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Former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney sought to pass the torch of leadership in the GOP to a new generation of conservatives in his first major public speech since losing last year's election.
Romney, the failed candidate who challenged President Barack Obama in 2012, heralded a handful of Republican governors and his former running mate — Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan — as the next generation of GOP leadership. And he counseled party activists gathered here at the Conservative Political Action Conference to learn from his campaign's missteps.
"It is up to us to make sure that we learn from my mistakes, and from our mistakes, so that we can win the victories those people and this nation depend upon," Romney told a warmly supportive CPAC crowd.
In his first public appearance since losing the 2012 presidential election to President Barack Obama, Mitt Romney starts off his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference offering "advice" to the president of the United States, stating "do whatever you can to keep America strong, to keep America prosperous and free, and the most-powerful nation on Earth."
"It’s fashionable in some circles to be pessimistic about America, about conservative solutions, about the Republican Party," he added. "I utterly reject that pessimism. We may not have carried the day last Nov. 7, but we haven’t lost the country we love, and we haven't lost our way."
The former Massachusetts governor has kept a deliberately low profile following his lopsided loss versus Obama last November.
Following a campaign in which he was caricatured as out of touch — an image reinforced by his comments about "47 percent" of Americans depending upon government — many Republicans have quickly looked past Romney, who seemed at risk of becoming relegated to footnote status within the GOP.
But Romney used his speech to pledge to remain involved in Republican politics.
"I am sorry that I will not be your president – but I will be your co-worker and I will stand shoulder to shoulder alongside you," he said. "In the end, we will win just as we have won before, and for the same reason: because our cause is just and it is right."
And Romney singled out a handful of Republicans in his speech who could become that next generation of winners.
He hailed South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (who introduced him), and Republican Govs. Rick Snyder (Mich.), Nathan Deal (Ga.), Scott Walker (Wis.), Susana Martinez (N.M.) and Brian Sandoval (Nev.), along with two governors who weren't invited to CPAC because of perceived apostasies against conservatism: New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell.
Romney made few references, aside from Ryan, to leaders in Congress. Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., Rand Paul, R-Ky., or Ted Cruz, R-Texas, did not earn a shout-out from the former GOP nominee.
CPAC has been an important gathering for Romney in the past. He twice won its influential straw poll, and ended his first bid for the Republican nomination at 2008's gathering. Romney called himself a "severely conservative" governor during his speech at CPAC in 2012, a description which Democrats turned against him in the general election.
Kevin Lamarque / Reuters
Former Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney acknowledges supporters as he speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference at National Harbor, Md., March 15, 2013.
Before this gathering of Republican stalwarts, Romney also weighed in on the looming question before the GOP, about whether it should moderate in some respects, or continue to hew to its conservative ideology.
He argued that a "conservative vision can attract a majority of Americans and form a governing coalition of renewal and reform."
It's unclear whether or when the public might expect to hear from again from Romney, who recently joined the executive committee of one of his sons' investment companies. But he struck a wistful note upon reflecting about his failed campaign.
"Thank you again for your help and support along our journey," he said. "Ann and I will treasure these memories all the days of our lives."
This story was originally published on Fri Mar 15, 2013 1:59 PM EDT
Leave a Comment:
Romney who?
That was funny 5 pages ago.
Pro life
That is the current plan.
We were never the best, only the most powerful military and the home of the most arrogant.
Typical BS from the left. They are so upset with this country, they are just beside themselves. These people can't see the trees through the forest. All of them I would think got their education on my dime and would rather pitch a tent on someones private property, take a dump some ones car and set up a safe tent to stop the rape attacks.
These are the same people who have no respect for themselves let a alone respect some one else.
What they do like is to have a president lie to their face, a president who for 20 years heard the preaching of a minister and accepting "no not God Bless America,l but god dam America.
These three dollar bills would rather stay home and watch reruns of Captain kangaroo or Loony Tuns and say to themselves "I WAS PRODUCTIVE TODAY"
Still mad willard got stomped eh???
You'll get over it...
Maybe... LOL!!!!
Hey, there's always 2028 !!!!
Good luck !!!
Uh, other than your mindless rant against Liberals are you capable of holding an intelligent debate, utilizing facts and objectivity??? I doubt it. I can say "I hate you Nazi, bigoted, sexually repressed, ignorant, racist bastards" all day long but that does not qualify as intelligent discourse. Try bringing your argument up a notch or two and then perhaps some people will take you seriously.
JB@1234, that is an irrational, moronic, hyperbolic rant. If you a point to make? Just do it. Your disdain for democrats is absurd
"Can't see the Forest for the Trees" JB, that's how the term is used...It actually makes reference to not being able to see the big picture because you are focused on the small. You're use of the term "Trees through the Forest" states that you are looking for the small details and overlooking the big picture.
Coming from a liberal who doesn't even like Obama, I can say in truth that when it comes to the economy Obama is getting growth we are not losing jobs we are in fact gaining them albeit slowly.... really slow. His crime isn't the fact he is making the situation worst it's that he is not making it any better or if you're the optomistic type he is making it better at a snail's pace.
Again, glad to see so many liberals taking our presidential win and equating to a complete rejection of rebuplican ideology. If that was true we would of won the house. Granted we did win the popular vote in both congress and the presdency whether you'd like to believe that gerrymandering is the reson republicans retain the house or not is on based on opinion since there is NO factual data that would lead you to the conclusion that they WOULD in fact lost enough seats in the house. There are still enough places that have strong conservative districts that would never vote in a liberal leaning direction. Anything on gerrymandering is conjecture as we do not have the data if the districts we're drawn more fairly to assert a total democratic win. That being said the I win you lose attitude is tiring and we are all the reason why we can't get anything done in the government. Constantly arguing over things that don't matter distracts politicians from getting anything done. Thus maintaining the status quo and we all lose.
On to the article at hand, Romney's speech was all fluff lacking any real substsance. If the republicans really want to get in to the race again they have to become moderates again. The tea party's influence on mainstreme politics has pushed them dangerously close to radical conservatism. Either the right needs to have a new party reborn or they need to expel the tea party. I am not really looking foward to complete and total liberal rule without a strong opposition party. Stupid things tend to happen when one side gets all the chips.
We do have the raw data on gerrymandering. Simply observe the 2008 map and compare it with the 2012 map. It's been completely reworked.
lmao u take pleasure debunking these nuts dont you
Patrick:
It gets completely reworked every election cycle.
What's your point?
"It’s fashionable in some circles to be pessimistic about America".
Uh, I believe it's reasonable to be realistic about America right now, which is to say our government's been bought out, and all we're getting are the Bushes, McCain's, Romney's and Obama's of the political world as a result.
I have yet to see any raw data at the moment. Btw Veronica to be an idealogue never seeing the otherside's point is a nut. I prefer to be responsible in my decision making. Though I doubt this data can truly hand out a total liberal victory. Given we are a center right nation just don't see that happening.
The most important lesson that republicans learned in the 2012 election is to make sure that they aren't being recorded when they want to be honest about what they believe.
Who did he pass the torch to? Ted Cruz or Rand Paul or Marco Rubio? Allen West maybe? Trump or Palin?
Flip flomney
You Mormon c0k sucker,non military serving dorky loser,and your bitchy ugly wife and your five dorky looking sons
You suck now go blow your kin,,
"non military serving dorky loser"
Obama
did
not
serve
in
the
military
!
he too young to get drafted and was getting a law degree during the gulf war. Draft dodging is common in the gop
Bulletman - Your comments serve no useful purpose and have been reported as inflammatory and of no value. Have a nice day!
Level,
Ha you beat me to it, i hear all the time about any republican not serving. They always forget the Obama never served but he has very little work experience. Meaning he has never own or run a business, never had to make a payroll.
Obama's idea of getting a raise is to raise taxes!!
Oh, Obama served in Korea and got the Medal of Honor don't ya know!
LOL, The etch- a-sketch, flip-flopper was never a conservative. He was a liberal Massachusetts corporate raider. Romney's political views changed faster than the weather. Even a chameleon could not achieve such a fit changing its color to suit the environment.
Gop'ers find a lake and chew wood and build a damn. In other words do some work. Stop with te old play book. Reagan tried it, didnt work. Newt tried it (even had help from Clinton cause he got caught with his hand in the cookie jar), didnt work. Georgie tired it (even told a big fat lie), didnt work. Bonehead got pushed into it, didnt work. The tired argument of lower taxes for the country doesn't work guys. Learn to spend more wisely. For the far reaching right, God nor Jesus will never cut a deal with you. Nor speak to your leaders just for you. You cant anoint yourselves the chosen few.
Stop giving these fools a hint at what they need to lie about in 2016. Let them do as they will. Lets see what their makeover looks like on their own. All the ass kissing should be funny enough to see when the time comes.
Romney is a new world order kind of guy,,that lies
"new world order"
Kmart has a special on tin foil hats.
You want I should get you one?
That's where Obama banged your wife,,,
He did, did he?
If Romney were more inspiring, and not a Mormon, he would be president. How many of the so called "Christian Right" stayed home on election day because they believe the Mormon Church to be a cult? My guess is that it was huge. Mitt is certainly qualified for the job, but it was never in the stars.
Blamo Good call!! You certainly make one very good and valid point. Your statement regarding Mitt's religion being Mormon and the "Cristian Right" staying home on election day says volumes about how uneducated/uninformed, judgmental, biased and ignorant the right wing nuts really are - thanks for pointing that out!!
The tea party is undermining any chance of the GOP being taken seriously again. Long live the tea party.
Veronica,
I have a carrot for you.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzz any sources yet? wake me up when you do
I have a K bar for,you,,,
Your dad said not to play with that!
Level turd
We are talking about flipper flapper Romney the Mormon cult loser. Like you,a loser
Say sorry that you made fun of my name and Ill play with you next.
No thanks gay boy,,,
Level blow
When you mother hatched you,she should fed you tomthe cats,,,
" tomthe cats"
Is that a new breed?
I~ want~ one~!
No,that's how I view you,,a stupid little pos parasite
GOP is not even trying to help, Romney's presence is proof of that. What needs to happen is that Obama needs to come right out and admit he can't help without the help of congress, which is devoted to making America pay, to make America suffer so much during Obama's presidencies America will elect any puppet lieing idiot the GOP put up for president (re: Willard *the rat* Romney). Congress has not approved a white house submitted budget since before 2009, and the government has been crippled since that time, doing what is called operating under "extensions" for funds. The GOP has resorted to taking a hard line based on what they say are ideals regarding spending and taxation, but in fact is a stance so unrealistic it cannot be achieved and is only being used to justify totally destroying any and all progress. The GOP is crazy like a fox, they are saying "elect our guy or you will wish you did" well I say this is treason. You cannot fight the white house and the president without fighting the American people, America itself. It's treason and it's time we literally shoot some traitors or break out the trillion dollar coin and kick some @ss.
Agreed,,they are rabbid like a foaming at the mouth dog that needs to be put down
Nah let's get out the coin. Maybe after that Boehner and congress will have a little respect for the American people, and our president.
The Maker's Mark I'm drinking makes you seem almost normal bulletman357.
Ever do any boolet casting?
respect is earned, getting a title is not enough. It also does not help to lie to people even if you are telling them what they want to hear.
Obama is a master at deception, he knows how to keep the spotlight off his "accomplishment" by focusing his low information voters on some other percieved evil~ now it is the RICH
Both sides work that angle Shawn...nothing new there. What's a low information voter?
Oh and Joe if you could pass me some of that Maker's I would be grateful.
Level blow
You need to go back to,your trailer,,your air pressure is low,,,
Please dont stoop to that guys level, he obviously was home schooled by his mom who dropped out in 6th grade
Agreed,,lmao
ummm
wow
that realy hurt
I'm surprised they have Internet in that trailer park
Its all free for the taking.
Sore looser, go some where and hide. An idiot could have told you there was no possible way you or McCain could have beaten Obama. Obama is a real man and you are a looser. Hopefully we can get a Constitutional Ammendment that will allow Obama to run for an unpresedence 3rd term. The country needs his legacy to go on. If we can't keep him a third term, we will unfortunately have to pass the torch on to Hillary. Oh by the way, I checked my 401k today and it has doubled since Obama took office. Include me in one of the 300,000 all thanks to Obama.
True.
Romney also weighed in on the looming question before the GOP, about whether it should moderate in some respects, or continue to hew to its conservative ideology.
The real question is when will the Democratice Party ever moderate, or will it forever hew to its hard-left ideology. The once mainstream Dems are so far left, and so incredibly intolerant of opinions and beliefs that diverge from their own, that they give shame and disgrace to the ideals of free thought and open discourse that gave rise to their ideology. Silencing the moderate dissent of mainstream voices like McCain and Romney via the despicable character assassination strategy carried out by Obama, his party, and his media allies, unmasks the ugly truth that the the modern Democratice Party has much more in common with fascists ideologues that classical liberalism. This does not bode well for America or the world.
LOL!!!
You can't be serious.... It was willard's own 47% video performance that ultimately did him in...
Suicide perhaps???
Another blathering, mindless, halfwit teapublican drone....
Do you even know what Fascism is? Find the info on it and then apply it to both parties, you'll be surprised. But then again you'll just ignore the facts.
You do know that fascism is extreme right ideology? Though to your point of hard-left ideology your definition is lacking. I only WISH that the liberals in this country were more left leaning. Liberals in other country would have never abandoned public option/single payer which is at this point seeing how almost EVERY western democracy has adopted it and has better healthcare than us. Though I digress, fascism by definition can't be liberal simply because fascism is the military/state marriage to bussiness particularly surrounding the military-industrial complex usually fronted by a didctatorship of some sort. Though not always the case see Japan circa 1930's as their fascist government was led by their prime minister. The democratic party as our left leaning party pales in comparison to most liberal parties in other countries. While they tend to fight for some social issues they are prone to drone strikes, witholding rights to foreign nationals and citizens who lack their due process. These things tend to be done by conservative governements more than liberal governments. This democratic party under the Bush administration supported(though on a limited basis) the Patriot act and under Obama EXPANDED it which again is a conservative narrative. While I'd like to believe we are a center right country slowly heading towards center left that however is untrue. The tea party's extreme right agenda has pushed many conservative moderates(both voters and politicians) to the democrats therefore pushing us more to the right. When both parties neglect education that is a sure sign of a conservative leaning country.
Do they have running water ,,or do you have to go next door to your sister/ wife's trailer,,,
When your mom met your dad at Wallmart,they wanted to finish high school,but they ended up working there,,,,
Romney - most qualified and capable in recent history to be POTUS. Image conscious and naive believing voters want to be TOLD, not shown truth. obama is likely the best liar ever as pres and younger voters will pay (w/ horrible economy by 2016).
One state in the union saw willard in an executive position...
That state went for Obama by 15% points...
Next....
Republicans are so butt hurt from losing, they only have lies to comfort them. They refuse to face reality of why they lost 5/6 popular votes in past elections
True,and they will fail in 2016 as well.
What part of their cause is "just and right?" He just laid that out there like Paul Ryan's solution "America!" These guys have no substance. They are con men who want money and power...conning even themselves that they are worth it. We better move on to reality soon, we're running out of time.
Wich is why they lose.