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Romney looks ahead, supporters somber

Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor January 3, 2008 09:43 PM

By Michael Levenson, Globe Staff

DES MOINES -- Mitt Romney congratulated Mike Huckabee for winning the Iowa caucuses tonight, but noted that he is projected to finish second and that Huckabee is not polling as high in New Hampshire, which holds its primary on Tuesday.

"This is obviously a bit like a baseball game, first inning in a -- well, it's a 50-inning ball game," Romney said on Fox News. I'm going to keep on battling all the way and anticipate I'll get the nomination when it's all said and done."

Romney's supporters were glum tonight as the reality of a defeat sunk in.

At Romney's post-caucus rally at the Des Moines Sheraton, supporters were somber, looking on grimly as the results scrolled across TV screens.

"Take that check off there," exclaimed Al Doan, a volunteer, when he saw a local television station indicate Huckabee's victory with a check mark by his name. "There's no bigger blunder in politics than Mike Huckabee."

Darrell Aldrich, 65, a retired Wells Fargo executive, said the results was "very disappointing. This country needs a leader and Huckabee is not the type of leader we need. I'm a Christian, but I think there are too many people for Huckabee who got wrapped up in the Christian part for this."

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I agree. If you look at all the candidates Romney is the ONLY true leader. Let's wake America and realize we need a leader now.

Posted by Anthony January 3, 08 09:56 PM
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Well we've had a "leader" for eight years and all it's got us is two disasters of wars, a trillion-dollar deficit, and a sinking economy. I've had quite enough "leadership" thank you very much.

Posted by Brad Deltan January 3, 08 10:00 PM
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Mike Huckabee earned his victory tonight with the sweat and determination that we should all expect from a President. If you are impressed with his victory, I encourage you to take my challenge by visiting:

www.abuckforhuck.com

Posted by I Like Mike January 3, 08 10:02 PM
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My wish is coming true - one state at a time. Mitt spends all of his money, time and energy - and still loses. Just when I though all was lost - the American people prove that you can't fool ALL the people ALL the time!!!!!!
Romney has no place in the public interest.

Posted by john norris January 3, 08 10:26 PM
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Romney spent $30 million on ads in Iowa, that is disgusting. The whole process is gross. If Romney thinks he can win by spending his fortune, he is delusional. Spend away Mitt, it is a waste.

Posted by Janice January 3, 08 10:27 PM
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Romney a leader? He abandoned Massachusetts to try and cement a victory in states like Iowa... trashing the state when ever he could. I think he is finding out that people can read through his false persona. The Stepford mets the Brady Bunch public personality will only get you so far. His money couldn't even bail him out of this one.

Posted by massm22 January 3, 08 10:28 PM
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Romney is going to lose NH and then he is toast. America needs a president, not a Ken-Doll Stepford President.

Go McCain

Posted by Ken Whitely January 3, 08 10:30 PM
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The last time our country was in a mess like this, a tall thin man from the State of Illinois approached politics with new ideas, a fresh perspective, and a determination to change the course of his country and lead it in a new fresh direction that would benefit ALL citizens. That man was Abe Lincoln. I firmly believe it is time to give another tall and slender man from Illinois a shot at changing how things are done and bringing Washington back to its people. A vote for Obama is a vote for change, you can't say that about ANY other candidate. Obama is my choice, and given time, he will be America's choice as well. I have no desire for another 4 or 8 years of status quo politics or policy driven by the smallest hint of religion, and I don't think you do either, unless you like the past 8 yrs.

Posted by dan January 3, 08 10:38 PM
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Well, as long as we don't elect a liberal democrat for presidency we will be fine. I'm just sick and tired of these democrats that are more focused on saying what people want to here than saying what they really believe in. That is why Huckabee is more of a leader than any of the other candidates.

Posted by Paulo January 3, 08 10:44 PM
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Huckabee is a joke.

Romney wins NH next week and Huckabee and Mccain are done.

Posted by Paul January 3, 08 10:50 PM
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mike huckabee is a joke! he does NOT believe in EVOLUTION people! its 2008!
he thought allAIDS patients should be quarantined!!!!
scary and thats only the tip of the iceberg for him...
Romney is no better. IS it so hard to find a decent candidate!

Posted by mike January 3, 08 11:12 PM
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Love it love it love it. Please GOP, nominate the guy who wants creationism taught in public schools. Thank you Iowa Democrats and Independents who didn't caucus for Hillary. Edwards and Obama are far better.

As for Romney, he had no business running the Commonwealth, and he certainly has no business being President. Unless he wins New Hampshire big, it's over for the Mittster. Go back to Utah.

The Republicans only shot at keeping the Oval Office now is McCain. But will they figure it out in time? We shall see...

Posted by Brendan January 3, 08 11:23 PM
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you know what feels right is that the people of Iowa saw through the phony that Mitt is. His former firm in Boston, Bain is something that should be looked at as one of the most difficult companies to get hired unless you are one of the beautiful people and come from an Ivy League school. The culture of his firm was if you're not beautiful, highly educated and a snob do not apply.

Posted by johnson January 3, 08 11:32 PM
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you know what feels right is that the people of Iowa saw through the phony that Mitt is. His former firm in Boston, Bain is something that should be looked at as one of the most difficult companies to get hired unless you are one of the beautiful people and come from an Ivy League school. The culture of his firm was if you're not beautiful, highly educated and a snob do not apply.

Posted by johnson January 3, 08 11:35 PM
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you know what feels right is that the people of Iowa saw through the phony that Mitt is. His former firm in Boston, Bain is something that should be looked at as one of the most difficult companies to get hired unless you are one of the beautiful people and come from an Ivy League school. The culture of his firm was if you're not beautiful, highly educated and a snob do not apply.

Posted by johnson January 3, 08 11:45 PM
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I'm not voting for Huckabee but Romney could not lead himself out of a parking lot. While sit-in governor of Massachusetts he claimed to get a lot done, had little to show for it and then lied about the end result. He actually had the gaul to say that he did not need a second term as governor because he had "accomplished all he had set out to do and that nothing was left to fix." He could not be further off the mark. He also promised to do an accounting of the Big Dig and despite his silence in response to pleas for fullfilment of that promise one was never done. 15 billion where 2 was pitched and sold to Massachusetts. Despite his currrent talk against immigrants, he has been busted yet again employing the people at his own home that he states should be sent home and not given the opportunity they work so hard to preserve. Look closely at his finger and you'll see wind burn because it is always up gauging the best direction for his next spin. Please, please, please let Huckabee's high road show the world that Romney's mud slinging ad campaign is not the way Americans should debate. What the hell is he trying to teach our children? Perhaps that is what he gets for all his ad agency and corporate bed-fellow patronage hires - all done during his term as governor speaking out against patronage hires - go figure.

Posted by John B. January 3, 08 11:47 PM
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Hey Johnson, I am fat, short and ugly. And I worked for Bain... You must be a very interesting person not to get hired by companies like Bain. It's EASY to get a job there!!!

Posted by Bain Boston January 3, 08 11:48 PM
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I think we're seeing "long shots" and underdogs concentrating their efforts to get an early win. Rudy has a broader state strategy as well as Hillary. I think it was important for Huckabee to win early to start to get some money, but he spent so much of his time in Iowa you wonder if he has a machine in other states set up. Romney was right that the religious folks were predisposed for the ex-preacher Huckabee and New Hampshire are kind of libertarians who like a McCain. Mitt needs to be close in New Hampshire and Huckabee needs to be less than 10 percent to be a flash in the pan.

We have a strong chance of having a big recession next year and I have no idea who is equipped economically to lead. I have no idea why Romney, who is a business mind isn't talking more about the economy.

Posted by jp January 4, 08 12:01 AM
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Mr. Romney has proven to be disingenuous on every issue. I don't know what he stands for - if anything. HSD Greenway in an Op-Ed this week wrote Romney stands for transmogrification. I had to look it up. Someone who transforms himself in a grotesque manner.

Posted by Will January 4, 08 12:05 AM
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At one time I was the biggest supporter of Mitt Romney you could find in Massachusetts. After his four years as governor of Massachusetts and the changes that he has made in his stance on abortion and other issues I wouldn't vote him for dog catcher. When Romney was running for governor he was prochoice because it was what would help him get elected. Now he is running for president and he is prolife. Whether your prochoice or prolife why would you want to vote for a man that makes decisions according to what is best for him and not America?

Posted by Jimmy Faletra January 4, 08 01:10 AM
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I live in Massachusetts and Mitt Romney has not only been a highly effective governor in a one-party (democrat) state, but he is being slandered and most people don't bother to do the work to see that his positions are consistent.

Frankly, I don't know why he wants the job. This is the most dangerous time that we have ever experienced on the world scene, and Iowa have chosen 2 candidates who couldn't possibly have any less experience in this area.

Yikes.

Posted by B. Hammer January 4, 08 01:54 AM
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Romney is a careerist of the worst sort. It has nothing to do with party or religion, the man just has no integrity. Those who know his work the best, Massachusetts republicans, are not in his corner. This is the former governor who managed to have his vetoes overturned by unanimous votes, (which includes Republicans obviously) on multiple occasions. He simply did not care about anything but resume building and how things looked to the national Republican audience. Yes, there are a lot of inexperienced candidates on both sides, but Romney has conclusively proven that he cannot govern. Cross him off your list!

Posted by Peter Hogan January 4, 08 02:25 AM
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The only candidate in either party that would meet my criteria is Sen. Obama of Illinois. He would clearly and simply brings a breath of fresh air to Washington and I trust him to select an excellent cabinet and vice president who will finally bring some respect to the office of Presidency.

Frankly I see no one in the Republican Party and only one other of the Democrats (Sen Bill Richardson), worthy of my vote.

Posted by Hank of Maine January 4, 08 02:30 AM
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Nice job, Huckabee!
You are the face of America: a believer, a compassionate man. You've got humor and inteligence. You are patriotic and I am sure you will pick a smart cabinet. That's enough for me.
You are going to White House in November.

Posted by CLAUDIO LOPES January 4, 08 02:40 AM
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It aint over until the fat lady sings, there is still 49 states go and anything can happen, at any time so most of you are just blowing in the wind.
My vote goes to who ever is nominated by the Democratic Party. The Republicans have blown it with George W and I want no more of them, this past 7 years has been the worst in the History of this country and we still have a year to go.

Posted by SLMG January 4, 08 02:53 AM
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Romney was an absentee Governor who promised job growth but gave us job and population exodus. He flip flops on the issues, seems to have little or no core beliefs, and uses his family shamelessly.

He is now on the ropes - thankfully. Memo to other Republican cadidates -> make Mitt spend it all!

Posted by Bob of Newton January 4, 08 03:57 AM
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That's right. Keep on blaming the Liberals for America's problems. Ignore the fact that until the last election, Congress belonged entirely to the Republican Party for 10 years (Remember that contract on America) and that the White House has been controlled by Republicans for 7 of the last 10 terms (Nixon, Regan, Bush, Bush2 vs Carter and Clinton). Your last guy is a borrow and spend Conservative that Republicans backed right up until bashing him (a little) became politically convenient. I'm still surprised he won either election considering I can't find a Republican that will admit voting for him. Republicans blame liberals for illegal immigration, although 90% of them come in from the Southern Border. Question...How come Texans and Arizonans aren't lining the border stopping the inflow, but rather blaming Northerners? Why do Conservatives and Republicans hate America?

Posted by Kevin January 4, 08 04:27 AM
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Hello. Excess on occasion is exhilarating. It prevents moderation from acquiring the deadening effect of a habit.
I am from Egypt and learning to read in English, please tell me right I wrote the following sentence: "Letter to michael bass november."

Waiting for a reply :p, Soterios.

Posted by Soterios May 16, 09 02:16 AM
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