VICTORY IN MICHIGAN

ON THE ROMNEY CAMPAIGN:

We can breakdown the campaign victory tomorrow. . . as for tonight, I'm going to soak it in - tomorrow, it's back to work!

TO VICTORY!

~so sayeth the Mittiot.

ROMNEY ON TASK - UPDATE (1/11)

ON THE FOX S.C. DEBATE:

"I have received more votes for President than any other candidate on the Republican side." - Mitt Romney

AND YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT, GOVERNOR! - The Mittiot

Governor Romney was on task tonight. He was sharp with a great command of the economic, social, and security issues this country faces. . . In short, Mitt Romney continues to prove himself as the multifaceted candidate we need to address ALL the challenges this country faces. And, it is a FACT, that so far the Republicans who have voted in this nomination process have given Mitt the lead in votes AND DELEGATES. Allow me to continue to post the "After 3 Events Results:"

The vote numbers, by the way, have gone up as more precincts have reported. . . Romney is still up by some 1500 votes - and this doesn't include the Wyoming victory (not because your Mittiot is discounting the Big Sky voters, but because I couldn't find a vote number on the web . . . feel free to email it to me).

But for all the good points Mitt made tonight - especially about Michigan manufacturing jobs NOT being lost forever (ie. Free-Trade v. STUPID-Trade) - your Mittiot knows this debate in South Carolina is going to end up being a study of how well Fred out "aw shucks-ed" Huckabee. Which, by all accounts, he did.

Your Mittiot has said in past blogs that I do not have anything personal against Mike Huckabee - he IS a likable guy. However, I do believe he is too liberal a candidate to right the wrongs of Washington. . . For instance, how would the former Gov. of Arkansas have voted on the S-CHIP fiasco. Would that step towards socialized medicine (that goes way beyond insuring poor-children) have been signed into law - "to raise hope" - by a Huckabee administration? What if, God help us, the dems keep control of the legislature? Would this be Huckabee (or McCain, for that matter) style "bi-partisanship"?

And, again, your Mittiot isn't here to try and dust Mike Huckabee - true, I have a clear dog in this fight, I'm a Romney guy - but this issue of possibly nominating a liberal candidate for office, makes me wonder why the heck I fight for the Republican party so vehemently. This is a conflict of ideology and party versus this particular presidential race, and if the party has to keep changing to get elected, then what are we "conserving?"

"But, Mittiot, that's just one example of Mike being 'sort of liberal' and that was from a while ago. You can't. . ." I can already hear it, but here's my second case in point:

While watching the Fox debate - I flipped through the channels during the commercial (or maybe when Campaign Carl was smirking another loaded question) and I just happened to catch Anderson Cooper on CNN interviewing former dem candidate, Bill Richardson. Seems Kerry has endorsed Obama, and Cooper was looking to see if Richardson was endorsing anyone. Richardson replied: "Sure, I gotta a call from President Clinton. . . I also got a call from Sen. Obama, and John Edwards. . . I EVEN GOT A CALL FROM MIKE HUCKABEE. Really? "I got a call from Mike Huckabee. . ."

[UPDATE: 1/11 - Transcript from AC360: GOV. BILL RICHARDSON (D-NM), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I am ending my campaign for president of the United States. CROWLEY: New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, a Latino, dropped out of the race today. It's just over a week before the Nevada caucuses, where the Latino vote may play a major role. Raise your hand if you think it's a coincidence Bill Clinton has been in touch. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "THE SITUATION ROOM") RICHARDSON: Well, yes, he called me quite a bit in the last couple of days. We talked. I talked to Senator Clinton. So did Senator Obama and Edwards called. You know, I even had a nice call from Mike Huckabee, who is an old pal of mine. (END VIDEO CLIP) ....... To be fair, this may have been just a "sorry to see you get out, ol' pal" call from Huckabee. . . but the context was in "courting endorsements" - The Mittiot] Governor Huckabee is looking for the endorsement of LIBERAL DEMOCRAT, Bill Richardson? As your Mittiot is fond of saying, "What the?" This is no way to win a GOP nomination.

Ponder this, we had a dem congressional candidate who ran against our now congressman, Cong. Tim Walberg (MI7), come to one of our local county GOP meetings. She came in to tout the need to support Ron Paul. Well, let me tell you something, that went over like a lead balloon. Dems have "No Cred" within the GOP - and they shouldn't. That's why we are "we" and they are "they." The fact that Mike Huckabee is courting democrats for endorsements (the fact that ANY candidate would seek such an endorsement) during a GOP nomination - leaves one to wonder who's voting for this guy. . .

Which brings me to McCain. Your Mittiot's been a little critical of Senator McCain, but again, I'm a Romney guy. And, "Friends" let me tell you - here in Michigan - the Senator has been attackin' as much as he's been attacked - more so. I'm doing my best to hold to Reagan's 11th, but some days. . .

In case you missed it (now, this comes from the debate tonight, so I'm not pulling out-of-date statements together to convolve some some anti-McCain message. BUT, in case you missed it. . .), I was left scratchin' my head - and this time it wasn't because of the Ron Paul non-protectionism, protectionist plan. Senator McCain said something to the effect of "I've never takin' special project money for my state. . ." [UPDATE: 1/10 - Youtube clip 7 of the debate, @3:45] and then he goes on to repeatedly tell America that his state is a major part of the illegal immigration problem [UPDATE: 1/10 - Youtube clip 8 of the debate, @7:39]. In his words, he's worried noting the pork and ignoring the problem. More illegals come through his state then any other. . . Has the senator at least asked for an appropriation to fix the fence? And, if so, where's the "leadership" been in getting it?

Call me "silly" but why the heck do I send a stack of tax dollars to DC if the people we - America - sends there aren't going to take care of the NATIONAL problems. I'm pretty sure, most Americans would not consider it as "pork" to seek an appropriation to fix the Arizona/Mexico border - YOUR BORDER, Senator. In fact, if the federal government did it's job and there was some leadership on this issue, I don't think the approval ratings of the US legislature would be in the low 20's. AND, I, for one, wouldn't have to wince every time I eyeballed my paycheck.

The bottom line: I believe this is what Governor Romney is speaking about when he says, "WASHINGTON IS BROKEN."

MITT ROMNEY IS THE MAN WHO WILL FIX THE PROBLEMS IN DC. And that, "my friends" is what MICHIGAN needs.

~ so "ranteth" the Mittiot.

ROSE TINTED GLASSES?

ON THE RECENT FAMILY DISCUSSION:

That's the Mittiot's "family discussion" not Mitt's. We're a traditional family - as in we make a lot of "traditions" - the most recent is the "Father-Son-Son-Grandson-Grandson Weekend" we spend at the family cabin "up North" as they say. 90% of the time the colors are just right and the air is just chill enough to need a fire. When Grandpa was alive, he and Dad would head up, now we (my brother and I) head up with Dad and take our two sons. Heck, we're so traditional that between the 5 of us there are only two names (and a bunch of Jr.'s, Sr.'s, III's & IV's).

At any rate, my pop doesn't live far from me so I picked him up and we made the 2 1/2 hours trip together with my son in the back. Around, say, Grand Rapids, my father (who's a big Mittiot, himself) says, "Ya know, my friend thinks Mitt's too perfect, and so he's not going to vote for him."

What the? as I nearly drove off the road. I looked over at my father, remembering my son was in the car and started in. . . "what a bunch of poopoo (I had another word in mind) that is." "Well," dad continued, "my friend is a big liberal, loves Hillary, and probably wouldn't be voting for Mitt anyway. . ."

"Oh, you think?" But we did take the moment to pursue this line of thinking. Let's see, "too perfect." I've actually heard this line of "criticism" and it strikes me as the last great act of rationalization as to why one's going to stick to their initial choice of candidate even though they don't stack up. To look at it another way, if Mitt is "too perfect," then their candidate is not perfect enough, so that would make their choice a poor choice given the field. No one likes to admit they're wrong, so. . . "Mitt's 'too perfect' and that's why I made the right choice in pickin' who I picked. . . yeah, that's it. . .right. . . too perfect. . ."

We agreed that this was "irrational rationalization" and moved on to how Mitt's doing in the EP states as an indication of a guy peaking as perfect as the Sugar Maples off 131.

We get to the "Cabin" where my brother and nephew were already waiting for us and no sooner did we unpacked the Ford then my brother throws out a barb - "Mitt's not doing so good. . ." I had to correct, "Mitt's not doing so "well" - and that's a load of crap, Mitt is doing well." My brother likes to stir the nest and we traded verbal blows, but he knew there was no way he'd win the argument, he doesn't spend the time your Mittiot does researching the campaign(s). The conversation was quick, and my brother was more then happy to throw out the Media hype, "well, Mitt's a. . . he's a. . .'Morton'. . . and no one's going to vote for one of those guys." Which is exactly why this issue is Media/Hufficrat/Huffican propelled garbage - no matter what Bob Novak says. My brother, doesn't know salt from a hundred year old religion and this is why he's thinkin' "Mitt's not doing so 'good'." After a brief education, regarding the Senate Majority Leader, former Governor of Michigan, past Governor of Massachusetts (Mitt), and almost every elected official representing part and parcel of Utah, as well as the misgivings regarding Kennedy, Jefferson's lack of formal church affiliation, and the idea's of a man with faith regardless of where they receive it - we began to talk politics. We started with Iowa, moved to NH, discussed Michigan, Nevada, South Carolina and ended on the great state of Florida. Following this we spoke of personal wealth, fundraising, and campaign teams, and finished on the topic of endorsements. After the flurry of facts, figures and financiers, jumped from my tongue and fell heavily to the old wood floor, I broke the silence - reaching out to close my brother's gaping mouth with the tip of my index finger - by declaring the canard, "I'm probably just looking through rose-tinted glasses. . ."

We had a great weekend.

ON THE FORTHCOMING BOB JONES UNIV. ENDORSEMENT:

"The South will never support Mitt. . ." Oh, really?

"The fact that I’m seen as a religious right person would hopefully get others to step out for him,” [Bob Talyor, Bob Jones University Dean] said in an interview in Greenville, S.C., the university’s hometown.

[Complete Article Here]

ON THE "ANTI-VALUES" VOTER:

Never mind the blog, take a look at the postings. . . this is why I never put ANY weight in online polls, the net is disproportionately filled with tons of idiots. . . and a sheer lack of Mittiots.

[Complete Blog Here - scroll to the bottom]

~ so sayeth the Mittiot

ROMNEY'S UP IN SOUTH CAROLINA!

ON THE RECENT S.C. POLL:

Holy Cow! Mitt Romney is in the lead in South Carolina according to the most recent poll. [Check it out here]

Sept. 2007.. Aug. 2007.. Jul. 2007

Mitt Romney.......... 26%..... 9%..... 7%

Rudy Giuliani ..........23% .....26% .....28%

John McCain ..........15%..... 12% .....10%

Fred Thompson ........10% .....21% .....27%

Newt Gingrich

(not running) .....,......7% .....6% .....7%

Undecided ...............13% .....12% .....13%

I know, I know polls-shmolls, but trends, my friends are valuable. For instance, your Mittiot wonders if the Media will finally acknowledge that "even those Southern Baptists could support Mitt" ("those" being how the Media and Hufficrats refer to the great conservatives of the South) instead of constantly beating the "they would never support a Mormon" drum. Another way to put it is: see Bob Novak, you're wrong - this is Media/Hufficrat hype. I've said it a dozens times, "Republicans want a man who share's their values regardless of how they come by those values. . . even "those" Southern Baptists Republicans.

ON FOX(?):

That's the question, isn't it? Will FOX acknowledge Mitt's lead in IOWA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, MICHIGAN, NEVADA, and now SOUTH CAROLINA? I guess we'll see.

The fact that MSNBC or the Hufficrats and other Media refuse to mention that Mitt's in the driver's seat is fine - it's expected, but ol' "fair and balanced" missing the point that where Mitt campaigns, Mitt wins? COME ON!

ON THE ISLAND:

For the Michiganians (or others looking to take a trip to the Great Lakes State), attached is the link to Mitt's Mackinac Conference album - where, by the by, Mitt took 39% of the straw-poll. . . which FOX. . . oh, never mind.

ON THE RE-RUN:

Your Mittiot's running a blog we ran a couple of weeks ago - it's not de'ja vu, just a damn fine blog I want to make sure is read! The Mittiot here is still stickin' to his suspicion about the January 15th "joint" primary. If Hillary becomes all but a done deal, as Gore was in 2000, look for the dems to go "Caucus" and shenanigans to happen in the "GOP" primary. If the DNC continues to play hardball, the Granholm and crew have the perfect cover.

RE-RUN - ECHOING YOUR MITTIOT:

ON THE FULL OUT ASSAULT ON THE TRUE GOP FRONT-RUNNER:

Alex Gage, Strategist for the Romney Campaign, sent out a memo to Team Romney giving a thumbnail of where we are and what to expect. No real revelations, just sound, "gut-check time," advice. [The full memo can be read here.] The bottom line: NOW IS THE TIME we have less than 100 days before Iowa and if you were looking to get involved, well, WE NEED YOU. Contributions are great, but what your Mittiot truly needs is the commitment to get yourself to the Michigan primary - to answer the calls when the pollsters ring - to become a VOCAL advocate for Mitt Romney - to talk to your neighbors and write into the paper. NOW IS THE TIME.

Listen, here's how it's gonna play out. Your Mittiot is still not convinced there will be a joint primary with the dems this January 15th. As such, going it alone - and allowing the dems and left-leaners to dink around in our GOP primary - is not on the table. If the dems pull-out, and I believe there's a better than 50/50 chance they will, we need to be ready to go with a GOP State Nominating Convention January 29th (so hold that date). We're in good shape if we do go to the convention back-up, as highlighted by the Mackinac Conference. HOWEVER, we need to collectively keep working the delegates.

Now, your Mittiot knows not all GOP faithful are as enlightened as we Mitt-backers, BUT your Mittiot also knows that Giuliani is the least favorite choice of the tried and true conservative. The second, item in the "play out" scenario is that this race is shaping up to be one between Romney and Giuliani (and Paul. . . no not really). Hear me out: Thompson never should have entered the race and his "I'm in now" bump has all but evaporated in the EP states, the fact that Newt is looking to get in should be an indication of Thompson chances. Leaving McCain and Giuliani and the rest of the guys.

McCain has had a "surge" according to the Media but the truth is he's nearly out of cash and individuals aren't popping open their pocket books, again, or "this time" with the looming, large, shadow of doubt cast upon the chance of a McCain victory. As one former McCain-backer said to me, "we're looking to jump, we're just not sure where to land." Glad to say, he's now on the Romney Train.

Newt may get in, but he faces a similar problem Thompson witnessed. If he does jump in, it better be real soon to take advantage of Fred's disappointment and McCain's sinking ship. He's looking to have pledged 30 million, and I believe Gingrich won't try to fool himself into thinking he has a chance unless he actually does have 30 million lined up.

Though the Media might like to see Huckabee be more of a player, 100 days out is not enough time to really mount a campaign to victory (which is also a disincentive for Newt). Hey, you can come in a strong second in Iowa and New Hampshire and Michigan and South Carolina and at the end of the day. . . your still not any state's first choice. Your Mittiot understands Huckabee is looking for a Dobson bump (as is Brownback) but Mr. Dobson, too, has to recognize how near we are to the big dance and the time to be corting a candidate that needs to cover ground was back in August. In addition, we are getting dangerously close to ensuring a Giuliani win by dividing the conservative vote. I am certain Mr. Dobson and GOP leaning interests groups are getting a little antsy. The NRA, for one, has already indicated they'd like to have a say in the primary - I'm thinkin' Rudy's not "in their sights" so to speak. Is Mitt? He should be, it'll be one or the other representing the GOP come November.

A bit back The Daily Mittiot ran a blog that gave the "insiders" projection. They smartly identified then this would be a Romney/Rudy race and that's exactly how it is shaping up to be. The question is, which of those individuals do YOU want to be our candidate? Your Mittiot can tell you who the Media wants - who the left-leaners want - who the Hufficrats want: It's Rudy Giuliani, for obvious reasons. I can also tell you who the dems, Media, and Hufficrats fear most: Mitt Romney.

For your Mittiot, it's been mostly anecdotal that Romney is being piled on at every given turn. However, within the Gage Memo what your Mittiot figured to be true has been substantiated:

"So what can we expect to see over the final stretch? To start, we know that Gov. Romney will continue to be attacked from all sides. Some of our GOP rivals began their attacks in the run-up to the Ames straw poll in Iowa; the Democrats also have not waited to begin their assault on Gov. Romney. Since the start of this year, the DNC has put out 81 releases attacking Gov. Romney, 22 more than any other Republican candidate. The attacks will only intensify over the next few months, but we continue to be prepared to respond." -Alex Gage

Mitt Romney has the experience, the record, the message, the charisma, the family, the financial backing, the TEAM, and the strategy to become President of the United States. Sometimes its worth judging the strength of a candidate by how hard the OPPOSITION seeks to weaken them.

Mitt Romney is the candidate and NOW IS THE TIME.

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~so asketh the Mittiot