Read Romney’s words closely:

Romney suspends presidential campaign – CNN.com

(CNN) — Mitt Romney suspended his bid for the Republican presidential nomination Thursday, saying if he continued it would “forestall the launch of a national campaign and be making it easier for Sen. Clinton or Obama to win.”

“In this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign be a part of aiding a surrender to terror. This is not an easy decision. I hate to lose,” the former Massachusetts governor said.

“If this were only about me, I’d go on. But it’s never been only about me. I entered this race because I love America, and because I love America, in this time of war I feel I have to now stand aside for our party and for our country.”

Romney just said that anything that might help Democrats is “aiding a surrender to terror.” If you read the entire transcript of Romney’s speech to the hard core conservatives (the same group that booed McCain), it’s much worse:

The Page – by Mark Halperin – TIME

“Soon, the face of liberalism in America will have a new name. Whether it is Barack or Hillary, the result would be the same if they were to win the Presidency. The opponents of American culture would push the throttle, devising new justifications for judges to depart from the constitution. Economic neophytes would layer heavier and heavier burdens on employers and families, slowing our economy and opening the way for foreign competition to further erode our lead. …

“And Barack and Hillary have made their intentions clear regarding Iraq and the war on terror. They would retreat and declare defeat. And the consequence of that would be devastating. It would mean attacks on America, launched from safe havens that make Afghanistan under the Taliban look like child’s play. About this, I have no doubt.”

http://thepage.time.com/transcript-of-romneys-speech-withdrawing-from-the-race/

Perhaps you recognize the claim that ‘a vote for Democrats is a vote for America’s death’:

CNN.com – Cheney: Kerry win risks terror attack – Sep 7, 2004

Cheney told Republican supporters at a town hall meeting in Des Moines that they needed to make “the right choice” in the November 2 election.

“If we make the wrong choice, then the danger is that we’ll get hit again — that we’ll be hit in a way that will be devastating from the standpoint of the United States,” Cheney said.

“And then we’ll fall back into the pre-9/11 mindset, if you will, that in fact these terrorist attacks are just criminal acts and that we’re not really at war. I think that would be a terrible mistake for us.”

Edwards told reporters that “Dick Cheney’s scare tactics crossed the line.”

“What he said to the American people was that if you go to the polls in November and elect anyone other than us, and another terrorist attack occurs, then it’s your fault,” Edwards said during a stop in Chillicothe, Ohio.

“This is un-American. The truth is that it proves once again that they will do anything and say anything to keep their jobs.”

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/09/07/cheney.terror/

There you have the fall campaign summed up: A Vote For Obama Is A Vote for Terror! mjh

PS: Several news reports said Romney is “suspending” his campaign. Until when? Is suspending a nicer word than quitting? I had been looking forward to Romney as the Republican nominee because he was so good at making second place sound like victory. (“We got another Silver!”) If McCain picks Romney as Veep it will be the best proof they’ll both do anything to win.

McCain has to persuade conservatives he’s Ronnie Raygun and the rest of us he isn’t Duhbya. mjh

E. J. Dionne Jr. – Division Problems – washingtonpost.com

Despite his impressive victories, McCain continued to fare poorly on
Tuesday among the conservatives who have defined the Republican Party
since the rise of Ronald Reagan.

McCain won, as he has all year, because moderates and liberals, opponents of President Bush, and critics of the Iraq war continued to rally to him despite his stands on many of the issues that arouse their ire. And he prevailed because Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney continued to divide the right.

Huckabee became the champion of the Old South, winning in Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama, and he nearly defeated McCain in Missouri and Oklahoma. Romney won a swath of states in the Midwest and mountain West.

McCain, in other words, lost the core Republican states and instead piled up delegates in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Illinois and California. All are traditionally Democratic states unlikely to vote for him in November.

I hope you saw the speeches each candidate made at the end of Super Tuesday, especially McCain and Obama.

* Huckabee announced it is a two man race, meaning himself and McCain. That, in itself, is proof of his madness. But, if he really believes it is a two man race, why does he constantly attack Romney and — as far as I’ve seen — *never* McCain? More madness or do his actions reveal it’s a two-against-one race? (Fair enough?) In the end, Huckabee made numerous references to sports and far too many biblical references. He is unworthy of being president and please, please, please consider that point when he becomes the VP-candidate for the ancient McCain (his 96 year-old mother not withstanding). Do not be charmed or fooled by Huckabee: Huckabee is every bit as dangerous as Duhbya.

* McCain spoke magnanimously of Huckabee, who has been McCain’s able assistant in trashing Romney. McCain’s polite words for Romney didn’t seem quite as sincere and his audience could barely suppress their jeers. Worse, McCain swore fealty to Capital-C Conservatism, even as ‘true’ conservatives do everything they can to destroy him. That’s not “straight talk” nor offering compromise: that’s lying, in front of the entire nation, to get elected. A great leader who will inspire a nation to do whatever it takes. (Four More Years? Duhbya Duhbya II/too.)

* Obama is the only one I heard speak — in his very first words — of the terrible storms in the central US (no metaphor). That’s Obama: truly compassionate and empathetic. I read a lot of commentary today from people who feel he says nothing. Don’t confuse your deafness with silence. Turn off your talk radio.

peace, mjh

PS: Watch these speeches:

McCain – The Page – by Mark Halperin – TIME
http://thepage.time.com/2008/02/05/ever-superstitious-mccain-gives-a-little/

Clinton – The Page – by Mark Halperin – TIME
http://thepage.time.com/2008/02/05/clinton-stays-strong-on-message-in-super-tuesday-speech/

Obama – The Page – by Mark Halperin – TIME
http://thepage.time.com/2008/02/05/obama-fires-up-hometown-super-tuesday-crowd/

PPS: Even after Super Duper Tuesday, a few benighted or deceptive commenters insist Barack only wins with black people. Really? Iowa, North Dakota, Minnesota, Idaho? IDAHO, which teems with black Democrats? Say what you *think*, but stop lying.

Read all of this well-written essay. mjh

[hat tip to The Edge of the American West]

Obama vs. the Phobocracy

The point of Obama’s candidacy is that the damaged state of American democracy is not the fault of George W. Bush and his minions, the corporate-controlled media, the insurance industry, the oil industry, lobbyists, terrorists, illegal immigrants or Satan. The point is that this mess is our fault. We let in the serpents and liars, we exchanged shining ideals for a handful of nails and some two-by-fours, and we did it by resorting to the simplest, deepest-seated and readiest method we possess as human beings for trying to make sense of the world: through our fear. America has become a phobocracy.

Since I started talking and writing about Obama I have come to see that this ruling fear, and nothing else, lies at the back of every objection or reservation people raise or harbor regarding the man and his candidacy.