Last weekend, the National Review Institute hosted the “State of Conservatism” conference in Washington, D.C. Senator John McCain (R-Arizona) and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R-New York) were no shows. However, former Governor Mitt Romney (R-Massachusetts) was there, and that’s about the best anyone can say for his appearance.
Jonathan Martin of The Politico writes:
A speech given by former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney before a National Review-sponsored conference last week may have been panned as unfocused, but in the eyes of those who attended, he at least had one thing going for him: He showed up. [emphasis added]
The decision by McCain and Giuliani to not attend this and many other conservative events has some Republicans baffled.
Meanwhile, Romney tries to curry favor with as many conservatives as possible.
Romney, who is aggressively seeking the favor of conservative leaders, is on the schedule to address the RSC on Friday. In March, he is scheduled to speak at the Club for Growth’s winter conference in Florida and to appear before the annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington.
David Keene, chairman of the American Conservative Union and one of the chief organizers of CPAC, said his group hadn’t heard back yet from either McCain or Giuliani about whether they’ll be at the three-day meeting, which starts March 1. “I frankly don’t get it,” Keene shrugged in an interview Wednesday. “On the one hand,” he said, McCain has been “trying to court the right, but on the other, he seems to be dissing them.”
If a conservative opens an ice cream shop, you can bet your bottom dollar that Romney will be there.
Speaking of, Romney’s camp, of all people, questioned the loyalty of McCain and Giuliani to the conservative cause. (Hold laughter.)
“As the old saying goes, a true friend is the person who walks into the room when all the others get up and walk out,” quipped Kevin Madden, a spokesman for the former governor. “As a conservative Republican who wants to lead our party to victory and champion our ideals, Governor Romney prefers to reach out to these important groups as opposed to ignoring them.” [emphasis added]
Conservatives: Mitt Romney is a “true friend” who wants to champion your ideals because he has none and wants to borrow yours.
2 Responses to “McCain, Giuliani Skip Conservative Events; Romney Strikes”
Teh irony, it burns!
Something to say?
Mitt Ronmey is like that annoying friend for the GOP. He’s only seems interested in raiding the fridge ….
Left by Seamus
February 1, 2007 at 9:22pm