CNN

Keep trying John and Fred. The two old men who want to be President. sheesh.

As a republican , i am pretty sick of Romney, the guy just rubs me the wrong way...RUDY 08

McCain has this right... What exactly does Mitt stand for? What is his history? Does he have any issue that he has not flip-flopped on just to win political favor?

It is nice that the Republicans are now starting to separate on issues, but in the end no matter who wins the nomination they are still better than "She who must not be named"

its the old "join the Revolution" argument,just like we've heard in so many elections. well, your so-called revolution goes nowhere if the person leading it...is going nowhere.

Scott Of Manchester,

Ron Paul might be a long shot but atleast I finally feel good about voting for someone. This is the first time in the 10 years I could vote that I am actually excited about voting. Even if Ron Paul does not win I want to show my support for the Revolution.

Yawn. McCain, Bush apologist: who cares what a tinny arf dog has to say?

(i sincerely hope CNN does not delete this because i've already commented)
to all of you Ron Paul supporters: why is it that you are relying SO heavily on "what a great guy he is" for a job in the WH...yet you simply ignore the issue of ELECTABILITY,which is the ONLY thing that really matters on voting day...the MATH is what ultimately determines who gets elected, and it is an absolute statistical FACT of life that ron paul stands absolutely ZERO chance of getting the electoral OR popular vote; remember Mr. Nader?...that flake muddied the waters badly in 2000.
why is it that just a little common sense cannot prevail in an election; its a no-brainer that ron paul will NEVER see the White House in THIS life, so get OVER it!

Is this the beginning of a lovely inf-ight in which our beloved "ruling" party "goes to war" with itself to find out who's the "most pure?" Can't wait to see it happen... With the Republicans out of the way, we can proceed to create a much better duopolopy - the "conservative" Democrats and the "liberal" Greens.

Quite perplexing, Mitt Romney's stance on the line item veto issue. LDS (which Brother Mitt professes to be a staunch member of) generally believe as Joseph Smith taught: that the U.S. Constitution is divinely inspired - on the same level as scripture, basically. The U.S. Constitution does not authorize a line item veto, and such a thing has been repeatedly deemed to be unconstitutional. As a matter of interest, the constitution of the Confederate State of America (1861) DID have a clause permitting a line item veto.
C'mon, Brother Mitt - start being honest with us.

Let's see if we've got this straight… The greatest security issue we face is the threat to our security from an ideology that: 1) Believes it and it alone possesses all of God's (Allah's) truth; 2) That all other faiths are wrong and therefore under God's (Allah's) condemnation or judgement; 3) That it knows the above to be true because it and it alone is privy to a collection of scripture produced by a post-Christian era prophet that tells them so; and 4) That the purpose of life on earth is to dedicate all of one's heart, might, mind and strength to the building up and sustaining of this system of faith, so that it might come to govern every inhabitant of the entire earth.
Sounds remarkably like Romney's Mormon faith (with its Book of Mormon, given to them by Joseph Smith), which teaches that the LDS faith alone contains all truth (and that all other faiths are at best incomplete, at worst an abomination to God), and that the destiny of the LDS Church is to become the physical government of Christ on earth.
Maybe we should elect Mitt, after all. It would be interesting to see what sort of arrangement he might be able to work out with Osama.

This entire interchange is rather humorous. Paul Tsongas in 92 was probably as conservative as John McCain was in 2000.

Also, note the irony in a man whose support for campaign finance reform and immigration reform was lambasted by most of his party, and THEN professes to speak for mainline Republicans. Giggle.

The Republican principles of smaller government, balanced budgets, and trading with nations instead of warring with them – are not represented by any of what the media considers the "top tier" and are represented best by Ron Paul.

When "leaders" in both parties no longer see a problem with perpetual war, wiretapping American citizens and forcing people to work through April to pay for the interest on an out of control national debt – it's time for a REVOLUTION.

Ron Paul 2008

"Real Republican" makes me think of Ronald Reagan and in my opinion, if Reagan were alive today, he would be supporting the only TRUE Republican in the race, Ron Paul.
In my opinion, the rest, including McCain, sold out the Constitution long ago.

McCain, ulinke Romney, is not posing as the only real Republical. CNN forgot this very important aspect of McCain's statement:

"I think I've gotten to know the people of New Hampshire pretty well. I know that before I can win your vote, I have to win your respect. And to do that, you expect me to be honest with you about what I believe. You might not always agree with me on every issue, but I hope you know I'm not going to con you. The most important thing we have in this life is our self-respect. And I'm not going to trade mine for anyone's vote or for any office. I'm going to tell you what I believe and let the chips fall where they will. I'm confident New Hampshire Republicans feel the same way about your self-respect as I feel about mine.”

Romney is a mirage but John "Amnesty" McCain along with Ted Kennedy tried to shove a chamber of commerce Amnest for illegals bill thru. And John's speach that they are our gardners,nannys, and cooks led me to ask what country I live in? They may work for him and Ted but not me!

what incredibly old,tired, boring comments sooo typical of same old same old, boring politicians...
you want a real change in washington?..GET a woman in there, to GET some real work done and to GET rid of these sorry excuses for leaders.....and leader-wannabees.
(the republican male track record is pathetic).

The GOP race has turned into a circular firing squad. Each candidate is bound to get hit – and hit hard.

Brownback interview
http://www.political-buzz.com/

If Mitt Romney perplexes Senator John McCain; what will Vladamir Putin, Osama bin Laden, Hugo Chavez, President Achmadinejad and others do to the old boy's brain? Do the words "dazed and confused" suddenly come to mind?

Is McCain really presidential material?

I think not.

I agree with McCain's assessment of Romney's Republican credentials. If he doesn't agree with Republican principles, why does he claim membership in the party? It appears that Romney is simply using the party to advance his political ambitions. In fact, Romney aligns with neither party and is rejected by independents as well. Hard to imagine what the residents of little New Hampshire see in this flip-flopper!

I think we should talk to our lawyers about declaring war and we should double Gitmo. Also, the surge is working, we are where we are.

These are the things I think about whenever someone was McCain or Romney. Ron Paul is only one making sense and for actually limiting the power the Bush government has granted its presidency. I'm a registered Republican, if Ron Paul doesn't win the nomination I hope the party expolodes on itself in tremendous defeat. That is only way our party will get back on its original track.

Romney has changed his views. That is called growing up and becoming a better Christian. People do change. What do you people want Hillary who along with her husband enough Scandals that there are several books written on just those scandals. Romney is not ridged. He is smart, principled, and real. He was a great govenor.

Ron Paul is the ONLY true conservative/republican and he has the bulk of the support.

Ron Paul is the only hope for this country.

As for these two guys:

Romney has phony written all over him.

McCain is another Bush.

It's either RON PAUL or tyranny folks. WAKE-UP!!!!!

I am tired of more Rep, more Dem, what I want is someone who will do what is right for America, not just what is best for their particular party.

Romney is professional, devoted, energetic, innovative, successful, personable and real. He is miles ahead of McCain.

By the way, did you see the youtube video of McCain endorsing Romney back in 2002.

McCain is just sore he is losing.

He is now taking his talking points from Dr. Paul, shameless, and shameless reporting from CNN, report on the proper candidate please.

McCain seems unaware that posing as a "real Republican" means losing his major base, centrists and conservatives who don't want a real Republican. He should stick to the maverick image and give up the religious right angle.

The "real" Republican would be one who would be least fake, less likely to hide his true republicanism.
Rudy Guiliani, McCain and Mitt Romney come up woefully short to Duncan Hunter or Tom Tancredo who actually are less afraid to show their true colors.
These might be nasty Republican colors but at least you know what your dealing with rather than phony weasels like Romney, Guiliani or the kow-towing to the religious right now McCain.

What a joke. The only real small government, fiscal conservative, Reagan/Goldwater era Republican in this race is Ron Paul.

Grandpa McCain is way past his prime.
When the rove smear sissies were at
large in 2000, they blasted McCain
and now Mccain is kissing their behinds. Chump!

There is respect for McCain's military
service to this Country, but I have
no respect for his politics. He's
an old phool! No excuse for that!

yup money for themselves and their already ultra rich friends

Neither is a true Republican. Romney is a charlatan, McCain a dictator in the making. I'd sooner vote for Barry Goldwater's corpse.

Dear CNN:
Here is an interesting battle over who can claim the bragging rights to the most "traditional conservative viewpoint crown". And what are they really fighting over? Answer: Who can lay the most claim to an outdated, backward polital and social platform that will appeal to the most outdated, backward block of voting constituants our country has to offer! Can we please move forward here? The man they are all trying to emulate (Reagan) once blamed air pollution on trees (!) apparantly getting his 5th grade science lesson on chloryphill (sp?) production backwards. A man so behind the times that he saw more threat from a banana republic like Nicaragua apparently going Communist than the terrorist nation of Iran, and sold them weapons (against the order of congress) in some kind of scheme to fund an anti-communist jihad against ortega! It is time for all intelligent Americans to make it known that though we respect our father's opinions, this is a new world we are living in and the early 1900s viewpoint is not very relevant anymore. Let us respect intelligence, education and careful thought before the old gut reactions of greed, racism, bigotry, and greed of the old days. If not, we are certainly going to fall behind in the modern world...

Yes, Cable King. No wonder you are the leftist democrat. Let me tell you that I was in Iraq for two years and just got back. You know nothing about what is going on there. I know that we will be safe under Republicans and without you of course.

The only real Republican is Ron Paul.

Sorry but only one worth anything is Ron Paul.

I don't think mitt romney is a real anything.

I don't want to offend anybody far right or far left but Barack Obama/Ron Paul anybody?

Just learn which of them cares more about money and power than everyday people and you will have found your "true" Republican.

I think it is rather foolish for anyone to think that the Republican Party shouldn't do what is necessary to run for and win an office in Massachussets. Perhaps the uniformed would have the Republicans cede the state to the liberals. John McCain, who is becoming an even bigger disappointment, knows this full well. If the Republicans had any hope of winning the governorship in Massachussets they needed to run just the way Mitt Romney ran.
Mitt has the savy, the brains and the support to win the nomination as well as the presidency.

"The Real Republican" is the absolute LAST thing I would want to be known as...

Well said, Mr. McCain.

Why Romney is a Republican I have no clue with the views he held when he ran for office in Massachusetts his views were more liberal than conservative. Perhaps knowing the political make up of Massachusetts it was more likely he could become the republican candidate than the democratic candidate. Romney has gone from being a liberal republican running for office in Massachusetts, to a right wing conservative republican
for running for the presidency.
As they used to say on the game show, What's My Line, "Will the Real Mitt Romney please stand up."

Yo Darren,

Most Americans wish we could go back 10 years!

If that's what you're praying for you are not a good Christian. I guess you think that Jesus would approve of the massive death and misery Bush has wrought upon the Middle East.

I guess you also are happy with the 2 trillion swing in the budget?

People like you are a blight on America. Where in God's name are your values??????

Is McCain married? Because if he isn't, I think he would enjoy the company of Ann Coulter. She is also a conservative, and also despises anyone who was not raised Christian. Those two derailed the GOP's good name and would undoubtedly destroy the US from the inside.

WOW Mitt, Senator John nailed your coffin closed there buddy!

Whether it is McCain or Romney, they have class of being president of our great country. Look at their debates. all of them have been super. I only hope and pray that one of them will be our president. On the contrary if any democrat comes to the office, it will be disaster for our country and we will go back ten years from now. I pray to God to protect our country from this disaster amd may better sense prevail.

As a Republican....I know the right wing as destroyed the party....and I now see the Democrats failing down the same path – this election – I am choosing the only moderate running....(in either party) – Giuliani....we need to all send a clear message – the country needs to go to the center....many (literate) Democrats will not vote for Hillary..ever...and Republicans for the most part are in the center – Giuliani will win in 2008 – no doubt

Inasmuchas these candidates both back Bush's Iraq Holocaust they are, sadly, both real. They are both real monsters.

ZZZzzzzz... huh? What? Did a candidate actually say something of importance? Guess not. ZZZzzzzz...

Perhaps going against party rules is what is necessary to redefine what makes a good politician. If being a good Republican means constantly following Republican rules and supporting everything the GOP does, even when they go against what you may think is best for the nation, then being a good Republican means being a bad politician. The same goes for the Democrats. When Washington realizes what more and more of the nation is realizing- that following the party line instead of standing up for what you believe in is a fault, not a point of pride- then this nation will change for the better.

I'm thinking of changing my party affiliation on my voter registration to independent, instead of Democratic. It doesn't change the lilt of my beliefs, but then they are my beliefs, rather than a party platform. More and more Americans are choosing the same. Independence from labels will be the salvation of the United States of America.

Change means we need a private sector champion, not a career politician.

Posted By JT, Ada, OK

If you'll pardon my amazement, George W. Bush ran as a "business candidate" and not as a politician. Mitt's only difference is he was a relative success in business, but both men have shown that they will say anything to get elected.

Mitt is fresh and capable??? You talking about the same guy who was for choice before he was against it – was for gay rights before he was against them ... who claimed to be a "life-long" hunter although he was only out varmit hunting twice and never with a license – joining the NRA less than 1/2 a year ago... who claims his sons are serving their country by working to get him elected, with no military service in the family?

He looks like he's been carved out of cream cheese and has about as much substance. Like any prostitute, he'll be anything you want him to be ...

National Security ???... he stated that as President, he would have to check with his lawyers first in case of a national emergency.

What a guy!

Romney was all talk and no action in Massachusetts. He flip-flopped all the time and did nothing for the voters that elected him.

He spent most of his time roaming all over the country ginning up support for a White House run. His time here was resume-building, nothing more.

He is an empty suit that is more interested in looking nice in front of a camera than doing any real work.

Buyer beware applies here.

Romney is the freshest and most capable Republican out there.

Change means we need a private sector champion, not a career politician.

By his looks... amazing. Up till' now unable to comprehend their appetite for "success". When will it end? To what extent? Tommorrow wake up – routine – decay.

McCain is for perpetual war and allowing Mexico to overrun the United States, Romney is for perpetual war and anything he thinks might sound good to get elected. Giuliani is a crossdresser, he's unfaithful and used the remains of WTC firefighters to fill potholes. Fred Thompsons Campaign slogan is Security, Unity and Prosperity..If that ain't North American Union I don't know what it is, he is also for everlasting war. PLEASE VOTE RON PAUL AND STOP THE INSANITY, FOR YOU, YOUR KIDS AND GRANDKIDS....

Mitt Romney is a chameleon who adapts to the challenge at hand. He is not a man of steadfast convictions. This is not a knock on his Mormon faith but on his shifting stance on issues clearly opposed by the Mormon hierarchy. In Mass. he ran as a republican liberal now he is running as hardcore republican. Go figure.

Romney is not real, period. He's a carefully planted political mirage, intended to be whatever you want him to be. But when did McCain suddenly become the consummate Republican? People in glass out-houses...

Actually, I think that McCain is funny. It makes you wonder what the Republicans think about all their candidates. I've never heard of all these candidates bickering over such silly things. I'm glad that they started all of this early because it let's people see how these people really are. Hillary is still keeping her kool though. She knows how to win.

McCain is understandingly frustrated... but it does seem Romney's creds seem real enough that the Religious Right is now beginning to coalesce around his candidacy in an attempt to block Giuliani.

If Romney's not exactly a "real" Republican as defined by McCain, that's not such a bad thing.

Being a "good Republican" hasn't really done either candidate or this country a favor.