Herman Cain: "MY VOTE IS FOR MITT ROMNEY"

"Why I'm Voting For … Romney Has The Leadership Qualities United States Needs"
By Herman Cain
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
February 3, 2008

"The dynamics of political party connections, the political process itself and public perceptions have once again yielded the top two contenders of each major party in the 2008 presidential race. And once again, the public can only hope that the ultimate winner of the White House will be a candidate with the most leadership substance.

"My vote is for Mitt Romney."

…
"Our success will not be based on pandering to uninformed voters, promising emotional quick fixes over common sense or nitpicking of opponents' past records. Success will come from focusing on the right problems and solving them. That will mean making tough decisions about some problems that have been with us for decades. It will also mean taking a tough stand on new problems and challenges.

"That's what leaders do.

"Mitt Romney has done that as a chief executive officer in business, as a governor and as head of the U.S. Olympics. He has done so while balancing political consequences but not compromising fundamental principles of the founding of this country or free-market economics. We have prospered as a nation by strengthening those principles; we will not remain strong if we allow those principles to become diluted with a lack of leadership."
…
"He has successfully managed a real business with other people's money and some of his own. He has balanced budgets. He successfully led a turnaround situation with the Olympics. And he has spent more of his career outside government than inside.

"On the other hand, John McCain has spent more of his career inside government than outside, and the reasons not to vote for him as the Republican nominee are very compelling."
…
"Mitt Romney's history is more indicative of the substance needed to make major progress on critical issues, and not just to make more politically palatable incremental changes in Washington." …

To read the full op-ed, please see: http://www.ajc.com

Candidates on Roe vs Wade Anniversary

Huckabee, McCain, Edwards, Obama, Romney's statements follow. Giuliani has not made a formal statement that we could find. Clinton's statement includes a new plan to save the world and is miles long. We'll be posting it in a separate blog.

STATEMENT BY SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN ON THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROE VS. WADE DECISION
U.S. Senator Sam Brownback read the following letter on behalf of John McCain at the March for Life in Washington, D.C. on the 35th Anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade Decision.
Dear Fellow Pro-Lifers,

I join you today in marking the 35th anniversary of the tragic Roe vs. Wade decision made on January 22, 1973. I salute you for taking the time to show that the cause of Life is alive and well in the hearts of millions of Americans.

As a prisoner of war at the hands of a communist dictatorship, I saw firsthand the perils faced when human dignity and human life are not respected.

Whenever the value of one class of persons is not respectedwhether they are unborn, handicapped, elderlythe dignity of all mankind is threatened.

For this reason, I have been a strong supporter of the right to life movement since I was first elected to Congress in 1982. As the father of seven childrentwo of which were adoptedmy wife Cindy and I understand how every child has a value which can never be calculated or cheapened. Every child literally alters the course of human history.

America stands for an ideal that all people are endowed by their Creator with inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I know what it is like to live without those rights, and I have an obligation to advocate them wherever they are denied: in Bosnia or Burma, in Cuba or the Middle East; and in our own country when we fail to respect the inherent dignity of all human life, born or unborn. That is why I am pro-life.

While our nation struggles with the issue of abortion and the division it has wrought on our society and culture, Americans on both sides of this debate should agree that the proper solution for this debate to be settled is through the democratic process, not through judicial dictate. Seven judges in 1973 took the issue of abortion on themselves to settle this issue for every American, in all fifty states. They assured us that by sheer judicial will and power, the question of a so-called right to abortion was settled' and that our society would now arrive at a shared consensus by virtue of their ruling.

They were wrong to make this assumption. Your presence in Washington today marching for Life proves just how wrong they were.

If I am fortunate enough to be elected as the next President of the United States, I pledge to you to be a loyal and unswerving friend of the right to life movement. The pro-life movement appeals to the best instincts within each and every one of us. In that regard, our pro-life cause will ultimately be successful.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today and please be assured of my best wishes and prayers for all those who labor for the cause of Life.
Sincerely,
John McCain
United States Senator

GOVERNOR MITT ROMNEY ON TODAY'S "MARCH FOR LIFE"
Today, 35 years after the Roe v. Wade decision, Governor Mitt Romney released the following statement commemorating the annual March For Life:

"Today, as Americans from across this country participate in the annual March for Life, my thoughts are with all those whose dedication and compassionate concern have done so much to educate and assist others in creating a genuine culture of life.

"After 35 years of Roe v. Wade, we are again reminded why this decision should be overturned. We recognize the worth and dignity of every person, a fact that is ingrained in our hearts and etched in our national purpose. Unelected judges should not be the final arbiters on these important decisions which define who we are as a people.

"Respect for human life is, at once, both the foundation and the way forward to the future of a just and noble society, one in which every human individual is welcomed in life and protected in law."

Obama Statement on 35th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade Decision
Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement on the 35th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision.

"Thirty-five years after the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade, it’s never been more important to protect a woman’s right to choose. Last year, the Supreme Court decided by a vote of 5-4 to uphold the Federal Abortion Ban, and in doing so undermined an important principle of Roe v. Wade: that we must always protect women’s health. With one more vacancy on the Supreme Court, we could be looking at a majority hostile to a women’s fundamental right to choose for the first time since Roe v. Wade. The next president may be asked to nominate that Supreme Court justice. That is what is at stake in this election. "Throughout my career, I’ve been a consistent and strong supporter of reproductive justice, and have consistently had a 100% pro-choice rating with Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America.

"When South Dakota passed a law banning all abortions in a direct effort to have Roe overruled, I was the only candidate for President to raise money to help the citizens of South Dakota repeal that law. When anti-choice protesters blocked the opening of an Illinois Planned Parenthood clinic in a community where affordable health care is in short supply, I was the only candidate for President who spoke out against it. And I will continue to defend this right by passing the Freedom of Choice Act as president.

"Moreover, I believe in and have supported common-sense solutions like increasing access to affordable birth control to help prevent unintended pregnancies. In the Illinois state Senate, when Congress failed to require insurance plans to cover FDA-approved contraceptives, I made sure those contraceptives were covered for women in Illinois. In the U.S. Senate, I've worked with Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) on a bill that would make birth control more affordable for low-income and college women, and introduced the Senate version of Representative Hilda Solis’ bill to reduce unintended pregnancies in communities of color. As President, I will improve access to affordable health care and work to ensure that our teens are getting the information and services they need to stay safe and healthy.

"But we also know that Roe v. Wade is about more than a woman’s right to choose; it’s about equality. It’s about whether our daughters are going to have the same opportunities as our sons. And so to truly honor that decision, we need to update the social contract so that women can free themselves, and their children, from violent relationships; so that a mom can stay home with a sick child without getting a pink slip; so that she can go to work knowing that there’s affordable, quality childcare for her children; and so that the American dream is within reach for every family in this country. This anniversary reminds us that it’s not enough to protect the gains of the past – we have to build a future that’s filled with hope and possibility for all Americans."

Edwards Statement On The 35th Anniversary Of Roe v. Wade
Chapel Hill, North Carolina – John Edwards released the following statement on the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
"Roe v. Wade was an important step on the road to full equality, opportunity and dignity for women. On the 35th anniversary, it is important to reflect how far we've come as a nation, but more importantly how far we still have to go.
"I strongly support a woman's right to privacy and reproductive choices. That right has been under attack though -- by President Bush and his anti-choice agenda and by the Supreme Court, which has been moving the right-wing's agenda faster than we've seen in decades. The hard right turn of the Supreme Court is a stark reminder of why Democrats cannot afford to lose the 2008 election. Too much is at stake - starting with a woman's right to choose.
"As President, I will guarantee the right to choose and ensure that women can make choices

Statement By Gov. Mike Huckabee On Anniversary Of Roe vs. Wade Court Decision
“Today is the 35th anniversary of a great American tragedy, the Roe vs. Wade court decision that has led to the loss of millions of innocent lives. These children were denied the right to life our Constitution grants to everyone in America, only because they had yet to emerge from their mother’s womb. As President Bush noted today, America is better than this.

“I support and have always supported passage of a constitutional amendment to protect the right to life. As president, I will fight for passage of this amendment. My convictions regarding the sanctity of life have always been clear and consistent, without equivocation or wavering. I believe that Roe v. Wade should be over-turned.

“I applaud those who are marching in Washington and elsewhere to call attention yet again to this terrible injustice. I stand with them in calling for the passage of a Constitutional amendment to overturn Roe v. Wade and restore the constitutional rights of the unborn, and I will march with them next year if I am elected president. As president, I pledge that I will continue the fight so that every child can have his or her God-given right to life.”

STATEMENT BY SENATOR SAM BROWNBACK ON MITT ROMNEY'S ATTACK ON JOHN MCCAIN'S LEADERSHIP CREDENTIALS

U.S. Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) today issued the following statement on Mitt Romney's attack on John McCain's leadership credentials:

"Mitt Romney has said for months that he is a good manager, and while we were all pleased to see the success of the 2002 Winter Olympics, our country needs a leader. Events like the assassination of Benazir Bhutto stand as stark reminders that the world is a dangerous place, presenting grave challenges to our nation and demanding experienced, courageous leadership.

"As a soldier and a statesman, John McCain has been involved in every national security crisis for over two decades. He commanded the largest squadron in the United States Navy. He didn't manage for profit, he led for patriotism. Nowhere is John McCain's tough, enlightened and principled leadership more clear than on the issue of Iraq. While Mitt Romney and others passed the buck, John McCain was a lonely voice for change, calling for the surge and counterinsurgency strategy succeeding in Iraq today.

"America needs a Commander in Chief who knows his core values and will not waver in the face of the prevailing political winds. America needs John McCain."

Mike Huckabee News Roundup

Huckabee's Last Laugh
Yahoo! News - USA
The Nation -- DES MOINES -- There is nothing quite so amusing as the media's struggle to wrap its head around the campaign of Mike Huckabee. ...

Huckabee plans quick foray from Iowa to Leno show
Reuters - USA...
comedian Jay Leno's studio in Burbank, California, Republican Mike Huckabee's upstart presidential campaign was taking a roundabout route on Wednesday. ...

Candidates enter last full day of campaigning
MSNBC - USA
On the Republican side, two former governors, Mike Huckabee of Arkansas and Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, are vying to finish first in Iowa. ...

Huckabee leaves Iowa to visit Leno
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette - Fort Wayne,IN,USA
SERGEANT BLUFF, Iowa – On the eve of the Iowa caucuses, Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee will trade jokes with Jay Leno on NBC’s “Tonight Show. ...

Tactics clash in Huckabee camp
Seattle Times - United States
By DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee greets bloggers at the Blogger Bash in Des Moines, Iowa, on Tuesday. ...

Huckabee Insists No Trick With Ad
The Associated Press - CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee insisted he wasn't trying to pull a fast one when he played a negative TV ...

Huckabee's Web site continues to host comments posted by ...
Salt Lake Tribune - United StatesMike Huckabee Battling Romney for GOP ticket DES MOINES, Iowa - Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee personally apologized to rival Mitt Romney previously ...

Huckabee and Consultant Form an Uneasy Alliance
New York Times - United StatesBy DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK About three weeks ago, Mike Huckabee received an unexpected e-mail message from the veteran political consultant and television ...

Hollywood Huckabee
Austin American-Statesman - Austin,TX,USA
By Ken Herman Tuesday, January 1, 2008, 06:55 PM GOP presidential candidate Mike Huckabee’s schedule for Wednesday, the day before the Iowa caucuses, ...

Huckabee's Final Publicity Push
TIME - USAMike Huckabee's campaign manager, Chip Saltsman, stopped shaving last week, like a superstitious quarterback not wanting to jinx the big game. ...

News Roundup

Paul, Hunter Force Leading GOP Candidates to Pay Attention
FOX News - USA
... considered a darkhorse, second-tier position to frontrunner status in Iowa; he has become the most talked about Republican candidate in the field. ...

Candidate Bloomberg's Task: Explaining Denials
New York Sun - New York,NY,USA
The ad accuses Mr. Romney of lobbing false attacks against Mr. Huckabee and another Republican candidate, Senator McCain. The chairman of the department of ...

Blog Talk: Why Iowa?
New York Times - United States
Bloggers were split about Republican candidate Mike Huckabee’s decision not to show on Iowa TV an ad negative toward rival Mitt Romney – but call a news ...

Networks Face Candidate Rebellion in NH
Mother Jones - San Francisco,CA,USA
Ron Paul supporters are up in arms over the expulsion of their candidate from a Fox Republican candidate forum two days before the New Hampshire vote. ...

All to play for as first votes cast in race for White House
Scotsman - United Kingdom
REPUBLICAN candidate Mitt Romney has lately seized a campaign theme from the Democrats: the promise to bring change to Washington. ...

Road to Nowhere
New York Times - United States
If any Republican candidate is going to win this year, he will have to offer a new brand of Republicanism. But Romney has tied himself to the old brand. ...

Candidates talk of war, but it’s not only issue
Minneapolis Star Tribune (subscription) - Minneapolis,MN,USA
The campaign in Iowa is in the final stretch, and Republican candidate Mitt Romney literally hit the ground running as he led the way to a house party in ...

Mormon candidate under attack from Protestants
Irish Independent - Dublin,Ireland
By Toby Harnden in Iowa
Evangelical Protestants are campaigning against Republican candidate Mitt Romney as he vies to become the United States' first ...

Republican candidate Ron Paul's message is up in the air
Enterprise-Record - Chico,CA,USA
By LARRY MITCHELL-Staff Writer
OROVILLE — A Butte County company has a role in the new year's first presidential primary at the Iowa caucuses on Thursday. ...