Romney gains Maryland support (and Pawlenty's, too)
This news didn't come to me directly, but it is legitimate: I found it on Mitt Romney's website too.
Mitt Romney today won the support from leaders in Maryland.
“It is an honor to have the support of so many in Maryland,” said Mitt Romney. “They share my goals in this campaign to reverse President Obama’s failed policies and get our economy moving again. I look forward to working with them as I bring this message to Maryland and the American people.”
Announcing his support, State Senator Richard Colburn said, “Mitt Romney has a proven record of creating jobs and cutting spending. President Obama has failed on these points and it has hurt the American economy. Mitt Romney has the much-needed experience to lead our country toward an economic recovery.”
Maryland Leaders Endorsing Mitt Romney:
State Senator Richard Colburn
State Senator Joe Getty
State Senator Allan Kittleman
Delegate Kathryn Afzali
Delegate John Cluster
Delegate Addie Eckardt
Delegate Donald Elliott
Delegate Michael Hough
Delegate Nic Kipke
Delegate Steven Schuh
Former United States Ambassador to New Zealand Robert Goodwin
National Committeeman Louis Pope
National Committeewoman Joyce Terhes
2010 Republican Candidate for Lieutenant Governor and Former Secretary of State Mary Kane
Former Maryland Republican Party Chairman John Kane
Former Maryland Republican Party Chairman Audrey Scott
Former Maryland Republican Party First Vice Chair Chris Cavey
Former Maryland Republican Party First Vice Chair Chuck Gast
Maryland Republican Party Treasurer Christopher Rosenthal
Garrett County Republican Party Chairman Brenda Butcsher
Howard County Republican Party Chairman Loretta Shields
Montgomery County Republican Party Chairman Mark Uncapher
Frederick County Councilman Paul Smith
Howard County Councilman Greg Fox
State Central Committee Member – St. Mary’s County Mary Russell
Well, you won't find my name on that list - it's pretty safe to say that Mitt isn't among my top picks. I see him as 2012's answer to John McCain. Obviously, these 25 feel differently and that's fine. Aside from Senator Colburn's brief statement sure to draw a primary challenger in 2014, I don't know what led the others to support him so I can't really pass judgement on their intentions.
In all honesty, though, I'm not surprised to see this list of more or less "establishment" Maryland Republicans come out for the most "establishment" candidate. Again, that's just fine, but there's a line they better not cross.
Once again, I am working on a Rule 11 bylaw change to be discussed at the upcoming Fall Convention to prevent the situation we had in 2010 with the national GOP being asked to support Bob Ehrlich and Andy Harris - and yes, I was just as upset that it was invoked for Andy Harris (who I supported in the primary) as I was that Bob Ehrlich (who I didn't support) was a recipient. Now perhaps this won't be an issue because Romney is running nationally while the two I named were in state races, but I just want to make my feelings known. Surely Mitt's supporters will have a presence at our convention and I'd be happy to hear him speak there just as I would be pleased to hear any other Presidential candidate - even a return of Gary Johnson.
Someone who wouldn't be speaking at the convention as a candidate anymore (if he showed up) is Tim Pawlenty, who exited the race after a disappointing showing in the Iowa Straw Poll. I'm not surprised that he endorsed Mitt Romney, but Tim "believe(s) he's going to be our party's nominee." Well, that very well could be but I suspect that may be the path to either a second term for Barack Obama or the fourth term for Bushism, that gooey mess of slowly percolating statism with a "compassionate conservative" wrapper. Unless he really makes a hard turn to the right, Romney to me is one of those "hold my nose" candidates (at least he was last time around.)
I don't know everyone on the Maryland list of Romney endorsees, but by reputation I'm not surprised by many of the most prominent ones. I'm a bit disappointed about Delegate Afzali because I thought she was more conservative than that. And fellow Romney backer Nic Kipke wants the Maryland General Assembly to be led in a more conservative direction? Judging by that endorsement I don't think so, then again I've already dissected his voting record.
Still, I'd love to hear the rationale for their decision - do they really believe what he says or is it about perceived "electability"? I don't buy that argument, but I encourage them to try and convince me - surely some of them read this website!
Update: He didn't run for President in 2012, although after the 2008 election he was mentioned often as a prospective candidate. But Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal evened the score at one governor apiece by endorsing Rick Perry.