February 4, 2008
Posted: February 4th, 2008 05:04 PM ET
Romney is set for a 36 hour campaign push.
Romney is set for a 36 hour campaign push.

ROMNEY PLANE, Nashville to Oklahoma City (CNN) – In the final hours before Super Tuesday, Mitt Romney is following the example John Edwards set when he campaigned for 36 straight hours before the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary.

Romney too will hit the road and take to the skies with his staff and the press in tow for the 36 hours before his Super Tuesday party in Boston Tuesday night.

Asked Sunday if this was his version of the Edwards campaigning marathon, “This is get every delegate that you can, every way that you possibly can,” Romney responded, “You have to be guided by where the delegates are.”

After a rally in Nashville Monday morning, Romney jetted off to Atlanta for an event and then boarded his plane to fly clear across the country to Long Beach, California for a single rally. Why go that far for barely an hour on the ground?

“I can tell you it’s a lot better than not going to California,” Romney told CNN, “If I win California, that means you’re going to have a conservative in the White House.”

Not wanting to squander any opportunity, Romney will hold a press conference at Oklahoma City’s airport while the plane is refueled on the way to the West coast.

After his appearance in Long Beach, he will once again climb the steps of the plane, this time bound for Charleston, West Virginia where he’ll arrive at 5am Tuesday morning.

“I do not like red-eye flights,” Romney told reporters traveling with him, but joked that if he has to fly them, he likes to sleep on the floor.

With eight hours to go, Romney will take one last flight home to Boston to vote in the Massachusetts primary and throw what he hopes will be a victory party.

He doesn’t, however, think Super Tuesday will be the finish line. “Maybe about halfway through,” Romney told reporters in Atlanta, “we’re going to go on and continue to rack up delegates, and I'm planning on winning this nomination.”

– CNN Political Producer Alexander Marquardt

Filed under: Mitt Romney


Bob   February 5th, 2008 3:44 pm ET

He also took a page from Edwards and changed all his positions for political reasons!

Zing!

apr   February 5th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

I just went and voted for Romney here in Georgia. I find it interesting that the Washington insiders don't like them...do you know why? Besides his religion, he is going to make them look like lazy politicians. Romneys rigorous work habits are notorious. Another interesting point to bring out is that in the 25 years of working professionally, not one candidate can get any dirt on Romney's business dealings..why? Because there isn't any. I ask you to show me anyone who could work for 25 years and not have an enemy in the business world. I have voted for other candidates in the past, but today when I voted, I felt that this time my vote will really matter.

Emanuel   February 5th, 2008 1:13 pm ET

Edwards is a good man. Too bad the media decided very early that it would be contest between woman and african-american.

Walt, Belton,TX   February 5th, 2008 1:04 pm ET

I wish the extreme right-wingers would just vote for Romney and leave the rest of mainstream, moderate Republicans and Independents outside their petty quarrel. The far right-wingers are not the base of the Republican party and never have been. They're just as bad as the extreme left-wingers of the Democratic party. Thank goodness there are moderates in both parties willing to do what is best for America and not their own personal agendas. When the extremes (Romney and Clinton) fail in their goals, perhaps this nation can begin some serious rebuilding and changing for the better.

Nomad   February 5th, 2008 1:03 pm ET

GO ROMNEY!!! I hope there's still time for people, with help of Rush Limbaugh and other "conservatives", to come to their senses and realize we won't get this chance for another 4 – 8 years if we don't do it right. I know we can think of who is RIGHT, not who the political pundits say is in the lead and jump on board. MUCH SUCCESS - HOPE CALIFORNIANS DOES THE RIGHT THING, THAT'LL MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE!!!

Angie, California   February 5th, 2008 1:01 pm ET

“This is get every delegate that you can, every way that you possibly can,” Romney responded

At the cost of your integrity and conscience?

Spending millions to slander others with half-truths (i.e., lies) to buy oneself into office is not the way I would want my next president to win. If you're gonna try and win, try and win with some sense of dignity.

I'm hoping and praying that today's Super Tuesday will result in a big "slap in the face" for the frontrunners. I say vote real – vote Huckabee!

Tolu, Minneapolis, MN   February 5th, 2008 11:58 am ET

Mitt, how about taking one from John Edwards's playbook ... and "suspend your campaign"?

Ahnaf   February 5th, 2008 11:21 am ET

I LOVE MITT ROMNEY

Jim   February 5th, 2008 11:14 am ET

Romney practices Polytheism. Would you vote for someone that worshipped more than one God?

Mark Cross Junction VA   February 5th, 2008 10:53 am ET

Copy Edwards playbook? I believe Edwards didn't make it 4yrs ago and he is no where to be found now. He might want to try another playbook.

Midge from Ohio   February 5th, 2008 9:27 am ET

Mitt is the only hope for the Republican party. McCain is an egotistical war monger and Huck is helping him. If McCain wins it is only because Huck didn't have the decency to drop out. Go Mitt!

Dan, Illinois   February 5th, 2008 9:26 am ET

Go Romney! You are the only candidate that will fix the US Economy and protect this country against illegal immigrants. The rest of the candidates except maybe Ron Paul will sell this country even more than it already is. God Bless America!!!

David   February 5th, 2008 9:19 am ET

After today's results are in, Romney is out. :-)

Bye Bush   February 5th, 2008 8:50 am ET

Hey Lev-

The only reason every other Rep candidate "hates this guy" (as you put it) is because Romney is a straight shooter: he hasn't cheated on his wife, he hasn't been sanctioned for ethics violations, he doesn't cuss and lose his temper at fellow poiticians, in short, he has no skeletons in his closet. The fact that The Establishment hates him shows how untied and untarnished he is. If they loved him, I'd think twice about voting for him.

And, yes, you're right that the only reason Huckabee is staying in the race is to syphon off votes from Romney. The former AR gov wants to do his buddy McCain a favor and hand him the nomination. His has no prayer of winning himself.

Go, Mitt.

joe   February 5th, 2008 6:53 am ET

i'm starting to wonder how much more mr. romney is willing to spend of his own money? this race is really costing him a good bit of his fortune. i realize that he is rather wealthy, but at the end of the day, and if he fails to win the nomination, what impact will this venture have on his fianances. today may determine what mr. romney will do next.

G Morgan   February 5th, 2008 6:39 am ET

Hmmm. McCain over Romney....That shows the intelligence of the
Republican Party. Of course, they are the same people who supported
George W Bush...

Debbie   February 5th, 2008 5:36 am ET

Mitt Romney is the only choice for the Republican party. His work ethic, family values and vision to change Washington is just what we need. New blood in Washington not the Liberal McCain Train of the same olde same old

Floyd Bradley   February 5th, 2008 3:37 am ET

Clinton was born to be a lawyer, Obama was born to be a senator, Huckabee was born to be a preacher, McCain was born to be a soldier, but Romney was born to be President.

Brendan   February 5th, 2008 3:26 am ET

I'm in California and will vote for Mitt today!

Rebecca/ALABAMA   February 5th, 2008 3:08 am ET

Romney you have my vote, I admire and respect you very much. I'm hoping you have a great day tomorrow. GO MITT!!!

Apollo   February 5th, 2008 2:35 am ET

MITT !!!!

Mitt is presidential....and he didn't dump his wife and kids and run off with the mistress (who just happened to have million$)

Mitt is exactly the person we need to turn the country around–get the economy up and running strongly!

MITT's the MAN!!!

Chris, Arizona   February 5th, 2008 2:21 am ET

Go Romney '08!!!

Susan Mark   February 5th, 2008 2:18 am ET

Just saw Mitt at the Long Beach rally... Mitt you were fantastic...

Keep it up Mitt.... lots of folks were there for you and will be voting for you tomorrow... please Mitt fans... get out there and vote and bring all your neighbors with you.

marcel   February 5th, 2008 1:36 am ET

Okay let me get this straight: If McCain is channeling Ronald Reagan Conservatism he is too old (school), but if he veers away from that conservatism, he too liberal to be conservative. If Romney is more conservative than McCain, he is like Reagan but it's new. Coal is new and clean, and if Romney campaigns 36 hours straight like Edwards it is the sign of a dedicated winner not a desperate loser.

I'm with Mitt!   February 5th, 2008 1:21 am ET

I'm With Mitt!

And I'm in LA County. Glad to see him make the effort to come to Cali. Don't count us all in the tank for McCain. Romney DOES have huge support here.

Dave   February 5th, 2008 1:12 am ET

And this from a guy that won't drink coffee!! Good luck tonight, Mitt!

Dee   February 5th, 2008 1:11 am ET

McCain talks and talks but does does he say what his real plans are. Maybe I missed that. He's a manipulator.Let see he's been a senator for how long ,O ya 20 some years and hasn't achieved anything, May some scandels like the Keating 5

william   February 5th, 2008 12:36 am ET

God speed MITT!!! Your in our prayers.

tj   February 4th, 2008 11:09 pm ET

Twits for Mitt! The true conservative? Only his hairstylist knows.

AJ, IC, IA   February 4th, 2008 11:02 pm ET

Edwards?!! What a dumb comparison! Romney knows what it takes to get things done!

Romney '08!

Jared from Salt Lake   February 4th, 2008 11:00 pm ET

Enjoy your last days Mitt in the campaign.

McCain is showing you a lesson in politics. The Go Mitt supporters are hallucinating.

Steve   February 4th, 2008 10:54 pm ET

Romney has my vote! No one is as committed as him. No one is as prepared as him. No one will lead this nation in the right direction but him.

Chris, Arizona   February 4th, 2008 10:53 pm ET

Romney has my vote from Arizona. We've seen enough of McCain. He loves the idea of AMNESTY and we've seen what it does to a state. McCain is also a double-talker who has never run anything in his life.

Mitt is going to come up big tomorrow!

Chris, Bethesda, Maryland   February 4th, 2008 10:22 pm ET

"A conservative in the White House?" Isn't this the guy who flip-flopped on abortion and gay rights? Where does he get off calling McCain "not conservative enough?"

AZ Marti   February 4th, 2008 9:56 pm ET

Don't even think that just McCain is from AZ that AZ is behind him. Illegals are a huge problem and rather than confront the situation, McCain supported amnesty. Why do you think he got the Cuban vote in Florida? Many, many Arizonans will NOT vote for him. Romney is just the get-the-work-done kind of guy we need to pull America back out of the hole we've allowed ourselves t get into. Go Mitt!!
Maybe the other candidates resent him, because they know he's more on top of the issues thanthey are. He's definitely not running because he wants or needs the money. People, stop and think. Trust your own research. Maybe even ask God, but don't just follow those who really have their own agenda. McCain is a true American war hero, but believe me, it stops there.

ag   February 4th, 2008 9:52 pm ET

What's the deal with the pundits ???

Rmoney only has 19 more delegates than Huckabee....59-40

So how come the crying for Huckabee to drop out.. What's the deal with that?

Let's be fair...

GO HUCKABEE ALL THE WAY !!!!

conservative   February 4th, 2008 9:27 pm ET

good idea Romney, but Mccain will win super tuesday, the nomination and the presidency. Good effort though romney. Your flip flopping makes you a bad canidate but i comend you on the 36 hour surge

Bill, Covington,LA   February 4th, 2008 9:25 pm ET

Lev Klinemann:

The problem with this nation is people like you, you are the "El Diablo" of the world not Mitt Romney.
Hang in there Mitt.

John   February 4th, 2008 9:22 pm ET

Lev Klinemann, CA

In the last days.... Good will be called Evil and Evil will be called Good. Thank you for telling us about who you represent.

Janet in Calif.   February 4th, 2008 9:20 pm ET

Mitt Romney will bring strength and REAL experience to Washington. He can and WILL strengthen our economy and our nation as a WHOLE.

"Help us (Mitt Romney) ... you're our only hope."

Doc Savage   February 4th, 2008 9:17 pm ET

Have some fun... Google "santorum"

RC   February 4th, 2008 9:13 pm ET

I will vote Romney tomorrow.
GO MITT!

John Ryan (Texas)   February 4th, 2008 9:09 pm ET

Well for all of you that say that Huckabee should stay in the race are not seeing through his deception. He realsed prisoner who raped and murder people and more than 40% of those he realeased ended up back in jail for very similar crimes. If he give clemancy to criminals in his state I would hate to see what he would do with terrorist if he would "re-intergrate them into society". Huckabee is a poor choice. All the other republican canidates though are rude bigot's towards Mitt Romney just because he is a mormon. To me this is ubsured to base your opinion of somebody off of their religion because the constitution gives us Freedom of religion. We also as conservatives must see that the far-left and this includes CNN want to see Romney defeated because they know he will be a great president.

Go ROMNEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

befmed   February 4th, 2008 9:08 pm ET

One loser taking pages from the playbook of another loser. Go Mitt.

Doc Savage   February 4th, 2008 9:07 pm ET

Romney is a good guy, and the second best candidate after McCain. Why couldn't the Dems give us anyone qualified to be President?

john   February 4th, 2008 9:05 pm ET

I hope Willard Mitt Romney blows all of his money on a losing campaign. Sorry willard.. you cant buy the election

Cherish   February 4th, 2008 9:02 pm ET

Yes, Mitt Romney is taking a page from a Democrat's playbook – it's nothing new to him. He can't come up with original ideas.

Squint and look at his campaign signs – they'll look exactly like Obama's. The themes of "change" and "Washington is broken" are new to his campaign, and it is evident where he got them from.

He can't stay consistent – he's for gay rights, then he's against them – he's for a date for pullout, but now we should try for "victory" in Iraq...

For all the unfriendly things I say about Mitt Romney, I hope he gets the Republican nomination. He'd be endlessly more easy to defeat than someone who is moderately respectable, like John McCain.

OBAMA '08!!!

Cathy   February 4th, 2008 8:52 pm ET

Mitt – keep it going...PLEASE! I cant even hold my nose and vote for McCain. I did my research last summer.....decided on Mitt Romney and have not let up since. Every day I find more and more substantial reasons to vote for Mitt. I sincerely hope that anyone out there that has been rooting for Huckabee, thinks about this one. Mike is a great guy, but reality says he cant win....and a vote for Mike is a vote for McCain...so please think of the Republican base and check that box for Mitt!!

val davydov, ma   February 4th, 2008 8:45 pm ET

This just goes to show how hardworking Mitt Romney is. This man is amazing – he is the one that deserves our vote to be elected to the White House. My entire family and I will be voting for him tomorrow.

Romney 08! Romney all the way!

Brent   February 4th, 2008 8:32 pm ET

What a waste of fuel.

McCAIN's 4 Gay Marrige   February 4th, 2008 8:23 pm ET

McCains support of Gay Marriage MEANS HE IS SCARY

PEOPLE ARE JUST FINDING OUT ABOUT THE REAL MCCAIN

I think riding on a plane is in everybodies play book

Lindsay   February 4th, 2008 8:13 pm ET

Romney is the man! You can't deny his unbelievable campaigning enthusiasm, which is a direct reflection of his unbelievable enthusiasm for the USA. With the private sector experience and Washington outsider mentality...he'll bring a real change to the White House. A change for good.

bad idea   February 4th, 2008 8:02 pm ET

I hope Mitt lose.He is such an arrogant rich dude who thinks that American should followed his money minded mind.Even if Mccain in not in the race,I would vote for Mike Huckebee.In said,he wished that Mike quit the race and Mike voter would go for him.Let me asked Mike voter,would you vote for Mitt who is so obnoxious and proud?Yes,he is rich but for someone who said that he will turn around our economy but for him to spent $35 million dollars is way too much.I belevied he is so power hungry person.And furthermore he is not a patriot who never served military whereas others did.Why can't he spent money on the military instead on the Presidential bid.It tells me what kind of person he is.Mitt I hope you lost,if you ever be a president that will be end of the USA.

Chris, Silicon Valley, CA, USA   February 4th, 2008 8:02 pm ET

“I can tell you it’s a lot better than not going to California,” Romney told CNN, “If I win California, that means you’re going to have a conservative in the White House.”

If he believed that, why didn't he campaign more here?

Billie Vice   February 4th, 2008 7:56 pm ET

Go – MITT – Go.
My thoughts and prayers are with you for safe travel and the
WIN beneath your wings.

JH   February 4th, 2008 7:54 pm ET

The headline for this article is ridiculous journalism at best! Why on earth would the author suggest Romney is somehow copying Edwards' campaign strategy by traveling from state to state like every other candidate is doing.

Why not "Romney determined to reach voters"

or "Romney seeking delegates state by state"

or "Romney goes on multi-state blitz on eve of Super Tuesday"

How about a headline that accurately portrays the facts! The fact that Romney sees a real chance to pull an upset on Super Tuesday, and keep his campaign viable. Or the fact that conservatives are getting behind him in a big way, and that if he has a good showing tomorrow, we will see a huge surge of support behind him!!!

REPUBLICANS-----RALLY FOR ROMNEY-----TOMORROW!!!!!!!!

MITT ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT!!!!!

BlackHouse   February 4th, 2008 7:39 pm ET

Don't let Romney have a chance! He does not understand the politics at all! McCain is so well handling the politics in Washington, only McCain can get things done in Washington!

Romney also is not real Christian like McCain. McCain prays with every religions to seek peace for the world!

Romney is too young to have any real experience! McCain knows everything, including how to fight Iraq and Iran with one hand! McCain will be able to finish off Iraq war and win Iran in no time!

JW   February 4th, 2008 7:35 pm ET

Mitt Romney is the only Republican candidate that can win against any of the Democrates choice in Nov. 08 Why? John McCain has veered away from the Ronald Reagan Conservatism and Principles that made our party and country great.

Eric, San Diego   February 4th, 2008 7:32 pm ET

Mitt Romney is no John Edwards!

Go John Edwards!

Neal   February 4th, 2008 7:09 pm ET

Go Mitt! This candidate knows what sacrifice is all about! He is the only candidate that has the energy to change Washington.

Larry Jackson   February 4th, 2008 7:08 pm ET

I still believe that Romeny is the best candidate for the Republican party. Other candidates change their minds more then Romney does, so I don't see how that is an issue. Press is obviously for McCain. How someone who thinks like a liberal can be a true Republican is beyond me. I just hope when McCain loses his temper he is not in the White House, if McCain can't get his way, he will lose his temper, even on the American people. McCain has no plan to help the economy and he is in favor of letting the illegals get what they want. Sounds to me like he plans to keep things just the way they are. So how can he be the candidate for change.

COLLECTIVE WILL   February 4th, 2008 7:07 pm ET

Romney goes to city to city and leaves before anyone knows he was actually there... c'mon having a campaign at a gas station with photographers?!? i think he is behaving like a extravagant celebrity

afisher, Midlothian, VA   February 4th, 2008 7:05 pm ET

Thank you so much Governor Romney for all you are doing for us.

Scott   February 4th, 2008 7:01 pm ET

“This is get every delegate that you can, every way that you possibly can,” Romney responded, <<<

Well if that doesn't sum up Mitt Romney I don't know what does.

Aric (Arizona)   February 4th, 2008 7:01 pm ET

We sure need someone in the White House that can endure this type of rigorous schedule. Mitt, we appreciate the time and effort that is being made to preserve the Republican party as one that is conservative.
Go Romney.
Romney '08

Lev Klinemann, CA   February 4th, 2008 6:49 pm ET

This man is evil,
the only reason Huckabee is staying in the race is so that Mitt doesn't win,
every Republican candidate hates this guy,
this is not the moveies were the more people hate you the cooler you are OK,
are you getting a hint Mitt supporters?

Jay   February 4th, 2008 6:45 pm ET

Go Mitt! Don't be fooled by Juan McAmnesty America! He stated over the weekend that he would sign McCain/Kennedy if it came across his desk as president. We can't afford paying for healthcare for illegals and social security as well. We need to take away their incentive (employment) so that they have no reason to stay here. Also – McCain has no plan for energy independence! He wants to regulate industries that aren't "green." This will kill American companies. Mitt's plan is the way to go! Use coal to fuel technology (which is 70 yrs old), use clean nuclear energy. Stop sending 400 billion a year to countries that hate us. McCain keeps saying that we need to stop sending over our oil money, but he doesn't have a plan on how to get it done. I have no idea how he got to where he is in this race, but he needs to be stopped now!

Bryan   February 4th, 2008 6:45 pm ET

Go Mitt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

COLLECTIVE WILL   February 4th, 2008 6:40 pm ET

Edwards dropped out his playbook may not be very good

JOhn   February 4th, 2008 6:35 pm ET

Go Romney '08

Brad   February 4th, 2008 6:22 pm ET

Hmmm lets compare work ethic alone, Romney campaigns for 36 straight hours while MCcain takes his 6 elderly man catnaps a day. Wow Romney is head and heels a harder, more moral worker than mccain will ever be.

Billy   February 4th, 2008 6:22 pm ET

GO MITT GO. YOU ARE OUR ONLY CHANCE.

independent for obama   February 4th, 2008 6:14 pm ET

whether romney or mccain wins its going to be smooth sailing for the democrats

N. Wisconsin   February 4th, 2008 6:09 pm ET

You can do it Romney, keep it up!!!!!!!

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