Romney’s (almost) Dean Scream speech

Posted: Thursday, December 13, 2007 10:18 AM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC/NJ’s Erin McPike
If anything is certain about the GOP presidential primary, it’s that Romney really, really wants to win Iowa. Desperately.

After hitting a post-debate party around Des Moines on Wednesday, he flew to Cedar Rapids for a Christmas/Romney rally at the Linnmar High School cafeteria, because Iowa spokesman Tim Albrecht said the campaign figured all of the other candidates would stay in Des Moines for more post-debate schedules. Giuliani’s team, however, seemed to have the same thought and scheduled an event in the same area at the same time.

Former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad’s son, Marcus, said there were about 900 supporters there as he opened the event -- loudly -- and was almost reminiscent of Howard Dean’s scream speech nearly four years ago.

Funny enough, when Romney was wrapping up his remarks, he said the following: “You're going to do something which people don’t expect, which is give me a victory. And then I’m going to New Hampshire, where I’m pretty solidly in the lead in New Hampshire, and then I’m going to be in Nevada, and I’m going to win Nevada, and then I’m going to be in Wyoming, and I’ll win that one, and then Michigan, and we’re going to end up doing real darn well. That’s at least what I plan. Brian over here was afraid I was going to scream as I was saying that -- the Howard Dean moment, but I’m not doing that. No predictions like that, no screaming allowed…. I’m going to find you, track you down, make sure you vote in the caucuses.”

Shortly after, as Mrs. Romney tried to nudge him, he said, “Ann’s pulling me off the stage, I can tell.”

Toward the end of his remarks, he teetered on the line of closing the deal and -- begging.

“And now I need you guys,” he said, launching into his conclusion. “I need you on one day to give one hour. On one day I need you to go out on Jan. 3rd. And I know there’s going to be the Orange Bowl on, I mean, who wants to get away from the Orange Bowl? There’s going to be the Orange Bowl.

“I predict bad weather -- this is, after all, Iowa, in January. And I predict bad weather and good TV, but I need you to go out on Jan. 3rd in the evening, and I need you to do something else, which is to find -- this is really tough. Can you find one other person to go with you that can vote? Maybe someone whose arm you can twist, and maybe get more than one, get two, three, four, five people to go with you and say, ‘Can you come with me? Because Iowa has a lot to say about the direction of the country.

“You’re first. Your voice is heard. We’re counting on you. I’m counting on you. Even if you think there’s somebody else better than me, come out and vote. But just vote once for him. If you like me, vote many, many times. I need your help, I need your work.”

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Comments

Holy crap! Are these comments for real? This is the first time I have ever been to this website. No wonder the Founding Fathers started the Electoral College which gave power to the states instead of the voters. They were of the belief most voters were stupid - perhaps they were right.

Amazed in DC (Sent Thursday, December 13, 2007 7:12 PM)

This is an example of the crumbling Romney "inevitability" of nomination. Hmmmm. Similar to Hillary's "inevitability."??? -- Sorry, neither of you are entitled to anything.

Paul, Hendricks Minnesota (Sent Thursday, December 13, 2007 7:16 PM)

So, I gots to ask you Hillary. Is ya having fun yet girl?

Pirate Joe (Sent Thursday, December 13, 2007 7:54 PM)

Here's the link to the <a href="http://cameron.blogs.foxnews.com/2007/12/13/how-many-counties-are-there-in-iowa-99-bloomin-counties/">
video.</a> Just another reason to take media reports with a grain of salt...

Valerie Chapman (Sent Thursday, December 13, 2007 8:28 PM)

Adriana Nunce,

I think that if there was anything blighting about Mitt’s Mormon beliefs people would attack those beliefs, rather than making up lies about what we believe.

Why would you not vote for Mitt because someone told you a lie about what he believes? Let’s take a closer look at some of the things you “read and heard.” First, Mormons DO NOT believe Jesus is a prophet as you suggest. We believe Jesus is the Divine Son of God, He bleed and He died on the cross for our sins, He was resurrected on the third day and He is the only source of salvation. Second, Mormons do not believe that man will ever be equal with God. God will always be our Father and our greater. We believe, as the Bible teaches, “The Spirit itself bearth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. And if children, then heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ, if so we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:16-17). And Yes, Mormons believe the Holy Bible is the word of God. Your last fake idea about what Mormons believe concerning Jesus having “a family and children” was invented long before Joseph Smith established Mormonism in 1830. Mormon theology does not embrace, teach, or even suggest this idea.

At any rate, America stands for religious freedom and if Mitt has the same positions on political issues as you do, it shouldn’t matter what his religious affiliation is.

Daniel Kay, Gainesville, FL (Sent Thursday, December 13, 2007 8:45 PM)

I'm not voting for Romney. But you guys who are saying this is like the Dean scream really look silly. Who's desperate?

LAURIE REVILL 917 HARDING ST. OSCODA, MI 48750 (Sent Thursday, December 13, 2007 11:08 PM)

TT You're a SPED. If you look at this "surge" Huck experienced and think it's because he finally got the recognition he deserved you are wrong. The liberal Left Media would love to divide Romney's and Rudy's votes enough to get Mike (Gomer Pyle) Huckabee in the ring with Hillary. They know that she would tear him to shreds in the end. Rudy is a mistake and Ron Paul (the best candidate) isn't getting traction. Your best bet is the competent one - Romney. McCain is a mistake as well. Talk to the people in his (my) home state and they DO NOT like him. He doesn't keep his word and is a party hack anyway.

Glen, San Antonio, TX (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 1:34 AM)

For me Huckabee has gone from being a nice guy with a few loony ideas to being a weasel with a shady past and a lot of loony ideas. He is even using code words now to communicate with potential evangelical supporters. He tells them that he is the Christian candidate. Whoa momma!! The guy is beginning to remind me of Rev Jim Bakker.

Mad Jayhawk, Madison, SD (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 1:49 AM)

You are kidding me? What Romney said was a Howard Dean moment? Whoever wrote that does not remember the redfaced Howard Dean screaming at the top of his lungs. This was not even close to what Gov Dean did. Not even remotely close. Give me a break.

And I did not have a problem with what Gov Dean did. It was a political rally and he was trying to fire his people up. He looked a little crazy and out of control doing it, but, what the heck, he was pumped up. Romney was in total control and was gracefully thanking the people who helped him. Big, big difference. And notice that he seem to speak in respectful tones about what Gov Dean did while joking about what he had said with someone off camera. I like people who can laugh at themselves. I fall out of my chair laughing at myself every day.javascript:{if (typeof(Page_ClientValidate) != 'function' || Page_ClientValidate()) __doPostBack('_ctl0$_$_ctl0$_$_ctl0$_$form$_$btnSubmit','')}
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Mad Jayhawk, Madison, SD (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 1:55 AM)

'I think people need to REALLY look at his religion.'

I will look at his religion when you show me where in the constitution that the president is supposed to be a certain religion. If you have a religious test for Romney lets have it for all of them and lets have one for gender, age, race, height, weight, color of eyes, hair style, etc. too while we are at it. If you are going to be a bigot when it comes to religion why not be a bigot on everything.

Mad Jayhawk, Madison, SD (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 2:03 AM)

If you had a corporation, as complex as US, and your money and life was at stake in it, whom would you hire to run it- someone intelligent like Mitt Romney or someone like dubya who will sink it.

John, Little rock, AR (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 7:46 AM)

Mad-I also said in my post that I know that a candidates religion shouldn't matter. Generally for me it wouldn't matter, except that my whole family is Mormon and I know EXACTLY what this religion is about and it scares the hell out of me!! Also, polygamy is alive and well because I live next to a polygamist community. (That would be the old Mormon religion where men have numerous wives and think it is OK to suck off the tax dollars of the surrounding communities and marry 12 year old girls!!) If you want to call me a bigot that is fine, but I am just stating what I was forced to learn during my life. I have seen too many women who have suffered their entire lives because of this religion. If it is OK to be ANY religion to run for president then where are our Buddhists, Muslims, and other non-christian runners? Don't judge me until you have lived in this twisted religion!!!

MM (Sent Friday, December 14, 2007 2:49 PM)

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