-
The United States of El Norte
May 24, 2013 | 58 comments
-
Cubs Lose! Cubs Lose!
May 6, 2013 | 28 comments
-
The Perfect Country Singer
April 29, 2013 | 24 comments
-
Searching for the Duke
April 25, 2013 | 106 comments
-
Carlos’s Moment of Clarity
April 16, 2013 | 27 comments
Special Report
From the Winner’s Locker Room
Romney wows the faithful at the Tampa Convention Center.
TAMPA — It was the winner’s locker room last night. A few hundred friends of Mitt Romney were packed into one of the smaller rooms at the Tampa Convention Center for the purpose of hearing a short victory speech by the winner — by a large margin — of the Florida primary.
The room was hot, thanks to all the television lights, and the people there merely props for the TV speech. But they didn’t seem to mind. And they didn’t have to stay long. The election was called for Romney just minutes after the polls closed, by the margin the pollsters had predicted. Romney’s talk began early and was brief.
It wasn’t easy to mix and mingle in the noisy, tight quarters. But I did manage to talk to a few of the faithful before the speaking got going. As the campaign in Florida was little more than a series of personal charges and counter-charges, I wondered what these people wanted Romney to do if he’s elected president.
Tampa attorney Todd Marks said he wants Romney to “get the economy working again.” He says he believes Romney can do it because “he’s been a success at every level — in his personal life, in business, with the Olympics.”
Retired Navy lieutenant commander Ginger Price of Tampa wants “less regulation and better funding for the military.” May Swartzbaugh, visiting from Maine, is also concerned about current cuts in the military. She has a son who is an Army ranger and she’s looking for a leader, which she believes Romney is.
Chris Wilford of Tampa sees increased production and prosperity following reduced regulation, and says he believes Romney understands this. Jim Celeste of Kissimmee likes Romney’s “proven record in the private sector.” (The savvy Celeste also says he starts his day at Spectator.org).
Ward McKelvey of Tampa just wants Romney to “Stamp out Obamaism.” He said he believes “Romney is capable of this — this is why I voted for him.”
The answers went on like this, and when Romney took the stage to make his remarks, these folks and others weren’t disappointed. His remarks, unlike his TV ad in the state, were not about what a scofflaw Newt Gingrich is. In fact he never mentioned Newt beyond congratulating all of his opponents on well run and vigorous campaigns. Instead he talked about beating Barack Obama, and what he would do if he did.
Romney tried to deflect the complaint of some Republicans that the primary so far has been a circular firing squad, with Republicans candidates providing ammunition for the Democrats.
“A competitive primary does not diminish us — it prepares us — and we’re going to win,” Romney said to cheers. “We’ll be a united party in Tampa in August.”
He reminded his local friends and the TV audience about how Obama said if he couldn’t get the economy and Americans back to work in three years he would be a one-term president.
“We’re here to collect,” Romney said. Romney said he would turn the economy around by reducing the size of government, including delivering a balanced budget. “I will not just slow the growth of government, but reverse it,” he said.
He contrasted his idea of a free and market-based economy with Obama, whose “idea of a free economy is to send your money to his friends.”
Romney also got good marks for saying he would reverse the reduction of the U.S. military. He said he would build “a military so powerful no one would ever think of challenging it.”
OK, this is all very general stuff. In his remarks on the economy he didn’t go much beyond saying he would rejuvenate the economy based on conservative principles because he knows how to do it. But it was, after all, a 20-minute victory speech. And he used part of that time for some snappy red-meat one-liners for those who believe our current president has changed America in ways they do not like.
About the Author
Larry Thornberry is a writer in Tampa.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (44) | Leave a comment
More Articles by Larry Thornberry
More Articles From Special Report
http://spectator.org/archives/2012/02/01/from-the-winners-locker-room
Follow us:
ADVERTISEMENT
SPONSORED LINKS
FLASHBACK TO: 1995
-
Pope Culture
A man of faith in a godless age is hitting Americans where it hurts.
-
Why the GOP Does Not, Like, Totally Suck
Mr. and Mrs. American Spectator Reader, let P.J. O’Rourke talk sense to your kids.
-
Dames at Sea
-
In the Absence of Guns
In Britain, defending your property can get you life.
-
The Metaphysical Martini
-
Counting the Costs of Clintonism
The debacle of this president’s administration is both a cause and a symptom of the decline of American values. Unless Congress impeaches him, that decline will go on unchecked. An eminent jurist surveys the damage and assesses the chances for the recovery of our culture.
-
Chuck McHagel
It won’t take long for conservatives to scratch this presidential wannabe off their 2008 scorecard.
-
The Legacy of Old John and Mother Fresh-Roasted
-
It’s the Best Time of the Year
The American Christmas, like the songs that celebrate it, makes room for everybody under the rainbow. Is that why so many people seem to be hostile to it?
-
The Bush Crack-Up
Was the President done in by the economy, or by the politics of the economy?
Clip of the Day
H/T to National Review Online
ADVERTISEMENT
Luap Nor| 2.1.12 @ 6:10AM
Clint, Jack,
What's seven per cent of nothing?
Clint| 2.1.12 @ 7:24AM
We Are Being Set Up By The RINO-CINO Flunkie Stooges For The Ruling Elites' Frontman Mittens Romney.
These Are The RINO-CINO Flunkie Stooges Who Gave Us The Serial Traitor To Conservatism, John McCain Of McCain-Feingold, McCain-Kennedy,McCain-Lieberman,Gang Of 14, Opposing Bush Tax Cuts Of 2001 & 2003,TARP.
Now They Are Trying To Give Us RomneyCare,TARP, Cynical Flip-Flops On Abortion, Gays, Refuses to Sign Pro-Life Pledge, Illegal Immigrants, "Little Chain Saw Al" At Bain, Crony Capitalism Campaign Money Trail.....
The GOP Insurgency And The Tea Party Are Bein' Served Another RINO-CINO McCain Redux Crap Sandwich.
Occam's Tool| 2.1.12 @ 6:17PM
You know, McCain would have been better than Obama.
Oldefarte| 2.1.12 @ 11:50AM
Many of us just hope that that 'nothing' that came in second isn't better able to define/defeat El Chosen One in November [than is the WINNER of winner-take-all]!!!!!!
Occam's Tool| 2.1.12 @ 6:13PM
This is the lovely part of the race where the paulbots are beaten to a bloody pulp just like Floyd Patterson going up against Sonny Liston in their match. Patterson was full of fight, but so far out of his league it was like a grown man fighting a kid.
Now Paul's campaign catches a blow to the face, now it takes a sharp one to the ribs. Its counterpunches are woefully weak and ineffective, and getting worse. If it wasn't for the fact that his supporters are such venomous, worthless scum, and that they deserve all the humiliation possible, and that Paul himself idolizes worthless traitors who get Americans killed, you'd almost feel sorry for the old, played out tomato can.
Now come the squeals of pain as the first truly big state opens up an eyebrow cut on him with a 7% vote. But it's gonna get worse and worse and worse, and there's no referee in this one. He has to rely on his own increasingly punch drunk brain to stop this fight. The crowd, with its taste for blood, is loving the battering of a man known to be a complete scumbag outside of the ring, known for taking money to spread hate literature on Jews and Blacks...
Drek| 2.1.12 @ 6:28AM
Romney supposedly "wows?"
Cut us a break!
Romney can barely get a roomful of overenthusiastic BYU students excited. He's a stiff, has been a stiff, and if he weren't a stiff, the establishment wouldn't be for him, for they only support people without any trace of genuine personality.
bill| 2.1.12 @ 7:09AM
How could you say these things about our man, Ward Cleaver? Didn't you see him fake the butt pinch? He has plenty of personality. It's just nerdy. So what. He's a good guy with our best interest at heart. Can you say that about Obama?
Clint| 2.1.12 @ 7:26AM
Can Ya Say " Romneycare. "
This Is McCain Redux.
Oldefarte| 2.1.12 @ 11:51AM
Though repeatatively idiotic, it may sadly prove prophetic and true!!!!!!!
Boar Hunter| 2.1.12 @ 12:39PM
Even a broke watch is right twice a day. I hate to agree with Clint.
Oldefarte| 2.1.12 @ 2:25PM
Agree, and as Martin indicates below, it'll depend upon his intense desire to win [and to define the Democrat-opposition thoroughly and adequately]!!!
martin j smith| 2.1.12 @ 7:46AM
The winner will have to win over the great unwashed
to win in the general election--that is if he wants to win.
Melvin| 2.1.12 @ 8:02AM
I don't want to be wowed to the point that I wet myself, we've seen enough of that with Chris Matthews.
I suppose if I was a Progressive, I probably would be wowed. Republicans in Florida appear to wow very easily, but wetting themselves is from old age incontinence and not what Mitt Romney is saying.
Why are we as Conservatives subjecting ourselves to this charade of a primary? I mean after all Mitt already has the endorsement from the last Republican Presidential candidate who lost and lost big even before the dinner hour ended.
Right now Mitt and John McCain are lying in bed smoking cigarettes, contemplating and commenting on Romney's Fl win. "Mitt, be honest with me now, was it as good for you as it was for me?" Mitt, "Yea, baby, yea, we shagged em real good again."
Bill| 2.1.12 @ 8:54AM
Why Romney will lose to Obama:
1. Romneycare
2. Pro abortion
3. Pro gay marriage
4. Pro gun control
5. Pro climate change
6. Lack of southern heritage, instead personified being a "New England big-government liberal RINO"
7. cannot unify the GOP voters
If Romney gets the GOP nod, I'll not vote for him. Obama will have 4 more years. Who cares? The GOP voters dumped Rick Perry, they got Gingrich, they chose Romney, they will have Obama.
Alas! What we have done!
Boar Hunter| 2.1.12 @ 12:42PM
You are not alone. The Republicans have only themselves to blame. The only bright side I can see is that at least the Lib's will have to take ownership of Obama's failed policies...well maybe, they are so delusional, who knows what claims they will make.
Al Adab| 2.1.12 @ 1:00PM
What percentage of Florida republican voters moved to the state from the northeast or from Illinois/Wisconsin? Any surprise here?
Bill| 2.1.12 @ 1:03PM
Mr. Kaminsky, Romney is proud of Romneycare in MA, and the individual mandate that he put in place there (although he denied that sometimes). How can he make an argument over Obamacare, telling Obama that "You're wrong, Mr. President." Obama will reply, "I used your playbook, Romney. My Obamacare is the blue-print of our Romneycare." As being a Christian and "staunch" conservative, I do not trust a "New England big-government liberal RINO," and will NOT vote Romney.
Oldefarte| 2.1.12 @ 2:28PM
This country won't have 'four more years' if Obama/Democrats are re-elected, and that is why there can only be one choice!!!!
Crassus| 2.1.12 @ 9:33AM
Some speech last night. Mittenz sounded like a CEO addressing a room full of stockholders not a presidential candidate. Anyway, I think he's just a sacrificial lamb being offered up by the GOP establishment that's willing to give Obummer a second term so that they can run Jeb Boosh in 2016. It's all a set-up.
Bill| 2.1.12 @ 9:40AM
Romney will be the GOP nominee, and Obama gets 4 more years. Rick Perry will clinch the GOP nod in 2016, and there will be Nobama. Rick Perry will be shoe-in in 2016.
Al Adab| 2.1.12 @ 1:02PM
Bill:
Serious question. Following Obama re-election, would there even be one in 2016? The statist tyranny would be so entrenched as to make an election meaningless.
Bill| 2.1.12 @ 1:04PM
2012 is "gone with the RINOs." Let's hope 2016 will be another 1980, the rise of a conservative legend, Rick Perry.
Oldefarte| 2.1.12 @ 2:30PM
Election in 2016?......THERE WILL NOT EVEN BE A COUNTRY IN 2016 if the Democrats win in November!!!!!!!!!
Bill| 2.1.12 @ 2:44PM
We have to hold the line!
Bill| 2.1.12 @ 10:26AM
Romney cannot defend Romneycare, neither he can outperform Obama over Obamacare in the debate, and Obama;s argument will be "Mitt, we've learned from you." The GOP voters, who voted for Romney, will be demoralized when they will watch the fading Romney in the debates and in the campaign trails. Romney wins in FL in the GOP primary, wait, Obama will wind up winning the "FL Purchase" with his "$1 billion" war-chest and an army of "union-thugs." Romney cannot win against Obama.
Oldefarte| 2.1.12 @ 2:32PM
True/agreed, BUT that is precisely WHY sane/intelligent taxpayer-voters must DO what they FAILED to do in November of 2008!!!!
Bill| 2.1.12 @ 10:26AM
Romney cannot defend Romneycare, neither he can outperform Obama over Obamacare in the debate, and Obama;s argument will be "Mitt, we've learned from you." The GOP voters, who voted for Romney, will be demoralized when they will watch the fading Romney in the debates and in the campaign trails. Romney wins in FL in the GOP primary, wait, Obama will wind up winning the "FL Purchase" with his "$1 billion" war-chest and an army of "union-thugs." Romney cannot win against Obama.
Oldefarte| 2.1.12 @ 2:33PM
He can win IF he goes after him with a vengence in defining him and painting him for what/who he is!!!!!!!!
Bill| 2.1.12 @ 2:46PM
Romney and Obama in the debate stage, there is no Republican, there are two liberals.
martin j smith| 2.1.12 @ 10:54AM
Romney's fate will depend on ( if he is the nominee )
his campaign. If he imitates John McCain he will lose. Conservatives will have some thinking to do.
I will not hold my breath.
Oldefarte| 2.1.12 @ 2:34PM
Absolutely agree!!!!!
Bill| 2.1.12 @ 11:03AM
I was born and raised in the South, and don't like the "New England Rockefeller big-government liberal RINO." Romney is the Gerald Ford, lost to Carter, it's 1976, all over.
Oldefarte| 2.1.12 @ 11:44AM
Many of us mostly agree with Ward McKelvey's assessment and hope and pray [not the other kind] that Romney has it in him to define Obama/Democrats for the socialists which they are!!!!!!!!!!!
Bill| 2.1.12 @ 1:05PM
Romney is proud of Romneycare in MA, and the individual mandate that he put in place there (although he denied that sometimes). How can he make an argument over Obamacare, telling Obama that "You're wrong, Mr. President." Obama will reply, "I used your playbook, Romney. My Obamacare is the blue-print of our Romneycare." As being a Christian and "staunch" conservative, I do not trust a "New England big-government liberal RINO," and will NOT vote Romney.
Oldefarte| 2.1.12 @ 2:40PM
True, true and more true; but he can say in effect that he was elected in the most liberal state in the US and was forced to contend with the Kennedy-dominated populace of that state in giving them state healthcare [and homosexual marriage etc]. Scott Brown is fighting the same battles as a moderate/semi-conservative. A NOT VOTE will insure Obama's re-election more so than will Romneycare, and you [and all of us] will thereafter face the consequences of the resultant death of this country!!!!!!!
Bill| 2.1.12 @ 2:48PM
Ronald Reagan governed the most "liberal" state, CA, yet he governed based on his conservative principles.
Imagine Romney and Obama in the debate stage, there is no Republican, there are two liberals.
Occam's Tool| 2.1.12 @ 6:15PM
Well, I'm voting for Romney if he gets the nod, because I can't see him obstructing Paul Ryan, Marco Rubio, etc. He likes to be liked.
Bill| 2.1.12 @ 7:14PM
Romney will never repeal Obamacare.
David| 2.1.12 @ 4:11PM
Santorum will provide the greatest contrast with Bam Bam.
Remember, Newt, Mitt, and Barack all hold the following positions.
They believe in man-caused global warming baloney, and the regulations and restrictions that have resulted from such thinking. Santorum does not.
They supported the Wall Street bailouts. Santorum did not.
They support and/or supported individual mandates for health insurance. Santorum never has.
They all criticized Paul Ryan's plan to get our fiscal house in order. Santorum embraced it.
Santorum cannot be accused of being a flip-flopper.
Santorum cannot be accused of telling people what they want to hear.
Santorum cannot be accused of stating his positions based on the particular audience in front of him.
It is clear that Santorum has been the adult in this race. It is also clear that he has been the true, principled, consistent conservative his entire politcal career.
Bill| 2.1.12 @ 4:57PM
Santorum's problems:
1. Money
2. Organization
3. lost his senate bid in 2006
Evangelical| 2.1.12 @ 4:56PM
Servants of Christ, lovers of God, abandon the wickedness of the RINO party! Scourge and purge the GOP of self-serving worldly Satan worshipping Moderate RINOs. Nothing in the Republican Party is beyond God, we shall vote for the Kingdom of God! Elect only fellow servants of Christ, goodly Evangelicals who love to PREACH THE WORD!
Al Adab| 2.1.12 @ 6:51PM
From my perspective, I can ask: Does that include a Mormon?
Long Ben| 2.1.12 @ 7:01PM
Stipulated ; Mormons are some of the cleanest living people I know. Says a lot about positive peer pressure . Now Mitt gets credit for being a clean living sort , does'nt he ? He's a paid up member in good standing , ain't he ? to the extent that he obtained a Bisopric , ain't he ? How come then , when he governed Massachussetts did he rule as a whitewashed tomb full of dead mans bones ? Since when is abortion a Morman value ?
Since when is gay marriage a Morman value ?
This should serve as a cautionary tale to all who name the name of Christ as well as those who name the name of Yahweh for that matter ; if you believe in anything that is called G-d or is to be worshiped , do not run for office in a blue state .
For to do so will cause you to dishonor yourself .
POST American| 2.2.12 @ 12:09AM
"The bankers have HIJACKED America
and are at WAR with the American people.
Do you understand? ---the entire food
chain has been covertly saturated with
GMO food --known to sterilize mammals
--TOTALLY!-- within 3 generations. This
is ON RECORD. We are already into a
generation and a half. DO YOU KNOW
that when this HALCAUST begins to
dawn on you ---the World Wars are
going to look like a Staurday night
in Bismark North Dakota!"
---WHY IS NO ONE TALKING ABOUT THIS?