ABOUT FIRST READ

First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC Political Researcher



Romney's Michigan support

Posted: Friday, January 11, 2008 12:54 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC/NJ's Erin McPike
DETROIT, Mich. -- Romney's scooping up some support in Michigan heading into the home stretch before Tuesday's primary. One intriguing get is the support of Dennis Smith, who heads up the Information Network for Christian Homes, which has supported home-schoolers in the Wolverine State since 1984. 

Smith yesterday circulated a letter in the state supporting Romney and denouncing many of the Republican candidates, including McCain, and explained in detail the rationale for his thinking. Of McCain, Smith writes: "McCain has been wrong on issues like campaign finance reform and immigration, has an un-presidential nasty temper, and I just don't like him."

By phone this morning, Smith said that he sent the letter to about 3,600 homes of current and former home-schoolers. "The majority are not politically active," he explained, "but they might vote."
 
While Romney's chief rival here is McCain, Smith's support of the Michigan native is a bigger blow to Huckabee, who is making a play for the state and is certain to try and turn his success with Christians and home-schooling families in Iowa into similar gains here. According to Michigan Republican Party Chairman Saul Anuzis, "That could have a great negative impact on Hucakabee's ability to organize under the table sort of speak and help Romney pull in unexpected support."

Smith's letter directs his readers to a couple of Web sites that shed more light on Huckabee's record, including here. Smith writes that Huckabee "says he supports homeschoolers and that they should be left alone, yet he signed into law a bill that imposed new restrictions on homeschoolers in AR."

He added that he investigated Huckabee's record in the past few weeks and through a series of e-mails and issues that were drawn to his attention, Smith said the confluence of factors "really point out some deficiencies in Gov. Huckabee," especially when it comes to education. "I'm not pleased with what I saw about what Gov. Huckabee did in Arkansas." He went on that Huckabee's "rhetoric today doesn't match his" past.

But one thing that worries Smith is this: "Gov. Romney has been relying too much on stump messages," and he fears that he "doesn't sound as genuine" as he could. "Somehow he's got to get beyond that," he said.

Romney also received the endorsement of the Grand Rapids Press and the Oakland Press this week, and the campaign will will go up with a radio ad this weekend touting the Grand Rapids Press endorsement. There will also be a TV ad debuting in the state later today.

The Michigan team believes the campaign is bound to do well in the state because the level of attention has not been what it was in Iowa or New Hampshire, and so the level of turnout will not be comparable. For those who do turn out and haven't been following closely, "The default will be for a guy named Romney in this state," one strategist said this morning, adding that the size of McCain's lead in some polling isn't consistent with what they're seeing.

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Comments

Why no mention of the New Hampshire recount?
McCain is going to win big, given that there's no Dem race and the Dems and Inds can vote in the GOP primary.
McCain is going to win big, given that there's no Dem race and the Dems and Inds can vote in the GOP primary.
It should be interesting to watch with Romney taking his eyes of McCain and putting the attack on Huckabee.  I think that Romney has started himself a two front war attacking both Huckabee and McCain.  He might be able to fend off one of their counters, but both might be a bit much.  
Romney and the rest of the Republican field are fatally flawed.  The funny part is that his own party doesn't like him because he is a Mormon.  They wouldn't care if he supports torture, changes most of his core principles, or basically parrots Mr. Bush's failed Middle Eastern Excursion.  They dislike his religion.  Any of you Latter Day Saints on this board know that he suffers extreme prejudice for it.  I am not a Mormon but if Mr. Romney was a Democrat and actually had some better principles, I could support him.  Don't worry though Romney supporters.  When your party finally sticks the nail in his political coffin you can come over the true "big tent" party.  I'm sure that Sen. Obama wouldn't discriminate against you like your own party.
"I'm not pleased with what I saw about what Gov. Huckabee did in Arkansas." He went on that Huckabee's "rhetoric today doesn't match his" past.

Well, that's putting it mildly.
C.K. Steele Fort Lauderdale, FL - you are right about the extreme bigotry that exists on the Republican side.  However, coming to the party of the "big tent" also means coming to the party of "big government" - not going to happen.
I think Romney is the BEST man for the job of President.  He is conservitive in his views, has real family values, will be tough on "illegal" immigration. He will also be good for the economy.
Romney can't win Mich., because they're too smart to vote for this flip flopping freak show mormon.
What kind of logic is this?  Since when has Romney supported homeschoolers even to the point of Governor Huckabee's "deficient" support?  Since when has Romney been the champion of homeschoolers?  That kind of logic defies sense.  
Huckabee is gathering support among people that sympathize with Christian values, and among middle-class workers. I think he is going to put some healthy numbers here.
Anybody who does not vote for Romney must hate them selves.  Romney is the one man who knows how to create jobs and turn around the economy.  You folks in Michigan should be keenly aware of this.  McCain is a cantacorous old war monger and Huckabee is just plain stupid.  

Michigan, don't let us down, keep Romney in the race so that he can prove what he can really do for the country.  
Contrary to this misleading article, Governor Huckabee is a strong supporter of home schooling.  There is nothing wrong with having some standards at the state level for such education.  In full time Christian service, I have seen some very good results from home schooling, but also a few pitiful situations where children were not getting a decent education, even some who are lacking in the most basic skills.  Governor Huckabee was the first governor ever to appoint a home school MOM, (her name is Jonelle Caldwell), to the State Board of Education.  You can write to her husband Rick.Caldwell@explorehuckabee.com  He is a senior campaign advisor.  It never ceases to amaze me how the media distorts Governor Huckabee's record.  He is quite worthy of your support home schoolers, and he has nothing to apologize for as he has been way out in front on this issue of supporting home schooling. Dennis Smith has it all wrong.  Check with the source for the real truth.  Contact the Caldwells ... they are former home school parents and very enthusiastic about the Governor's record on this issue.  I talked with Mr. Caldwell personally about it when I had concerns about the matter as I was considering candidates.  He is more than willing to talk with anyone and to even come to speak to home school groups.

John Lawrence
Dennis Smith and all you religious right ringers need to stop dictating your narrow minded religiousity to others. You have every rights to home school your kids;however; your politics is what is too scary. In regards to your support to that swarmy Used Car Salesman Rommney, he will pander, and say anything to get elected. How gullible are you people who love to call yourselves Christians but are so influenced by ultra wlthy/rich white men who use catch phrases like tax cuts (for them); pro-life but send thousands to their death; anti-immigrants but hire illegals to cut their grass(Romney fires the company when it comes out); and new fear mongering/rattle sabering war on terror (perfect  bumper sticker) chicken-hawks EXCEPT MCGAIN. The majority of Republican politicians are lying opportunists who will say anything to get elected and put party allgience ahead of anything else.
The Problem with this country is people treating this election like a run to the superbowl...This is not a game, who cares what team a persons on. My team, your team...I CAN CARE!!  Show me a candidate that's going to bring this country from the verge of bankruptcy (morally and economically) and all people are worried about is voting for the winning candidate.

You want change; stop voting for candidates that act like 10year olds in toys r’us with their parent’s credit cards…

These parties are both wrong…Cut Taxes…Are you insane?  (With a 9 trillion dollar Debt?)  Pay it down (all the way) and then cut taxes when we are registering surpluses, Why isn’t any of these candidates pushing the issue?…then maybe we can tackle this pesky trade deficit.  We force a the issue now and we may force a “bank run” from foreign investors…that’s why they allow it year after year.  

And the other side of the fence, all I’ve heard is new programs but nothing in the way of cutting useless programs and going after special interests…where do you think that money comes from?  We get squeezed for taxes on needless items, we get squeezed on prices from the corporations so they can pay for paying off the government.  

Both sides…

1. Balance the fricken budget #1 including a stipend to pay down the debt.
2. Stop wasting money on $500 hammers and things of that nature.
3. Abolish all donations to political causes from anyone but an individual.  If someone is passionate enough they will donate themselves.


There is not one candidate I’ve been excited about in these two parties…none have discussed the issues in enough detail.  Wake up America, you are being pitted against each other for the same candidate.

Want to make a difference, vote for neither party…let you voice be heard, maybe they’ll get the hint and start really making some change rather than talking about it.

Romney is taking the heat for his faith to some extent. More of that is due to the media. I do think the perception would still exist even if he was under the DEM side.
Both GOP and DEM are showing tolerance when it is favorable.
The real reason for the bigotry is to change the candiate position in the race to move ahead of Romney.
Romney is perceived as a frontrunner and threat.
Never saw it that way at all.
Media outlets and pollsters doing alot of manipulating along the way. Most of it is not with ill intent but certain changes the race outcome.
They want to create a story that generates profits.

You would have to admit that we have some exciting races. Partly because the voters are buying into the media and candidates strategies. I think the candidates will tell you how polarizing it is.

What is more crazy is why does Mitt have to take Michigan? Or any of the GOP'ers.
We know G strategy is when the big states. Everyone is presuming that the big states are going to be easy to take.
THERE NOT!
We could see a very tight race all the way to the end unless these candidates quit.
By Edwards going the distance that hurts somebody. Whom? Yet to be seen.
Right now huckabee and Mccain have made life difficult for Romney. Easir though for Rudy.
rudy has a been fortunate to have the benefit of a divide and conquer strategy.
He will stiff face Romney or one of the others without this great need to win every big state. Takes some pressure off.
Like I said...The pressure is there on all candidates.
No Sleep for them.
I think the voters really want to be involved. So the more these guys get out the better their chances are.

Romney needs has been doing well in the race. He needs to strike a cord with some voters. Obama has been the only one to really do that by the way.
Huckabee is not striking the cord. He is getting momentum from networking with churchs. Kind of illegal since church and state issues come up.
Really the churches problem because they are to keep out of political affairs so they don't lose the tax exempt. perks.
Either way, your strait voters know the candidates and issues. Not a whole lot of people going to change the votes. You have maybe a 10 pt spread.
What will change things is when or if these candidates drop out. That can create a huge swing for the paper front runners.
huck might have a chance if Mccain would have dropped out. McCain is hurting HUCK not really helping.
If the candidates stay in the race Very good chance ROMNEY will prevail.
He by far has the best organazation and resources and more importantly is get a consistent fair share of the vote count where ever he goes. The guy that takes 1st and second along the way in every state is the real leader.
Taking 1st once or twice and splitting that up among your parties candidates helps the guy that is consistently by the top.
For Gop party they will need Mitt. No other candidate can compare to the strength Clinton and Obama bring to the table.
DEMS are very strong at the moment. Have a severe problem or achilles heal but they are very strong.

Beside the candidates, the country is still polarized. Look at Gore and bush. tight race!
We need a candidate... Heard Obama say that is willing to add GOP and DEM to their leadership.

If OBAMA took ROMNey or vice versus. That ticket will kill a clinton ticket. Switch Clinton and hurts Obama.

Problem is I dont see Romney wanting DEMS on the ticket with him as of yet. He probably hasn't thought about it.
GOP'ers hate DEMS because they have idealogy problems. However, DEMS have good things that brings people togethor. That coehisive leadership is important by the way. ADD it togethor with a discplined leader in romney that is very much intouch with business and the economy ...we get better domestic policy, and change in congress
Congress is where the problem really is...Bush is not the real issue or any of these future presidents.
We need to get us as voters coming togeother in a way to shape congress. Congress is really screwed up. It is all
because of the 2 party system in there.

go Mitt and if not mitt maybe Clinton at the moment



CK- I found your post humorous, and to a degree, agree with you.  Actually, Obama is the only democrat who has offices in Utah and has done well in fundraising here.  A lot of people here (in this hugely republican state) really like Obama, including a lot of Mormons. I personally, will vote for him if Romney doesn't make it to Super Tuesday.

Whether or not Mormons are voting based on religion depends on the Mormon, (sort of like how it depends on the evangelical) although I know many who are not.  But I don't know a lot of people of any religion who would support a candidate that has spoken AGAINST their beliefs/religion... as is evident here by the fact that when I drive through town, I see yard campaign signs supporting every major candidate EXCEPT Huckabee (signs up for Romney,Obama, McCain, Edwards, Thompson, Ron Paul, and Hillary).  Hmmm.

Candidates usually don't care too much about Utah.  It pretty much always votes republican and isn't one of the huge delegate count states and is relatively low on the number of electoral votes it contributes.  However, if Huckabee wins the nomination, I think Utah will be less predictable in it's general election outcome.  It'll be interesting to watch.
I just read the comments about Romneys own staff not liking him. Then I searched Google for a period and find no evidence that this is the case. So, do you work for McCain or Huckabee? Everything you've said about Romney are slanderous lies. He is a huge auto industry supporter. Michigans entire economy hinges on domestic auto industry strength. Any wise Michigander who understands politics and economy would know that there is only one hope for us. Romney for president! Especially to save the Michigan economy.
Hey Nashville, why would they mention the New Hampshire recount when it is a Democratic, Mr. Kucinich, that is the only person pushing for a recount? The recount would be on the democatic side. This article is about Republicans in Michigan.
DailyKos is telling folk in Michigan to vote for Romney.  Begs the question, why do such radical leftists want Romney to win?
that's an excellent point. and probably the reason this Mormon is a democrat.  
Some amusing comments there.  Governor Romney has made life more difficult for himself!  Especially with his inept plastic campaign, and his attack ads.  Don't blame the other candidates. Romney is a first class, slick opportunist with no core values.  He is his own worst enemy.   I never even considered voting for him or Giuliani.  Mike Huckabee is a far more attractive candidate, and I could swallow hard and vote for McCain if I had to.  Not so Mitt Romney!  And why would Michigan want to vote for a loser??  He was supposed to win both Iowa and New Hampshire, and he lost both decisively.  

John Lawrence, Hixson, TN.
"These parties are both wrong…Cut Taxes…Are you insane?  (With a 9 trillion dollar Debt?)  Pay it down (all the way) and then cut taxes when we are registering surpluses, Why isn’t any of these candidates pushing the issue?…"  

GP, Romney has specifically mentioned that he wishes to limit spending by inflatin minus 1% and will veto any budget submitted by Congress that does not meet that requirement.

I should note that Romney used the line item veto over 800 hundred times while Governor of Massachusetts on the budget alone.  He's not been afraid to veto.

As for tax cuts, they inevitably promote economic growth.  But you are absolutely right: they needed to be matched with decreased government spending.

"Abolish all donations to political causes from anyone but an individual.  If someone is passionate enough they will donate themselves. "

Sorry, I'm a believer in the First Amendment here.  Why should you or I have the right to tell a group who to donate their own money to?
CK- I found your post humorous, and to a degree, agree with you.  Actually, Obama is the only democrat who has offices in Utah and has done well in fundraising here.  A lot of people here (in this hugely republican state) really like Obama, including a lot of Mormons. I personally, will vote for him if Romney doesn't make it to Super Tuesday.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
That's great to hear Kira.  We gladly welcome any help and support that we can get.  I was unaware of Sen. Obama's organization in Utah.  If the nutjobs in your party skewer your candidate with their onslaught of religious intolerance we'll welcome you on board.

And as for you Mr. Webster your comments below-------
C.K. Steele Fort Lauderdale, FL - you are right about the extreme bigotry that exists on the Republican side.  However, coming to the party of the "big tent" also means coming to the party of "big government" - not going to happen.
----------------------------------------------------
I would hope that the programs that Democrats (and a majority of the country) support that help some of the least fortunate among us wouldn't deter you from joining up.  I know that I would take social programs and "big government" over bigotry any day.
My vote is for Mitt.  I understand that this country is facing challenges that it has not faced in years with the economy.  We also face new challenges relating to terrorism.  watch the debates, listen to the stances of the various candidates both democratic and republican.  The ONLY one that can carry this Nation forward and stabilize the challenges we face for our generation and our kids generations is Mitt Romney.  He is cool, calm and collected.   Oh...and by the way...for those of you that say Mitt Romney is a flip flopper...check the records of EACH candidate.  McCain has changed on immigration, Huckabee has changed on taxes and home schooling.  There are many more issues at hand here.  Mitt is honest.
I think Mitt has the best message for Michigan, let alone the rest of the country.  There is a reason he has won the popular vote to date, even excluding Wyoming where he won by a landslide with about 70% of the vote.  Add up Iowa and New Hampshire and you will find Mitt Romney with the most votes by far.

Mitt ftw!

Also, for any who are concerned in any way about his religion, Mormons have nothing to hide.  Taken out of context you can get some mixed up ideas about what we believe, but it is interesting to note that the more educated a member of the church is, the more likely they are to be faithful in the church, and that is because our ideas make sense to educated people.  (This is the opposite trend compared to other Christian faiths, for some reason.)  I respect all Christian churches, though Huckabee is making this hard at the moment, and hope to see more ability to work together in Government, something I believe Mitt has shown himself capable of.

Peace.
The GOP pole from GOPUSA came out today and Mitt Romney won big!  This pole was done by 2200 conservatives.  Since November he has surged in popularity amoung conservatives.  In the border states, where the illegal aliens are causing major crime issues, Romney will win big!  

Romney is intellegent, has class and dignity.  He is easily the most impressive candidate in the race.  McCain is a borderline liberal (not a good thing for a republican candidate).  Huckabee is loved by the media and again WAY too liberal.
I am an independent who grew up in IN.  I remember my father being laid off in the mid-70's as a dominoe effect from the auto industry which hit MI the hardest.  I'm a big supporter of Romney as I also lived in MA while he was governor there.  I saw his successes working with a very liberal state to make things better, while maintaining his conservative values.  As retired military, I was also impressed with his never surrender attitude...not just with our nations defense, but with our economy as well.  

Whether Republican, Democrat or Independent, there is no other nominee with a better understanding of MI, a greater appreciation for the specifc challenges you face, nor better qualified to actually help in a tangible way your concerns there in MI.

In many ways, Romney still has values and ideas much closer to MI than he did with MA.  He announced his intent to run for president right there because that is where he really has the closets ties.  I don't think anyone at that time would have guessed that MI would become such a key part to his current campaign.  

No other candidate on the republican side can really help:  

Huckabee will give you flowery feel good statements about how he is closer to understanding the worker rather than the corporate person who may lay you off; but he won't promise you anything tangible.  

Unlike his position on the war in Iraq, McCain has already admitted defeat when it comes to the MI economy.  He says he will tell you the truth and that your jobs won't come come back.  He wants you to believe that his straight talk will sway you to vote for him.  Please don't buy into that.

Romney cares about MI; in business, he helped get small businesses started that became huge successes, and benefited teh MI economy; he has turned around many companies and an Olymipics,taht many others were saying could not be saved.

I don't know whether Romney will win the nomination, but of all the candidates, he is the perfect fit for what MI needs at this time.  
John, talk about distorting Huckabee's record...Romney's has been completely taken apart and put back together backwards and upside-down.  What has been said here about Romney is true.  He has never placed restrictions on home-schoolers.  I would venture to guess there is a much closer connection to the Caldwells than what you are implying...remember that Huckabee has definitely rewarded his constituents that helped get him elected in Arkansas (along with taking gifts and paying himself in a manner showing unethical behavior).  Not once has Romney ever been accused of doing anything unethical, where Huckabee was several times.  McCain has also been involved in various unethical situations (remember the Keating 5?)
Come to think of it....McCain does have a bad temper.  I still think he will win in Michigan because at some point, the Republicans have to get around the "one" candidate they think can win in the fall.
Most home-schoolers are evangelical.  I am not an evangelical yet I live in the Bible belt and in my town, most homeschooling organizations require you to sign an agreement that you only believe the Bible to be the word of God to participate in their group, such as ice skating, gymnastics - extra curricular activities.  This excludes Buddhists, Jews, Mormons, Hindus, etc., so they have complete control who joins their group. ....my, how Christian of them.  Although I don't mind, my children are exposed to children of all religions....because that is the way the real world is.  Evangelicals live in a bubble.
"The majority of Republican politicians are lying opportunists who will say anything to get elected and put party allgience ahead of anything else."

I'm willing to bed you can't name 5 other republican politicians outside of the candidate pool. . . probably not even 5 democrats for that matter.

Anyway, as for lying opportunists, the funny thing about politics is that whether you're a democrat, repulican or independent you are forced to make decisions and some of those decisions come with concessions.  It's called choosing the lesser of two evils.  It's called being bi-partisan.  Everyone wants a unifier and president who can reach across the political divide but they slam people for actually doing it.  If you feel strongly that immigration reform is important then perhaps you have to give up on tax reform or accept the opposing sides agenda to get immigration through.  It's called politics.  

As for lying, not one politician in any party can claim that they have never done this.  McCain is on record as supporting amnesty and then in the debates he says he has never supported amnesty which clearly isn't true.  Huckabee touts his tax cut record but doesn't include the fact that his spending increases exceeded his cuts.  Guiliani claims that experts support his theory about economics but can't produce any experts to support this.  

The democratic ticket has the same problem. . . So to call Romney a liar is to ignore the fact that politicians typically have very short-term memories regarding their own past comments but are also routinely quoted out of context so half the time something sounds like a lie it's because it's a misquote or totally off topic.  Next time you hear something that sounds like a complete blatant lie or flip flop from any candidate consider the source . . . could it be an attack from their political opponent?  

Maybe I'm just jaded but I feel like everyone is blinded but so many political strategies aimed at convincing the uninformed or moderately informed to vote solely based on emotion.  Most voters unfortunately take political ads as a substitute for real research and investigation.

Anytime I hear anyone quoting quick attack ad tag lines I just am amazed at people's lack of interest in the voting process.  
Look,if Huckaberry says one more cute trite phrase like (the target one from last night or the blood one from the other day) I am going to throw-up. He thinks he is so funny and clever He thought going on the comedy shows late night was important (but I  forgot he does think he is a comedian). He should just stay there. Do we really want this man as President representing us all over the world?  
Correction....I mis-quoted Senator Reid...here's what I meant to write....

Senator Harry Reid, a liberal Democrat Mormon, told students at Brigham Young University (and I paraphrase)..."IF you're going to support Romney, don't support Romney because he's a Mormon, support him because you think he would make the best president." That was good advice. I was for Romney before Senator Reid said that, and I'm even more supportive of Romney, because I've examined him as a leader and problem-solver and he's still the best candidate!!!
We are voting for President of the United States of America - not Mr. Congeniality.  While some candidates can bring one or two items to the table that would make them a good fit for President, Mitt Romney is a full spectrum candidate who can deal with a wide range of problems which face this country. He is a problem-solver and has a known record of taking something that is broken and fixing it. His professional skills from the business world will help to strengthen us economically. His policies and platform are sound.  He is intelligent, articulate, hardworking; he graduated with high honors from Harvard, speaks French, finds co-workers lost children and he didn't take a salary as he served the people of Massachusetts.  Why wouldn't Americans want the best value for their vote?  I always want the best value for my dollar, and I want the best candidate for my vote.  I'm voting for Mitt Romney for President.
Mr. Romney and Dr. Paul -- a perfect contrast

Please permit a 37 year old family man who's an independent voter to express thanks a certain Michigan press editorial board for giving me the ammunition I'll need to provide a perfect contrast between Mr. Romney and Dr. Ron Paul, who I think would be totally electable and best serve Michigan's interests.

First, they assert that Michigan is staring at an uncertain future.  Mr. Romney says that Michigan is in a recession, but Dr. Paul is honest enough to admit the whole country is in recession, and all of our futures are uncertain.

They say Mr. Romney vowed, "I will not sleep until Michigan is strong and active and vibrant again."  I say that Dr. Paul's record indicates he has dedicated decades to the cause of a strong, active, and vibrant America... and while other Republicans sing praise to President Reagan, only Dr. Paul has received President Reagan's praises.

They say Mr. Romney has a reputation as being the turnaround man for business.  I say that Dr. Paul has a viable turnaround plan for America.

They say Mr. Romney required every citizen of Massachussetts to have health insurance.  I note that Dr. Paul has a plan to make my health care affordable without taking away my choices as to whether or not I have any.

They say Mr. Romney would push states to enact their own health care solutions.  Notice that Dr. Paul would not act as a Presidential dictator to pass Executive Orders to get the states to do anything they deem unnecessary.

They say Mr. Romney supports merit pay for teachers and more educational choices for parents and children.  I say Dr. Paul would give total freedom of educational choice to the parents and children by permitting the states and local governments to again decide what's best for themselves, and abolish the Department of Education.

They say the next president will need to transcend the stunting polarities that bedevil Washington.  I say it's stunning how my parents, who are both registered Democrats, see how galvanizing Dr. Paul's record is to their hope for the future... indeed they would vote for him in the general election if he is nominated by the Republican party.

They say Mr. Romney had to reach across partisan boundaries.  I say Dr. Paul has no partisan boundaries.  He's a man with an independent mind who is on the Republican ticket only because the two parties hold a stranglehold over the electoral process.

They say Mr. Romney's father serves as "a tie that strengthens" Mitt Romney's understanding of Michigan.  I say that Dr. Paul understands how economics and the free market could work everywhere in America, not just in Michigan.

They say Mr. Romney's campaign has been dogged at times by his shifting stands.  I note that Dr. Paul has never had shifting stands.  His record in the U.S. Congress is one of ironclad integrity.  Indeed, special interests and lobbyists don't even bother to approach Dr. Paul.

They say Mr. McCain would offer a muscular foreign policy coupled with a pragmatic understanding of military capabilities.  I say Dr. Paul would strengthen our military by focusing on making them domestically located again and closing more than 700 worldwide bases that are needlessly indebting the entire country and are leading us to bankruptcy.

Mr. Romney is quoted as saying "Michigan's one-state recession will come to an end if I'm president."  Dr. Paul says all of America is in a recession and he has transition plans to get us out of it.

I asked the Grand Rapids Press Editorial Board to reverse their GOP endorsement before Michigan's primary elections.

Peace!  Go Ron Paul!
:D
Nick Tower
(not a staff member of the Paul campaign -- yet)

And for Michigan voters, how about checking out www.ronpaul2008.com
Mitt Romney is a man who made his gigantic fortune by buying companies that were too poor to defend themselves, firing their workers and buying out their majority shareholders for less than they were worth, then reselling them for a profit.  It's a great way to make money, but not a great skill set to bring to the Oval Office.  If you think so, wait until he finds you redundant and fires you, or decides that you should bear more of the tax burden so he and his rich cronies don't have to.  
Jeff Walker from Cambridge- Do you have any business experience?  If you did you never would have posted what you did.

Did you view the Bank of America buy-out of Country wide in the same way?  It was valued last year at 4 or  4 or 5 times the $4 billion that it just sold for.  The fact of the matter is that due to subprime mortgages and lack of consumer confidence in the product Countrywide was struggling and it was assumed bankruptcy wasn't far away.  That buyout saved the company and saved the government from having to step in and spend tax payer dollars to save the company like it would have had to do since it impacted so many home owners. Was Countrywide too poor to defend itself?  The reason these take-overs happen is because companies do not have the capital to function at a level that will sustain the operations in the competitive economy.  Because of this it destroys investor confidence which causes investors to sell the stocks which in turn devalues the stock and weakens the company.  The end result is loss of jobs.  So, someone like Bank of America - - - or businessmen like Romney - - - come in and buy the companies, re-organize the corporate structure which typically restores confidence and the stock value increases.  While some jobs may be lost due to inefficiences that weakened the company, new jobs are created due to corporate strength and growth.  So the net result is better.  This is not just something that evil republicans do.  This is a business practice that has nothing to do with political affiliation and is actually good for the economy.  It's like flipping a home.  You make a home more liveable for someone else and earn a profit for doing it.  Value creation is the only thing that is going to keep jobs from going overseas.

If you take any business class you'll see that this is a good thing.  
Jeff, once again, you have some things to learn about what venture capitalists actually do.  Your negative view makes it sound evil- but ask any business person about VC- it's how many businesses  (like Staples and Starbucks) get their start or are saved from extinction- yep, it costs some jobs, but it creates far more.
Mitt Romney is amazing, and obviously has the most electoral votes.  One Gold and 2 Silvers!!  After he wins Michigan, he will do great in the rest of the states and continue to hold onto his lead.  He is the obvious choice for Republicans who know how to vote based on issues, not a good joke or a war record.
Romney is the greatest man that we have had run for the nomination for a long time. He has the greatest education and resume. The other candidates lack the experience Romney will bring to the economy. Romney is an expert innovator and the only candidate that can keep America competitive. The man has great values and an amazing family. I do not see this with the other candidates.
Mitt's a native of Michigan so, he'll probably win there.


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