Last Wednesday evening Mitt Romney delivered the keynote address at the National Republican Senatorial Committee fundraiser in Washington, D.C. (no surprise to us he’s still in high demand).

The GOP is in the midst of change with new leadership and rising strong voices who can help to guide us during this time. I am glad that Mitt continues to be in the forefront with vision and sensibility. Here is an excerpt of his speech from the Tribune:

“I think the American people are seeing through what’s happening,” Romney told a crowd of GOP senators and Republican donors at the Newseum in Washington. “The Democrats are trying to use this [economic] crisis as a way to advance their philosophy of the supremacy of government, and I don’t think that Americans are being fooled.”

“Among our liberal friends, there’s a strain [of thought] in the sense of monarchism,” Romney said, quickly noting that liberals don’t want a king, but a king-like system, that “The government should be the sovereign, [that ] the government knows best. That idea is permeating in Washington and in other parts of the country.”

The Tribune goes on to quote the former Michigan Republican Party Chairman, Saul Anuzis:

“By anybody’s calculations, he would be a leading candidate for 2012. So I think it makes sense for him to continue to keep a high profile and meet with party leaders, and help raise money and be a speaker and continue in that role.”

But today I am excited to mention that I will be on CNN tomorrow! I have been asked to offer the average American response to Pres Obama’s press conference.

How exciting! They are sending a car for me in the AM and everything! I will be on around 10:30 am EST!

***Update - It was a really great experience to be on the CNN morning program. I was on a panel with 2 Democrats who are also small business owners. They asked questions about the status of our businesses and how we are making it through this tough economic time. I was able to report that, as a bookkeeper, my business is booming! All of my clients are also small businesses. My business is in such demand that last September I added a partner, even. The last three months have been the best months I have ever had. (One of the producers told me the Dow went up 30 points during my portion! haha)

Then I let them know that my husband is in construction and cannot find work right now (where are those “shovel ready jobs, Obama?!). He’s been trying to get his grading business off the ground, but with homeowners that cannot get improvement loans, he will need to go back to work. But there are no jobs right now.

Then the other panel members gushed about HOPE and this is “My President!”

I remarked that I was disappointed that in last night’s press conference Pres Obama never mentioned the middle class tax cuts he campaigned on. That, in fact, he was asked if his tax cuts would be included in the budget and he replied that he had yet to see the provisions in the budget. So I said to the panel that I wanted to hear that Pres Obama is fighting for us like he promised! WHY isn’t he making SURE these middle class tax cuts are included?!

Anyway, the last question Heidi Collins asked us is if we will be patient and I just said that I am working! I am also working to further Conservative efforts in my local area.

Oops - didn’t get Mitt in there! I was nervous! ***

***Another Update - I received this from a friend…

I knew one of my brothers would be able to tune in so I emailed him last night and told him to watch around 10:30.

Here is his response:  “Heather did good. The 2 other people were Obama supporters. Heather works for her money the other 2 want Obama to help them. Ha!!”

How funny is that? And, sadly so true!***

Here’s a pic of me talking Mitt’s ear off - about 3 days from delivering my fourth child!

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Conservative activists on Saturday named former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney the winner of a poll for best 2012 GOP presidential candidate.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney won 20 percent of the vote in straw poll for presidential favorites.

The poll marked the third consecutive year Romney came out on top.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal placed second in the annual poll, conducted at the Conservative Political Action Conference.

Romney received 20 percent of the vote and Jindal got 14 percent.

Close behind were Texas Rep. Ron Paul and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who each received 13 percent of the vote.

The results were culled over two days from 1,757 of the party activists who came to Washington for the annual conference and filled out ballots on Thursday and Friday. Nearly 60 percent of the straw poll participants were between the ages of 18 and 25. More than half of the conference attendees this year were college students.

The choices in the poll were: Florida Gov. Charlie Crist; former House speaker Newt Gingrich; former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani; former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee; Jindal; Paul; Palin; Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty; Romney; South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford, and “Undecided.” There was also space on the ballot for a write-in candidate.

The results could go a long way in shoring up a presidential hopeful’s conservative resume, as was the case with Romney when he won the straw poll in 2007 for 2008.

The eventual Republican nominee, Sen. John McCain, finished fifth in the 2007 vote, and lost to Romney in 2008 as conservatives at the conference expressed frustration that the Senate maverick was close to cinching up the nomination.

In criticizing Obama and House Democrats in a speech Friday, Romney — often interrupted by standing ovations — made clear that he intends to remain a player in Republican politics as he eyes a potential presidential bid in 2012.

CPAC attendees also were able to vote on their approval of President Obama and Republicans in Congress.

Only 4 percent said they approve of the job Obama is doing.

CPAC ended Saturday with radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh delivering the keynote address.

Limbaugh called on conservatives to take the country back.

“I want to tell you who conservatives are. We conservatives have not done a good enough job of just laying out basically who we are because we make the mistake of assuming that people know,” he said.

“We love people. When we look out over the United States of America, when we’re anywhere, when we see a group of people such as this or anywhere, we see Americans.”

In order to take the country back, Limbaugh said, “All we need is to nominate the right candidate. It’s no more complicated than that.”

Limbaugh praised Obama as one of the most gifted politicans he has seen, but said, “It just breaks my heart that he does not use these extraordinary talents and gifts to motivate and inspire the American people to be the best they can be. He’s doing just the opposite.”

Limbaugh accused Obama of wanting people to be in fear instead of motivating the country.

In the absence of a clear GOP leader, a political ad airing Friday put out by supporters of Obama implies the conservative radio host has himself become the de facto head of the Republican Party.

The ad argues that the Republican leadership in Congress is following Limbaugh’s lead in opposing the Obama administration’s $787 billion stimulus package.

“So who are Republican leaders listening to?,” the announcer asks before the 30-second ad cuts abruptly to footage of Limbaugh saying, “I want him [Obama] to fail.”

It was paid for by Americans United for Change and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union, two groups that supported Obama during the election and are advocating for his agenda.

In response to the ad, the Republican National Committee said, “The Democrats are running a permanent campaign rather than doing the bipartisan work of governing.” Read about the new ad

“These ads are part of the Democrats’ larger strategy to do something, anything, to try to take the focus off their massive spending binge,” RNC spokesman Alex Conant said. Watch: Who will lead the GOP? »

Meanwhile, throughout the conference, other Republican leaders and rising stars took turns at the podium.

Pawlenty told the conference audience Saturday that Republicans must do a better job of reaching out to working-class voters, a group he said agrees with the GOP on most issues, from gun rights to health care to education.

The problem, Pawlenty said, is that lower and middle income voters — a group he terms “Sam’s Club voters” — don’t believe Republicans “are for the working person.”

He said the party must stress its commitment to job creation and market itself “with a feel and concern and tone and an understanding of the importance and the challenges of the working class of this country.

“And it doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice our principles to do it,” Pawlenty said.

Like most of the Republicans who have addressed the annual gathering of conservatives this week, Pawlenty characterized the White House economy recovery package as a “sprawling spending buffet.”

The governor bemoaned the president’s budget plan, unveiled earlier this week, which predicted a $1.75 trillion deficit for the upcoming fiscal year.

“A day or two later the Democrats convened a fiscal responsibility summit,” he said. “What’s next? Are they going to have Rod Blagojevich convene an ethics summit?”

Pawlenty and his wife Mary also spoke Friday night to a closed-door reception for “Rebuild the Party,” a Web-based grassroots initiative to modernize the party.

Yes you are at the former

Please excuse me while I continue to transfer 2 1/2 years of posts form the old site

If you were a blogger here, I will be sending out a notice detailing how to obtain a new username and password so that you can get back to blogging.

Keep checking back with Moms4Mitt.com!

David McIntosh

Today, former U.S. Congressman David McIntosh (R-IN) endorsed Governor Mitt Romney and his candidacy for President of the United States.  McIntosh most recently served as a senior policy adviser to former Republican presidential candidate Senator Fred Thompson.  He is a co-founder of the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy  Studies.

“I am proud to make today’s endorsement.  Governor Romney has the vision to bring true conservative change to Washington and strengthen our economy.  As President, he will advance a pro-growth agenda that strengthens our economy, encourages innovation and creates jobs.  From business and the Olympics to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Governor Romney is the proven leader we need in Washington today.  I also am convinced that Governor Romney will appoint judges who will exercise judicial restraint, respect the rule of law and appreciate the Constitution as written,” said David McIntosh.

McIntosh will serve as a Co-Chair of the Romney for President Advisory Committee on the Constitution and the Courts with Professor Douglas W. Kmiec, former constitutional legal counsel to President Ronald Reagan.  He replaces Professor Mary Ann Glendon who was recently appointed to be U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See.

Liz Cheney

Today, Governor Mitt Romney announced that Elizabeth “Liz” Cheney will be joining the Romney for President campaign.  Having most recently worked at the U.S. State Department handling Middle East policy, Cheney will serve as a senior foreign policy adviser to Governor Romney. Note that Cheney served as a National Campaign Co-Chair for the Fred Thompson presidential campaign.

“I am proud to support Governor Romney.  Throughout this campaign, he has distinguished himself as a leader who can guide our country with a clear vision for overcoming the threats we face today.  Dedicated to the success of our missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, Governor Romney is the only candidate who has outlined a comprehensive strategy for defeating the global Jihadist threat.  I look forward to working with Governor Romney, because he is the leader our country needs,” said Liz Cheney.

Making today’s announcement, Governor Romney said, “Liz Cheney brings to our campaign years of experience helping to formulate America’s foreign policy and to advance democracy and reform in the Middle East.  She understands that to defeat this global Jihadist threat we have to help Muslim nations reject the violent extreme.  I am honored that she will be joining our team.”

Fred Thompson Legal Team makes the move to Mitt

Today, Governor Mitt Romney announced new additions to the Romney for President Advisory Committee on the Constitution and the Courts.  This group, chaired by Professor Douglas W. Kmiec, former constitutional legal counsel to President Ronald Reagan, has been advising Governor Romney on the important legal issues confronting the country today.

Joining Romney for President after having served as National Co-Chair of Lawyers for Fred Thompson, Victoria Toensing said, “Appointing strong judges is one of our President’s most important responsibilities.  The next President will make a number of appointments, and I am confident Governor Romney will nominate judges in the mold of President Bush’s nominees, Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito.  I am proud to work with Governor Romney and this outstanding group of legal minds.”

Also joining the Advisory committee from Lawyers for Fred Thompson are Lizette D. Benedi, Rachel L. Brand, Reginald Brown, Charles J. Cooper, Joseph E. diGenova, Michael R. Dimino, Viet D. Dinh, Noel J. Francisco and Eileen J. O’Connor.

Eugene Scalia, who served in the administrations of Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush, has also joined the committee.  “Governor Romney has the ability, experience, and values to serve as an exceptional President,” he said.   “He appreciates the role of the courts and rule of law in our society.”

Making today’s announcement, Governor Romney said, “It is an honor to have the counsel of so many distinguished men and women.  Together, they represent years of experience in the legal field and their help to this campaign will be invaluable.”

Governor Romney also announced that Victoria Toensing and Joseph diGenova will serve on the Steering Committee of Lawyers for Romney in addition to their roles on the Advisory Committee.

Ah… a few sweet moments ago Fox News called the victory for Mitt Romney. Already it’s being played down… disgusting! He is the clear front-runner. He will take the nomination. He will be our next President. The media can spin this whatever way they want. Americans know better.

From tonight’s speech:

Governor Mitt Romney: “Well, tonight, tonight marks the beginning of a comeback, a comeback for America . Only a week ago, a win looked like it was impossible, but then you got out and told America what they needed to hear. You said we would fight for every job. You said that we would fight to get health care for all Americans. You said we’d fight to secure our border. You said you’d fight for us to be able to get lower taxes for middle-income Americans, and Michigan heard, and Michigan voted tonight. Congratulations!

“Tonight proves that you can’t tell an American that there’s something that they just can’t do because Americans can do whatever they set their hearts on. Tonight is a victory of optimism over Washington-style pessimism. Tonight, we are celebrating here in Michigan , I’ve got to tell you that. Guess what they’re doing in Washington ? They’re worrying, because they realize, the lobbyists and the politicians realize, that America now understands that Washington is broken, and we’re going to do something about it.

” America understands that Washington has promised that they’d secure our borders, but they haven’t. Washington told us that they would live by high ethical standards, but they haven’t. Washington told us that they’d fix Social Security, but they haven’t. Washington told us they’d get us better health care and better education, but they haven’t. Washington told us they’d get us a tax break for middle income Americans, but they haven’t. Washington told us that they’d cut back on the earmarks and the pork-barrel spending, but they haven’t. And Washington told us they’d reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but they haven’t. And who’s going to get the job done? We are!

“Guys, it was not very far from right here that Ann and I and our family behind us began our campaign at the Henry Ford Museum of Innovation. Wow that’s powerful, I’ll tell you. At the Museum of Innovation , we said that we’re going to take innovation and change to Washington , recognizing that there’s no way that an insider in Washington is going to turn Washington inside out. But we’re going to do that. American voters said that knowing how America works is more important than knowing how Washington works.

“And what we’re going to see in the next few days is Democrats saying that they’re the party of change. You’re going to hear Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and John Edwards saying that they’re the party of change. And I think they would bring change to America , just not the kind we want. I think they take their inspiration from the Europe of old: big government, big brother, big taxes. They fundamentally in their hearts believe that America is great because we have a great government, and we do have a great government, but that’s not what makes us the best nation, the strongest nation, the greatest nation on Earth. What makes us such a great nation is the American people. I take my inspiration from Ronald Reagan and George Herbert Walker Bush, who took their inspiration from the American people – hard-working American people, people who believed in opportunity, who loved education, God-fearing people, people who also love their families, people deeply patriotic. It is that characteristic of the American people that makes us the most powerful nation on Earth. Ronald Reagan, George Herbert Walker Bush said we are a great and good people, it’s exactly what we are. It’s why we will always be the most powerful nation on Earth.”

Mitt Romney was on Meet the Press, with Tim Russet yesterday. When Romney does his appearances, I always watch with a critical eye. Last debate, I thought he did okay, but wasn’t particular impressed with anything. I was scrutinizing Governor Romney just has hard during his interview. At the conclusion, I felt that Romney was given some unbelievably hard questions and handled them deftly and articulately. One hour of serious grilling later and he came out making Russert look like he was no match.
Tim Russert did the typical interviewer’s job of trying to get Mitt caught up in contradicting himself. He showed old video clips and tried to bring his church into the mix. Russert interrupted Romney when he was giving wonderful explanations of his position, trying to side-track his train of thought, but Mitt Romney just smiled and took it in stride and continued. At the end of the evening, as critical as I was watching it, I was impressed.

Talking about his AMAZING accomplishments! Here are just a few - please copy and e-mail them to 10 friends. Some may not know these facts and surely will be impressed by MItt Romney!

* Balanced Budgets. Without raising taxes or increasing debt, Governor Romney closed a $3 billion budget deficit his first year in office with a heavily Democrat legislature. Each year, Governor Romney filed a balanced budget without raising taxes. By eliminating waste, streamlining government, and enacting comprehensive economic reforms to help spur growth, Governor Romney helped the state achieve a surplus totaling nearly $1 billion in 2005.

* Lower Taxes. In the bluest of blue states, Governor Romney kept taxes down. Under his leadership, the state abolished a retroactive capital gains tax that would have forced nearly 50,000 taxpayers to pay additional taxes and fees.

* Unemployment Lowered. When Governor Romney took office, Massachusetts was losing thousands of jobs every month. Today, the unemployment rate is averaging more than a full percentage point lower, and the state has added approximately 60,000 jobs in the last two years.

* A Commitment To Traditional Marriage And Family. Governor Romney believes marriage is a sacred institution between a man and a woman.  He has fought activist judges who imposed same-sex marriage on Massachusetts and testified before Congress in support of the Federal Marriage Act.  When Governor Romney has addressed life issues he has sided on life.  These have been his positions in Massachusetts and will be his positions as President.

* Strengthened Education. Under Governor Romney’s leadership, Massachusetts’ fourth and eighth grade students ranked first in reading and tied for first in mathematics. In 2004, Governor Romney helped ensure more students received a higher education by establishing the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship Program to reward the highest performing Massachusetts high school graduates with a four-year, tuition-free scholarship to state universities or colleges. In three years, more than 14,000 top-scoring high school seniors have been awarded these scholarships.

* More Affordable Healthcare. Bringing the best minds together, including experts at the conservative Heritage Foundation, to address healthcare costs, Governor Romney signed into law a plan affording every citizen health insurance without raising taxes or creating a massive government-controlled system.

Here is a link to purchase the book:
Conservative Book Club

Hugh Hewitt is a radio host, blogger and Republican strategist and here is what you will learn about in his new book A Mormon in The White House? 10 Things Every Conservative Should Know About Mitt Romney :

Hewitt on Romney:

* What Romney identified as the biggest failure of the Clinton Administration, which has had the most lasting detrimental impact on America

* McCain, Giuliani, Jeb Bush: their key weaknesses that make each unelectable - and that Mitt Romney doesn’t share

* Romney’s rival McCain: how he squandered a once-in-a-generation chance to repair America’s badly broken judicial confirmation process

* Why judicial selection is the Achilles heel of Romney rival Rudolph Giuliani

* Why the 2008 presidential campaign is in many respects unprecedented - and why not even Hillary has a free ride through the primaries

* Romney’s father: governor, presidential candidate, patriot, family man — plus the inside story of how his presidential candidacy was sabotaged by the liberal media

* Romney’s Salt Lake City Olympic Games: how he succeeded in presenting them under the very real fear of another terrorist attack, and with unprecedented security (plus, the significance of Romney’s Olympic stewardship for Romney’s presidential bid)

* How Romney battled against his state’s highest court and its overwhelmingly Democratic legislature to return marriage to its traditional definition - and other key reasons why a Romney candidacy will appeal to pro-marriage activists

* Why a marriage amendment is a vital and necessary aspect of our constitutional democracy, not an aberration

* Romney’s experience as a husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather - and why they will be appealing to large segments of the American electorate

* Mitt Romney: smart enough, and wealthy enough, to beat Hillary and her deep-pocketed friends on the far left, beginning with George Soros

* Cloning, embryonic stem-cell research, and euthanasia: how these issues have gained center stage in American politics, and could be decisive in 2008 in a way that will work to Romney’s advantage

* Why in 2008 many in the pro-life movement will look for candidates willing to advocate ways to protect unborn life, even in its earliest form - and why Romney’s record in Massachusetts will appeal to such activists

* Romney’s views on the stem cell debate: at odds with the President Bush’s more restrictive position, but still significantly more protective of the dignity of the unborn embryonic life than all of the Democrats’ positions — and most of the Republicans’

* Romney’s wife Ann: the strengths she would bring to a Romney presidential candidacy

* How Romney has made clear that he is serious about the war against Islamist fascism, and unafraid to declare as much

* Identifying and motivating the “political base” for a particular candidate: it’s a specialized talent, and Romney has brought on board the best in the business presently available to do just that

* The concerted effort today to discredit tens of millions of Americans because of their views on the protection of the unborn, the central role of marriage between a man and a woman in the preservation of the family and the evil of human cloning - and how this effort has already backfired when the Left tried to discredit Mitt Romney

* The revolutionary theme that will no doubt be a key part of Romney’s presidential campaign

* Boston’s disaster-prone Big Dig: how Romney’s response to a tragedy and a public safety crisis illustrates how he can be expected to act as president when the inevitable crisis arises: to demand authority and to act, but only with the advice of the best experts available on the issue at hand

* Eight areas of Romney’s tenure as governor of Massachusetts that are relevant when considering a President Romney - including gay marriage and stem cell issues, judicial selection, budgeting, and taxes

* Romney’s major dilemma as a Mormon candidate - and how the mainstream media could unwittingly help Christian conservatives overcome their reservations about voting for a Mormon

I believe that Mitt Romney has been very forthcoming about his religion. When asked the basic questions, he answers them. Apparently some folks need more. Not sure what they need, but I’d like to get the religion issue out of the way. So ask away! I am glad to see the campaign embracing this opportunity.

Heather

To Romney strategist, questions on faith fair game
By Scott Helman, Globe Staff  |  March 6, 2007

CAMBRIDGE — It’s appropriate for the public to ask questions about Mitt Romney’s Mormon faith as he pursues his presidential campaign, a top Romney campaign strategist said yesterday.

Strategist Alex Castellanos was speaking at a forum of Republican presidential advisers held at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. He was asked why the media seemed to be celebrating the fact that the country may elect its first African-American or woman president, but treating the specter of its first Mormon president with suspicion.

“I think there’s very little known about the governor’s faith,” Castellanos said at the forum, which also featured top advisers to Senator John McCain of Arizona and former New York mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani. “It’s just a question mark that folks are right to ask about.”

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