Romney to vote for Cruz in Utah caucus

Mitt Romney (Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell)

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Republican 2012 presidential candidate Mitt Romney released a statement Friday afternoon saying he would vote for Ted Cruz in the upcoming Utah caucus:

This week, in the Utah nominating caucus, I will vote for Senator Ted Cruz.

Today, there is a contest between Trumpism and Republicanism. Through the calculated statements of its leader, Trumpism has become associated with racism, misogyny, bigotry, xenophobia, vulgarity and, most recently, threats and violence. I am repulsed by each and every one of these.

Mitt Romney’s remarks on Donald Trump’s 2016 GOP presidential run

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Full transcript of Mitt Romney’s remarks on Thursday concerning Donald Trump’s 2016 Republican presidential run. From the University of Utah:

I am not here to announce my candidacy for office. I am not going to endorse a candidate today. Instead, I would like to offer my perspective on the nominating process of my party. In 1964, days before the presidential election which, incidentally, we lost, Ronald Reagan went on national television and challenged America saying that it was a “Time for Choosing.” He saw two paths for America, one that embraced conservative principles dedicated to lifting people out of poverty and helping create opportunity for all, and the other, an oppressive government that would lead America down a darker, less free path. I’m no Ronald Reagan and this is a different moment but I believe with all my heart and soul that we face another time for choosing, one that will have profound consequences for the Republican Party and more importantly, for the country.

Facebook cultivates bully keyboard activism

By Lynn R. Mitchell

On Wednesday news began circulating that former U.S. Senator Bob Dole had endorsed 2016 presidential candidate Jeb Bush. It didn’t take long for the disparaging remarks to begin showing up on Facebook and other social media.

Like most campaign seasons, this one is becoming very toxic as people defend their chosen candidates. I get it. But where do we draw the line of courtesy versus rudeness, and respectful defense of our candidates?

One Virginia blogger posted a link Wednesday to an article announcing Dole’s endorsement, with the comment, “THAT’S what Jeb! was missing! The comeback starts now!”

It was followed by mocking comments that expanded the negativity. “How many loser endorsements does that make? Romney, Dole, Cantor…” wrote one. Another added, “James Baker.. haha.”

Would any of those commenters say that to the faces of those they disparage?

Bully keyboard activism.

Rove: ‘The myth of the stay-at-home Republicans’

By Lynn R. Mitchell

There’s a hypothesis circulating among Republicans that Mitt Romney lost in 2012 because a large number of previously reliable conservatives who turned out in past elections stayed home. Here’s the problem: It’s not accurate.

Earlier this year Karl Rove makes the case that Republican losses are not due to Republicans who don’t show up but rather to those in the middle who choose not to vote in the GOP camp (see The myth of the stay-at-home Republicans):

Happy Birthday, Kurt Michael, from all of us at LynnRMitchell.com

Everyone at LynnRMitchell.com wishes the happiest of birthdays to our managing editor

Dr. Kurt Michael!

He has met many people along the way so here’s a little walk down Memory Lane. We’ve had an exciting year that will continue and only get bigger as we grow. Wishing this long-time friend many more birthdays!

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” –Galatians 6:9

Kurt and Ed Gillespie

Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling and Kurt at the Capitol.

Governor Mitt Romney and Kurt

Wake up, GOP!

By Lynn R. Mitchell

I am a Republican, not a Libertarian, something I’ve noted even before Libertarians began their stealth takeover of the Republican Party. Like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, they joined GOP ranks and took over leadership positions because, unable to make anything of their own Libertarian Party, they chose a hostile takeover of the GOP, harnessing tea party voters while purging long-time GOP volunteers and leaders, all part of the reason for a string of losses that have occurred in recent years.

Keep in mind that my number one issue is national security. Without it, nothing else is possible in America. The terrorist attacks of 9/11 were not some bad dream but a reality that killed more people than the surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. You can kiss a strong national defense good-bye if Libertarians are in charge.

Wake up, GOP!

The Republican Security Council’s exposé on Libertarian Matt Kibbe of the Libertarian FreedomWorks group is a must-read for all Republicans. If you didn’t know what was going on before, this will open your eyes. Kibbe opposed and would not endorse the 2012 GOP candidate Mitt Romney. He and his group of Libertarians undermine Republicans instead of going after Democrats. He had a falling-out with Senator Dick Armey who worked closely beside him before realizing Kibbe was undermining the GOP.

Herr threatens to form 3rd party if Jeb or Mitt get 2016 nod

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Eric Herr, who is Republican chairman of the 1st Congressional District, posted a threat to the GOP Wednesday on Facebook:

“If ‘Mitt’ or ‘Jeb’ is the nominee, I PROMISE to lead the fight for a VIABLE third Party in Virginia.”

Herr most recently had entered his name for the position of chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia until he bowed out in December.

2016: Jeb … or Mitt?

By Lynn R. Mitchell

I have not written before now about Mitt Romney’s comments Friday when he told a group of donors that he is still considering entering the 2016 presidential race (see Romney to GOP donors: ‘I want to be President’).

Quite frankly, it was surprising. For months I had listened, hoping to hear that Mitt would get into the 2016 campaign but hearing his continued denials over and over and over and over. I was fully supportive of him in 2008 and 2012, even served on his Virginia Steering Committee in 2012, and enthusiastically attended the pre-election rally held at Fishersville’s Expoland in 2012 that brought out 10,000 supporters and also featured VP candidate Congressman Paul Ryan, Romney Virginia Chair Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling and former Virginia First Lady Susan Allen.

Republicans most likely to be 2016 GOP nominee

By Lynn R. Mitchell

The Hill has their list of 13 Republicans most likely to be nominees for the Republican presidential nomination for 2016 (see 13 Republicans most likely to win WH). I don’t agree with some of their choices but it makes for interesting speculation.

Campbell County Republicans file lawsuit against RPV

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Members of the Campbell County Republican Committee filed suit late Tuesday afternoon, September 30, 2014, in Campbell County Circuit Court against the Republican Party of Virginia (RPV) and former Campbell County chairman Leslie Williams for declaring null and void the results of a Mass Meeting held in Campbell County on March 20, 2014. (See Campbell County GOP leadership in dispute by Alicia Petska at the News & Advance and County GOP files lawsuit by Tina Barbour in the Altavista Journal).

Plaintiffs in the suit are John Ferguson, former Timberlake District Supervisor Charles Falwell, retired Commonwealth’s Attorney Neil Vener, and Lt. Col. Rayburn (Gene) Smith (USA ret.) filed the suit

Campbell County Republicans file lawsuit against RPV and former GOP chairman

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Members of the Campbell County Republican Committee filed suit late Tuesday afternoon, September 30, 2014, in Campbell County Circuit Court against the Republican Party of Virginia (RPV) and former Campbell County chairman Leslie Williams for declaring null and void the results of a Mass Meeting held in Campbell County on March 20, 2014. (See Campbell County GOP leadership in dispute by Alicia Petska at the News & Advance and County GOP files lawsuit by Tina Barbour in the Altavista Journal).

Plaintiffs in the suit are John Ferguson, former Timberlake District Supervisor Charles Falwell, retired Commonwealth’s Attorney Neil Vener, and Lt. Col. Rayburn (Gene) Smith (USA ret.) filed the suit

Mitt endorsed another winner: Challenger Trott wins over incumbent in Michigan U.S. House race

By Lynn R. Mitchell

While following Tuesday night’s national primaries, this tweet came through from the AP:

BREAKING: Businessman David Trott beats US Rep. Bentivolio in Michigan’s 11th House District GOP primary.

— The Associated Press (@AP) August 6, 2014

In June, Governor Mitt Romney endorsed lawyer Dave Trott over the tea party incumbent U.S. Congressman Kerry Bentivolio for the 11th District in Michigan. Tonight Trott won in the primary.

At the time of the endorsement, Governor Romney said:

“As someone who grew up in Michigan and has family currently living in the 11th District, I am confident that Dave Trott has the honesty, integrity and experience we need in Washington.”

Romney has a string of successful endorsements as he travels the country fundraising and supporting Republican candidates. He is now 7 for 7. Read more about those endorsements at Huffington Post.

Happy Birthday, Kurt Michael, from all of us at LynnRMitchell.com

Everyone at LynnRMitchell.com wishes the happiest of birthdays to our managing editor
Dr. Kurt Michael!
We’ve had an exciting year that will continue and only get bigger as we grow. Wishing this long-time friend many more birthdays!

Kurt and Ed Gillespie

Governor Mitt Romney and Kurt

Mitt Romney to campaign for Barbara Comstock

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney will be in Virginia September 30 to campaign on behalf of 10th Congressional District candidate Barbara Comstock just a month before the election.

Governor Romney, who ran as a GOP presidential candidate in 2008 and as the GOP nominee in 2012, has been hitting the campaign trail nationwide backing and supporting Republican candidates.

Bill Bolling says Mitt Romney was right

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Mitt Romney was right.

That’s the assessment of former Virginia Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling in an op-ed published in Sunday’s Richmond Times-Dispatch (see Bolling: Mitt Romney was right).  Bolling was Romney’s Virginia coordinator for his 2008 and 2012 presidential campaigns.

Lt. Gov. Bolling noted in his op-ed:

A recent CNN poll indicated that if the 2012 presidential election were held today, Mitt Romney would defeat President Barack Obama by a comfortable margin of 53 percent to 44 percent.

That’s a dramatic turnaround from the 2012 election, which Obama won 51 percent to 47 percent. What accounts for this 13 percent swing in American attitudes toward the man they elected president, and the man they wish they had elected?