Sean Hannity on Mitt and Fred

From Last Night's show:

Hannity: Congratulations on Michigan and Nevada, two big wins. So far most votes, most delegates; two new polls out have you leading in Florida. And now it's become very, very competitive in the state of California, now that Fred Thompson and -- Mike Huckabee's pulled out of Florida, so it seems. Where do you think those votes will be most likely to go?

ROMNEY: Well, I'm not a pollster, not a prognosticator or a pundit, as it relates to where the people are going to go. But I do think that because Fred Thompson was concentrating on rebuilding the Reagan coalition, if you will, of social conservatives and economic and foreign policy conservatives, and that's the same course I've been pursuing during my entire campaign, that a lot of Fred Thompson support will come my way. I sure hope so. I'm calling those guys and asking for their help. I want to get as many of the Thompson people as I can.

HANNITY: You mentioned yesterday in an interview right here on Fox that you would have Senator Thompson on a short list for vice-president. Do you stand by that today?

ROMNEY: Well, I'm saying that the people who are on the stage who are fighting for the presidency are all folks that would merit that kind of attention. We have a really strong field. People ask me from time to time, why do you think it hasn't narrowed down yet to one candidate in the Republican process? And the answer is; we've got a great group of candidates. So, with very few exceptions, they all would merit a very close look for V.P., whether I'm the nominee or someone else is.

First Post-Fred Florida Poll has Mitt on Top

Insider Advantage Florida Poll has Romney 24, McCain 18.

Okay. So it came out after Fred, but the polling was done before. Perhaps that means there is even more upside.

Thad Cochran: With Fred Out, Mitt is my Guy

Find the news here.

Mitt and Fred to Form Winning Alliance?

After months of campaigning, one thing is clear: Fred Thompson is a true conservative and an excellent candidate. He enhanced the race with his humor and simple honesty- and he helped keep the issues of illegal immigration, entitlement reform, and national security at the core of the debates.

However, after the first 6 primaries, one more thing is clear: Fred is not going to win the nomination. However, with his experience, popularity, and conservative credentials, Fred still has a lot to offer in this race.

Fortunately, Fred's platform and personality work together perfectly to shore up the Republican establishment on a Romney-Thompson ticket.

Mitt is the only other guy left in the race that embraces economic, social, and national security conservativism. And, with Fred's support in Florida, Mitt could secure the nomination.

Furthermore, their personalities come together nicely. Mitt is a genious and an energetic CEO. He is eloquent and handsome, and known for his ability to lead change in large organizations. He turned around major corporations, saved the 2002 Olympic Games, and helped turn around Massachussetts. He even put together a revolutionary Health Care Plan in Massachussets without raising taxes. He is capable of solving our problems.

Fred has spent years dealing with Foreign Policy and Intelligence issues in the Senate. And, as he says, He is the guy that will sit on the other side of the table and stare our enemies in the eyes. Fred has many qualities and credentials that support Governor Romney's perceived weaknesses.

Mitt analyzes data and gives powerpoint presentations, Fred speaks from the heart. Mitt has been labeled as a flip-flopper, Fred gives the simple Southern Truth. Mitt sprints, Fred walks.
Mitt is a wealthy, pedigreed, highly-educated Mormon. Fred is a homegrown Southern Christian. Mitt has big cities, the West Coast, and national support. Fred has the South.

It all comes together, and so do they. Mitt for President. Fred for VP. Real Republicans in 2008!


Please post comments and spread the word!!!!

Fred is out, but we're still waiting

So Fred is now officially out.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0108/8039.html

I hope his mother and family are well. I guess we will just wait and see what Fred does.
FredHeads and Mitt-lovers, what is going to happen? Is there a chance for a formal alliance? Will Fred endorse someone else? What is the path for most FredHeads, and does it hinge upon Fred's endorsement or not?

Thompson People switching to Romney

Georgia Senate Leader Switches to Romney from Fred
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/shared-blogs/ajc/politicalinsider/entries/2008/01/21/a_georgia_organizer_for_thomps.html
Senate President pro tem Eric Johnson of Savannah, the ranking Republican in that chamber and one of the leaders of the draft-Fred movement last year, is switching to presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
Johnson said he’s got no special knowledge of whether Thompson, who finished third in South Carolina on Saturday, will be pulling out of the Republican contest.
“I don’t know if he’s pulling out today or tomorrow or not at all,” Johnson told us from Savannah. “But clearly Fred Thompson is not going to be the nominee.”
Expect more defections. “All of the campaigns are reaching out to the Thompson people,” the senator said.

Mitt's Integrity on Trial

Fred was the consistent conservative. Now, what about Mitt? Is it fair to label him as a flip-flopper? Here is my take:

I am aware of one instance in which Mitt was a little too much like a slimy politician for my taste. He said that he was a life-long hunter while trying to gain the NRA's support. Turns out, he hunted once as a little kid and once as an adult. That doesn't seem like a life-long hunter to me. When I heard this, I cringed- I was almost as embarrassed for him then as I was yesterday when I saw him say the "who let the dogs out" thing. Ouch.

But, I have found Mitt to be an otherwise straightforward, honest man. I have no problem with his abortion record. The Massachusetts GOP asked him to run for Governor. His options were to run as a typical Republican and have no sniff at winning- or he could position himself as moderate Republican who could save the financial crisis while not pushing to hard against the social liberals who dominate the region. So he did that and he won. He stated over and over again that he was not in favor with the abortion laws as they were- but that he promised the people he would keep them in place.

Then, while he was Governor, he did fix the financial crisis and he did respect the abortion laws in the state. But, the state legislature tried to push the state further to the left, attempting to further liberalize abortion by way of cutting age restrictions, morning after pill, etc. Mitt vetoed every one. He defended life every chance he had while keeping his promise to the people who elected him.

Then, a new life issue came up which he had not made any promises about. Embryonic stem cell research. Everyone in Massachusetts expected this to pass, but Mitt could not sign a bill that would lead to creating life to destroy it. He vetoed it and came out publicly that he could no longer support any legislation that did not protect human life.

Personally, Romney had always been opposed to abortion, and as a clergyman had counseled against abortion consistently for many years. The only complication came while deciding how to win in Massachusetts.

I don't know what other flip-flop charges you all want to talk about. I would love to hear.

The one point where I don't think Mitt gets enough credit on his integrity is in his personal life. He has been married to the same woman for 38 years. No affairs- just kind, faithful marriage. He has done more business deals than almost anyone, but we don't hear of any scandals. He has worked hard at his career but has devoted enough time and attention to his family so that they are still in tact. He served in local churches for many hours each week without pay. He donated his salary as Governor and as CEO of the Olympics.

What is the verdict? 100% Consistent and Perfectly Honest? Spineless Flip -Flopper? Somewhere in the middle?