February 7, 2008
Posted: 03:02 PM ET
 McCain called Romney Thursday.
McCain called Romney Thursday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — John McCain called Mitt Romney shortly after the former Massachusetts governor announced he was quitting his presidential bid, CNN has learned.

According to a senior McCain adviser, McCain told Romney that he "admired his speech today and that he was a tough competitor." McCain also told Romney he looks forward to sitting down with him at the earliest opportunity.

McCain did not ask Romney for his endorsement.

This McCain adviser also said the Arizona senator will soon call Mike Huckabee as well, but that "Huckabee will be making the decisions he will make."

We're also told McCain will reach out to Romney's supporters and ask for their votes when he speaks at the top of the hour at the Conservative Political Action Committee conference.

"John McCain is the presumptive nominee of the Republican party now," said the McCain adviser, "he will make that clear and also make clear he intends to unite the party."

– CNN's Dana Bash

Related: Watch McCain discuss Romney suspending his campaign and uniting the GOP

Filed under: John McCain • Mitt Romney


Andy   February 7th, 2008 3:51 pm ET

Huckabee is NOT DROPPING OUT! He's already made that clear. McCain isn't the final choice, people.

troy   February 7th, 2008 3:50 pm ET

Hope you win JOHN. Americans need 4 more years of butt kicking before they finally wake-up.

Les   February 7th, 2008 3:48 pm ET

As before, it still only leaves on real conservative in the race: Ron Paul.

Here's a quarter...   February 7th, 2008 3:46 pm ET

Supporters of Romney will not give their votes to McCain, they will go to Huckabee. If they wanted McCain, they would have voted for him not Romney.

Hey McCain, call someone who cares!

Editor, ExposeRomney.com (Washington DC)   February 7th, 2008 3:46 pm ET

Shocked? With tens of thousands of informed Americans reading ExposeRomney.com, it's no wonder he dropped out. He couldn't keep up the deception with so much evidence against him. Flip-flopper, deceiver, an fundamentalist. Good-bye Romney. America was not ready to be dragged back to the 19th century.

Jeremy   February 7th, 2008 3:44 pm ET

This is really unfortunate news. More a case of Huckabee and Romney splitting too many voters then McCain being the best IMHO. I vote on character, temperament, and leadership and it looks like Obama will get my 'Republican' vote. I can't see myself suporting McCain. I'm done with that type of government.

Steve   February 7th, 2008 3:44 pm ET

Did we just hear a "concession" speech by the future VP nominee?

Angel, Los Angeles of Anaheim   February 7th, 2008 3:43 pm ET

Bye-bye, Willard.

KTW   February 7th, 2008 3:43 pm ET

All is lost . . . during McCain's speech, you can see and hear the disdain he has for Romney and the joke he thinks Huckebee is - no hand of reconciliation, no humbleness or gratitude, not even a kind or grateful word - borderline disrespect - I now have no doubts about it now - I will never, ever vote for this man. His pride will be his undoing.

valerie deleon   February 7th, 2008 3:43 pm ET

I am so sad to hear of Romney's withdrawal.

Just when you think things couldn't get any worse! What are we to do?!!

roy CA   February 7th, 2008 3:42 pm ET

no comment

Johnson   February 7th, 2008 3:40 pm ET

Looks like the republican heads are making Mitt and Huck give up their bid to be president and let McCain be the front runner. Welcome to the wonderful world of John McCain!!!

J Rockwell   February 7th, 2008 3:40 pm ET

I will vote for you John, but I refuse to like it. I have never felt more excitement about any presidential candidate until Mitt came along. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome the "new" era of American and its decline to mediocracy as a world power along with all of the other nations of the EU… maybe then we can substitute the euro for the dollar.

Lawn Boy   February 7th, 2008 3:40 pm ET

Loved the headline. Curious as to what McCain did call him! Sorry Mittens, the kitty left and took the piggy bank.

NELSON   February 7th, 2008 3:40 pm ET

Unbelieveable!!! This republican will vote for Obama!!!!!!

Sally - Orlando, FL   February 7th, 2008 3:38 pm ET

McCain is anti-American and will never get my vote. His rhetoric about "I got the message" about the borders is totally superficial. He destroys the value of American citizenship when he gives it away. I am sure corporate America will embrace McCain, but true conservatives and loyal Americans will not.
-
I will not vote for anyone that supports amnesty. Being a former POW does not mean a person is a loyal American today.
-
Additionally, anyone that believes that Bush has been a wonderful president needs their head examined!!!

Farrell, Houston, Tx   February 7th, 2008 3:38 pm ET

The Vietnam war is over people but John McCain will still be fighting that same war in Iraq and you can look forward to a nuclear war with Iran. Please, Please don't vote this man in office, I'd rather see Bush stay.

average JOe   February 7th, 2008 3:38 pm ET

Forget it John Mcain–I am sick of taxpayers building new schools in Iraq when our are falling down.
GO Obama or Clinton. I can live with either one of them–II hope to goodness I don't have to go through another Republican administration./My FRIEND Mcain would do anything to win. I don't believe anything he says. He thinks we are all stupid.

Hank   February 7th, 2008 3:38 pm ET

Congrats America, you will be putting the Bush number 3 in office and more people will die in the middle east. Congrats. I hope your son or daughter is not next in line to die in the war for a useless war against a faceless enemy called Terror.

Robert Maseruka   February 7th, 2008 3:35 pm ET

is that a change the american people are yauning for when Mcain stays alone in the race?

Jeanine G   February 7th, 2008 3:35 pm ET

Ann Coulter, Rush Limbaugh, Pat Robertson, my Parents and my Husband hate McCain!

The only way the Democrats will lose now is if they nominate Hillary.

GOP 08!!   February 7th, 2008 3:33 pm ET

One down one left, for Huckabee to unite the United States!

eloise   February 7th, 2008 3:32 pm ET

thank goodness for romney bowing how! i say mccain/huckabee '08! the unbeatable ticket!

Tim T.   February 7th, 2008 3:32 pm ET

McCain: "Hello, Mitt."
Romney: "Boo hoo…sniffle sniffle…"
McCain: "Heya, Mitt. How about lending me a few million bucks for the rest of the campaign? Ya can't lose lending to a hero."
Romney: "Boo hoo…sniffle sniffle … check or money order?"

LT Webb   February 7th, 2008 3:29 pm ET

We call Mccain things also, but they Are Not Printable, Neither is he a Republican Candidate. Mccains a Liberal Democrat. we now will focus on Ron Paul for the Primary.

@,Orlando,Fl   February 7th, 2008 3:26 pm ET

If Mr O is the Democratic nomiee,my family are going to vote for you.

JJR   February 7th, 2008 3:24 pm ET

If Obama becomes the nominee the Dem's better watch out. McCain will tear him up on foreign policy and the Iraq war. He may be likable, but he has no experience in these fields, and it will kill him in the general election

Anonymous   February 7th, 2008 3:24 pm ET

And when will he be calling Ron Paul?

james s roberts   February 7th, 2008 3:21 pm ET

McCain's position on the Iraq War seals the fate of the republican party's chances for winning in November.

The country dislikes it, and the dislike grows as the truth finally seeps out from current the current adminstration.

And everyday it continues, more soliders die, more Iraqi civilians are killed and our deficit grows astronomically. The war will be lost because America bankrupted itself.

James S Roberts

DC, FL   February 7th, 2008 3:21 pm ET

Well congrats Dems, all of a sudden we went from a united Democratic party and a divided Republican party to the complete opposite. Want to know why? Its the reason Republicans are so hard to beat. Cause they vote the party and dems vote the man. All you Obama supporters called Hilary conceded because of her "invulnerable" strategy. It was actually a brilliant general election strategy, but good for you guys throwing on the mud so Mr. Hope could get his chance. If you could have just accepted another Clinton (you might remember the last one gave you two victories) this would be over. But oh no, your to smart for that. Enjoy being John McCain's surrender monkeys for the next year.

Monte   February 7th, 2008 3:20 pm ET

I think it is about time that the far right absurdely conservative wing of the GOP recognize that the rest of us that are more moderate represent the true interests of a majority of Americans in the Republican Party and of the country as a whole. Its about time that conservative talk radio stop blasting at McCain and recognize that he can move the GOP forward from the stalemate it has been under with President Bush for the last 8 years.

mjwentworth   February 7th, 2008 3:17 pm ET

This is terrible news! Now we have absolutely NO choice….all liberals. Obama is not ready, McCain is too old and NOT a Republican…Huckabee is a joke….well, Congratulations, Hillary.

Dave   February 7th, 2008 3:16 pm ET

I don't trust McCain and I doubt I ever will.

nobody now   February 7th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

Hillary is better than Mccain. This is terrible.

Sarah L, Fayetteville, AR   February 7th, 2008 3:14 pm ET

The sooner McCain becomes the nominee, the sooner the Democrats need to get their house in order. At this point, I believe it is time for Senator Clinton to step aside and let the Democrats unite behind Senator Obama who presents something very different for the country than she does.

Wayne, Greenville TX   February 7th, 2008 3:13 pm ET

McCain calls Romney,and Romney calls McCain a liberal…. :-)

Ladybird   February 7th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

Now its Time for HUCKABEE to turn up the steam….If he could be nominated i would vote for him but if not i'm sticking with HILLARY….hmmmmm HILLARY/HUCKABEE sounds kinda good

RuthieM   February 7th, 2008 3:11 pm ET

This McCain is scary. George Bush is mild manner Clark Kent compared to how this McCain will be if he ever got his hands near the red buttons of the white house, of the nation. I wonder if he takes his Aricept daily because he sure doesn't act like he does. And why are so many Republicans hating this guy? Weird.

Scott, Toledo OH   February 7th, 2008 3:09 pm ET

People who call themselves "conservative" need to get over this irrational fear based belief that the war in Iraq is making us any safer from terrorism, and VOTE RON PAUL! McCain was the worst cadidate in the entire primary, yet he is somehow winning. He has promised less jobs and more war, and is getting votes. Stop with the irrational war mongering, you neocons, or the Republican party is dead.

john   February 7th, 2008 3:08 pm ET

Ya i know exactly what McCain told Romney on the phone..!

"Dont worry my friend, I will continue the war in Iraq forever and ship more jobs overseas."

therealist   February 7th, 2008 3:05 pm ET

Billary and their VP Obama, have no chance.

Comments have been closed for this article

subscribe RSS Icon
About The Ticker

The latest political news from CNN's Best Political Team, with campaign coverage, 24-7. Sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails. Got a news tip or feedback? For complete political coverage, bookmark CNNPolitics.com.

CNN=Politics Screensaver

CNN=Politics ScreensaverTap into the power of The Situation Room. Download this powerful new tool that keeps you posted on the latest political news from the campaign trail.
Download (4.1 MB, PC only)

Follow us on Twitter

CNN on TwitterGet Ticker updates the moment they appear online via the Web, SMS, or instant messages.
Follow politicalticker

Categories
CNN Comment Policy: CNN encourages you to add a comment to this discussion. You may not post any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law. Please note that CNN makes reasonable efforts to review all comments prior to posting and CNN may edit comments for clarity or to keep out questionable or off-topic material. All comments should be relevant to the post and remain respectful of other authors and commenters. By submitting your comment, you hereby give CNN the right, but not the obligation, to post, air, edit, exhibit, telecast, cablecast, webcast, re-use, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise use your comment(s) and accompanying personal identifying information via all forms of media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity. CNN Privacy Statement.
Home  |  World  |  U.S.  |  Politics  |  Entertainment  |  Health  |  Tech  |  Travel  |  Living  |  Business  |  Sports  |  Time.com
Podcasts  |  Blogs  |  CNN Mobile  |  Preferences |  Email Alerts  |  CNN Radio  |  CNN Shop  |  Site Map
© 2008 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by WordPress.com