February 7, 2008
Posted: February 7th, 2008 01:26 PM ET
Mitt Romney waves to his supporters during his Super Tuesday primary watch party in Boston.
Mitt Romney waves to his supporters during his Super Tuesday primary watch party in Boston.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – The news that Mitt Romney was suspending his campaign buzzed through the Omni Shoreham this afternoon at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, but many Romney supporters seemed to be the last to know.

His volunteers still passed out “change” buttons in the halls outside the ballroom where he was scheduled to speak; many in the audience were waving red foam “Mitt” mittens and other campaign merchandise in the air, and calling out his name.

– CNN Associate Political Editor Rebecca Sinderbrand

Filed under: Mitt Romney


Ian   February 7th, 2008 3:41 pm ET

In case anyone cares, I am neither surprised nor sad. Good day.

Don   February 7th, 2008 3:40 pm ET

Darth Vadik lives in his mom's basement and lives on a steady diet of government cheese and food stamps.

Way to represent the liberals Darth...

You're just pissed Mitt will make more in interest this month than you will in your entire pathetic life.

mcdeere   February 7th, 2008 2:39 pm ET

Obviously Emily you aren't the quickest at logic. Democrats favor withdrawal and have stated in debate, (Last one on Clinton News Network), how quickly they can withdraw the troops. This is the surrender he's talking about. Glad to help you. The longer the Democrats run against each other the harder to unite the party. With Mitt dropping the better and quicker the party comes together and gets behind McCain. Maybe even win those that are headed across the aisle right now.

B from Miami, FL   February 7th, 2008 2:16 pm ET

This was certainly expected. Just when it would happen, nobody knew. Until now.

What's surprising to me is how some people (especially on this blog) think that somehow Huckabee has a chance! No way ! He will never get enough delegates to beat McCain because McCain has more than what he needs to win. He currently has 720 delegates as opposed to Huck's 197. The total needed to win for the Republican nomination is 1191. McCain only needs 471 more, whereas Huck would need 994 more. Please, do the math. It's impossible. Consider McCain your GOP nominee.

HILLARY '08!

June (California Voter)   February 7th, 2008 2:16 pm ET

Well it looks like both parties have two going at it.

WMW   February 7th, 2008 2:15 pm ET

Ron Paul Ron!

I bet if Paul wins the media will get real fair and balanced in a hurry! The first amendment will be enforced making sure all voices are heard not just the special interests!

Steve, Kentucky   February 7th, 2008 2:00 pm ET

More American Wars and Fewer American Jobs McCain will lose in November. McCain will carry the George Wallace-Barry Goldwater states and Texas, and a Democrat will be President next January 20th. Election results in 2008 could look a lot like the election results of 1964.

Bill, Richmond, VA   February 7th, 2008 1:48 pm ET

The conservatives have brought this upon themselves!! After ruining this country with wrong policies and wrong issues, even the Republicans are coming to their senses and NOT voting for conservatives!

Tom G   February 7th, 2008 1:48 pm ET

Keep sharp objects away from Rush – since when did the conservatives have title to the RNC?

Ron Paul Ron   February 7th, 2008 1:48 pm ET

And then there were three, that would be 3 or those in government run education system!

Ron Paul Ron

Emily Coletta   February 7th, 2008 1:34 pm ET

Mitt says, as he stepped down, that prolonging his campaign would "...forestall the launch of a national campaign and be making it easier for Sen. Clinton or Obama to win. In this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign be a part of aiding a surrender to terror."

Um, apparently he thinks the troops are fighting Democrats in Iraq. O_o

Jim McD   February 7th, 2008 1:34 pm ET

Then there were 3.

I'm voting for the only real Conservative in the race. Ron Paul.

Constitutional Law Professor   February 7th, 2008 1:34 pm ET

mark that's a bad idea.
i am by no means a mccain supporter – but at this point – to say that you'd rather have obama or hillary in the white house instead of a republican (even if he is a touch more liberal than you would like...) is just not a good idea.
we are one judge away from a majority on the supreme court, and 3 spots could open up. we need to reverse some very poor decisions and you know it. i would urge everyone, to vote republican – because we can't have another 4+ years of clinton, or obama.

Will   February 7th, 2008 1:33 pm ET

Stacey wrote: "Well, Romney is always changing his mind, so who knows he might come back! "

LOL

Nicole   February 7th, 2008 1:33 pm ET

You all should've voted for Huckabee. Apparently a vote for Romney is a vote for McCain. Gee, what a surprise, Romney is not to be trusted....

Jim   February 7th, 2008 1:33 pm ET

this is not good news for Hillary. Now more republicans will participate in the caucus states to ensure that Barrack gets elected. These really should be closed to party participants only so that things like this don't happen. They know beating Barack will be easier.

Rick   February 7th, 2008 1:33 pm ET

You are not a conservative if you are willing to let Obama or Clinton win because your candidate didn't win. That is called being a sore loser. What conservative would want Clinton or Obama selecting possibly three justices on the Supreme Court. Mourn Mitt's Loss than get yourself together and start being rational again. Right now conservatives look like a bunch of whiny crybabies.

fuzzynormal   February 7th, 2008 1:33 pm ET

God bless conservative Christians. They need His help most of all. Funny how they were enamored with Mitt's pitch. His record doesn't hold up to their ideals.

i think it's a good thing for that voting block that they don't have a comfortable ideological candidate; more open ended choices means more reflective considerations.

Nathan   February 7th, 2008 1:33 pm ET

I think it's a wise move. This will fuel McCain's phony efforts to appear as a conservative. It will also wake up Republicans and make them realize they didn't know what they had until it was gone.

ANTI CLINTONS   February 7th, 2008 1:33 pm ET

Romney is just suspending his campaign right now, he still keeps his delegates, we just wait and see, he is out of it matnematically...move on.

Karen, Jersey City   February 7th, 2008 1:33 pm ET

I hope he reconsiders his position and continue to run. The only two true candidates on the GOP side are Mitt and Mike. They never ran an ego based campaign. McCain is one dangerous man. He will put the US in a recession to fund a losing war. Sorry to say, Iraq will become the new Vietnam and MaCain would think he's back in the trenches trying to get a 'win' for Nixon.

Darth Vadik, CA   February 7th, 2008 1:33 pm ET

Congradulations Republicans,
You've just nominated Grandpa Insane for your nominee, can't you feel the energy.

..zzzzzzz..............

Cherish   February 7th, 2008 1:33 pm ET

I'm not surprised that Mitt Romney's supporters didn't understand that he was dropping out.

Just like their candidate, they're totally oblivious.

Will   February 7th, 2008 1:33 pm ET

If someone who is in the running suddenly quits..suspends...whatever, does that make him a quitter? hmmmm...

Kristina   February 7th, 2008 1:33 pm ET

I LOVE how conservatives are willing to shoot themselves in the foot over McCain. There is nothing liberal about him, or I might actually vote for the man.

Matt   February 7th, 2008 1:32 pm ET

I haven't been a Romney supporter and I want to hear why he dropped out, but perhaps he does it because he doesn't want to split the conservative vote. If so, that would be a something I would respect highly.

W B in Las Vegas   February 7th, 2008 1:32 pm ET

I'm am sure his supporters are in shock and feel somewhat betrayed like I did when John Edwards suddenly pulled out just prior to super tuesday.

it ain't over for McCain. I am sure that all the Romney supporters will flock to Huckabee. call it the "Conservative ABM Treaty"

"ANYONE But McCain!!!"

joe   February 7th, 2008 1:32 pm ET

Mitt drops out of the race. Ron Paul is among the top3. May be Mc Cain and Huckbee will exhaust each other.
There is a slim chance to have Ron Paul as President.
Les voix du seignuer sont inpenetrables !!!!

Mary in CT   February 7th, 2008 1:32 pm ET

I'm not "caught off guard" by his suspending his campaign, I'm caught off guard by how little homework voters have done and how eager they are to follow the thoughts and ideas of celebrities....this is about electing the leader of the free world, people, it's NOT a reality show.

Snake Handler   February 7th, 2008 1:32 pm ET

Poor Mitt got swifted by Uncle Huckabuck.This man had more brains than McCain and Huck together.

Pete   February 7th, 2008 1:32 pm ET

Mark, I suggest you get used to it. The pendulum always swings furthest liberal. Conservatives had 8 years to make their mark and change the momentum, and failed. The US, and the world, is even more liberal than it was when Bush took office. Care to imagine how much more liberal it will get in another 8?

Even your conservative leaders are more liberal than the conservative leaders of 10 years ago.

You're just too blind to see it.

Justin   February 7th, 2008 1:31 pm ET

Romney supporters are always caught-off guard. They still think it's the 1950's in America.

Doug   February 7th, 2008 1:31 pm ET

Thank the Gilligan Huckleberry for a landslide loss

in November. I will not vote for any ticket with a squirrel

eating moron on it.

Bellel   February 7th, 2008 1:31 pm ET

One down – one to go

NYC Native   February 7th, 2008 1:31 pm ET

If Mccain's a liberal I must be a red book waving Maoist.

Doug   February 7th, 2008 1:31 pm ET

Thank the Gilligan Huckleberry a landslide loss

in November. I will not vote for any ticket with a squirrel

eating moron on it.

Humored   February 7th, 2008 1:31 pm ET

Wow, Mark... that makes complete rational sense.

Jared   February 7th, 2008 1:31 pm ET

I really wish Romney had spoken all along the way he spoke today. This is very disheartening.

Doug   February 7th, 2008 1:30 pm ET

Thanks the Gilligan Huckleberry a landslide loss

in November. I will not vote for any ticket with a squirrel

eating moron on it.

Akinola   February 7th, 2008 1:30 pm ET

Mccain does to conservatives what Lieberman does to liberals.

Chris, Silicon Valley, CA, USA   February 7th, 2008 1:30 pm ET

PS, Dr. Paul is pro-life. He authored the Sanctity of Life Act, which states that a human life shall be deemed to exist at conception. Check him out.

Hyder Khan   February 7th, 2008 1:30 pm ET

McCain should pick Mr. Romney as his VP. I think Romney should have won the primaries and GOP nomination. I am disappointed that he suspended his campaign. I dont think Huckabee or McCain are good enough to beat Hillary or Obama. :(

mike   February 7th, 2008 1:29 pm ET

McLiar whats to unite the party? the part he has worked years to destroy? The party he betrayed time after time? now he wants us to unite behind him? He stabbed repluicans in the back over and over again, hench his 'mavrick' nickname.

sorry not standding behind Mcphony.

Wayne, Greenville TX   February 7th, 2008 1:29 pm ET

Mark February 7, 2008 1:17 pm ET

I'm a conservative Christian and I will NEVER vote for McLIBERALCain…I plan to write-in Mitt CONSERVATIVE Romney…even at the cost that Hillarious Clinton or Obama win. : (

John McCain may be a lot of things, Mark, but as a life-long liberal I can tell you he ain't one of us. Could it be that you're leaning so far to the hard right than anything else LOOKS like a liberal in realtion to your narrow-minded perspective?

Chris, Silicon Valley, CA, USA   February 7th, 2008 1:29 pm ET

Mark,

I respectfully ask you, and other disaffected Romney supporters, to consider Ron Paul, too. He is a small-government, pro-personal freedom candidate. He is also a believer in letting markets work, and getting us away from the welfare/warfare state, which we can't afford anymore. He is still in the race, and is probably the last running critic of McCain-Huckabee.

Dan, Illinois   February 7th, 2008 1:29 pm ET

I hope a Independent who is against illegal immigration joins the race. What a sad day in American history.

Rhett   February 7th, 2008 1:29 pm ET

Huckaboooom

Homer   February 7th, 2008 1:29 pm ET

Can Huckabee defeat McCain? Hmmm.

chuck rowland Orlando, fl   February 7th, 2008 1:29 pm ET

Christian lunatics arent going to be able to push there aganda down the countries throat any more come november...its time for a rational human being to take over..either Hill or Barak ..dont matter to me..but the reps are done for.

Carrie   February 7th, 2008 1:28 pm ET

Mitt was a verey arrogant candidate who continously used his lies to stomp all over everyone else. He probably dropped out because he was tired of lying to his supporters.

Jimminy   February 7th, 2008 1:28 pm ET

Thanks Mark, keep on listening to talk radio, people like you are strangely the Democrats new best friends.

Henry   February 7th, 2008 1:28 pm ET

Mitt Romney just gave the best political speech in two decades! Wow!

Jack   February 7th, 2008 1:27 pm ET

HAHAHAHA

This is too funny

Let's not jump to conclusions tho.... Mitt may flip-flop on this decision too

mark   February 7th, 2008 1:27 pm ET

after super tuesday, the writing was on the wall.

Patty Atlanta GA   February 7th, 2008 1:27 pm ET

All those Chinese made foam mitts gone to waste. Jesus showed him who was really in charge. Goodbye little witch man.

Ken, Medford MA   February 7th, 2008 1:27 pm ET

To quote Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols :

"Ever get the feeling you've been cheated?" ...

Ha Ha Ha Ha......

that'll teach you all to get behind a second rate used car salemen

Stace Sirmans   February 7th, 2008 1:26 pm ET

GO MITT!!! It's the media's fault!

Heather, Chicago IL   February 7th, 2008 1:26 pm ET

as long as they're still receiving a paycheck i really doubt they'll pay attention either way.

Dave in ME   February 7th, 2008 1:24 pm ET

Serves the idiot right – no one should be able to buy the nomination. You know who is relieved? His 5 sons who may salvage some sort of inheritance from this trainwreck of a run.

Mittmentum has died. Now we can sit back and watch the Republican party cannibalize itself over the prospect of John McCain being their nominee – FUN!!!!!

d   February 7th, 2008 1:24 pm ET

I am so sad to hear he has suspended his running. I truly feel there is absolutely NO Republican candidate to vote for in this election. McCain sure isn't running on a Republican Platform, he tries, but as soon as he becomes elected, he will revert to his very left leaning liberal ways (from his voting record). Huckabee...well, I do not believe he can keep the religion and state separate which I believe must happen for the good of this country. I truly felt that Mitt was the one to "begin" turning this country around for "we the people". I think this country is in for a hellish ride with the other candidates, (both Republican and Democratic Candidates) I am shocked beyond belief. This might be the first EVER election that I will have to either "write-in" or "bow-out".

Nick   February 7th, 2008 1:23 pm ET

Romney has united the GOP!!!

Nelson, Colorado Springs Co   February 7th, 2008 1:23 pm ET

I hate to see Mr. Romney suspending campaign

jd   February 7th, 2008 1:23 pm ET

Thanks Huckabee. . . you just trashed out last good hope of a conservative in the White House. Now we will get a Liberal Democrat no matter who wins

newsflash   February 7th, 2008 1:23 pm ET

Take notice of what's not being accepted GOP!
And be careful of how you trash McCain–he's your only good candidate.
I will not vote for Huckabee or Romney; I'll vote for a Democrat before i do
that.

Stacey   February 7th, 2008 1:23 pm ET

Well, Romney is always changing his mind, so who knows he might come back! LoL

Sue, Michigan   February 7th, 2008 1:22 pm ET

Funny, last night a blogger was sure that Huckabee was getting out and would support Mitt. I still think the Dems can beat McCain just on his war stand, and the fact that he supports bombing Iran. Don't think that plays well anywhere but the South. And he sure can't pull in the evangelical faction of the Repubs can he?

JCL   February 7th, 2008 1:20 pm ET

I feel sorry for the supporters being left out of the loop, but it could have been worse...

...Mitt could have shown up at his campaign headquarters and found the doors locked ("What? Oh, sorry you didn't get the memo, sir, but we shut down the campaign last week")

Scott   February 7th, 2008 1:20 pm ET

I agree completely Curious Voter

Scott Mercer   February 7th, 2008 1:18 pm ET

The person closest to the object of love is often the last one to know...

Mark   February 7th, 2008 1:17 pm ET

I'm a conservative Christian and I will NEVER vote for McLIBERALCain...I plan to write-in Mitt CONSERVATIVE Romney...even at the cost that Hillarious Clinton or Obama win. : (

Do It To It, Mitt!   February 7th, 2008 1:16 pm ET

I wept for out future. I am already researching which country to move to.

Bryan   February 7th, 2008 1:15 pm ET

Thank you Mitt for a great campaign, your message, and your endless optimism. You inspired many and we look forward to your run in 2012.

whatsitToyou   February 7th, 2008 1:15 pm ET

and the GOP lost the last good candidate! Go Dems they deserve this becayse Republicans are obviously clueless these days!

Ben   February 7th, 2008 1:15 pm ET

Go Huck!

Mac Magee   February 7th, 2008 1:15 pm ET

I sorta feel that if Mitt Romney had given the speech he'd just made about his pull-out from the race, I think he wouldn't have been giving this one about his dropping out! In this speech, I heard more things I could believe in and support, than in any of his other rhetorics. He wasted time bashing opponents and sounding like a "bad guy", a guy who really was more selfish than anything else. That's all I've got to say about that!

Mac Magee

PS: I'm a Democrat!

AJ, Iowa City, IA   February 7th, 2008 1:13 pm ET

Was it CNN, Was it? I think that Mitt is a more decent candidate than Huckabee (and human being for that matter)!

Veteran Will   February 7th, 2008 1:11 pm ET

Unless Hillary somehow pulls out the nomination for the Dems, I doubt McCain will have much luck in rallying the conservative base.

Surrealist, Fort Myers, FL   February 7th, 2008 1:10 pm ET

No daaaaaaaaa...

But we all knew what a wimp he was anyway.

Eric-Houston, TX   February 7th, 2008 1:08 pm ET

Symptomatic of the basic flaw in his (and Rudy's) campaigns–no real connection with the people.

TexasDude   February 7th, 2008 1:05 pm ET

Now Huckabee has a chance!

Ed   February 7th, 2008 1:03 pm ET

I LOVED it......

Good-bye. lol

Curious Voter   February 7th, 2008 1:01 pm ET

In all fairness, I don't think Laura Ingraham has a clue about anything. :)

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