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I really want to believe that Romney means what he says. Its time that someone in the GOP show some "real " backbone.

One REpub who recognizes the political need to find a small patch of common ground with an overwhelmingly popular president. Romney is saavy enough to know that the constant Obama bashing from the far right turns off most Americans. He's attempting to position himself as the moderate voice of the GOP. It's probably just a cynical ploy. Yet this may indicate a glimmer of hope for the GOP pulling out of it's tailspin.

I'm pretty sure Romney is confusing Republican for Libertarian.

Republicans favor individual freedom? Was that a misspeak?

Mitt Romney is only in agreement with Obama because he is the most popular guy in American politics right now.

Would love to see the smarest and most qualified guy in America become our next president in 2012 !!!!!

Mitt Romney is pretty pragmatic and only wants to make America better.

And he has the "proven" record in priviate, public, and non-profits to put together great teams that achieved great success

The Republican "vow" here still focuses too much on power. Based on Romney's past rhetoric against President Obama, I cannot trust another one of his sudden changes in positions. Mitt has shown he does that far too often towards political gain.

For Romney to say "heavy government" vs. "individual freedoms" without recognizing the shortcomings of the GOP these past several years, it only shows Mitt has a long way to go before I can take him seriously, no matter how much newfound appreciation he suddenly shifted again.

I think Romney bowed out of the last election because he knew Obama was unstoppable. He also knew that he he won the nomination, but lost against Obama, he would not have a shot at getting nominated again in 2012. By bowing out and giving McCain the nomination, he set himself up for a chance in 2012. Pretty smart move, if you ask me.

"I think the American people are seeing through what’s happening,” he said. “The Democrats are trying to use this crisis as a way to advance their philosophy of the supremacy of government, and I don’t think they’re being fooled"

The MSM is not reporting all the Tea Parties that are being held.....but we are awake and we will not let the Tyranny continue.

I agree with Romney that Republicans should acknowledge where they agree with Obama. And also take a stand where they disagree.

The spending by Obama and the Congressional Democrats will bankrupt this country. Bush added 2.5 trillion to the nationa deficit, helped along by Democrats who were in control of the purse strings in 2007 and 2008. Now Obama and Congressional Democrats are down a path to add another 9.3 trillion. What Bush did does not even come close to what Obama is going to do. Obama will add nealy 4 times more to the national deficit than Bush did. This will bankrupt our Nation. We are not yet bankrupt, this will not be Bush's or the Republicans fault.

Alvin:

Mitt Romney is not praising Obama for bailing out the auto industry. He is praising Obama for finally showing some backbone and firing the GM CEO and hinting he's going to let the companies fail if they don't get on track.

Romney is saying that Obama was soft on the auto industry before by bailing them out, but is finally realizing that bailing them out is not the answer. So don't blast Romney for being a flip-flopper on this issue before you understand the context of his comments.

Romney's comments represent the kind of thinking the GOP will have to adopt if they want any chance in 2012. The public just sees them as the opposition party, criticizing and opposing anything Obama does. That will lead them to any success in 2010 or 2012. As for Romney's comments that Obama and the DNC are exploiting the current crisis to further their political philosophy, I disagree and would like to point out that it was Bush and the GOP doing the same thing for the 7.5 years after 9/11 that got us into this mess in the first place.

I am glad that someone in the Republican party, be it for selfish reasons or not, is at least trying to reconcile the party and not, pardon the irony, stick to the guns of the far right. Political parties have to adapt just like people and everything else in this world. And making your message more comparable to the overwhelming center of the country is the best way to do so. Now if we could only convince Romney that individual freedom includes the right to smoke pot.

Wow- Mitt Romney is a savy bizness man but...I am confused the Republican party has too many different messages....

Well, I must say, Romney has it right. It is about time someone on the Republicn side admitted that President Obama isn't doing everything wrong! As sharply as I've criticized President Bush in the past, I've also agreed with some of what he did, and given credit where it was due. It is nice to see that happening, even slightly, on the GOP side, as well.

I voted for Obama, but unlike the neocons who picture all of us who did as little lemmings or robots following orders, I did it after a lot of careful consideration and research. I haven't agreed with everything he has done as President, and I will continue to express my opinions, both positive and negative, toward him - as is my right as an American citizen.

I will vote my conscience in future elections, just as I have for the last 38 years, since I became eligible to vote. I don't vote Party lines, I vote for an individual. I recommend it to more people, to come to the middle and reach out in an atmosphere of cooperation and compromise, rather than rant at each other from the radical ends of the political spectrum.

Republicans: Against bi-partisanship until they were for bi-partisanship.

Romney is right, and the latest CNN polls prove it. A majority of the American people are getting nervous about Obama's spending.

At the very least America will elect Republicans to serve in the House and Senate in 2010 to try to keep Obama and Pelosi in check. But if this trend keeps going this direction, Obama could lose to a fiscally conservative candidate, whether he/she is Republican or not.

The farther the GOP gets from George W. Bush, and the more taxpayer money Obama spends, the closer the 2010/12 races will be.

Mitt Romney is the future of the GOP. How McCain beat him in the primaries, I will never understand. And I live in Arizona...

Mitt has it all. Political experience and more importantly, BUSINESS experience.

Before spewing hate, remember the federal governments job is to uphold the Constitution, not redistribute wealth and give people free anything. Only FREEDOM itself!

Instead of worrying about 2010 and 2012, why don't the Republicans concentrate on 2009? I think we all know the answer they would give...NO!!!

Ivan said:

"Romney will say and do anything to become President, even if it takes being on both sides of an issue."

Sound familiar?

Joe, you think that the current administration has drawn line by putting themselves right in business and banking. What do you call a society where the government has interest in banking and private business? socialism. If you lose all your profits, you would be allowed to fail, why shouldn't they. Point being Government intrusion is at an all time high.

A thoughtful Republican....................HEY everyone should get behind Mitt Romney as he has a shot for 2012................I would have voted for him had he run instead of my voting for Obama..(not that I regret my vote one bit)......

He's probably the smartest guy inthe GOP. All this divisiveness in the the GOP will cause them to surely lose. It turns people off when they rant on Obama...he's slick...Romney that is...but smart.

JINDAL-ROMNEY 2012
Real solutions, real experience, no need for "teleprompters" for speeches.

Romney would be the wise choice for 2012, however, the socially conservative republicans who control the party won't stand for his nomination.

Didn`t the Republicans control both houses of congress AND the Presidency from 2000-most 2006 ? Wasn`t it then the budget went out of whack from surplus to horrific debt ? Why didn`t they practice what they preach then? Only now do they whine and wail about spending. ----- Their plan !!!!- you guessed it . Same old more tax cuts, capital gains cuts, expand estate exemptions, reduce corporate taxes, bla,bla, bla------

I think it is commendable that Mitt Romney can acknowledge President Obama's hard work and good judgment. Unlike most other Republicans who are just against the administration and unveiled a budget plan that makes absolutely no sense. We can not afford that kind of inadequacy in the White House or in our government. Look where it led us.

If you think that Mitt wont be taking orders from Salt Lake then you didnt pay attention to the prop 8 goings on in California. Mitt is a mormon first, a republican second and a citizen of the US third.

Mitt Romney is just saying that because he is trying to line things up for himself. As far as I am concerned, President Obama has gotten a lot more right than the republicans has given him credit for. That's the problem with republicans, if things are not done their way, it is the wrong way even if their way has not and does not work. The repubs can continue to criticize and plot against the president all they want to, but at the end of the day, America under Obama's leadership will win!

America, it is time to unite, and step aside from petty polictics, we are at a crossroads, employment, energy, national security, etc

The reason Romney is saying nice things about President Obama now is because the Republicans are seeing and are going to see that Obama's going in the right direction and if the GOP keeps opposing the President they are going to have to eat a lot of words, and are going to be in a hole that they will not be able to dig themselves out of..........

Please..Mitt is angling for votes in 2012..he knows that if he publicly dismisses Obama like most of his party he won't stand a chance of peeling away from Obama's base come election day..he is trying not to be the "bitter" partisian that he really is.....

Can you say FLIP FLOPPING?

This guy a few months ago wanted GM and Chrysler to go into bankruptcy now he is praising the president for bailing them out. This is pure pandering?

It only helps to point out the obvious. That is the only way the Republican Party can grow. Mention the agreements and accent the disagreements. If 60% of folks think Obama is doing okay, figure out why, give the guy credit and when he fails on something use that opportunity. Maybe Romney is finally getting it.

"Romney, speaking without notes or teleprompter" – Obama has a lot to learn from Romney, including this little trick of speaking without notes and teleprompter. Gov. Romney is the guy who, we, the people, need now to get us out of this economic mess. Our country would be blessed to have him as the president. I hope he runs in 2012.

The libs that post here are not indicitave of society as whole. Take that into consideration while reading.

BE CAREFUL DEMS, I SMELL A SNAKE! This guy went from painting Obama as a radical to trying to peel away from his own party's radical image. It's a wolf in sheep's clothing, and we won't fall for it. I guess the Republicans are realizing that Obama is on the right track and they want to get on board for the ride until it's time to get off and start ripping away at him again!

Romney in 2012 will have the same fundamental problem he had in 2008: voters do not believe he is sincere, and with good reason. He will hold whichever view profits him most in the short term and people see through him, and that's why McCain beat him so handily.

Someone in the GOP finally gets it...(feel free to sing with me)...just a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down, the medicine go downnnnn, the medicine go down (repeat)

Not a fan of Mitt, but I'll give him credit... for giving credit. If we'd see more of that from the Republicans instead of all the crazy "oh noes it's teh socializm!" hysteria, then maybe we could ALL solve some of this country's troubles.

Where are all the terrorist pals of Obama that the GOP was so concerened about during the campaign??? It will be a long time beofre I trust these guys with governing again. Trust with one hand & verify with the other!

I agree with Romney that the only salvation for the auto industry is to completely restructure their organizations and streamline their operations. They would have done it years ago if the unions would have let them. Obama needs to fire the union bosses and force the unions to agree to reasonable terms. If that doesn't happen, we are basically bailing out the unions, not the automakers.

Mitt you flat don't get it.

First of all, the Republicans are *NOT* the party of individual freedom. Ask any impoverished pregnant girl seeking an Abortion, or any gay couple trying to win the same legal rights that any straight couple can get. And the Republican's are big on heavy handed government, they like to tap our phone calls and detain people indefinitely without charge in the name of national security.

Second, most of the country realizes now that there is only one fix for this crisis, and that is to lay an entire new foundation and restore a balance of power between government and private enterprise. The lines between the two have become blurred to the point that corporate interests and government policy have become one in the same. The results have been catastrophic.

I love how they point out that he didn't use a teleprompter. Like that matters more than the actual words he says? Give it a rest with the that already. It's a new age and some people are too busy fixing problems to memorize a speech like this gentleman just did.

Kudos to him for taking the high road here and not bashing Obama like so many others in that party have done recently every time they get their hands on a mic. It goes to show that in order to succeed we must let the President do the job we elected him to do.

Romney said, Democrats are trying to use this crisis as a way to advance their philosophy of the supremacy of government, and I don’t think [the American people] are being fooled.

Well, some are being fooled, some think it's a good idea, and all those who voted against Obama knew all along what he was up to .

So, here is the beginning of the 2012 campaign to attract moderates and independents, but we are not going to forget that Republicans normally turn into something else after they win.

Romney is a decent human being aka republican. The lib for 8 years said Bush was wrong every time. Bush could do exactly what the lib wanted but if he did the lib would then change its view and start screaming and foaming at the mouth at Bush. Obama has a chance with the fair minded right, while no republican has a chance with the lib, it is a being guided by irrational hate-filled emotional distortion.

I am so sick of hearing Republicans spout off about "individual freedom and free enterprise" when they are the ones supporting the torture of individuals, spying on individuals, and the deregulation of the banks that made "free enterprise" by anyone but billionaires virtually non-existent. Sounds good to trash the party in power, but please be truthful. Plus their 'freedom' extends only to those who are employed. If you're poor and needy, forget about Republicans helping you.

Romney was the only Republican candidate that had any chance of winning the White House and continues to be. If the GOP in congress will listen to him, instead of Rush and Newt, we could see real bi-partisan efforts on issues that must be addressed. You can't just say "No" and "Tax cuts for the rich" and salvage the two party system. No matter what his religion, he is the best the Republicans have to offer. If the Democrats can elect a president who is black, the Republicans can elect a president who is Mormon. But that will not fly in the Bible belt South, so the GOP is probably destined to be the Gone Ole Party.

Now that is my kind of GOPer. At least he is not a zellet. Rush could learn a thing or two from him. Last, if he Dems cannot show the value of having all of the power in Congress then the GOP has a shot at taking one of the chambers back in 2010. GOP, stop in fighting and hopeing Obama fails and up your game so that you will be fit to lead in 2 years.

“I think the American people are seeing through what’s happening,” he said. “The Democrats are trying to use this crisis as a way to advance their philosophy of the supremacy of government, and I don’t think they’re being fooled.”

-

At first I thought – ah, Mitt's paying attention to the polling and public sentiment on his party – until that quote. He fails to comprehend that the majority of the public support the advance of the government – they want their tax dollars, if spent, to be spent on them, not the few very rich. Almost mitt, but you're still missing the boat.

"Democrats, who he said favor heavy-handed government, and Republicans, who prefer individual freedom"

LOL! Yes, the same Republicans that want to legislate my body, who I sleep with, who I marry, and who can adopt. They are SOOOO in favor of individual freedoms.

That is the kind of talk expected from people who wish america well.Constructive criticism,well said there mitt,dont you think it will be great if chip in some honest advice to mr president,

Romney is not really bipartison. He's actually really good at attacking the Dems regardless of pesky facts. I think McCain could have done a lot better and been taken more seriously with Romeny.

I wouldn't have liked the GOP any better, but I think some on the edge would.

Still, Romney and GOP live off of creating fear, and that is the part that I don't understand or agree with. We don't have to be afraid to act or believe. Ask your old hero Ronald Reagan. He stood up for America, he did not say "you have to be afraid."

Is it always about winning the next election? I guess the GOP doesn't feel they have anything to do with fixing the economy.

Romney is correct. Once in a while, Obama will be (and has been) right. Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while.

Seriously, this is the first postive Republican statement I have heard in the first 100 days of Obama's administration. Kudos to Romney for having the intelligence to recognise nothing will get done if all the Republicans do is complain and throw stones.

The American public doesn't want to hear continual political whining from the losers of the last election. Cooperation, compromise and commitment to Americans in both political directions are what we want and are necessary for usthe pulbic to regain respect for Congress.

If Romney strays toweards the middle, then he could be a big challange to Obama in 2012.

Quit kissing up ,it's not going to get you the white house.

I don't have a lot of confidence in the veracity of Mr. Romney, however, it is nice to hear a Republican actually admit that you don't have to be a GOP clone to have good ideas and good intentions.

Romney will say and do anything to become President, even if it takes being on both sides of an issue.

I think Romeny shouldn't of dropped out. He would of been the perfect Republican Canidate. The Republicans should be taking Romeny's advise instead of Rush and his gang.

Romney will never get my vote!

I have commented before that Romney is probably the best person to have to lead the Republican Party. He is one out of a handful of traditional conservatives that can talk without infuriating people like me. The main thing that ruins the credibility of any individual or organization, regardless of affiliation, is an articulated philosophy that everything can be categorized as black or white, even when everyone intuitively knows that most everything falls somewhere in between the extremes. Mitt Romney has the wit and the political confidence to give the Devil his just dues when the Devil is right.

How is it that Repubs always try to paint the Dems as the 'Big Spenders' and yet they themselves are the very party that has bankrupted America by prosecuting needless wars. The entire sorry saga of the feeding frenzy by the Repubs during the Clinton years taught us one very concrete lesson: America WILL tolerate and even forgive most transgressions of a human and personal nature, but they absolutely will NOT tolerate hypocracy. You'd think the Repubs, if they learn nothing else, would learn this.

about time someone makes sense in the GOP

Too little/too late! Do you really think you're believable Mitt?

Romney, a republican with praise for Pres.OBAMA..oh I almost forgot that it is April fools day..let's not fall for the GOP trick..

Thank God.. someone who hears and understands.. maybe the party has a chance .