(CNN) - Mitt Romney predicted Sunday his party's conservative base will rally behind him on Super Tuesday in order to prevent John McCain from winning the Republican nomination.
"What I have to do is continue to see what's been happening the last few days, specifically that is conservatives across the country are saying, 'whoa, we have to get behind Mitt Romney,'" he said on CNN's Late Edition.
"You've got people like Rush Limbaugh and Laura Ingraham and the list goes on and on and on - Hugh Hewitt, Lars Larson - conservative voices, both from radio and from publications, are saying, 'you know what, we've got to get behind Mitt Romney,'" he continued. "We really can't afford John McCain as the nominee of our party."
Following McCain's victory in Florida Tuesday, some prominent conservatives have expressed dismay with the prospect of the Arizona senator capturing the Republican nomination. On Wednesday, talk-radio host Rush Limbaugh said McCain's rise was the product of a 'fractured' conservative base and an "uninspiring" GOP presidential field.
"He is not the choice of conservatives, as opposed to the choice of the Republican establishment — and that distinction is key," Limbaugh said. "The Republican establishment, which has long sought to rid the party of conservative influence since Reagan, is feeling a victory today as well as our friends in the media."
Meanwhile, conservative commentator Ann Coulter said Thursday she would support Hillary Clinton over McCain.
"If you are looking at substance rather than if there is an R or a D after his name, manifestly, if he's our candidate, than Hillary is going to be our girl, because she's more conservative than he is," Coulter said. "I think she would be stronger on the war on terrorism."
But McCain also picked up support from some key conservatives this week, such as former Solicitor General Ted Olson and Georgia Sens. Johnny Isaacson and Saxby Chambliss, and on CBS Face the Nation Sunday the Arizona senator said, "I have a strong conservative record that I'm proud to run on."
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– CNN Producer Alexander Mooney
From CNN Politics
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Mildly interesting, not worth 2 spots on the ticker though!
Does Huckabee even say anything negative about McCain anymore?
The saddest part of the Huckabee campaign right now is that it's so me, me, me, and ego. Romney is clearly the most conservative candidate when compared to John McCain. By effectively backing John McCain (no doubt, in hope of securing a job for himself) Huckabee has thrown his values to the wind.
McCain will run into a health problem sooner than later!!!
McCain's health is not getting any better
Romney is very COLD CALCULATING someone's worth and throw people out on the streets who dont fit in his business TAKEOVER PLAN!!!
Mitt Romney is no conservative.
The only conservative left in the race is Ron Paul.
John McCain's broad-based appeal will serve to strengthen the two party system, not weaken it.
In McCain speeches you hear a lot about how proud he is of what he's done, but very little about what it is that he's actually done. You hear a lot of name dropping, but very little plan dropping. In the 4-against-1 race that has been the republican primary, it won't be enough to let Romney get past McCain, but at some point it seems like people would begin to understand just how useless career politicians really are.
I don't see where McCain has any conservative credentials!! He's been one of the most liberal Republican senators for far too many decades.
"You've got people like Rush Limbaugh and Laura Ingraham and the list goes on and on and on" Since my company "Bain Capitol is buying Clear Channel Communications, all those talk radio folks know that I have the power to deny access to them from the largest radio network in the United States."
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If Mitt Romney had a nickel for every time he changed positions on an issue, he would be a rich man.
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Honor, Truth, Duty- This is John McCain.
I totally agree with Governor Romney. He is the candidate to vote for. I wil vote for Governor Romney in the Texas primary. I will not vote for Mr. McCain if he becomes the candidate in the general election. I will have to sit-out until 2012.
If McCain had won Maine, the media would have called it a devastating blow. Romney's win puts him within 6 delegates.
Tomorrow will be exciting. Best wishes to all the candidates.
Ron paul is the true honorable candidate in this race. all americans who will vote for ron paul will have a special place in my heart
Save the receipt for your crystal ball, Mitt.
Mr Romney you are looking good and they talk about Sen Edward $400 hair cut. Man you are sharp. Now go get them
I'd say Hugstabee needs to quit smoking, he said that he was only a few delegates away from Romney, he must be smoking too much with Chuck Norris! Romney has more than doulbe of delegates than he does.
Mccain is leading Romney 97-92. I would not have known this by how the media is portraying the story. All I hear is about is Mccain's 'sizeable' lead or his huge momentum over Romney. What a crock. Mitt is getting my vote. I just hope other conservative voters don't split with Huck.
Ron Paul wouldn't make a good president in my opinion. However, the winner would be wise to put him in his cabinet. The man is smart despite his quirkiness.
Romney is only doing as well as he is because of the millions he has spent.
I will never support John McCain.
Romney has his flaws, but I will take my chances with him.
I'm not sure about the look on Romney's face in this picture, looks a doubtful as if he may not even believe his own story
I think Rommney is the only Republican can face Demo gods. McCain is so old, he will not be able to stand against Clinton or Obama.
People! Take back the country from the msm. They don't decide these things. Everybody vote Romney! McCain needs to retire.
McLiar is showing his McNasty self for all to see .The female voters have a trust issue with McCheater leaving his crippled 1s wife for his ultra rich mistress . McLiberal will never be trusted by the GOP base . America voted against McAmnesty last summer . McLiar thinks America is stupid .
Mitt is yesterdays news, McCain will be the Republican nominee, even with Rush and all the other pontificting windbags out there trying to defame a vet.
It's all over except for the paying off of the debt Mitt has run up, oh yeah, he's rich he can afford the financial hit.
This man has flipped his lid. I am very conservative and would never vote for him over a real Christian in a million years and neither will anyone in my Church! Smug and arrogant Mr. Romney thats you all over. You disgust me!
Chris your're mistaken. Even if Romney spends millions on ads his opponets really use personal attacks. A new Zogby poll shows Romney 40 and McCain 32. The Rasmaussen is tied. Guess Florida didn't help his mo much.
MB: Your candidate is now saying he voted for the Bush tax cuts twice; what he forgets to mention is that he voted against them.
Mitt Romney will get my vote for sure. I will vote democrat if McCain is the nominee, he scares me!!!! And talk about flip flop, now McCain wants to make the tax cuts permanent , he won't answer the question, if the immigration bill you put forward came to your desk as president would you support it. He just says it won't come to my desk, well that wasn't the question.. Yes, and where is the media, stating that Romney kicked McCains butt in Maine, no where!!! I have to say, when I see McCain on TV he makes me sick to my stomach, he is not honest, he will say anything to get elected. Vote for Romney.....
What can you say? Mitt is pretty! Mitt is wealthy! Mitt is flexible and adaptable! Mitt is smart???? NOT! Mitt is presidential???? Heck NO!... but he is pretty!
Chris
Romney was a nobody before he got into this race. He had to spend the kind of money he has spent in order to get recognized.. Having won 4 states and in second place by five delegates for the Republican nomination for President, I'd say its been a fairly good investment thus far.. well see though in the end..
When you think about how you are going to vote for President think about who you would want to have their finger on the nuclear trigger.
At least under Bush the nuclear nations have relaxed their fingers and the planes are not on alerts back and forth to Russia's frontiers and there is not any immediate threat of lauching ICBMs.
McCain is well known for his temperment. Do you want him with his finger on the nuclear trigger. How are other nations that have ICBMs going to react to having
a man well known for his temper with his finger on the nuclear trigger especially Russia and China? You can be sure that they will up theire readiness for lauching
nuclear missles in case Mccain blops his cork.
GO MITT!!
You've got people like Rush Limbaugh and Laura Ingraham and the list goes on and on and on" Since my company "Bain Capitol is buying Clear Channel Communications, all those talk radio folks know that I have the power to deny access to them from the largest radio network in the United States."
Mitt a conservative!?!
He was (and I bet still is) pro abortion
He was (and I bet still is) pro gay marriage
We raised taxes (fees)
He flip flops based on the polls and his electorate
If he had gray hair i'd think he was Kerry's clone come back to try to win the presidency on the GOP side.
The unfortunate truth about Mitt is that he became a conservative when he decided to run for President. His past history is a very stark contrast to the conservative he advertises today.
As a whole, the American voter has become very opposed to the ultra conservative point of view. We have to remember, it was the ultra conservatives that gave us George Bush originally. Campaigning as an ultra conservative may be the exact reason Romney loses the nomination, if that is actually the case. Voters in general have become more moderate.
Utah Mormon
If Mitt would have had the integrity to hold those views such as pro choice and pro gay marriage, and became a Democrat, he would have had a greater chance of winning the presidency. But the guy is a fake.
Those views are actually good, not bad, or at least that is what the MAJORITY of Americans think.
California and other western states will vote for Romney. We know how important it is to secure the borders, fix the economy, and reign in the OUT OF CONTROL ENTITLEMENT SPENDING. Go Romney!!
This scramble for who is the "most conservative" is moot, because the majority of America is sick of the conservatives (as David from Arizona points out) and sick of the crap that conservatives have been feeding us for the past eight years. Did anyone see the budget Bush released today? McCain will continue to bury us in debt by perpetuating the war without end and Romney doesn't know what he wants to do.
I'm curious to see how conservatives change their tune toward McCain when they're facing a choice between him and Obama/Clinton. If they don't think he's conservative enough, get used to it. I can't wait to see them cry when we finally have a Democratic administration again.
Time to set the record straight ,Mitt ROMNEY left Bain Capital in 1999 . do your research
You guys are still getting it all wrong. Mitt Romney did NOT "become" conservative to run for president. He personally has always been conservative. He upheld the current liberal aws in MA– like he promised the constituants he would. His record as governor shows he voted conservatively while in office w/authority to affect law–NOT when he decided to run.
McCain was going to switch parties in order to increase his chances of running for president– that's a much more EXTREME Flip than anything Romney has ever done. McCain's accomplishments as a senator are all liberal and he has been there, part of the establishment, part of the problem.
I don't know how mb and others can say McCain is honest and has honor after the shotty stunt he pulled in the final hours in FL against Romney. He couldn't just win it honestly– he LIED and EVERYONE knows it– in order to get votes and it's disgusting that so many republicans would overlook this and previous scandal to elect him as the nominee.
[Conservatives– get behind ROMNEY tomorrow. He is the most "new" candidate, offers the most breadth of knowledge to revamp the economy, immigration, social security. He has NO history of scandal and ethics violations like McCain and Huckabee– and the press has been at it for a year now to expose something to bring him down!
If you do NOT vote for Romney for some irrelevant, superficial reason or based on his religion, you are either ignorant or a bigot and we will have missed the best opportunity for a great leader in this country! Think long and hard and be honest with yourself before you go to the polls!
No drivers license for illegals,, shut the freakin boder down now.....Too many run back to mexico after they've done their dirty deeds... Look at how they control the Guetamala boder...and their central and southern neighbors. talk about double standard... La Raza can kiss my a..
If conservatives are able o willing to stop McCain, they would hand the presidency to the Dems.
Fortunately, they will not be able or willing to do that.
This said, the candidate I like most is Huckabee, except the fact that he possibly will have dificulties to separate Religion from Politics. Otherwise, he would be
a perfect complement for McCAIN, as he has hands-on experience in civil governing.
I am sure that Romney would be a far third behing Huckabee if the latter had the
money available as Romney !
As to that a candidate must have experience in private business, this is not so.
Sometimes, this could be even negative, as politics is not about making money, but only to invest it wisely considering not only the profit !
Margaret Thatcher, in the UKm Konrad Adenauer in Germany, Romald Reagan in the US did great for their countries, by selecting and heraing good ministers and economic advisers. Of course, this do not mean the president must be ignorant in economics, neither McCain is so.
Tom
YOU GUYS ARE JUST SO DILUSSIONAL; I DON'T EVEN WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU ANYMORE.
I DON'T SEE HOW ANYONE CAN BE MORE CONSERVATIVE THAN HUCKABEE, BUT WHATEVER. OR ARE YOU JUST LOOKING FOR A CANDIDATE TO BEAT HILL? IT SEEMS TO ME THAT'S WHY A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE VOTING FOR MCCAIN – GOD BLESS HIM.
YOU CAN TELL ROMNEY IS A PHONY AND A FAKE JUST BY LOOKING AT HIM, BUT IF THAT'S THE KIND OF PERSON YOU ALL WANT TO SUPPORT, THAT'S YOUR OWN BUSINESS. PLEASE DON'T TRY TO MAKE IT MINE.
I'M VOTING FOR MIKE HUCKABEE BECAUSE THAT'S WHO I TRULY WANT TO RUN MY NATION AND AS A U.S. CITIZEN, THAT'S WHAT I FEEL OBLIGATED TO DO – NOT TO USE MY VOTE TO MANIPULATE THE SYSTEM BY VOTING AGAINST SOMEONE.
HUCKABEE '08
Ok,
all Ron Paul supporters go away,
are we past that crap "Ron Paul Revolution"
the man is a freak, yes he's right on the war,
but the man would ruin the economy of this country completely.
His ideas only work in communities where you have less than 100 people, yes only 100. It may look like it makes sense but in a real world, the biggest economy in the world, 300+ million citizens, Ron Paul libretarian ideas JUST DONT WORK.
Utah Mormon:
Mitt has always been for traditional marriage and has supported gays so that they have civil rights as to life, liberty, and happiness. He has never supported gay marriage. As for abortion, he became pro-life years ago. Not in an attempt to run for the presidency. Get your facts straight!
Mitt in '08
It would be easier for Mitt to run as a liberal or a moderate than a conservative if he wanted to get elected. So why would he fake being a conservative?
Nobody's perfect, but in light of the candidates for the GOP; I'm going with Romney. He has no record of scandals like McCain does with the K5, and he has been married to his wonderful wife for years and has 5 great children. One must step back and look at the life a man's lived to know if he can truly be trusted. McCain left his first wife for a woman 18 years his junior. He says one thing but then denies he ever said it. I encourage EVERYONE to reall LOOK past the media and study the candidates out thoughtfully...you may be surprised with what you learn.
Romney 08
It's too bad Romney had to go negative his entire campaign. I thought in the beginning, he had a real shot. Now, he spends so much money on TV ads and he can't make up his mind who he wants to attack next. His new target regretfully is Hillary Clinton. I think he's out. Just my opinion.
SO LEV, YOU THINK HILLARY AND OBAMA ARE BETTER?
I PRAY EVERYDAY FOR A REAL LEADER OF THE MIGHTY UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WHO IS NOT A LIB!!!!
AMERICA OWES NOTHING TO ANY CITIZEN , EXCEPT A FAIR TAX AND A MILITARY.
GO TO WORK PEOPLE AND LIVE UP TO YOUR DUMB MISTAKES!!!!
Come on Romney! Come on Romney! Come on Romney! I can NEVER vote for McCain! Come on Romney!
"Chameleon, you come and go, you come and gooooo" Romney you have NO CHANCE!! I rather look at a rainbow to see that many colors. GO Huckabee!!!!!
I am definitely a Mitt Romney supporter. He is the only one I want to vote for. I'm so tired of people saying that he flip-flops on things. All of the candadates have changed positions on things. If that is the worst thing they can find about Romney then it is not rocket science to figure out. He is clean, honorable, and an outstanding conservative leader. McCain looks like an angry person who I feel would not be a good mediator with foreign affairs. We need someone who will get the job done by someone who can unite America. Mitt Romney is the man with the plan!
Mike Huckabee is hurting the conservative republicans by staying in the race. He knows he cannot win but continues to do so to hurt Mitt Romney. If he really cared about our country, he would get behind the conservatives and stop thinking about himself.
The RNC needs to understand that by trying to shove McCain down our throats, they are alienating their base. We’ve stood by while President Bush spent like a drunken sailor, and as the leader of the party, “forced” Republican legislators to follow along. Many lost their seats in 2006 because of the Presidents’ poor leadership. (It wasn’t the war) We’ve been waiting for a true conservative, and we won’t be robbed. We will sit this one out if McCain is the nominee for two reasons.
1. It will send a strong message to the “Grand Old Party” to stop taking us for granted. You need us!
2. If Hillary or Obama wins, we’ll see a repeat of 1994 in 2010. The Republicans will come up with an actual plan like their ’94 Contract with America. How novel!
Huckabee is very conservative on social issues, but is not fiscally. (Bush repeat)
Romney has a record of being conservative on both social and fiscal issues, and that is why he will get my vote.