled to Utah, along with most of the top figures of Romney's high command in Boston, fueling speculation -- even among the donors and campaign advisers here -- that this weekend away from the rigors of the campaign trail may also figure in to Romney's vice presidential selection process.
Saturday evening and Sunday the event will wrap up with dinner, desert and dancing, according to a leaked copy of the agenda, and with the opportunity to play golf on Sunday at a private course in the area -- all designed to foster camaraderie amongst those most involved in financing Romney's campaign, and to get them excited about November.
To hear the donors tell it, the strategy seems to be working.
"Things are looking pretty darn good," Young said.
Leave a Comment:
One thing we know for sure..
willard didn't have to yell out - " I like grits" with this group...
Hmm... Maybe it was — "I like offshore accounts" !!!
I will take the off shore accounts over the musilim lovin United States hating hanging out with Terrorist lovin Obama and his ugly wife MOOSECHELLE.
Ahhh... angry little al... LOL!! Mom let you stay up late !!!!
How amusing..
Whats wrong the truth hurt.
Hey wouldi
Where are all those GOP jobs bills???
Hahahahahahahahahahah
Guess you just sucked ass on that one, what an embarrassment that the GOP is, they lied to you and and you look a fool.
Please tell me where those jobs bills are??
Hahahahahahahaahhahaha
Sitting in the Senate you dumb a ss tell Harry reid to vote on them.
I voted for Obama. And yes, Obama voters now look like fools. I'm sorry.
Harry can't vote. He is at a CULT meeting.
998: So you want Harry Reid to put all those bills up for vote, is that it? Why, what's the point, the GOP will merely fillibuster every single one of them like they've done up until now. Oh wait, they only filibuster Democratic bills, INCLUDING LEGISLATION THAT THEY PREVIOUSLY SUPPORTED!!! But it would never do to be seen agreeing with Obama, even if the legislation originated from the GOP. Remember Republicans, our first duty is to make Obama a one term president, even if we have to trash our economy and run this ship of state right over the Niagra Falls.
Your party has taken the filibuster rule which was meant for only very special purposes and turned it into an obscenity and now you're whinning cause Harry won't put up for vote your bills, all of which are a joke and don't stand a snowballs chance in hell of passing. Sorry, that ain't gonna cut it.
Of course you voted for Obama
You would vote for Palin?..
My gawd, man, the Kardashian candidate was an insult to your intelligence...but you had to be a right winger with intelligence to insult in the first place..
Wasn't the McCain pick just a question to see how stupid people are?..
How much is McCain laughing at all the people that voted for him?
It's too bad Obama can't get anything done. We need to try someone else.
Intrepid I want Reid to do his job and vote on those bills then the American people will really see who is trying to help them and who isnt.
I think the GOP jobs bills are stuck on Harry Rieds desk as he will not bring them to the floor. I am sure he will right after he gets to putting out a budget from the Senate. End of discussion.
Yes over a 1000 days and counting and no budget.
Jobs bills?? LOL!!! you're kidding.. right??
This is one of the laughable efforts the teapublicans are calling a "jobs bill"
Farm dust.... BWAH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
""HR 1633 - Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act of 2011
This bill prevents the EPA from issuing or finalizing regulations revising air quality standards under the Clean Air Act, and excepts farm dust from all references to "particulate matter.""'
http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/gops-claim-house-passed-30-jobs-bills-bogus
VICTOR: "End of discussion"??? No, sorry pal. I'll make a deal with you, when your party stops filibustering ever single god damned bill that Democrats have a majority on, then perhaps we'll get old Harry to put up your silly bills, none of which has a hope in hell of passing.
You are aware of course that the GOP has broken the all time record for filibusters and abused the process to a disgusting extent. So it really does not give your crowd the right to now whine about not getting your bills voted on. And those bills were never drawn up in the first place to be passed, they were merely a propaganda agenda for the GOP.
Translation: Do what we, the Dems want or you are obstructionist.
Gee, I guess having a different opinion of what is best for the country is not allowed in the Senate. How about Harry put a counter budget out there to the multiple ones that the House has passed. But of course who needs a budget when the US can simply print money. "Ms. Bank Teller, I have checks, therefore I must have money in my account" school of budgeting in the Senate.
End of discussion.
VICTOR: No, wrong yet again my friend.
There used to be a thing in Washington called COMPROMISE, which meant that no one got everything they wanted but both sides agreed to work together for the common good of the nation. Your party made a conscious decision when Obama was elected (and this has been documented in several recent books by respected correspondents) that the GOP made a decision to oppose every single thing Obama did, including legilsation that had been created and supported by the GOP previously.
The "Individual Mandate" that the Right is screaming about was actually created by Conservative Republicans including the likes of Newt Gingrich. But now your party makes out like Obama is a Commie for advocating this.
I-Trepid
If the mandaate is found unconsititutional then they were wrong as well. They likeley determined it was on the border of being unconstitutional as everyone of them voted against it
And yet again, compromise to you likely means "do it my way way or you are being unreasonalbe". Our current President had two years to get all kinds of things done including closing GTMO, putting in policies to reduce the deficit, implement a constitutional helath care reform bill, and reform immigration. That is what he promised--he did none of these things. Clearly in over his head and I simply do not understand how anybody can see it any other way. End of discussion.
Hmmm... I wonder if willard went over the finer points of "Romney Care" with the assembled deep pocket teapublicans..
I'm sure they're all quite curious..
Whom wonder if Obama Pelosi and and that idiot Reid read thie bill. Oh yea they didnt did they.
little al just learned english yesterday, by listening to 20 straight hours of rushbo !!!!
Take THAT Rosetta Stone !!!!
Is that the best you can do a ss wipe.
What does Jerry Sandusky, Mark Sanford, Mark Foley, Mr. Vitter, Larry Craig and Mitt Romney have in Common?
They are all registered Republicans.
What does Mitt Romney and Ted Nugent have in Common?
They are both Vietnam Draft Dodgers... No Skin in the Game.
TED: Now that is downright cruel my friend. Cruel but funny. Actually, funny and true.
Say, do mean Larry "wide stance" Craig, the devout Christian and staunch Conservative?
Will there be a video linkup to the planet Kolob so we can see God himself, accompanied by his legion of "eternity wives" personally endorse Mitt? Will Jesus and his brother Satan, God's other son, also appear?
Hmmm... Jesus might be a Ron Paul guy...
Just sayin'
Hmmm.. I'm wondering if willard told all the deep pockets teapublicans his plan to connect with America's 99%
.
He's building a new CA, seaside mansion, with a 4 car garage, and a CAR ELEVATOR !!
Man, I LUV when willard tries to connect with the common folk... He really knows what average Americans are going through..
Go willard !!!!
K1200: And don't forget, he's "got some friends who own Nascar Teams" and "likes to fire people" and "I told my landscaper, I can't have illegals working here, I'm running for president for god's sake" and "I'll bet you $10,000", and "I don't remember what I said, but whatever it was, it was true, and I meant it".
Where are all the white women at?
Hermy,.. is that you???
Ask Bill Maher he should know where all the cu nts are.
Scuse me, while I whip this out.
Have you heard the story about the two kinds of republicans... the very, very rich republicans and the very, very stupid republicans....
Obama/Biden 2012 Clinton/Warren 2016
LEFT: Now that brought a smile to my face, I must say. And how true it is.
Bring in the Cherokee ha ha ha even they dont claim that lying beotch.
Wow,.. little al is not only a small angry cretin... He's a mean, small, angry cretin...
Perhaps mommy didn't love you enough little al.
Now go hug your teddy bear, and be a good boy..
Wow, are you always so ignorant or were you just born that way.
If you want something done you would welcome a congress that won't obstruct everything for political reasons.
But let's get real would........you don't care about America any more than any other right winger.
You know that you hate America at the expense of loving your political party, your knees are burned with ....you know.
It's just a big pig wallow. They are what they are, we just need to decide to flush the right wing - tea bag toilet in Nov.
Obama/Biden/Pelosi-2012
Keep hoping slugo. Obama is toast.
I wonder if their donations were rewarded with a baptism at the nearest temple.
Did he unfold his agenda yet ? Or still waiting till after Election... Just asking ^-^
I wonder if Vern Buchanan is there? Can you say Tom Delay
Did Pelosi clean up her swamp. No I dont think she did.
I am off of the field the evening. Don't let the GOP sneak something in during the night. Watch your daughters around them as well.
I would be watching your Pedofile liberal friends.
Put away the bong, and no more beer for you tonight. Turn off the computer and push yourself away from the computer, al.
Have you heard about the two kinds of republicans, the very, very rich and the very, very stupid. You would be the latter.
Its more likely you and your liberal friends are sitting around the bong dumb ass.
My hatred is for all American hating liberals who have destroyed the United States. In other words trash like you leftward.
Al, you are without doubt a fine, fine example of the toxic talk and ideology the right offers up. Top notch!
And you are a fine example of the most unintelligent race currently residing in the US. A liberal.
I'd like to play golf myself.
Rompey and his money bag friends are trying to buy the election.. shucks, it's the only way they think they can get him into the White House. They should save their money, he hasn't got a chance. He's his own worst enemy. It's funny to watch!
How much did Obama spend the last time. Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
Romney and the GOP just can't understand it --- our Country and we (the People) are not for sale!!
Why is that you sold your souls to Obama didnt you.
What? Sold my soul?..... my point I can't be bought but thanks for making my point--- you believe it can.
If you voted for Obama you sold your sould to the devil.
LOL... and you are why I'm not GOP, which stands for the Grand Old Party. Some GOP minions don't know that and you show you're not very bright. Mormon, right? Right!
Sorry al (lower case) - I don't believe in devils or saints for that matter - I believe in clean air - no more fracking - if I see another gd ad touting why we should destroy this country for "Big Oil or Big Gas or Big Coal" I think - "cough cough" or the increase in asthma in our kids or looking at North Dakota to be the next "Love Canal" - I wonder why you don't care?
I honestly and sincerely cannot fanthom why you don't care about the air you breathe, the water you drink, your legacy maybe not to your children but other children and I shake my head
Why don't you care?
I would be interested in knowing how many of you supporting romney believe in Science. That is to say that you accept the current standard model of the origin of the Universe and the evolution of life on earth from the simple to the complex over more that a billion years. What I have found is that many folks on the right treat science thay way they treat their religion- like a cafeteria where you just pick the parts you like and ignore the rest. I know not many of you will respond because these are issues you do not wish to confront. Come on and speak up. And then tell me if you do believe in science why you would ally yourself with those who do not. And please, no rhetoric about how bad Obama is- just answer the question; I know some of you must have graduated from high school.
Roman, Catholic Pelosi and Joe B. Mormon, Harry 'Dirty Money' Reid. Black Liberation Church, Barack. I'm not sure where Barney goes to church but he is on his knees alot.
What does any of this have to do with our current state of affairs? The economy is the topic on everyone's minds and the Obama administration has clearly not had the answers so far.
would-I -lie Too ashamed to give you're real name - lest your neighbors know you - you sir are disgusting -
Go where you're wanted maybe your compatriots at the most uninformed program - Faux Entertainment
YUKK! Take a good look at yourself - For Shame!
Romney better watch out for those Nuns on the bus speaking out against their austerity agenda.
Don't mess with Nuns! This boys going down...along with the GOP.
Obama better watch out for when he will have to explain what he has done for the last 4 years.
Yes, indeed!
Obama/Biden 2012
Clinton/Warren 2016
Fighting right wing obstructionism is one of things Obama has had to do for the past 3 1/2 years.
I cant wait till the debates there will be not telepromptor to save Odumbo.
Leftward how did he fight all the obstructionism in the first two years when he veto proof majority. You see most people are smarter then you and realize the lies that left keep putting out are absolute bull sh it.
These are the people that hated Romney "the moderate", at the start of the GOP race. Why would you think they are pouring in millions of their dollars? Billionaires don't just give money away, unless they are looking to be paid back five time more. Do you really think these dudes are doing it for us, the Americian people? This 3 day high roller party should wake us all up. Vote your choice, it's America, but my god, think before you vote. Seems the 1% are going strong, while us 99% are sitting in the bleachers.
So why do Obama's Billionaires give money?
One Obama backer bought a Hawaiian Island this week. He has enough money to buy 50 more. Lanai, the Pineapple Island. I wonder if Obama will give him a five time return on his money. Oh wait, He already did. Hence buying part of Hawaii.
It's good to be the King.
Knight jump Queen.
He's bought and paid for by the corporations
OMG! LMFAO! Obama will slaughter Romney's elitest, moronic, cannot decide from morning to afternoon what he stands for, on any given topic. A frickin cake walk. Yup, really looking forward to those debates, al.
You keep hoping sweety Obama cant think on his feet all you hear when the Teleprompter go off is aaaaaaahhhhhhhhh.
CORPSEMAN CORPSEMAN ha ha ha. What a mental midget Obama really is.
The private sector is doing fine.
Yes just ask Obama ha ha ha.
Would I. Better move out of the rust belt. The county I live in is booming. My town has over 120 new housing starts.
There are over 100 jobs advertised in the nightly newspaperbut then again you have to have an IQ over 100 and some skills otehr than putting round pegs in round holes.
Da, I wonder if Robert Redford attended.
Doubtful...
The liberals are harping on Romney for having a retreat with big donors and bundlers. So what? It takes mucho moola to run for president. Obama, if anyone, ought to know that. He has been raising money for his re-election campaign for years, hobnobbing with VERY wealthy Hollywood types, etc. He has a war chest of close to ONE BILLION dollars. For some reason its okay for Obama to raise cash, but not for Romney in the eyes of the liberals. Sour grapes and double standards, I say. Mr. Adelman, the billionaire casino mogul, may give 100 million to Romney's campaign to defeat Obama. Every cent of such money would be worth it to get the Obamas pried loose from the White House.