Georgia for Mitt

Romney's play for Georgia

noreply@blogger.com (Georgia for Mitt) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:22:00 +0000

From the Washington Post:

This article says what we already know....Georgia is up for grabs. Regardless of what some may say about this being Newt's state, there are more than 2,000,000 new Georgians since Newt represented any of Georgia almost 15 years ago.

Romney’s play for Georgia primary votes suggests Gingrich may not have the state locked down

ATLANTA — The Georgia presidential primary may not be a slam dunk for Republican hopeful Newt Gingrich, a congressman from the state for two decades. Rival Mitt Romney is signaling that the biggest prize on Super Tuesday next month could be up for grabs.

Romney’s swing into Georgia on Wednesday had Gingrich on the defensive. After Romney announced his visit, the Gingrich campaign rushed out a news release with word that Gingrich would be in the state next week.

Georgia is key to Gingrich’s Southern strategy, which calls for him to rebound from five straight losses with a strong run in Dixie.

Romney finished third in Georgia’s 2008 presidential primary. This time he has tapped into the deep pockets of metro Atlanta’s business community
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Gov. Romney campaigns in GA

noreply@blogger.com (Georgia for Mitt) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:45:00 +0000

Leading up to our primary vote on March 6th, Gov. Romney was in Georgia yesterday for two events. Here is the AJC report. Click on the link for the full article. We are not conceding Georgia to any other candidate!

"We want to compete and get support from every possible state that's up for grabs," Romney said. "Hopefully we can win Georgia. I'm not making any predictions."

Another GA endorsement for Gov. Romney

noreply@blogger.com (Georgia for Mitt) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:55:00 +0000

From the AJC:

Updated at 9:07 a.m.: This notice just arrived from Politico.com:

Georgia State Rep. David Casas will announce later this morning that he’s jumping ship and joining with Mitt Romney. At 1:15 p.m., the Romney campaign will convene a conference call for Casas to attack Newt Gingrich. “Over the last few weeks, I have had a serious change of heart,” he explains in a forthcoming statement.
“While I initially supported Speaker Gingrich, his continued attacks upon the free enterprise system that has made our country great are particularly something I will not stand for.” Casas’ parents were political refugees from Cuba, and he was a high school teacher before winning election to the legislature in 2002.

AP story about race in Georgia

noreply@blogger.com (Georgia for Mitt) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:04:00 +0000

This article is from the AP and focuses on the primary race here on March 6th. One correction is that Gov. Romney will be here on Wednesday, not Tuesday.

ATLANTA — Georgia’s Republican primary is shaping up as a role reversal for the two leading candidates, with Newt Gingrich backed by establishment support and a home-state network, while Mitt Romney is trying to play the role of an insurgent spoiler.

Gingrich has decades of relationships in Georgia. He launched his political career from the suburbs of Atlanta, and returned home while House Speaker to outline his vision of America’s future. He has a dozen staffers here and landed the endorsements of Georgia GOP heavyweights, from Gov. Nathan Deal to his former presidential rival Herman Cain.

Gingrich’s camp hopes his connections here put him in a strong position to win a major share of the 76 delegates up for grabs in Georgia, the biggest prize of the 10 contests on Super Tuesday.

“I can guarantee you that Newt Gingrich will not be losing Georgia,” said Gingrich campaign aide Susan Meyers. “He will easily be putting Georgia in the win column.”

But Romney’s campaign is conceding nothing. The former Massachusetts governor plans to visit Georgia on Tuesday, which will attract campaign funding and media attention. And he hopes to build on a base of support here that earned him 30 percent of the vote in 2008.

“We’re planning on mounting an aggressive campaign in Georgia,” said Eric Tanenblatt, a Romney adviser. “The governor had a strong organization in 2008, and came very close to winning. We have a foundation to build upon and a lot of residual support from the last race.”

The race puts Gingrich in a tricky situation because he’s so heavily favored to win. If Romney senses the possibility of an upset victory, he may shift more resources here from other Super Tuesday contests like Virginia, where Gingrich isn’t on the ballot.

“We could end up seeing a lot like what Florida just saw: A deluge of hard-hitting ads contrasting the two,” said Joel McElhannon, a Republican strategist here who isn’t aligned with either campaign. “Georgia, for Romney, could be the knockout punch. The question would become what’s the path to victory for Newt if he were to lose Georgia.”

Also expected to make a play for the state are U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, the libertarian-leaning candidate with a devoted following, and Rick Santorum, the former Pennsylvania senator who is pitching himself as the most viable conservative alternative to Romney.

University of Georgia political science professor Charles Bullock said Georgia voters could be hearing from all the campaigns because Atlanta’s international airport makes this an easy place to visit, and because TV advertising in the Atlanta media market reaches so much of the state’s population.

“If you’re advertising in Atlanta, you’re reaching the bulk of the electorate,” he said. “We may be in a commanding position as opposed to four years ago when we were clearly eclipsed by other states.”

Meanwhile, Democrats also are working to shape the debate in Georgia, where absentee balloting has been under way since Jan. 21. The Democratic Party of Georgia opened an office in Savannah on Saturday in hopes of raising Democratic turnout in November to boost President Barack Obama’s re-election hopes.

Gingrich aides aren’t taking Georgia for granted. Deal led a conference call with hundreds of Gingrich supporters last week, and the campaign expects volunteers to fly in from other states to supplement the paid staffers as the primary nears, said Meyers. Gingrich will make a swing through the South before the election and his surrogates, including Cain, are expected to stump for him around the region.

“Georgia is one of the most important states in securing the nomination. And we know southerners love Newt,” Meyers said. “We expect huge crowds when he finally comes home. It will be a grand homecoming for him.”

Romney’s camp will make sure Gingrich has to fight for every vote here. Romney has some key endorsements, too, including Attorney General Sam Olens, who said he plans to “vigorously campaign throughout Georgia.” A recent meeting attracted more than 200 Romney supporters, and the campaign is evaluating whether to pour more resources into Georgia, Tanenblatt said.

“We know that Speaker Gingrich is from Georgia so we have a little bit more of an uphill battle than other states, but we’re mounting an aggressive campaign,” said Tanenblatt. “We’re going to have the resources to do what we need to do, not just in Georgia but across the country.”

Gov. Romney coming to Atlanta for a fundraiser

noreply@blogger.com (Georgia for Mitt) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:48:00 +0000

Please email us if you're interested in attending: Georgia for Mitt

(Host Committee in Formation)

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO A RECEPTION WITH

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2012
5:30p.m. VIP Reception/Photo Op * 6:00p.m.-7:30p.m. General Reception

W Hotel Midtown
188 14th Street * Atlanta, GA
$2,500 PER PERSON VIP RECEPTION/PHOTO OP * $1,000 PER PERSON FOR GENERAL RECEPTION
HOST COMMITTEE: RAISE $10,000

KINDLY R.S.V.P TO DABNEY HOLLIS AT DABNEYH@ME.COM or (404)791-7179
Contributions are not tax deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes. By law, the maximum amount an individual may contribute is $2,500 ($5,000 per couple) per election. Federal multi-candidate PACs may contribute $5,000 per election. Federal law requires us to obtain and report the name, mailing address, occupation and name of employer for each persons whose contribution aggregate in excess of $200 per election cycle. Contributions by corporations, foreign nationals (non-green card holders), labor unions, federal government contractors, and minors under the age of 18 are prohibited.
Romney for President PO Box 149756 Boston, MA 02114-9756

New Georgia endorsements for Gov. Romney

noreply@blogger.com (Georgia for Mitt) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:39:00 +0000

Mitt Romney Press | January 20, 2012

Mitt Romney today announced the support of elected officials and leaders from Georgia.

“I’m proud to earn the support of so many great conservatives in Georgia,” said Mitt Romney. “They recognize, like most Americans, that our economy is struggling today because of President Obama’s failed policies. I look forward to working with them to bring my message of job creation and reduced spending to all Georgians.”

Announcing his support, Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said, “Mitt Romney has the temperament, experience, and leadership we need to move our country forward. I am confident he will put policies in place that will foster job growth and encourage businesses to hire because he spent his life in the private sector and understands how the real economy works. I am proud to support his campaign for president.”

Georgia Elected Officials Endorsing Mitt Romney:
Labor Commissioner Mark Butler
State Senator Cecil Stanton, Majority Whip
State Senator Johnny Grant
State Senator Greg Goggins
State Senator Jeff Mullis
State Representative Jan Tankersley
State Representative Mike Jacobs
State Representative Ben Harbin
State Representative Allen Peake
State Representative Jay Neal
State Representative Tom Taylor
State Representative Alex Atwood
Sandy Springs Mayor Eva Galambos
Johns Creek Mayor Michael Bodker
Fulton County Commissioner Liz Hausmann
Chatham County Commissioner Helen Stone
Gwinnett Commissioner Mike Beaudreau
Walton County Sheriff Joe Chapman
City of Monroe Chief of Police Keith Glass

Georgia Elected Officials Already Endorsing Mitt Romney:
Attorney General Sam Olens
Former House Speaker Mark Burkhalter
State Senator Bill Hamrick, Chairman of Senate Judiciary Committee
State Senator Fran Millar
State Representative Calvin Hill, Vice Chairman of House Appropriations Committee
State Representative & House Majority Whip Edward Lindsey
State Representative Wendell Willard, Chairman of House Judiciary Committee
State Representative Bruce Williamson
State Representative B.J. Pak
Lynne Riley, State Representative
Val Clark, State Representative
Public Service Commissioner Doug Everett
Max Bacon, Mayor of Smyrna
Gabriel Sterling, Sandy Springs City Councilman
Dan Israel, State Board of Education
Jose Perez, Former State Board of Education
Molly Dye, Chief of Staff to the late Senator Paul Coverdell
Heath Garrett, Former Chief of Staff to Senator Isakson
Fred Cooper, State Chairman for President George H. W. Bush’s Presidential Campaign
Oscar Persons, State Chairman for Senator Bob Dole’s Presidential Campaign
Eric Tanenblatt, State Chairman for President George W. Bush’s Presidential Campaign and Chief of Staff to Governor Sonny Perdue
Lori Pesta, National Federation of Republican Women, Board of Directors
Ric Mayfield, Former Assistant Treasurer – Georgia Republican Party
Chandler Epp, Former Vice Chair – Georgia College Republicans
Marion Hay, Chairman, Moultrie/Colquitt County Industrial Development Authority
Keith Stone, 1st District GOP Chair
David Burge, 5th District GOP Chair
Ryan Boland, Former Habersham County GOP Chair
Jerry Loupee, Former Chatham County GOP Chair
Michael Barrett, Vice Chairman – Towns County GOP
Ryan Cleveland, Decatur County GOP Chair
Tom Morrill, Peach County GOP Chair
Nancy Coverdell
Kelley O'Bryan Gary, Chairman, Jackson County GOP
Robert J. Walker, Former Mayor, Dublin
Jon Jones, Chairman, Tift County GOP
James P. Golden, Former Chairman, Tift County GOP and Former 2nd District Director, Young Republicans
Myron Faircloth, Chairman, South Georgia Young Republicans
Ruth Malhotra, Former Executive Director, Georgia Association of College Republicans
Orit Sklar, Former Executive Director, Fulton County GOP
Jaime F. Aguilera, Former Director of Hispanic Outreach, Cobb County GOP
Ron Johnson, Former Chairman, Jackson GOP

Georgia Romney supporter to be on The Daily Show

noreply@blogger.com (Georgia for Mitt) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 02:51:00 +0000

From The AJC Political Insider:

Georgia's own Joe McCutchen, who spoke at our grassroots meeting last Saturday, has been dubbed by Politico as Mitt Romney's #1 fan. As a result "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" ventured to Ellijay today to interview Joe and Oscar Poole.

As Joe says "Mitt Romney will be the greatest President since Ronald Reagan."

No word when the segment will air, but we'll post it here.

Congrats Joe and Oscar.

Amb. Bolton endorses Gov. Romney

noreply@blogger.com (Georgia for Mitt) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 11:25:00 +0000

In a big pickup, former UN Ambassador John Bolton has endorsed Gov. Romney. Click the link below to see the video from Fox News.

http://video.foxnews.com/v/1384651566001/

Well written endorsement by an attorney in Macon

noreply@blogger.com (Georgia for Mitt) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 20:41:00 +0000

From We Are Politics:

Click the link for the full piece, but here are a couple key paragraphs:

"Yes, I’m THAT guy. In the land of Herman Cain and Newt Gingrich, deep in the South, where the red of the state stains like fresh blood on the national map, I am a Mitt Romney supporter. While my fellow Republicans and conservatives around me here in Georgia throw their support behind Newt Gingrich (now that Herman Cain has suspended his campaign), I remain the voice (of reason) for Romney."
---------------------------
"Romney also has the credentials as a successful businessman in the private sector to attack the President’s failed economic ideas and regulations. When Romney took over as Governor of Massachusetts, he inherited a significant deficit that was paid down under his watch. Romney’s tax plan is right for the Middle Class in America- keep the Bush Presidency Income Tax Rates, eliminate the Death Tax, and reduce corporate tax rates to allow for more job growth. He also wants to pursue a Balanced Budget Amendment for the Federal Government, and decrease the size of said government by 10% through attrition. His plans are traditionally conservative- he does not come from the tax-and-spend way of thinking. A vote for Romney is a solidly conservative vote for President."

New Iowa ad -- Character

noreply@blogger.com (Georgia for Mitt) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 02:40:00 +0000

Des Moines Register endorses Gov. Romney

noreply@blogger.com (Georgia for Mitt) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 04:49:00 +0000

The big paper in Iowa announced tonight that they are endorsing Gov. Romney in the upcoming caucuses. Read it by clicking here.

Sobriety, wisdom and judgment.

Those are qualities Mitt Romney said he looks for in a leader. Those are qualities Romney himself has demonstrated in his career in business, public service and government. Those qualities help the former Massachusetts governor stand out as the most qualified Republican candidate competing in the Iowa caucuses.

Gov. Nikki Haley to endorse Gov. Romney

noreply@blogger.com (Georgia for Mitt) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:35:00 +0000

This is a big pickup from Gov. Romney in our neighboring state. Read the news piece here from Politico.

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, one of the most sought-after remaining Republican endorsements, will come out for Mitt Romney Friday morning, POLITICO has learned.

Haley will offer her formal endorsement on Fox and Friends, giving Romney an important boost ahead of South Carolina's primary next month.

Romney is heading to South Carolina this weekend, where he's likely to be joined by Haley at town hall meetings on the coast.

Haley, a tea party favorite who upended South Carolina's GOP establishment by winning last year, has been courted by all of the GOP presidential contenders. As a state representative, she backed Romney in 2008.

Washington Examiner Endorses Gov. Romney

noreply@blogger.com (Georgia for Mitt) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:09:00 +0000

The conservative DC newspaper, the Washington Examiner, has endorsed Gov. Romney for President. It's well worth a read, but here are some excerpts:

The only Republican who can beat Obama

The headlines Wednesday morning brought the stunning news that Newt Gingrich had surged to a 40-23 lead over Mitt Romney among likely GOP voters. But the more important story in the Wall Street Journal/NBC poll of 1,000 registered voters was what happened when Romney and Gingrich were pitted against Barack Obama. The president barely edged Romney 47-45, within the margin of error of 3.1 percentage points. Against Gingrich, Obama held a commanding 51-40 lead. Most importantly, half of all of all voters said they wouldn't vote for Gingrich.

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

Romney has the misfortune of being an earnest man running in an ironic time, and the leitmotif of the Republican race so far has been the search for the "anti-Romney." Party activists reached out to several men who declined to run, and then Republican voters lavished their affections on, successively, Michele Bachmann, Rick Perry, Herman Cain and now Newt Gingrich, all the while keeping Romney's poll numbers hovering around 25 percent. They have been searching for a candidate who shared their conservative principles, who had strength of character, and who, above all, could beat Barack Obama. We believe this candidate has been hiding in plain sight. Mitt Romney is not "too perfect," as some political analysts have argued, but he is perfect enough.

Leader -- Running in Iowa now

noreply@blogger.com (Georgia for Mitt) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 02:12:00 +0000

First Ad of the year

noreply@blogger.com (Georgia for Mitt) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:21:00 +0000

Ann Coulter on Gov. Romney

noreply@blogger.com (Georgia for Mitt) — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:46:00 +0000

From Ann Coulter:

This comes this week from Ann Coulter. I like the conclusion. Click on the link above for the full piece, but here are some key paragraphs:

IF NOT ROMNEY, WHO? IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

---------------
Meanwhile, everyone knows the nominee is going to be Romney.

That's not so bad if you think the most important issues in this election are defeating Obama and repealing Obamacare.

There may be better ways to stop Obamacare than Romney, but, unfortunately, they're not available right now. (And, by the way, where were you conservative purists when Republicans were nominating Waterboarding-Is-Torture-Jerry-Falwell-Is-an-Agent-of-Intolerance-My-Good-Friend-Teddy-Kennedy-Amnesty-for-Illegals John McCain-Feingold for president?)

Among Romney's positives is the fact that he has a demonstrated ability to trick liberals into voting for him. He was elected governor of Massachusetts -- one of the most liberal states in the union -- by appealing to Democrats, independents and suburban women.

He came close to stopping the greatest calamity to befall this nation since Pearl Harbor by nearly beating Teddy Kennedy in a Senate race. (That is when he said a lot of the things about which he's since "changed his mind.") If he had won, we'd be carving his image on Mount Rushmore.

He is not part of the Washington establishment, so he won't be caught taking money from Freddie Mac or cutting commercials with Nancy Pelosi.

Also, Romney will be the first Republican presidential nominee since Ronald Reagan who can talk. Liberals are going to have to dust off their playbook from 30 years ago to figure out how to run against a Republican who isn't a tongue-tied marble-mouth.
-----------------------
Instead of sitting on our thumbs, wishing Ronald Reagan were around, or chasing the latest mechanical rabbit flashed by the media, conservatives ought to start rallying around Romney as the only Republican who has a shot at beating Obama. We'll attack him when he's president.

It's fun to be a purist, but let's put that on hold until Obama and his abominable health care plan are gone, please.

Ryan Praises Romney

noreply@blogger.com (Georgia for Mitt) — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:02:00 +0000

From National Review:

The budget hawk applauds Romney’s fiscal plan:

For months, Rep. Paul Ryan has been watching the GOP presidential primary. As candidates have outlined tax reforms and championed growth, he’s cheered. On the fiscal front, however, he has heard little from leading contenders. Privately, he’s grumbled about the lack of specifics.
But after recent conversations with Romney and reading his latest USA Today op-ed, Ryan is enthused. The former Massachusetts governor supports a defined-contribution model forMedicare — in which beneficiaries are allowed to choose their own plans — the keystone of the budget passed by House Republicans. “It shows we’re all singing from the same hymnal,” he says.

Ryan spoke with NRO on Friday. Read the rest here.

More Georgia Endorsements

noreply@blogger.com (Georgia for Mitt) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:14:00 +0000

Sorry for the lack of postings lately, but this came out on Friday:

MITT ROMNEY ANNOUNCES SUPPORT OF ADDITIONAL GEORGIA ELECTED OFFICIALS AND LEADERS

Boston, MA – Mitt Romney today announced additional endorsements of elected officials and leaders in Georgia.

“It’s an honor to receive the support of these great Georgians,” said Mitt Romney. “They share my vision for reduced government spending and regulation in order to get the economy moving again. I’m looking forward to working with them to bring my message to all Georgians.”

Announcing his support, State Senator Fran Millar, who also endorsed Mitt Romney in 2008, said, “I am proud to support Mitt Romney for president. He is the only candidate with both the conservative record and plan to get our economy on the right track again. After three years, it is clear that we cannot afford to elect a president without experience working in the economy. Mitt Romney will bring the skills of a successful businessman and governor to help fix our economy. With his leadership in Washington, I have no doubt that we will be able to reverse the failures of the last three years and get Americans working again.”

State Representative B.J. Pak said, “It is clear that President Obama’s liberal policies are not helping Georgians or the rest of the country. Mitt Romney has a record of leadership as a conservative businessman and as a governor who was able to cut taxes and spending. He knows that we need those conservative principles in the White House if we are to turn around the economy – that is why Georgians will support his effort to defeat President Obama.”

Georgia Elected Officials And Leaders Endorsing Mitt Romney:

· Fran Millar, State Senator

· B.J. Pak, State Representative

· Nancy Coverdell

· Kelley O'Bryan Gary, Chairman, Jackson County GOP

· Robert J. Walker, Former Mayor, Dublin

· Jon Jones, Chairman, Tift County GOP

· James P. Golden, Former Chairman, Tift County GOP and Former 2nd District Director, Young Republicans

· Myron Faircloth, Chairman, South Georgia Young Republicans

· Ruth Malhotra, Former Executive Director, Georgia Association of College Republicans

· Orit Sklar, Former Executive Director, Fulton County GOP

· Jaime F. Aguilera, Former Director of Hispanic Outreach, Cobb County GOP

· Ron Johnson, Former Chairman, Jackson GOP

Georgia Elected Officials And Leaders Already Supporting Mitt Romney:

· Attorney General Sam Olens

· Former House Speaker Mark Burkhalter

· State Senator Bill Hamrick, Chairman of Senate Judiciary Committee

· State Representative Calvin Hill, Vice Chairman of House Appropriations Committee

· State Representative & House Majority Whip Edward Lindsey

· State Representative Wendell Willard, Chairman of House Judiciary Committee

· State Representative Bruce Williamson

· Lynne Riley, State Representative

· Val Clark, State Representative

· Public Service Commissioner Doug Everett

· Max Bacon, Mayor of Smyrna

· Gabriel Sterling, Sandy Springs City Councilman

· Dan Israel, State Board of Education

· Jose Perez, Former State Board of Education

· Molly Dye, Chief of Staff to the late Senator Paul Coverdell

· Heath Garrett, Former Chief of Staff to Senator Isakson

· Fred Cooper, State Chairman for President George H. W. Bush’s Presidential Campaign

· Oscar Persons, State Chairman for Senator Bob Dole’s Presidential Campaign

· Eric Tanenblatt, State Chairman for President George W. Bush’s Presidential Campaign and Chief of Staff to Governor Sonny Perdue

· Lori Pesta, National Federation of Republican Women, Board of Directors

· Ric Mayfield, Former Assistant Treasurer – Georgia Republican Party

· Chandler Epp, Former Vice Chair – Georgia College Republicans

· Marion Hay, Chairman, Moultrie/Colquitt County Industrial Development Authority

· Keith Stone, 1^st District GOP Chair

· David Burge, 5^th District GOP Chair

· Ryan Boland, Former Habersham County GOP Chair

· Jerry Loupee, Former Chatham County GOP Chair

· Michael Barrett, Vice Chairman – Towns County GOP

· Ryan Cleveland, Decatur County GOP Chair

· Tom Morrill, Peach County GOP Chair

Vegas Debate Feedback

noreply@blogger.com (Georgia for Mitt) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 10:20:00 +0000

This is the last one for about a month.

Here is some initial feedback from The National Review:

On the Debate

October 18, 2011 11:10 P.M.

By Seth Leibsohn

To use his own colloquialism, there is no question but that Mitt Romney won this debate. And he showed something new as well — serious chops in quick sparring and debating skill one on one. He was quick and effective against Herman Cain on the state-tax issue, Rick Perry on several issues (most effectively, at the end, judging someone on their past), and Newt Gingrich on the issue of the health-care mandate’s origins. It was a stellar performance. I am yet to be convinced he’s the inevitable nominee but one cannot gainsay his debating skills, especially compared with the others.

Rick Perry did not overcome his debating-skills deficit. He came out of the box in his opening statement with a negative jab that seemed wrong for the moment and went downhill from there. One simply cannot look uninterested at best and throw jabs that don’t land at worst, especially when it is clear the strategy is to debate (and campaign) negatively.

Debate Roundup

October 18, 2011 11:04 P.M.

By Victor Davis Hanson

I don’t think the debate will change much in the polls, and those without the money are not going to gain some by tonight’s performance. Obama surely gains when the debaters end up shouting at each other and forget about the present mess. Cain took a lot of hits that scored. Here’s a quick take.

Romney: I think he won the weird crossfires with Perry: a) illegal aliens working on his property were hired by contractors, not him personally (most recognize the difference); b) Perry’s ad hominem came off too calculated and studied rather than an ad hoc jousting point. He scored points for being above the fray, and parried all the blows pretty well. Along with Gingrich and Santorum, he seems to have the best command of the facts, and is doing a good job presenting a certain presidential calm. He is often aware that the debate is being watched by independents as well as the base. When he survives these sharp attacks, he gets better — much better than in 2008. The flash of anger at Perry was a sort of Reagan “I’m paying for this” moment.

Perry: He is not the somnolent Perry of past debates, but his animation is mostly ad hominem and comes off mean-spirited. He seems to have realized that midway, and gets better when he talks about energy. Tonight: two steps forward for passion, two and a half steps back for a bothersome abrasiveness. Passion is not just invective.

Mitt Romney builds case for inevitability

noreply@blogger.com (Georgia for Mitt) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:04:00 +0000

From Politico:

Click the link for the full story, but here are the opening paragraphs:

HANOVER, N.H – Hours after Chris Christie signaled he believes Mitt Romney is the Republican party’s inevitable nominee, Romney and the rest of the GOP field went about proving him right.

Romney again outclassed the opposition in Tuesday’s Bloomberg/Washington Post debate. Again, none of the other GOP contenders laid a glove on him. And in a telling move that seemed to acknowledge the limits of Rick Perry’s candidacy, the Texas governor effectively tried to survive the debate by not losing it.

After starting the day with a coveted endorsement from Christie, the New Jersey governor who may have posed the most serious threat to Romney’s candidacy, the former Massachusetts governor ended it by standing above an increasingly muddled group of rivals. Aided by a group of competitors who’ve risen and fallen — or not run altogether — the former Massachusetts governor’s steady-as-he-goes strategy has returned him to unqualified frontrunner

Debate Feedback

noreply@blogger.com (Georgia for Mitt) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 10:23:00 +0000

Mark Halperin at The Page:

Romney

Style: Perfect pitch for the Republican electorate (and many independents) on assailing Obama’s record with both sadness and anger. Confident, yet not arrogant. Maintained a good balance between cheerful and tough.

Substance: Showed his usual fluidity on economic issues. Rightly called out the other candidates for not putting forward their own health care plans. Offered a good defense of a capital gains tax proposal that wouldn’t benefit the wealthiest Americans.

His worst moment: Came dangerously close to defending TARP.

His best moment: All two hours — no one laid a glove on him — nor barely tried.

The main thing: It's increasingly difficult to see how he trips up in one of these debates. In his second serious national go-round, a much more polished performer than his rivals, and well aware of the traps to avoid. Clocked 120 more minutes of playing at a different level than everyone else on the stage, highlighting his exclusive presidential aura. With his Christie endorsement and another non-game-changing debate under his belt, he is another two steps closer to the nomination.

Grade: A

Washington Post's The Fix:

WINNERS

* Mitt Romney: We expected Romney to shine in this economic-focused debate and shine he did. Romney was knowledgeable and detailed — as expected — but also relaxed to the point where he let a little bit of his personality show. Romney’s biggest hurdle in this race is that he strikes lots of people as inauthentic and awkward. Not only was he head and shoulders above the other candidates on stage when it came to looking presidential, Romney also showcased his human side. His best debate in a string of very solid performances.

Bundlers lining up behind Gov. Romney with Christie not running

noreply@blogger.com (Georgia for Mitt) — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 01:17:00 +0000

From CapitalNewYork.Com:

With Governor Chris Christie confirming today that he won't seek the presidency, some big-name donors are finally ready to commit themselves to Mitt Romney.

"A lot of us who normally would have been in this presidential race a long time ago, have been waiting for Christie to make a decision," said Georgette Mosbacher, a Republican uber-fund-raiser and finance co-chair of the Republican National Committee who was among a group of Republican bundlers hoping to convince Christie to enter the race. "I think tomorrow, we’ll be contacting one another and probably put something together with Romney."

"I’m going to go with Mitt Romney," said John Catsimatidis, another donor who had been intrigued with Christie, in a brief phone interview this afternoon.

"You're calling about yesterday's news," said Catsimatidis, who said he had gotten the indication Christie wouldn't run from some of the governor's advisers yesterday.

Catsimatidis said he had started pitching Romney in the last couple weeks, on the expectation the governor wouldn't seek the nomination. At a meeting with other conservatives last Monday night, Catsimatidis said, he made the pitch for Romney's electability.

"The speech I gave to my conservative friends was, if you pick somebody who makes you 100 percent happy, you only get 47 percent against Obama," said Catsimatidis. "We have to capture the middle in order to win and make a change in this country. Ninety percent of them stood up and said, 'You’re right.'"

Mosbacher conceded there was "some disappointment" at Christie's decision, but said the public flirtation with Christie wouldn't make it tougher to raise for Romney, especially with Texas governor Rick Perry suddenly slipping in the polls after a couple of disastrous debate performances.

"Look, we’ll raise the money that’s necessary to beat Obama," she said. "It’s not going to be any harder than it would have been a month ago, or two months ago, or six months ago. Now it’s pretty clear. Perry has dropped pretty quickly. And I would say that the race is now Romney and Obama. Quite frankly, the enthusiasm wasn’t there at the outset. He’s less conservative than a lot of us would like.

However, our first and foremost goal is to defeat Obama. And we do believe Romney, in terms of independents, will be a strong candidate. We will coalesce behind him now."

Mosbacher said the big bundlers in her circle "do not consider a Perry factor."

"I don’t think Perry has it in him to do it," said Catsimatidis. "He’s a lot better than Sarah Palin, but not a lot lot better. The danger is in the South, if the South fights the North all over again."

Catsimatidis said his level of involvement would depend on what the Romney campaign asks of him, but he expected to be more involved than simply cutting a check.

Mosbacher said she would be on the phone for Romney as soon as the Christie decision becomes official.

"The time has come. With the primaries being moved up, the time has come to get behind him," she said.

In the second quarter of this year, and the first after Romney officially announced his candidacy, the former Massachusetts governor raised $18 million dollars, substantially outraising every other challenger at the time.

But when Rick Perry, who has raised more than $100 million dollars in a decade as Texas governor, entered the race in August, he was expected to cut into some of Romney's support, and also collect many of the deep-pocketed donors who had yet to commit to Romney's campaign.

For a brief time after Perry's first debate, during which he and Romney aggressively attacked each other, it seemed as if a decision had been made among elite conservatives that the Republican primary had become a two-man race. ("From here on in, it's just Perry and Romney," wrote New York Post columnist John Podhoretz, in a column entitled "A national Republican star is born.")

On Perry's subsequent swing through New York last month, several New York fund-raisers quickly committed to hosting events for him, including real estate executive Myers Mermel, former Senate candidate David Malpass, and former AIG CEO Hank Greenberg.

Still, many of the biggest bundlers—like hedge-fund manager Paul Singer, who met with Perry on that trip, as well as Mosbacher—remained firmly uncommitted.

Then Perry stumbled, badly, muffing consecutive debate performances and trafficking in rhetoric not ordinarily associated with Republican primary candidates. As his fortunes dipped, those hold-out donors responded, in real time, by redoubling their efforts to recruit Christie into the race before the final filing deadlines for the state primaries, with the promise that there were still enough uncommitteds to fund a Christie campign.

That effort temporarily paralyzed the money race, and coincided with the end of the third-quarter filing deadline, leaving both Romney and Perry to lower their expectations to totals just north of $10 million. Romney supporters still reported better-than-expected turnouts at events in New York, but the race was clearly still at the mercy of Christie. The support of some of the top Republican bundlers in New York, and the country, was his to refuse, and finally, today, he refused it.

"Tomorrow I’ll be on the phone all day," Mosbacher told me today.

"Quite frankly, it’ll be easier, because now we know who it is who will be our nominee," she added. "So we will pull our Rolodexes out and get to work."

As for Christie?

"It’s good to have a great bullpen in the Republican Party for our future races," said Catsimatidis.

"I think he’s got to deliver New Jersey for our candidate, is now what we would hope," said Mosbacher.

Gov. Romney on Mike Huckabee's show

noreply@blogger.com (Georgia for Mitt) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 12:42:00 +0000

Gov. Romney was interviewed by Mike Huckabee on his Fox show this weekend. Quite a good interview I thought.

Click here to watch.

GA Primary set for March 6th

noreply@blogger.com (Georgia for Mitt) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:45:00 +0000

The date has been set for March 6th, 2012. Sec of State Brian Kemp announced this morning that we will be voting on "Super Tuesday." As of right now, we'll have the third most delegates of any state voting that day behind Texas and Massachusetts. With Govs. Romney and Perry most likely not spending any time in those two states, it may mean that Georgia will be getting a lot of attention.

Read the article from the AJC here.

Gov. Romney at Florida CPAC

noreply@blogger.com (Georgia for Mitt) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 10:23:00 +0000