Rep. King endorses Romney, er Fred

Posted: Monday, December 17, 2007 10:18 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: 2008, 2008 Romney

From NBC/NJ's Carrie Dann
And the endorsements keep coming... Congressman Steve King (R), one of Iowa's most strident critics of illegal immigration and a champion of the state's rural conservatives, has endorsed Romney.

With a mere 17 days until the Iowa caucuses, King's endorsement may resonate with conservatives in the western part of the state. King had fostered a close relationship with longshot candidate Tom Tancredo, who shares his strong anti-illegal immigration views. But speculation yesterday was that the much-revered (in some circles) congressman wanted to make a splash by endorsing one of the race's front-runners.

King's endorsement of Romney could serve to further the Massachusetts governor's case against Huckabee, whom Team Romney hopes to paint as weak on immigration.

*** UPDATE *** King just announced that he's supporting Thompson. Team Romney is in the back of the room looking bewildered. They were all here, leading all the press to conclude that it was an endorsement for Romney.

Stand by for more.

*** UPDATE II *** Thompson just issued this statement on King's endorsement: "Congressman King's leadership in support of the sanctity of life and his efforts in the fight against illegal immigration have made him one of Iowa's great Republican leaders. He's a tireless fighter for the 5th district of Iowa and I'm honored by his support. I look forward to working with Congressman King over the next three weeks and into 2008 in support of the traditional conservative values he and I share."

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Comments

Rep. King is a loud mouthed embarrassment from my neck of the woods. He's the lone republican congressman from long island. I just thank God I don't live in his congressional district. He's rude and very ugly. His endorsement of Romney will not do anything for him in NY.

Pat, Huntington NY (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:28 AM)

That was huge! Romney could really win Iowa now.

chris, NY, New York (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:30 AM)

I complerely retract my posting at 10:28 AM today. I thought it was the Rep. King from LI. My bad.

Pat, Huntington NY (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:33 AM)

Well Mr King made a mistake, because Huckabee didnt beg. Huckabee doesnt beg or kiss butt for endorsements. The only person he would kiss up to is God, and this is the kind of man we need. Arkansas is impossible to win governor as a republican but Huckabee won 4 times and defeated the Clinton machine because God s people will win over sleaze.

David Anders Pharr, Tx. (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:36 AM)

Just a clarification: Peter King is the loud-mouthed Republican from Long Island. Steve King is the xenophobe from IA.

A Campbell, Washington, DC (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:37 AM)

Pat, Are you a democrat? Surely a Republican would not confuses Pete King (NY) with Steve King (Iowa).

The "rude" Pete King supports RUDEy

Carolina (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:37 AM)

You guys couldn't FACT CHECK before making such an announcement?

Brad, Park City, UTah (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:37 AM)

David Anders Pharr, Tx. (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:37 AM)

This is a fun race, isn't it!

Steve L., Middlefield, OH (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:44 AM)

Is Thompson still in the race ?? :-)

Scott, Orlando, Fl (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:50 AM)

Arkansas may be hard to win for governer, but now 80% of Arkansas Republicans are against Huckabee. That tells you something.

Ryan, San Ramon, CA (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:50 AM)

well, David from Texas. As a Southern Baptist from Arkansas my entire life..... God's people here in Arkansas have had enough of Huckabee and will not be supporting him....80% of our assembly in Arkansas on the Republican side(and, some Dem.) are in full support of Fred.....not Huckabee!!!!....

Eve Crawford/Van Buren, Arkansas (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:51 AM)

Steve King, is afraid of his own shadow. This guy's phobia over everything is just plain ridiculous and I am ashamed that he is a representative of this state. The repuk party has a long way to go to restore its image - it has become the most divisive and hateful calling people unpatriotic and also being contempt by allowing the Constitution of the U.S. be thrown to the floor and stomped on. All candidates are saying what they can to get us to vote for them, they do not represent the country that I fought and beld for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Terry, Disabled Vet, Des Moines, IA (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 10:57 AM)

Pat from Huntington doesn't know the difference between Peter King and Steve King not to be confused with Stephen King. Haha. Too funny. Just like a liberal to show us their stupidity. It's the gift that keeps on giving. Merry Christmas all!! Go Fred!

Fred Supporter (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 11:00 AM)

Wait a sec! Is he supporting Fred Thompson or Hunter S. Thompson? Truly, Fear an Loathing in Iowa!

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 11:03 AM)

Gods people...when will the christian right get it...America is sick of the christians telling us what to do and think...here's the big joke..there is no god, you've all been conned by your leaders and churches into believing if you give them money and hate other humans you will go to heaven..yeah right...see you in oblivion suckers...

Bob Jones from SC (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 11:12 AM)

Why didn't Stevie endorse Romney? Because Mitt didn't give him enough money! All of Mitt's endorsements are bought with his wallet, not with his views, which no one believes. Mitt is a flip-floppin' slimy chameleon without honesty and without spine.

Jim, Warner NH (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 11:13 AM)

Fred Supporter--Go Fred? How do you tell he is moving?...or conscious for that matter?
Ask his trophy wife maybe?

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 11:14 AM)

It's funny that Steve didn't bother to tell the Romney camp that he changed his mind at the last minute. It makes sense that King would endorse Thompson. Thompson will appreciate that "kiss of death" for his campaign; a lot of pundits are saying that Thompson is looking for a way out of the campaign.

Scott, Milford, IA (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 11:16 AM)

Looking for a way out of the campaign???? What an idiot...he is about to kick off a 50 county swing through Iowa...really sounds like he is trying to get out.

Justin, Athens, GA (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 11:22 AM)

Looking for a way out of the campaign???? What an idiot...he is about to kick off a 50 county swing through Iowa...really sounds like he is trying to get out.

Justin, Athens, GA (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 11:22 AM)

Right on, Fred!! Every other candidate was willing to kow tow to the ridiculous, juvenile request that they "raise their hands" in response to a complicated issue. Thompson stood firm and refused. Time to get serious, folks. Take the time to research Fred's positions on tax increases, immigration, social security, and security for this country. Then picture him up against that pipsqueak Akmadinijad, that Korean loon, Kim, and yes, that ineffective Iraqi leader, Almaliki. He will tell all of them where they can put their hands, too. GO FRED!!!

Bunny, Winston-Salem, NC (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 11:27 AM)

Trust me; you don't want Steve King's endorsement.

Kato in Des Moines (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 11:29 AM)

Why is there no mention in the news on MSNBC that Ron Paul raised over $6 million yesterday--another record!

Vote for Ron Paul, a real statesman, not just another politician.

Jay, Miami, FL (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 11:36 AM)

Please, Thompson's campaign has been half-hearted and unimpressive from the beginning. He was pretty popular until he actually entered the race. He shows absolutely no enthusiasm whatever. And Justin, please refrain from ad hominem attacks.

Scott, Milford, IA (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 11:36 AM)

You know, it is very pathetic journalism when you print a story based on the number of Romney people in a room. Sounds like you jumped the gun.
It is also very sly of you to leave the first paragraph up. Very pathetic journalism. It shows you left-wing stance and that the MSM thinks it controls politics in America. The American people are taking back control of the Federal Government and proving the MSM insignificance.

Fred Thompson is the clear Conservative choice. One only need watch the videos and read the news links at http://www.pinnaclecascade.com to see the other candidates are mere wannabees.

Mark, Portland,OR (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 11:45 AM)

The reason there is no mention of Ron Paul's raising $6 million is that the last time he tried a money bomb he had to give back most of the money because much of the bogus contributions violated FEC rules.

http://www.pinnaclecascade.com

Mark, Portland, OR (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 11:50 AM)

Romney get the Kiss of Death from the jingoist xenophobe.

Phil, Des moines, IA (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 11:51 AM)

Ok, now this is just WEIRD:

In his speech, King mentioned every Republican Front-runner. He mentioned their strengths and weakeness. One of the weaknesses he mentioned about Fred Thompson was that "he doesn't have the fire in his belly" to go all the way.

He makes NO MENTION of Romney at all, leading everyone in the room to believe that the endorsement was Romney's.

Then, inexplicably, he says "I am endorsing the candidate who has a real fire in his belly - Thompson."

Say what?

I think something got screwed up here. He starts off saying that Thompson lacks fire in his belly then says he is choosing Thompson because he has the fire in his belly?

Huh?

He also says "Thompson represents 'church and family'" (he doesn't even go to church and how many times has he been married?). He then says Thompson has "the resources to go all the way (Thompson is broke!).

It's like he completely described Romney then named Thompson.

Twilight zone!

P.S., Thompson is at 9% in the polls in Iowa and has no chance.

Also, why did King COMPLETELY OMIT any mention of Romney from his speech?

Bill Mitchell, Raleigh, NC (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 11:53 AM)

Maybe the lack of support in Arkansas for Huckabee's presidential bid is that - unlike 1992 - Arkansans have no desire to "take out the garbage" this time.

Jim Beam (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 11:58 AM)

Go Fred! Government mostly causes problems, not solves problems. Fred will sleep through four years as President, and hopefully eight, and very little will happen. That's good!

Imagine him sitting across the table from Akmadinijad. Akmadinijad says something about destroying us. Fred dozes off. Akmadinijad interprets this as a sign of extreme strength. Problem solved.

Plus, Fred has promised that everyone in the top tax bracket will get a trophy wife. This will provide an incentive for people to work hard to get ahead. Half the people, anyway.

Bill WIlliams, Tacoma WA (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 12:02 PM)

Steve King is one of the craziest individuals in government today, comfortable only in a place that was once a hot bed of the John Birch Society http://www.publiceye.org/tooclose/jbs.html . The link is quite lengthy but it shows how many themes from the height of the Red Scare remain entrenched in American conservatism. These include government and media figures working behind the scenes to impose a socialist agenda, publication of conservative disinformation to support their message, ongoing conspiracies threatening the American way, the UN as the agent of eliminating American sovereignty, militarism, opposition to civil rights expressed in academic-sounding language to hide the racism, accusations of elitism of their opponents, and fear mongering about social decay.

John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 12:13 PM)

So is Romney dishonest because he's the one guy who actually has a clean record? Too good to be true, huh? As if no one in America has actually lived by good morals their entire life, or stuck to their integrity and beliefs without getting paid to believe and act a certain way? Do not underestimate the quantity of good apples out there, just because you know some of the rotten or hypocritical ones. It's about time we got someone into the presidential campaign who is one of the smart, forward thinking and honest Americans we are looking for to lead our country.

harkalark, Logan, Utah (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 12:14 PM)

Yes...yes. "xenophobic", "haters", "stomping on Constitution". Blah, blah, blah.

Funny that, what with all these civil rights being trampled, you can freely post your opinion ont he internet where anyone in the world can read it. Kinds makes you look like a complete putz, doesn't it?

Jimmie, Waldorf, MD (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 12:21 PM)

America needs a man of real ability to be president, not an idiot such as G.W. Bush or a sleaze such as (either) Clinton. Romney has proven that he has tremendous knowledge in the business sector, he made a success out of the Salt Lake City olympics which was in a mess, and he showed himself to be a skillful governor. He is a decent family man who as president would uplift America's reputation throughout the world.

Tom Rathwell, Seattle, WA (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 12:21 PM)

Huckabee = excess of $100,000 in gifts while governor, sounds ethical to me. Registering at Macy's and Target to ease the pain of leaving the governors house in Arkansas. Must be rough.

Even tried to change the laws of gifting. Hate to see him with power in Washington.

Keith, Cincinnati, OH (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 12:29 PM)

This upcoming year, millions of Americans will pledge to themselves a range of attempts at self-improvement. With the coming of 2008, I ask that as a collective body of Americans we pause and reflect upon how we might improve the character of our nation and strive to truly become a shining city upon a hill. Sadly, many of us have grown complacent in the world of politics, culture, and human interaction. We bask in the self gratification of I-Pods, SUVs, Cellphones, and laptops. Meanwhile, we remain blissfully ignorant to the struggles, deprivation, and oppression of our fellow human beings. As the value of the dollar plunges, an illegal and destructive war wages, and our borders are penetrated so that human beings may be exploited as cheap labor, our politicians in Washington consume themselves with the destruction of our hopes and opportunities. We as Americans must awaken to the travesties which surround us or the walls of our beloved country will assuredly crumble to the ground. At the present time, we are “represented” by two parties of government. One professes an empty rhetoric of equality, peace, justice, tolerance, and caring big government. The other has convinced a mass of apathetic followers that it is somehow conservative to print paper money without limit, rack up a national deficit and debt which will strangle future generations, aggrandize power for the federal government, and strip the U.S. Constitution of its heart, soul, and sovereignty. Over two hundred and thirty years ago, brave Americans unified to stand in the face of tyranny, oppression, and disregard for the general welfare. Now, in the 21st Century, we find ourselves again in bleak circumstances. We can choose to turn our heads and wrap ourselves in the comfort of blissful ignorance. I plead to my fellow Americans, however, arise from your slumber! Ron Paul offers a new revolution for a new age. He brings hope to millions of Americans who weep at the sight of a decaying repubic. He offers not only alterations and tweaks to a failed and unjust system, but real, meaningful change to a country at the mercy of those who work toward its destruction. Restore our republic and the blessings of liberty! Vote for Republican Ron Paul!

Justin Wyoming, MI (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 12:36 PM)

Fred! Has held his fire until the right moment. While others have been spending resources on campaigns so distant from the actual time that voting occurs that those efforts will be forgotten, Fred obviously made the conscious decision to postpone his efforts until people other than a few activists really start thinking about politics. Of course, the News Media hates him because he clearly has no intention of dancing to their tune.

It just may be his unconventional approach is the most effective. The elections will tell.

Go Fred!

Mike O (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 12:40 PM)

It reminds me when I walk into a Car Dealership, and -- it's always the same two guys trying to get your business at the same time. I always yell over my shoulder as I am looking at cars --- just looking for now.

Barbara C., Pompano Beach, FL (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 12:48 PM)

"King just announced that he's supporting Thompson."

Whoa... crazy times! Peter King endorsed?? Now the GOP nominee will definitely be Tommy Thompson!

Tim, CT (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 12:53 PM)

Jimmie, Waldorf, MD, it does not make one look like a putz, keeping your mouth shut would be like a putz. Maybe you like having the gestapo looking into what ever your doing and also enjoy torturing people? I myself will speak up against this unjust administration every chance I get.

Terry, Disabled Vet, Des Moines, IA (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 12:54 PM)

"Funny that, what with all these civil rights being trampled, you can freely post your opinion ont he internet where anyone in the world can read it. Kinds makes you look like a complete putz, doesn't it?" Ask the Quakers who were infiltrated by the FBI as a threat to national security. Ask the Arab social charities who've had their assets frozen based on evidence they aren't able to see, let alone refute. Ask the people who are imprisoned in Guantanamo and elswhere in the secret prison system who are assumed to not even have the right to be charged with a crime. Ask the military lawyers who are resigning their positions because giving their clients a proper defense means subjecting themselves to possible action for disobeying orders. Ask the people who would like to have their civil rights complaint investigated, except that the Justice Department has virtually dismantled that function.

John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 12:59 PM)

hey Mark from Portland. I just looked into the FEC findings and it appears that approximately $3,000.00 was returned. credit card thieves were testing the cards by donating $5.00 at a time to his campaign. That is a long way from "most" of his contributions.

Bruce, Elgin, Il. (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:01 PM)

fred is above the fray,he doesnt get involved with all the whining and crying and bickering.he is solid as a conservative,check his record,and he does not play to the media like the rest of the candidates.i think people will see this as time goes on,....go fred

jon from vancouver (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:06 PM)

Um, Huckabee didn't "Defeat the Clinton Machine"-- he didn't even win an election the first time-- as Lt. Governor, he acceeded to the governorship after Gov. Jim Tucker (a Clinton friend) was convicted and sent to jail.

dake, Eugene (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:19 PM)

Fred Flintstone is still running? Someone wake him up and tell him...and I wish he would stop the family values thing while sleeping with someone old enough to be his daughter...how disgusting

The first mrs thompson (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:25 PM)

See, Mark, Bruce caught you. You're not intereted in truth, obviously.

Ron Paul's the man!

Jay, Miami, FL (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:37 PM)

I won't vote for serial panderers, nutjobs or those with lots of "baggage" (read: Huckabee, Romney, Giuliani). I insist on a candidate with a solid conservative track record and federalist principles that has the steely resolve to go toe-to-toe with anyone. Fred Thompson gets my vote and financial support.

Oh... Thompson broke? Hardly.

electric-rascal, Central Ohio (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:40 PM)

I met Tom Tancredo. At one of our events here in Iowa he stated that he is not running for President to be President. It is not the "prize" that has him in the race. He talked about the reception, or lack thereof, he received when he first started bringing up illegal immigration in the House. That was years ago. Now he is having amemndments accepted without debate.

The immigration is not just a Mexican issue. It is the possibility of terrorists coming over. The ad by Tom Tancredo was correct in conecting the two. I was waiting for someone to finally do that. 'National Review' wrote an article about this shortly after 9/11. They stated that these terrorists are coming over with certain visas, than just not leaving. And I do find it disheartenting that the major press does not talk more about the immigration and terrorism link, instead of just the Mexican angle.

We can throw around names like "xenophobe", but that does not solve the issue. There is a real issue. And let's not forget the "relativism" that is sweeping the country as a result of this immigration issue.

Another element to this immigration issue is the elemination of the "common culture" we all share as Americans. Yes, worts and all. Including slavery and the internment of the Japanese during WWII.

Rob, Iowa (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:46 PM)

Thompson just announced he is supporting Wendel Wilkie. This King guy really meant Harold Stassen.
I mean, when you have such a great amount of talent to choose from, it is really hard to pick the right one. Rommey is now supporting himself. That is the third time he has changed his opinion in the last two weeks. Sorry Mr. Perot!

Jim, from Cincinnati (Sent Monday, December 17, 2007 1:47 PM)

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