The American Spectator

doug| 3.2.09 @ 8:20AM

Um, I think it was a self-deprecating swipe at himself...no one would pay him to write a book.

Mitch Berg| 3.2.09 @ 8:22AM

I'm with Doug on this one. I'm pretty attuned to internecine slurring, and I'm just not hearing it.

Dan| 3.2.09 @ 8:29AM

Romney mocked her as a celeb, ---------- which contrasts sharply to her image as the frontierswoman from Alaska.

So yes, it's a swipe, yes, he's mocking the book offer, -------------------------------------- but what do you guys expect from Romney?

He's a wealthy, one-term Gov from perhaps the bluest of all blue states. Why did this guy even get time of day from the GOP?

Had we done the smart thing, nominated Giuliani, --------------------------- we would have had Giuliani as President of The United States.

Instead we nominated a guy who couldn't speak about the budget coherently, who used earmarks as a foil to distract attention from his clear inadequacies in reference to the budget, and ran a campaign remarkably similar to that of Kerry, {extolling his service in 'Nam}.

We had no business considering McCain, especially after his behavior during the immigration meatgrinder!

And as for Romney, the only thing we needed to know about him was that he enjoyed the support of the Bush faction, ----------- which should have served as the kiss of death.

Kitty| 3.2.09 @ 9:14AM

Can it, Romney! >:O

...

Ran| 3.2.09 @ 9:39AM

Philip: Does Romney's shot at Palin not signal something positive? It was campaigning. I don't want to wait for 2011... ACORN isn't.

les grossman| 3.2.09 @ 9:43AM

One word killer for Romney's hopes: Romneycare.

JA| 3.2.09 @ 10:02AM

Mitt was making fun of himself. He is that rare politician who doesn't have a huge ego and is willing to be self-deprecating.

Quin| 3.2.09 @ 10:19AM

Phil, that's self-deprecating. It doesn't slam Palin. And it's sorta funny. What's the problem?

Mike M| 3.2.09 @ 10:21AM

Pretty unusual comments coming from a follower of one Joseph Smith.

Tracey| 3.2.09 @ 10:22AM

My guess is Palin got a laugh out of this. It is well known that Romney spent a small fortune on his campaign and he has made self deprecating remarks before. I think it was funny and it is healthy to be able to laugh at yourself. Also, I have seen an interview with Ann who said that Mitt thinks his sense of humor is funny but his family does not. I personally like his sense of humor. Humor or not he has the skills this country needs to help or economy. I don't think any other republican candidate can offer what he can offer. Open your minds , America is in big trouble. Take a more careful look at Romney . He is the whole package.

Basil Plumley| 3.2.09 @ 10:27AM

@ Dan

That was a good post.

I wished Guiliani had ran a better campaign. He spent very little on a ground game and got intimidated by the social conservatives in IA and SC. He abandoned NV and NH where he had a great chance to make a decent showing before putting all his eggs in the Florida basket.

I also think he should have retained Frank Luntz to hone his message. What most folks (social conservatives especially) did not realize about Rudy was that Rudy was more libertarian than liberal. The folks he had on his legal, economic, and foreign policy teams were staunch conservatives with impressive credentials. Yet, it was his past views on Abortion that sank him.

It is too bad. The one thing America needed after 8 years of W is leadership. We will still be needing leadership after 4 or 8 years of Obama.

Romney wasn't the answer in 2008 and won't be the answer in 2012. I wonder how many of those folks at CPAC were bussed in by Romney.

@ les grossman

Romneycare will be as devastating to Romney in 2012 as it will be to the folks of MA. Perhaps, Romney could have used his head of hair and tout his "Massachusetts Miracle"; like another undistinguished MA governor.

don surber| 3.2.09 @ 10:35AM

Doug's right. Mitt made fun of his personality and his fortune.

W. James Antle III| 3.2.09 @ 10:57AM

Actually, I think it's both. He's competing against her but also doesn't want to be seen as harshly attacking a female opponent -- something with which he was charged in the 2002 Mass. governor's race -- and he doesn't want to alienate her conservative fans. So he settles for the dog whistle approach. It's a swipe at Palin softened by some self-deprecating humor.

John| 3.2.09 @ 11:13AM

I didn't read much into Romney's quote. As they say, "nothing to see here."

Stephen| 3.2.09 @ 12:48PM

Apparently Romney is a little jealous. Palin is a rising conservative star while his is fading fast. Romney can win all the straw polls he wants. But winning a straw poll is like winning a pre-season football game. When the regular season begins Romney will be back riding the bench while Sarah is leading the team to victory.

Heather Robinson| 3.2.09 @ 1:06PM

Sharp of you to have picked up that he was calling attention to the fact that she wasn't there and insinuating that she's the hotshot celeb, he's the regular guy (THAT's a laugh). Man, that woman gets it from all sides--she's slammed for showing up, snidely dismissed for not showing up, even condemned for promoting her book (and why wouldn't she, or anyone, in this media-obsessed culture, promote her book?) But, as Romney's and the comments here illustrate, she's a star and not going to go quietly into that good night.

Kathy| 3.2.09 @ 3:42PM

I thought Romney's entire speech was outstanding in every respect, for its clear defense of free market capitalism, to its critique of Obama's early foreign policy moves, all delivered without resentment or rancor.

The joke at the beginning was hardly a knock on Palin - it was a self-deprecating knock on Romney.

What's really interesting is that the voting for the straw poll ended before Romney gave his speech. That means he walked in as the favorite of the crowd. His status as the leader of the conservative movement was only enhanced further by his magnificent speech.

I loved it!!

Frosty| 3.2.09 @ 3:48PM

I like Romney, but he doesn't have Palin's charisma. He's too wooden.

iamse7en| 3.2.09 @ 4:02PM

Romney would never attack Palin, as you think. He's been known to always take swipes at himself, his fortune, his houses, his hair, whatever.

Phil,

You're completely wrong about this. This only falls in line with his other speeches: self-deprecating humor. Even politically speaking, why would Romney attack a conservative's favorite? He knows everyone loves Palin, and to do it at CPAC?

Just send an email to Romney to ask him. Of course it wasn't a swipe at Palin. He's not that stupid, nor that arrogant.

Stuart| 3.2.09 @ 7:35PM

Dan, I think Guiliani might have been Republican's best bet, too. But let's not forget that Rudy shot himself in both feet. What a poor understanding he had of how to navigate the primaries.

Ramrocks| 3.2.09 @ 11:08PM

I guess I'm the only person here who will agree with Phil.

It was a carefully crafted dig at Palin couched to look like self-deprecating humor. Romney would like Palin to appear as the "front-runner" in the same way that Hillary was considered the 2008 front-runner. Let her take the media shots as the favored candidate. His joke about her celebrity status reinforces the front-runner narrative and had the added bonus of highlighting her non-attendance as well as his self-deprecating humility. The entire little performance was, as Phil said, classless and too clever by half.

Sapwolf| 3.3.09 @ 12:35AM

I was standing 20 feet away from Romney when he said that.

It was a swipe, but a small swipe. The problem is that the whole $11 million book deal for Sarah was never true.

For a guy who didn't like it when Huckabee played the religion card against him, it was really a lame, unfunny remark.

I could have spent maybe 10 minutes thinking of another way of being self-deprecating without breaking Reagan's 11th Commandment at a CPAC speech.

Romney is finished. He is wooden, inauthentic, packaged, slick and came off as not substantial.

With all the young eastern college camp there at CPAC, he could only garner 20% in a poll where he should have bagged 30% no problem.

He is finished. I like Mitt, but he is STAFF, not LINE. He will a decent cabinet member or Veep, but he lacks fortitude, courage, guts and real leadership. He is a CEO.

I'll take Sarah or Newt watching my back in a knifefight with Obama and Rahm anyday. I don't have to worry about them hesitating.

ruth| 3.3.09 @ 2:20AM

Wow, Sapwolf, great post. I also think Romney is wooden, and I really wanted to like him, but nothing would click. Like you, I would trust Sarah, Newt and especially Rush to have my back in a knifefight. All three have guts, and we need all the courage we can get for the knifefight we are in right now. Thanks for your comments.

greg| 3.3.09 @ 8:10AM

Palin drew more attention for not being there than the rest did for being there. The fact that she is taking flack from both sides proves that she is seen as a threat by both sides. My money is on Palin, people underestimate her at their own risk. She's raising money through SarahPAC, and will be a power player in 2010. Even the Virginia GOP is using her in their latest fundraising letter. Rick Perry of TX requested her endorsement. Undoubtedly, a lot of candidates will be lining up for some of the money she is raising, as well as an endorsement.

David S.| 3.3.09 @ 10:38AM

I think Romney doesnt like Palin much,and he won this poll before and still lost in the primarys,Sarahs not worried in my opinion about people that are potential rivals sniping out comments or she would be making statements to the AK press core(who are fiercly against her).Sarah is doing what Sarah does best ,governing her state.Ithink as far as shes concerned ,she has no concern.Would of bein nice to of seen her speak at that ecent,but many of us know if it appears at this point shes tossing her hat into the mix,well her opponents would love that angle,how can she govern she will be gone a year theyd say,we need a gov thats hear,not on a cell phone.They allready freak out if she goes anywhere does any travel ect,but shes delivering food to the villages instead of being there having to deal with poc shots from the Romney Huckabee people.Well let em snipe and if the msm promotes them as frontrunners all the better for her,shes working getting a pipeline and infrastructure projects going,a msm frenzies not what she wants right now,but after shes reelected by a landslide for doing all these things,my guess is paybacks comming in a primary defeat for Romney and Huckabee.

alaska| 3.3.09 @ 12:20PM

sarah palin is so dynamic that all rivels are scared of her-----the liberal left are so scared they are wetting there pants--sarah 2012

rightway| 3.3.09 @ 12:29PM

Romeny is a RINO and I think he will quickly be lost in the shuffle of good conservative candidates in 2012.

badger| 3.3.09 @ 12:34PM

Romney took a swipe at her. I think those in the know in the GOP are rooting for Sarah hence the alfalfa club dinner. Sarah is sitting back and will start her campaign in 2010.

Piney| 3.3.09 @ 1:06PM

Sarah doesn't need Romney to make folks think about her.

The Dems have a 4 year plan to destroy her, any online mention of her name brings out the haters in droves. (I wonder if they are being paid with BO's infamous visa gift cards?)

What their plan will do is keep her name out there, and the thinking folks will understand the gameplan ... thus, it will fail.

Alaska is operating in the black. How many Governors can say they have done as well?

There are some very tough times ahead for all of us. We need to draw together, before we are separated like sheep at the auction barn.

linda| 3.3.09 @ 1:26PM

Romney obviously views Sarah as a threat. Romney, you are classless. Sarah is the whole package - a TRUE Conservative.

Clifton B| 3.3.09 @ 2:03PM

Poor little Mittens, thinks he can take on Governor Palin. This from the man who despite spending a small fortune could not dispatch the likes of Mike Huckabee or John McCain for the nomination. How on earth is he going to tackle someone far more popular than then any of the 2008 disappointments?

My advice to you Mr. Romney, place nice with the Gov., because the best you will ever be able to do is a cabinet position in her administration.

ruth| 3.3.09 @ 2:32PM

I like Sarah, too. I liked her from the start. I think there are lots of us who feel the same way because of her courage and clarity. She's fearless. I would definitely work to get her elected. I'm so sick of political corruption.

Tammster| 3.3.09 @ 2:37PM

Romney is an assclown. It wouldn't surprise me if he was behind some of the Palin smears. He is
clearly threatened by her thus his unnecessary but very telling "shout out" to Sarah. She wouldn't do that to him or anyone else. Romney = Loser.

TheYoungConservative| 3.3.09 @ 2:44PM

Much as I like Romney, I'll be campaigning for Sarah in 2012. As a combined ticket, though, they could be formidable.

ruth| 3.3.09 @ 3:27PM

As long as Sarah's on top of the ticket!

Gary| 3.3.09 @ 3:36PM

Well, this is about par for Romney. I've lost a lot of respect for him over time. At one point I thought he had something, but was fooled.

Shame on him for attacking another conservative, breaking Reagan's 11th Commandment.

I've watched Sarah Palin for some time, well before 2008. She is the real deal. She's always been the real deal. She always will be the real deal.

I know Romney has quietly sent out the word to take shots at Palin, but just like folks are onto Obama, and the fact that newspaper columnists and bloggers are swamping the comments sections of Alaskan newspapers, well, one paper, and posing as Alaskans to discredit her.

Governor Palin has my 1000 percent support in everything she does.

Can't wait for January 20, 2013!

Karen Allen| 3.3.09 @ 3:49PM

He reminds me of an used car salesman...disingenuous and not funny. There's a reason he keeps winning CPAC straw polls and never a real presidential primary. And you've seen it now. He cannot be trusted.

crux| 3.3.09 @ 3:51PM

The left is deathly afraid of her; the right is jealous of her; rinos just can't help themselves-they plow right down the middle breaking everything. Even when she is at home governing her own state, her star is so bright that people can't help but ackowledge her. Yes, there is an elephant in the room - and it's in Alaska gearing up for 2012.

Ron Devito| 3.3.09 @ 3:54PM

Romney doesn't hold a candle to Sarah. Not a in a million years. Yeah, I would have voted for McCain if Romney was on his ticket. But given myself a nice case of carpal tunnel blogging; gone out campaigning; risked my marriage to have another woman (that would be SARAH) sign a polo shirt over my heart at a rally -- for him? Not in a million years. But, Sarah, I'd take a bullet for. She is the real McCoy. She is the resurrection of Ronald Reagan -- and also Teddy Roosevelt with a bit of Margaret Thatcher and Princess Diana thrown in for good measure. Sarah 2012. www.sarahpac.com

Ron Devito| 3.3.09 @ 3:54PM

Romney doesn't hold a candle to Sarah. Not a in a million years. Yeah, I would have voted for McCain if Romney was on his ticket. But given myself a nice case of carpal tunnel blogging; gone out campaigning; risked my marriage to have another woman (that would be SARAH) sign a polo shirt over my heart at a rally -- for him? Not in a million years. But, Sarah, I'd take a bullet for. She is the real McCoy. She is the resurrection of Ronald Reagan -- and also Teddy Roosevelt with a bit of Margaret Thatcher and Princess Diana thrown in for good measure. Sarah 2012. www.sarahpac.com

Jase| 3.3.09 @ 4:09PM

Oh grow up Klein. It wasn't a swipe at Palin. How old are you, two?

amanda| 3.3.09 @ 4:30PM

Romney will never get the nomination from the GOP he flip flops to much and he would be to hard to keep having to explain all of the flipity flops. I do frankly believe it is the old green eyed monster. Jealousy.
She has met the rest of the lower 48 and they love her. She is from the very last frontier of America.

We need an administration that will get this economy going and not try to make government the only answer for anything.
Govt. is not the answer it is the problem.
Anybody remember that?

ruth| 3.3.09 @ 4:32PM

Well, just damn, people. I'm a Palin true believer, too! Where do I sign up?

Joyfulcardinal| 3.3.09 @ 4:33PM

Mitt Romney is still a viable candidate. However, a word to the wise is sufficient. Hopefully, he learned he needs to improve his jokes and leave Governor Palin out of the mix.

I believe that he'll make an excellent Treasury Secretary.

The more he talks negatively about Governor Palin the less chance he has of being considered for a top post though.
She is not going to compromise with this low-type behavior. Look at how she cleaned house in Alaska.
Mr. Romney, if you are wise, leave the Governor alone and just run on your own stuff.

Wallflower| 3.3.09 @ 4:38PM

Romney is a stiff political back stabbing, phony bologna elitist. I will never campaign for him or donate money to him. Sarah is a charismatic, genuine, courageous woman who is beautiful inside and out. She is the reason I campaigned and donated money to McCain. I will definitely be supporting her in 2010 for her re-election and God willing 2012 for President.

Lin Hansen Petro| 3.3.09 @ 4:40PM

I don't know if that was a swipe or not. Even if it was, if that is the WORST he can say about GOVERNOR Sarah Palin, its more of an endorsement of her continuing success. Please check out "Team Sarah dot org" and look at the 650 diverse groups under the TS umbrella. You might want to check out the 68,000 members as well. In fact, if my math is accurate, the membership has climbed 13 percent since losing the election whereas Obama's popularity has dropped from 52 to 36, or 14 percent!! :)

TLR| 3.3.09 @ 5:07PM

This is the final straw. Mr. Romney used to have my respect, but I have lost it bit by bit as he tries to divide conservatives at a time when we need unity. We don't need another divider in the White House, Mitt! Unless you clean up your act -- and get your subordinates in line, as well -- you can count on losing more and more support. Either way, Governor Palin cuts a far more professional, unifying and presidential figure.

John from Philadelphia| 3.3.09 @ 5:11PM

Hey Mitt while were talking about money look what I found.

FEC: Romney's expenditures through June 30, 2008 - $106,463,581.
Translation: Romney spent $26 per vote and $391,410 for each of the 272 delegates he won.

Not a real good return on investment for the ecomonic genius. No wonder no one wants publish your book.

Trust me my loser friend, who was too afraid to run for re-election in 2006, Saracuda will make you cry like you did at the 2008 CPAC.

Amy M| 3.3.09 @ 5:18PM

Romney, we are not going to give you our vote, we have made up our minds along time ago, so quit bashing Gov. Palin, it will not change any minds.

ruth| 3.3.09 @ 5:21PM

The more people pick on Sarah, the stronger my resolve to fight for her grows. There's something about Palin; I swear I'd take a bullet for her. I think it was that night at the Republican Convention after her terrific speech when she grabbed Trig and held him, and then turned him around to face the audience and all of America. I saw the best of us in Sarah's face that night: Love, loyalty and the courage to fight for what you believe is right. The girl's a scrapper, and she makes me proud to be an American woman. PALIN 2012!

Boog Bear| 3.3.09 @ 5:33PM

Romney is like a wooden Indian with Blago hair. He can't hold a candle to the Governor, and he knows it. I'm sure that we are going to see a lot more of his "humor" as the political arena heats up for 2012. Romney, like all the other wannbees, had better not underestimate Sarah Palin. She may be sweet and demure; but, she is also a tiger.

Becky| 3.3.09 @ 5:47PM

I'm sure he was looking forward to seeing Gov. Palin. Right! He was able to breathe a sigh of relief when she didn't show up.

Leslie| 3.3.09 @ 6:18PM

I voted for Romney in the primary mostly because I couldn't stand the machinations of McCain and Huckabee. It would be a big mistake for him to try to pull this on Governor Palin.

Juanita| 3.3.09 @ 6:37PM

How sad! Romney needs to realize the people like me will definitely NOT vote for someone who undermines fellow GOP's. Sarah is my pic, anyway!

navy| 3.3.09 @ 6:41PM

sarah palin is the best gov in the nation and the next president so romney cool it

don| 3.3.09 @ 7:36PM

Mitt has taken the gloves off. You know I always liked his Dad, remember him as the head of HUD for Nixon. Good guy. But Mitt's time is past. Sarah time is coming, the woman and the moment are converging.

Tiffany| 3.3.09 @ 10:06PM

I think it was all in good fun... I mean Palin is going to need to pick a VP! :oP

Gary| 3.4.09 @ 12:22AM

I think it is safe to say that Governor Palin has a bit more support than Governor Romney.

He should pick on people more his size. Governor Palin is just too much for him to take on. They don't call her Sarahcuda for nothing!

sharonH| 3.4.09 @ 12:44AM

He better watch it if he wants to be picked for VP. Does he not think we will remember this? silly man. Get over it Mitt, you are not our choice.

TSLaurie| 3.4.09 @ 12:29PM

I really liked Romney, and even hoped for Palin-Romney ticket in 2012. That was not cool of Romney to pick on her, it still shows the Repub party as not united. I guess this could be what we see in 2012?

Oliva| 3.7.09 @ 8:24AM

I don't see a slur against Sarah. I see only a back-handed compliment that Sarah can get a fat book deal and he can't.

Angel| 3.7.09 @ 4:13PM

Why say anything at all about Sarah? Mitt's looking over his shoulder. LOL