More than 20 leading social conservatives signed an open letter to presumptive Republican nominee John McCain expressing their opposition to the idea of having Mitt Romney as vice president on the Republican ballot.
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(Photo: AP Images / Mary Altaffer)Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., left, and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, arrive for a joint news conference in Denver, Thursday, March 27, 2008.
The so-called “M&M” ticket is being pushed by top Republican strategist Karl Rove, conservative news host Sean Hannity and others in the economic wing of the GOP. But opponents warned that having Romney – the former Massachusetts governor who was pro-choice and pro-gay rights – on the party’s ticket could keep value voters at home this fall.
"If Governor Romney is on your ticket, many social conservative voters will consider their values repudiated by the Republican Party and will either stay away from the polls this November or only vote down ticket,” warned signers of the letter which will appear in full page ads running in cities which McCain is campaigning in, beginning this past Saturday in Prescott, Ariz.
“For the sake of your election, the health of your party, and the future of America you must not allow the obvious electoral consequences of that to occur," concluded the text of the ad addressed to McCain.
Among the signers is Paul Weyrich, a prominent social conservative and head of the Free Congress Foundation, who had previously supported Romney but now is said to “publicly regret it.”
Other signers include Matt Barber of Concerned Women for America, Michael W. Calsetta of Conservative Democratic Alliance, Janet Folger of Faith2Action, Peter LaBarbera of Republicans for Family Values, and Stephen Strang of Strang Communications.
The letter comes at the heels of McCain’s announcement this past week that he has turned over a list of about 20 names to a group that will lead his vice presidential search team.
On the Don Imus radio program Wednesday, McCain, 71, quipped that his choice of vice president would be especially crucial because of his age, according to Agence France-Presse. McCain if elected would be the oldest first-term U.S. president.
The Arizona senator noted that he would like to have his vice president set before the Republican convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, in early September when his party is expected to officially nominate McCain as the party’s choice to face either Democrat Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton.
Comments
yes I am from Oklahoma, concerning J.C. Watts I think that the dems. would pick him apart over some indescretions that occurred over a parking ticket, he's not like teflon (Obama) I think he would have a bull's eye on him as a pawn of conservatives to win the black vote..though I believe he would also be a very good choice.
Let's hope a really good VP is chosen...and then McCain kills over of old age.
D'oh! Did I say that with my out loud voice?
It's going to be a lonely election year.
From what I can tell, these religious leaders are distorting Romney's record simply because they do not want a Mormon to be president. Now they are trying to bully McCain into not choosinng him.
I find it strange that these religious leaders who are supposed to be good examples of morality would endorse someone who Judicial watch listed as one of the 10 most corrupt politicians.
http://www.judicialwatch.org/judicial-watch-announces-list-washington-s-ten-most-wanted-corrupt-politicians-2007
Topekan
J.C. Watts would indeed be an excellent choice, but when he left office he said he would stay out. We lost a very good man there.
Its funny all of you Huckaidiots think he is a fiscal conservative..... Not at all, just a preacher trying to fool christians into voting for him. He is no fiscal conservative, his record proves it. As far as Mitt being a social conservative, he is, he never put any legislation or any vote into effect where he was against abortion. He is a true social conservative as well as fiscal and I bet the majority of people in the U.S. see that and aren't disolutioned like the minority that try to smear him because he is Mormon.
I'm all for putting an Okie in the veep slot, but I think former Congressman J.C. Watts would be a better choice than the admittedly excellent choice of Senator Coburn. Of course, Mr. Watts has stated over and over that is really is not interested and would not accept.
http://onlyhuckabee.com/
"Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep forever." - Thomas Jefferson
If abortion (at least for experimentation) is acceptable to you, if you like the tax system as it is, if porous borders don't bother you, then you have a good choice. However, if these things are not acceptable, we must vote our consciences for president.
I've been working with http://onlyhuckabee.com/ to promote the first successful presidential write-in campaign in history. The media (left and right) and party elites have picked our candidates. Since the Web is still a free medium, out of their control, I don't think it unrealistic to make an attempt. If we can join forces soon enough, we have a shot. Please check it out.
1man
Are you from Oklahoma? I think Tom Coburn would be an excellent choice for consideration, but I'm not sure enough people know him.
Tom Coburn for v.p.?
While they don't speak for me, I share their point of view. There is no way I could support such a ticket. And I do not think that John would be willing to hear me, but he will hear them!!!!!
"If Governor Romney is on your ticket, many social conservative voters will consider their values repudiated by the Republican Party and will either stay away from the polls this November or only vote down ticket"
-how can they speak for millions of social conservatives.. do these 20 men and women seriously think that they are oh so special enough to have it their way or no way.
If McCain were considering a VP from the candidates who were running for President. There are only 3 choices I would vote for, McCain-Huckabee, McCain-Thompson, and McCain-Hunter.
To be honest though, I hope McCain chooses someone outside the field of those who were candidates for President. Someone is both a Social and Fiscal conservative. McCain needs someone who is both, because he is not "strongly" social or fiscally conservative.
I personlly think Mitt would be a poor choice, I need someone with a Social conservative record, not just statements. Give Mitt another 4 years in another elected or appointed position where he makes socially conservative choices that are on record. Then i'll consider him in 2012.
An M&M ticket will win the White House!!! This is what all real conservatives dream of in wake of such a poor nominee in McCain.
It continues to amaze me that so many "christians" have such a strong distaste for religions other than their own. I don't remember Christ saying "hate your enemy". I do remember him saying that we should "love our enemies". The hatred and spite felt in some of the comments listed on this page (especially those directed towards Mitt Romney) reflect the direct conflict that so called "christians" have with following Christ. It is one thing to know the bible, it is quite another to know the author. I suggest you educate yourself about the "mormon cult" from a source that is mormon. It is not Mitt's religion that bothers me but where he stands on the issues. As far as I can tell, his views on key issues have become more "conservative" and not liberal. A vote for a 3rd party is an easy way to pass the buck and let someone else decide for you. Those people remind me of the public that watched Christ carry his own cross without lifting a hand or standing up for what is right. A vote for huckabee is a vote wasted on what may turn out to be the most crucial presidential race ever. We Republicans cannot give the Dems an inch even when we have to sacrifice a little within our own party. It is much easier to convince a Republican President on our republican views than a democratic president.