Romney on the move

Posted: Thursday, April 05, 2007 10:50 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Republicans

From NBC's Mark Murray
Has Mitt Romney's impressive early fundraising haul helped him in the polls? It seems so, at least according to a new Zogby survey measuring the Republican field in New Hampshire. In the poll, which was conducted April 2-3 (just as the GOP fundraising numbers came out), Romney ties McCain at 25%, while Giuliani is third at 19%.

By comparison, a January Zogby New Hampshire poll had McCain at 26%, Giuliani at 20%, and Romney at 13%. So that's a 12-point increase for Romney.

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Comments

It is sad that we may pick a president or at the very least a front runner in the race based on campaign contributions. Why is it a news story? Everyone knows how much campaign cash the candidates have raised but most likely could not enumerate the candidates position on the issues of the day. The media continues to lose focus.

james, Roberts wi. (Sent Thursday, April 05, 2007 11:17 AM)

James I agree if the truth be known a lot of these financial numbers are nothing more than estimates and all they do is restate the facts "our political system is bought and sold to the highest bidder". The only thing any of these candidates have proven is that money can buy "anything" even the Presidency of the United States. Really they don't need the contributions between all the news networks, press coverage, and blogs they are getting all the publicity they need, why even campaign. The American people will be so tired of these blow hards by election they'll be lucky if anyone even shows up to vote.

Paw Paw, NC (Sent Thursday, April 05, 2007 12:21 PM)

Mitt's Kryptonite Underwear is starting to work.

Steve Turner Cedar Falls Iowa (Sent Thursday, April 05, 2007 12:42 PM)

"Money Can't Buy Me Love"-The Beatles

Still Crazy After All These Years (Sent Thursday, April 05, 2007 12:56 PM)

I repeat, We will never have a Mormon president now or in the next 30 yrs in this country. Nobody from outside the Christian religion. Did you notice nobody wants to talk about or say this directly. He can rake in all the money he wants...Sorry Mitt.

j fl (Sent Thursday, April 05, 2007 1:49 PM)

So now that Romney won the money race we can expect him to become the darling of the press. We need campaign money limits, time limits, one national primary date. Whatever it takes to get the money out of the election and we don't have to listen to this baloney for over 1 1/2 years. Baloney from the press and the candidates!

Iowa Mom (Sent Thursday, April 05, 2007 2:05 PM)

I heard Rush this morning and as usual, he is right! No one running for president is going to help anybody pay off their student loans or find a job for them. GOP or democrat, these people are only looking to see who can top each other's ego. The idea that goverment will save your miserable souls is purely laughbale. People in Now Orleans got an taste of that. Would Al Gore or John Kerry have been there to save all those people, I doubt it seriously and there would be investigations and hearings about the democrats and why they failed. In fact, it was democrats who were running the state and people like that moron mayor in New Orleans who were too busy taking care of the own family, like they should, and no one has held them accountable, just the goverment. It is time for people in the country to put down the chicken wings and budweiser and realize that it is up to you, not the goverment to save your own miserable lives. Is John edwards going to walk around throwing $50 bills to everyone on every street corner in America? I doubt it, and for those who really think that is going to happen, get a life.

Jerry/Corpus Christi Texas (Sent Thursday, April 05, 2007 2:21 PM)

I keep hoping it stays close in both parties. I long for contested nominating conventions...not the media circus that has been orchastrated in the past. The networks don't even cover these conventions, and the pulic turns away. Good old fashion conventions where they debate every platform plank and every candidate. Hours of ballots and then more ballots. Days of coverage. Yeah, I'm a political junkie...but wouldn't it be great. The closer the polls, the better for me.

Al, Burlington KS (Sent Thursday, April 05, 2007 2:34 PM)

Al, I agree, we, the voters, need to choose the nominees, not the media. It is unfortunate, however, that most Americans get their information from the 30 second soundbites on the nightly news, or, even worse, the political commercials that are drilled into us for months. I also miss the days when the conventions were where the delegates actually debated the platforms instead of being the coronations they are today. I was pretty young during the '64 and '68 conventions but they were what turned me into the political junkie I am, however, I'm sorry to say, that I believe those days are ancient history.

Bob, Orlando (Sent Thursday, April 05, 2007 3:18 PM)

Hey Jerry! Its the repubs who hate government, so they deliberately screw it up in anyway they can. Then they say "see government is bad and it doesn't work." Surprised you haven't noticed that yet.AND your biggest flaw in your statement is the first one. you said,Rush is right. Rush is hardly ever right about anything.He has brain damage from extensive drug abuse, remember?

Laura B. (Sent Thursday, April 05, 2007 3:40 PM)

Bob-The sad part is that it took this President to turn me into a political junkie. Yeah, I always voted and I did watch the almost Nixon and then Clinton impeachments with amusement, but it took Bush to make me realize just how much damage could be done if we don't pay attention.

Al, Burlington KS (Sent Thursday, April 05, 2007 3:50 PM)

Funny to see someone slamming Rush and quoting Jon Stewart. Both are entertaining though. National PBS station dedicated to history, civics, and political debate. Ban political ads on TV & Radio. Cut the circus out of the deal.

Dave, Tn (Sent Thursday, April 05, 2007 4:28 PM)

Is anybody REALLY interested in who the republiCANTS run in 2008? As if the country hasn't already had enough of their #1 son, Georgie-Boy Bush. The GOP candidate for next year's election will offer little, if anything, different than the current occupant of The White House. But, you can bet every single one of them vying for the elephant's nod will attempt to distance themselves from Bush (at least verbally), as if he had leprosy. Sorry republiCANTS, you had your chance and blew it on Bush. It's time for an "oil change" at 1600. Run whomever you like, give them as much money as you want. The G.O.P aint going nowhere in 2008. (You and I BOTH know it.) Period.

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Thursday, April 05, 2007 4:28 PM)

PS: It took 9-11 to turn me into a political junkie. I treated any news of Clinton like that of OJ, and Michael Jackson in the 90s, Change the freaking channel.

Dave, Tn (Sent Thursday, April 05, 2007 4:30 PM)

Iowa mom: I agree with you 100% on this issue.

jtb (Sent Thursday, April 05, 2007 4:47 PM)

Laura: that's your opinion, not fact. Learn to be able to tell the difference.

jtb (Sent Thursday, April 05, 2007 4:48 PM)

Jerry, if it's up to the people, and not the govt, to look after the people, then we don't need the govt. Right? They're just there for administrative work and keeping the country in the hands of the rich. But back to Romney. No deal, Romney. Thanks anyway. Have a nice life. Toodle-ooh.

JIrby, Colorado Springs (Sent Thursday, April 05, 2007 4:54 PM)

Jerry / Corpus Christie, Texas said, ".....It is time for people in the country to put down the chicken wings and budweiser and realize that it is up to you, not the goverment to save your own miserable lives......" Hey jerry, tell that to the drug companies who got BILLIONS of dollars in grants before a single senior citizen saw one penny in benefits from the republiCANT's prescription drug bill. Tell it to the medical insurance companies who CONSTANTLY lobby congress to change federal laws that pertain to insurance, so THEY can make more $ and pay out LESS in coverage. Tell it to the oil companies who've skirted the congressional investigatory process these last 6 years, while they've jacked up the price of gas to $4.00 in some places, and posted RECORD profits in the process. Tell it to the crew over at ENRON who took 80 MILLION dollars worth of "tax credits" before bankrupting the company and STEALING their employees pension benefits..... Hey Jerry; DO NOT LECTURE ME ABOUT GETTING GOVERNMENT SERVICES, AND WHO'S RESPONSIBLE TO TAKE CARE OF MY FAMILY. BECAUSE, I GET NOTHING FROM THE GOVERNMENT ANYWHERE NEAR COMPARABLE TO WHAT LARGE CORPORATIONS, AND THE WEALTHY IN THIS COUNTRY GET FROM IT. .....and you can tell "OXY CONTIN BOY" I said so! (By the way, F.E.M.A. *under Bush* FAILED in New Orleans. Let' see some of that "personal responsibility" republiCANTS are supposed to take. Gov. LaBianco asked for federal assistance three full days in advance of the storm, and Ray Nagin was under water in New Orleans just like everybody else.)

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Thursday, April 05, 2007 4:55 PM)

Jerry, Corpus Christi--I doubt that either Al Gore or John Kerry would have, as New Orleans was flooding after her levees failed, and Mississippi Gulf Coast communities and other places in a Great Britain-sized area had been levelled by Katrina, first flown out to Arizona to celebrate John McCain's 100th birthday, then flown on to California to strum some showbiz buddy's guitar. We'll never know for sure because that's not how it happened, but I'd like to think that not only would Gore or Kerry more competently handled this disaster and helped overwhelmed state and local authorities in Louisiana get their act together, they would now be placing the highest priority on rebuilding New Orleans and the rest of the area devastated by Katrina and Rita instead of squandering money and manpower overseas. But unfortunately, that's not how it happened. In fact, Bush has said in effect to Louisiana and Mississippi, "Drop dead!" Under the Stafford Act, communities in these states have to pay back 10% matching funds before they even see a penny for rebuilding. In spite of the fact that this requirement had been waived in 32 other instances affecting financially-better-off states, such as 9/11 in New York and Hurricane Andrew in Florida, he has refused to waive this requirement from Louisiana and Mississippi, the 2 poorest states in the nation. So such vitally-needed infrastructure as fire stations and schools are going unrebuilt, and roads are not being repaired. What Bush is doing is just plain evil--and regarding New Orleans is in effect ethnic cleansing and cultural genocide. It is ethnic cleansing because prior to Katrina the majority (67%) of that city's population consisted of people of color, many of whom now, mostly scattered to the four winds, want to return. But the Bush Administration, by keeping a chokehold on funds already allocated by requiring the above-mentioned 10% matching funds, is keeping infrastructure from being rebuilt--infrastructure that people expect to have in their communities. And then there's the genocide--because by keeping people of color from coming back to New Orleans, he is killing off her distinctive culture.

Olivia (Sent Thursday, April 05, 2007 5:08 PM)

Go MITT!! He would make a great pres. At least he is honest.

Moesha, Boise (Sent Thursday, April 05, 2007 5:22 PM)

Mitt's a loser. Just like every other republiCANT CANT-didate

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Thursday, April 05, 2007 5:42 PM)

Mitt Rocks! He is the best CANdidate!

Karasko, MT (Sent Thursday, April 05, 2007 9:25 PM)

We need a good atheist in the whitehouse. A man of reason, logic, and science. A rich mormon would emphasize the fault of all these 'men of God." I wonder if any fundie republicans realize that the LDS church isn't another denomination of Christian faith... any more than the muslims are another denomination The only mormons I know have all been holier-than-thou, smug, fake-friendliness, self-righteous, sheep. Dorks that can only get a date because the girls are told they can only get to heaven if they screw mormon (mor-bot) and have 10 kids before they are 30. Check out exmormon.com. If any religion needs a website for info on how to leave it, it is actually called a CULT. Someone who actually believes the load of horse dung that is spewed in the Book of Mormon shouldn't be able to apply for office based on psychological deficiencies in judgement, logic, and reality.

Erik, Mississippi (Sent Thursday, April 05, 2007 10:14 PM)

Dave Tn--God, hell must be freezing over! I agree with you on cutting out the circus out of the political process. I'll See that and I'll raise you allowing only public funds from the 3 dollar check off on the tax form to be spent by the candidates. PBS gets all the debates and there should be a lot of them. In this way we can be assured that the money used to win the Presidency was provided from a pool of funds from Taxpayers instead of unmarked envelopes from Corporate entities and foreign agents. Then you might be able to tell your child with a straight face that anyone can grow up to be President.

Gary, Schear, Bozeman, Montana (Sent Friday, April 06, 2007 3:36 AM)

I watched the Watergate hearings when I was a teenager, but not with amusement. How could anyone be amused at the utter contempt Nixon showed for our government and country? I watched Congress try to impeach Clinton, with disgust. Anyone would have lied about a personal affair, and it didn't threaten our country. So Clinton stayed on, and Nixon resigned. I don't see how these two events would be viewed in the same way at all. However, if our present Congress would grow bigger balls and forget the "Ds" or "Rs" by their names, we would be in for a really big show. We need to restore faith in our government. It's worse now than in the 70s.

Jane, Southern Mississippi (Sent Friday, April 06, 2007 4:08 PM)

Mitt Romney's biggest deficiency has been name recognition. So guess what, people are learning who he is, and his numbers are rising! People support good candidates whether they are white, brown, Mormon, or a lump on a log. The more face time Romney has, the higher he will rise. In spite of the intollerant attacks some of these posts are making, I think we are discussing the next president of the United States.

Colby, Mesa, AZ (Sent Friday, April 06, 2007 5:33 PM)

Romney has been a lifelong hunter and is a member of the NRA, so he should get the republcian nomination. Oh, yeah, he's also against abortion. Anyway, that's the latest I heard.

Jane, Southern Mississippi (Sent Friday, April 06, 2007 11:28 PM)

In defense of Mitt: 1) he "flip-flopped" --who cares? Only democrats who are afraid of him winning the primary, or short-sighted McCain/Guliani supporters who are afraid of him winning the primary. Republicans who really care about social conservative issues should welcome people like Mitt who endorse conservative values. 2) Mormonism--who cares? He's a political leader, not a religious leader. Unlike Iran, our political leaders don't endorse religions in government. Christians should welcome a candidtate with Christian values, regardless of his doctrinal beliefs. 3) Big money--who cares? That just shows that people support him enough to prove it with cash. I wish people liked me so much they'd give me 23 million dollars to run for President.

Adam, California (Sent Saturday, April 07, 2007 12:23 AM)

Erik in Mississippi you are ignorant! I am not a mormon but I have many friends that are and they are nothing but GREAT people. Just keep talking your smack! Even Christ was ridiculed and labeled as a crazy person that people followed, just because he spoke things that were too hard for them to hear. Go Mitt!!

John, Boston, MA (Sent Saturday, April 07, 2007 2:53 AM)

I am fascinated by those who attack Romney, because they always result to name calling and expose their own bigotry. When I honestly examine the record of Mitt Romney and watch him under pressure it simply reduces his critics to "amusing" I am seriously considering Mitt.

zeek kropf, Bloomfield NM. (Sent Saturday, April 07, 2007 6:56 AM)

zeek kropf, Bloomfield NM. (Sent Saturday, April 07, 2007 6:57 AM)

Erik, thanks for your display of religious bigotry. I think we need a hateful religious bigot in the White House. One who will base his or her decisions on the atheist tenant that there is no afterlife and no accountability for one's actions. I think such a president would be much more compassionate and willing to help out the vulnerable members of society than one who believes that we should "love one another" and that “pure religion undefiled before God is to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction”.

Aaron (Sent Saturday, April 07, 2007 7:56 AM)

The American people are liking what they see in Mitt Romney and the polls are reflecting there optimism. Mitt Romney is not just a Reagan, in my book he is even better than Reagan. Mitt will go down as the best modern day President, wait and see!

John S. Maine (Sent Saturday, April 07, 2007 7:57 AM)

The poll was conducted BEFORE the numbers were released, so please explain to us how the numbers affected them, besides in your liberal frame of mind the unjust won Mormon money was the cause of the poll number change, because those who too stupid to see the negative influence of money... Your explanation falls apart, when you realize the poll was conducted BEFORE the money numbers were released. Most of Romney's money came from California, by the way. Why don't people point that out. And then why does the media never point out that Romney saved the 2002 winter olympics in Utah, and that he saved their state, when they wonder why he raised so much money their, and then go on to assert that it had everything to do with religion and they never bring up the olympics...

mike (Sent Saturday, April 07, 2007 9:07 AM)

Call Mitt whatever you like. I am a Democrat and am beginning to like this guy. Somebody please help me not to go to the dark side.

Sai, Manoa, HI (Sent Saturday, April 07, 2007 9:14 AM)

I have been really impressed with Mitt Romney - he is the only major candidate that hasn't made his living at public trough. His success in the private sector is a huge plus for me. He understands the business of government - most importantly, he knows how to balance a budget. He's articulate. He's always positive - reminds me of Ronald Reagan.

John, San Diego, CA (Sent Saturday, April 07, 2007 9:28 AM)

I like Mitt's stand on the issues, his Reagan-like communication style and his private sector track record. I bet he will cut waste like he did as Governor and be tough on national security. I think he's the smartest candidate and has the courage to lead. He has my vote!

David, Maple Grove, MN (Sent Saturday, April 07, 2007 10:04 AM)

Eric, You obviously don't know what you are talking about as far as Mormons go. Or it is possible that you are an excommunicated former mormon, who has it out against the LDS church. I have got to hand it to you, you are a professional Anti-Mormon volunteer, using this blog to try and get your message out for . Truth is you really know nothing about the Mormon Church. Get a life mister negative!

andre, Irvine CA (Sent Saturday, April 07, 2007 10:13 AM)

Mitt will win! Half of you are Dems and would not vote for Jesus if he were a republican. The other half will eventually see how smart and savy this mitt man is. Do not wait to join the train...he is the best CANdidate in the field.

Curt (Sent Saturday, April 07, 2007 10:46 AM)

Wo is us. We are doomed. We can't do anything about it. We may as well lie down and die now and get it over with. The posts on this thread are ridiculous. You ignore issues, emphasize the worst, and accomplish nothing. I'm glad I know not to come here again.

Charles Pulsipher (Sent Saturday, April 07, 2007 11:22 AM)

Erik. You claim we need a logical president in the White House; yet, your argument is so ridiculously illogical I'm not sure I like your brand of logic. What you said is so patently wrong that I'm not even going to correct it since I'm sure that most readers see the flaws of your argument.

Alex, Springville, Utah (Sent Saturday, April 07, 2007 12:35 PM)

Erik, J Fl: Wow, I am amazed your comments would end up in a public forum about politics.

Alpharetta, Georgia (Sent Saturday, April 07, 2007 12:46 PM)

To me, I think that many of us are missing the big story about Romney’s substantial fundraising announcement. More important than the cash itself, the money that Romney raised is an illustration of strong support from the people that know him. Consider that Romney is not nearly as well known as McCain and Rudy. However, Mitt was able to raise almost double the amount of the other two top tier candidates. This tells me that the people that like Romney like him a lot, at least enough to part with a few dollars out their back pocket. Rudy and McCain may lead in the polls now, but it’s still just a popularity contest at this point. The strength of a true candidate can be seen in how much money/support people are willing to give.

Dan C, Provo, UT (Sent Saturday, April 07, 2007 12:56 PM)

Go ahead Erik. Spew your bigotry and hatred. I wonder if you realize how bad it makes Christians look to those of no faith of any kind? Most people are fundamentally good, y'know. They don't aspire to be the kind of person who stands outside someone else's church ranting and waving a sign. When they see this sort of bigoted ranting they look at the Christian faith and say, "Eeew." Smarten up. If you think that people who belong to the LDS Church are somehow less enlightened than you, you will have to make your case with reason and fairness -- not with an out-of-control limbic system.

Carol (Sent Saturday, April 07, 2007 1:31 PM)

In response to Erik (from Mississippi) and anyone else of similar thought... There are stupid people everywhere and within every religion. As a Mormon, I can tell you that I have met my fair share of LDS idiots with a capital "I" that are (in the words of Michael Savage) "sheeple". At the same time, some of the most intelligent, charitable, and honest people that I have ever been associated with have also been LDS. In the end, we (society) are all operating on faith and faith alone. After all, where you there in 1820 with Joseph Smith? Have you seen Christ lately? All we van do is go by a person's good works and our own faith. Personally, having read Hugh Hewitt's book on Mitt Romney and doing my own research, I do believe that Mitt is currently the best candidate in the field and to exclude him because he is a God-fearing, Christ-believing, successfully-wealthy family man that happens to be LDS is, in my mind, void of the judgement, logic and reality of the US Constitution and what the founding fathers intended. After all...one can argue that you cannot turn around countless companies, the 2002 Olympics, etc. without having sound judgement, logic and reality.

Marino, Centerville, Utah (Sent Saturday, April 07, 2007 1:49 PM)

It seems to me that the media is making a huge miscalculation. There is so much concern about Romney not getting the evangelical vote, but what about those voters who are totally turned off by evangelicals? Born agains are so obnoxious and in your face that it makes me sick. I don't happen to want a whacko president with a fish on the back of his car for the world to know how saved he is. If Romney is not one of those nut-jobs but he believes in God then that's fine with me.

Eric, Seattle, Wash. (Sent Saturday, April 07, 2007 1:51 PM)

Out of all the current options and people running for office.....Mitt is the person for the job. Attacking someones religion only show the bigotry and intolerance of the aggressor.

Steve, California (Sent Saturday, April 07, 2007 2:13 PM)

Dan, Provo, UT (Sent Saturday, April 07, 2007 2:20 PM)

GO MITT!! I remember when he was running for govenor of Mass. and alot of people were saying the same thing then about him AND he WON over a strong incumbent Democratic FEMALE then, just like he WILL in 2008!!! He's a strong AND honest LEADER.

mary,the villages,fl. (Sent Saturday, April 07, 2007 6:59 PM)

Erik from Mississippi makes it clear once again why this country will never elect someone from that state. He gives good hearted, honest American everywhere a bad name.

Dave, NY, NY (Sent Saturday, April 07, 2007 7:23 PM)

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