Romney made decision last night

Posted: Thursday, February 07, 2008 2:25 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: 2008, Romney

From NBC's John Boxley
Romney spokesman Eric Fehrenstrom says the decision to withdraw was made last night. Earlier in the day, Romney had held meetings with senior staffers, looking at options. At a later meeting with the entire staff, they enthusiastically encouraged him to stay in the race.

So he went home last night to write his CPAC speech, and Eric says it became a "farewell speech"

Romney wanted to do what was right for the party. Though he still saw a pathway to nomination, he was concerned about a protracted struggle within the party at a time when the country is at war.

Romney hopes today's decision unifies the party, his family supported the decision, and he will endorse McCain if he is the nominee.

What next?
Romney is meeting with congessional leaders on the Hill this afternoon, then going home to Massachusetts for some much needed R and R. He is not speaking at Lincoln Dinner tonight as earlier scheduled

EMAIL THIS

Comments

"he was concerned about a protracted struggle within the party at a time when the country is at war"

Awwww - isn't he precious? I guess he didn't hear: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

whataputz (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 2:46 PM)

It is sad to see the most intelligent man running drop out of the race. Now he has to go back to his wonderful family, use his brilliant mind to grow his own fortune (when he could have been working on growing the nation's fortunes), and donate his time and services to some other cause.

My next step is to make history by either electing the first woman or the first minority as president.

Anyone but Huckabee, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 2:50 PM)

Class act, thanks Mitt!

mike (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 2:50 PM)

It was actually quite a classy and firey exit speech, one of the better speeches all year. Had he given something like this early, he perhaps would have gone farther.

I find it amazing that he stayed in long enough to unite conservatives behind him and become the conservative candidate, when only a few months ago, the conservative establishment didn't trust him and could not agree on a candidate. Ought to help him in the future.

i.m.r. (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 2:58 PM)

nuanced (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 3:01 PM)

We have awaken and ready to take back our country. These conservatives has no leg to stand on telling us who can best lead our country after giving us George W. Bush for eight years. Mitt Romney should have stay on the moderate path perhaps he could have won the nomination. The talk radio haters has divided this country and created phony issues such as immigration, abortion, gay marriage, gun control and prayer in school. Romney toke a hard line on all the above mention issues in the Repulican primary and lost. And, if McCain tried to be too conservative to please the Rush and Hannitys of the world he is going to lose the general election.

Ben Purser, Royal Oak, MI (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 3:05 PM)

He could reduce the election struggle by urging the other Republican candidates to also drop out.

He could take his "class act" to Iraq and entertain the troops.

He could urge his sons to fight is Iraq now that they are no longer serving their country by campaigning for him.
nuanced (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 3:01 PM)

-----------------------------------------------
I choose all of the above.
Sounds like a plan to me nuanced!

HP Boston (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 3:11 PM)

'Bye, Mittster. We'll miss your big love.

Class Warrior, D.C. (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 3:32 PM)

Technically we are not at a time of war since the Senate has not declared it. If he is referring to the war within the Republican party, then he is surrendering to a somewhat moderate mostly conservative McCain. It is better to have someone who is willing to reach across party lines than someone who stand on an ideological principle stopping the work of the people.

Romney's campaign needed more of something for me. It would be his talking about the work he did with the legistature in MA. There was no real statement to me how working in the business world really relates to how to run the federal government. Addressing that would have been nice.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 3:37 PM)

This looks exactly like a case of "Cut and Run." O'le granpaw ended up with the more stamena. Besides, this adventure cost him a bundle and all he has to show for it is a bag of uninflated baloons.

Pacheck, Huntington Beach, Ca. (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 3:55 PM)

Remember Bill Clinton mentioning a "hit job" on
him by the Obama camp?

Here is the document Bill is referring to;

http://HitJobMemo.com

- Chuck, balance requested of NBC News

Roy G (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 3:57 PM)

Now his chicken sons can help by joining the war effort in Iraq. Ha!

Brian, Cedar Hill, TX (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 4:06 PM)

Anyone but Huckabee, Los Angeles, CA -

I couldn't agree with you more! I'm hoping the choice is Obama, but if I have to, I'll hold my nose and vote for Hillary.

On another note, there was an immigration raid at a warehouse near where I work today. The mood here is, too bad there is no longer anyone running for the White House who has been consistantly in favor of increasing border security and sending illegals back!

Kira, Utah (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 4:22 PM)

February 7, 2008
(WA) State's largest labor union backs Obama
in The Seattle Times
Sen. Barack Obama's campaign announced today it has been endorsed by the state's largest labor group - the Service Employee's International Union (SEIU). The endorsement could be a big boost for Obama as he heads into the Democratic Party's precinct caucuses on Saturday.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

February 7, 2008
Md. Leaders Endorse Obama at Annapolis Rally
in The Washington Post
The Howard County executive and an influential state senator from Southern Maryland today endorsed Sen. Barack Obama as the Illinois senator's presidential campaign sought to broaden its appeal beyond Maryland's Democratic strongholds of Baltimore and Montgomery and Prince George's counties. County Executive Ken Ulman (D) and Sen. Thomas M. Middleton (D-Charles) said at a rally in Annapolis that they joined Obama's campaign because they were inspired by the political movement he has created.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dante (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 4:27 PM)

I TO WAS AGAINST GOING INTO IRAQ BUT NOW THAT WERE THERE LETS GIVE SUPPORT A FLEDGLING DEMOCRACY AND NOT RUN NOW ! THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS CHANGED 11thank god jfk had the guts to stand up to the russians in the missle crises if the new dems were in at that time we would have missles pointed at us !!!!

Roger Perreault Gardner Mass (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 4:53 PM)

A fine race by Mitt Romney and an impassioned speech to remember. I voted for Mitt, along with 59% of Colorado Republicans for the very reasons outlined in his speech today: http://www.mittromney.com/News/Press-Releases/CPAC_Address

Republicans need to unite to win and not surrender to the empty suit, Obama or the Billary machine that is pushing for big government control over a free people.

Remember what Reagan said, "To sit back hoping that someday, some way, someone will make things right is to go on feeding the crocodile, hoping he will eat you last...but eat you he will."

BZ Denver, CO (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 5:02 PM)

NICE to hear a potential President speak english.

-sorry Mitt-

jj (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 5:55 PM)

It not a WAR dummy it is an OCCUPATION. Bush announced Missions Accomplished . Repubs have such short menories. They don't remenber Mc Cain saying during Desert Storm he would never allow our men to scrafice in this desert.(article in New York Times) Well I guess Mc Cain has flip flopped. This old man should go fishing. Our Country and Government is broken. This Administration should be tried for War Crimes. And isn't it funny that Bush, now that we are in debt, is willing to veto ear marks. Why didn't he think of that in the first five years of his Administration when his Repubs where spending out of control.?

VI WI (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 5:56 PM)

VI WI (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 5:58 PM)

"County Executive Ken Ulman (D) and Sen. Thomas M. Middleton (D-Charles) said at a rally in Annapolis that they joined Obama's campaign because they were inspired by the political bowel movement he has created."

You just have to read the entire quote to fully appreciate the lack of depth in the Obama campaign.
Obama, remember this, if you need Ted Kennedy and John Kerry again they are available. Just dial the sixties under losers!

Fred C dobbs Sierra Madre, CA (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 6:00 PM)

Tom Tancredo - Class act.
Duncan Hunter - Class act.
Fred Thompson - Class act.
Rudy Guliani - Class act.
Mitt Romney - Class act.
Mike Huckabee - Missed class, out spreading seeds of doubt.
Ron Paul - The bell has rung, my friend.
John McCain - Class is in session. Please rise above 894 of 899.

BigDog, Home, USA (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 6:17 PM)

You people in the Press who are shoving Obama down the public's throat should be careful what you wish for. The republican's are just a little too forthcoming in stating their desire to run against Hillary. Pat Buchanan is the only one that is stating the obvious. The Republicans will eat him alive!! While your hands off policy is keeping Hillary from being tough with him, the republicans will go for his jugular. Have you noticed on the rare occasion Obama is put to taks, he stutters, stammers, becomes indignant and defensive? Now he is even afraid to debate Hillary. He is turning down network offers of debates. By summer, the public will have tired of his empty speeches and will really start taking a look at this human being who believes he should hold the most important office in the land. As for Hillary uniting the republican party, I am a former republican woman that has switched over to the Democratic side just to support Hillary--the most quialified and compassionate candidate on both sides. You would be very surprised how many of us are out there.
Helen from Chicago

Helen in Chicago (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 6:23 PM)

Honestly, Romney should have dropped out after NH.

DCortez, Houston, Texas (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 7:03 PM)

Hey Saun Hurnity and Rush Limdrugs guess what John McCain won super Tuesday without you guys, if you think John McCain needs to run to you two dummies guess again, if I was you I would go over and Kiss John McCains Hand and ask him to Forgive you two Losers, and by the way am I glad ole Flip Flopper Romney is gone.....

Robert Jorgenson, S.L.C., UT (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 7:38 PM)

Governor Romney:

I am saddened to hear this news. I think you are the best person for our country! I am sorry I did not get the chance to VOTE yet since I am in North Carolina. I am however very impressed that you encourage support of Senator McCain as the next President of the United States. Now all Americans who want to keep our country safe, secure and not given away to illegals should rally behind Senator McCain and ensure our United States remains "The Land of the Free and The Home of the Brave" for our children! The bleeding heart Democrats (Hillary & Obama) however will give away our money to those who do not WANT to work for a living. They will give away our country to illegals and our children will suffer. They will take our money to provide Healthcare to those who will not help themselves. The Democrats will not pull out of Iraq any faster they don't have the balls.

THINK about it! VOTE REPUBLICAN FOR YOUR CHILDREN's SAKE!

D. Brown, North Carolina (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 7:57 PM)

Mitt Romney was hardly a class act! He was a very smooth operator who would change his mind in a heartbeat to get votes. In one last closeminded inaccurate salvo he insinuated that the Democrats would surrender to terrorism? Because Obama thought invading Iraq was wrong, this means he is surrendering to the terrorists? That makes sense

Mark Chicago, Illinois (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 8:05 PM)

MCCAIN WILL NEED ROMNEY TO WIN! However, I am not voting against my party. MCCAIN is the lesser of two evils this November

Ryan, Pullman, Washington (Sent Thursday, February 07, 2008 9:18 PM)

I have been a republician all my life. Mitt leaving will make me voted for the other party. My state has been republician for the past decade will also follow. No one like McCain years ago because of his tactics. Being a war hero does not make him a president. Good bye republician party.

john doe, twin falls, id (Sent Friday, February 08, 2008 12:17 AM)

Hate to see you leave Mitt. See you again in 4 years!

FC Utah (Sent Friday, February 08, 2008 1:18 AM)

With the passing of the head of the Mormon Church, Mitt is in line for that position due to his place in the church hierarchy. He also only suspended his presidential campaign meaning he can accept donations while trying to recoup monies spent. Quite shrewd on the part of Mitt. And whither goest Mitt's delegates?

Phred, NH (Sent Friday, February 08, 2008 7:43 AM)

nuanced,
I am extremely grateful for the armed forces; several members of my immediate family have served in the army. I am grateful for the servicemen's sacrifices and those of their families. However, since when was it cowardly to choose something else? Isn't that one of the great gifts that these men and women are sacrificing for? I don't see how it is a disgrace to choose to build the society of our country and serve in other ways. I think that the Romney boys have done a lot for the country - taking time from family and career to support a cause they really believe in. Yes it is their father's candidacy, but they really did throw their heart and soul into it, and I would be willing to bet that if you looked at their history as well, you would see plenty of community service that wasn't so high profile. Our country is comprised of people serving in all capacities - and we need all of them! We definitely need the military to keep us safe and free, but we also need police, we need kind neighbors, we need volunteers to shovel walks or ladel soup at a soup kitchen, or teach our children in school. Quit ragging on people for making a different choice to serve. There is no shame in helping people HERE.

Cathy (Sent Friday, February 08, 2008 9:23 AM)

Phred, please check your facts. Mitt is not in line at all for becoming the president of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. That comes from a group called the Quorum of the Twelve. Thomas S Monson was just named this week to take the position as president of the church.
Also, as I understand it, he keeps his delegates as well.

factcheck (Sent Friday, February 08, 2008 9:25 AM)

SEND A COMMENT

PLEASE READ: All comments must be approved before appearing in the thread; time and space constraints prevent all comments from appearing. We will only approve comments that are directly related to the blog, use appropriate language and are not attacking the comments of others.

Message (please, no HTML tags. Web addresses will be hyperlinked):

Your name, city and state (John Doe, Seattle, Wash.):

Your e-mail address (jdoe@msnbc.com):

Your website (it's okay if you don't have one):

Remember me? (We'll keep it private) Remember me?

TRACKBACKS

Trackbacks are links to weblogs that reference this post. Like comments, trackbacks do not appear until approved by us. The trackback URL for this post is: http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/trackback.aspx?PostID=646939