September 16, 2009
Posted: September 16th, 2009 01:20 PM ET

From
Romney is considered an early frontrunner for the White House race in 2012, according to recent polls.
Romney is considered an early frontrunner for the White House race in 2012, according to recent polls.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has planned a flurry of appearances in the Washington area this weekend, an indicator of the kind of hectic schedule he's been keeping as he looks ahead to a possible presidential bid in 2012.

His D.C. itinerary will be dominated by fundraisers, but Romney has planned a pair of high-profile speeches to conservative groups that are sure to draw attention: On Saturday he is slated to address the Values Voters Summit, and on Monday he'll deliver remarks to a luncheon at the Foreign Policy Initiative, a neoconservative think tank founded by William Kristol.

The former Massachusetts governor has four finance events planned - including a Thursday night gathering dubbed "Sundaes with Mitt" that will benefit his own political action committee, Free and Strong America PAC. The confab will held at the Washington home of Charlie Spies, who was Romney's top money man during his presidential bid.

He'll also raise money for three GOP candidates in Virginia. On Friday he's hosting a fundraiser in Alexandria for Virginia Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, now running for re-election. On Sunday, he heads to Great Falls to help former campaign staffer Barbara Comstock, who is seeking a House of Delegates seat in Virginia.

Romney's visit to the area will be capped off on Monday, when he will host a fundraiser for Virginia gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell at the American Gas Association, a trade group representing the gas industry. The event is expected to pull in $100,000 for McDonnell.

Romney last raised money for McDonnell in May.

Filed under: Bob McDonnell • Mitt Romney • Virginia


Steve (the real one)   September 16th, 2009 3:22 pm ET

This man should have been the GOP nominee last year at least the VP nominee! Maybe in 2012! Any of the lefties who would state he still would have lost...can you prove it?

DonnaLee   September 16th, 2009 3:12 pm ET

This guy might make a good president. He is only a bit weirder than the rest of the Rethuglicans in the hunt. Let's just hope that he doesn't try to force his Book of Moronic religious beliefs on the US.

jfs Memhis, Tn   September 16th, 2009 3:11 pm ET

This guy needs to take his party back from the TEA BAGGERS , Rush, and Fox News. If can simmer the negative GOP reheteric we moderates may start to listen. If he can't then it will be another wasted DC weekend like last weekend.

I Am the Great and Powerful Wizard of Rush   September 16th, 2009 3:10 pm ET

And finally, Romney will strap his dog on the hood of car and travel
to Virginia Tech to honor Michael Vick

Ninos   September 16th, 2009 3:10 pm ET

What lies & misinformation will he be touting now? At least it's not Mrs. Sarah Logorrhea. What is she up to, CNN? Get your papparazzi staff on it, will ya!

stan   September 16th, 2009 3:07 pm ET

romney cant win because he is to conservative,if the gop thinks they are going to beat obama running nothing but conservatives,well their going to be in for a big suprise,in when they get killed your going to see a very confused republican party.this is my estimates for 2012,its going to be 133 million voters,which 96 million is going to be white up from 94,that means 37 million is going to be minority up from 35,if obama gets 31 million minority votes up from 30 and he gets only 36 million white votes down from 39.5,that means obama is going to have 67 million votes down from 69.5,that means the gop will have to get at least 63 million white votes up from 54,because belive me the gop is only going to get 5.5 million minority votes in thats being genorous,which would bring their total to 68.5,in which means the gop would have to get 66% of the white vote,so look at these figures in see who has the better chance of winning in 2012

IS IT 2012 YET ??   September 16th, 2009 3:06 pm ET

It will be GREAT to see Mitt again, in the 2012 campaign. It will be even greater to see him wave goodbye to the Obamas in 2013, as they lift off in Marine 1 enroute to their exciting return to private life.

S M R   September 16th, 2009 2:57 pm ET

This Guy is the SAME as the rest of the GOP CLOWNS. You know what is wrong: They are all in it for the money and don't care about the well being of the AVERAGE AMERICAN. TRICKLE-DOWN ECONOMICS AND DE-REGULATION ARE THE GOP's biggest money makers that are SO harmful to OUR COUNTRY.

John Smithe   September 16th, 2009 2:53 pm ET

Wow that is bizzay. Must be the magic undies.

B   September 16th, 2009 2:51 pm ET

This guy looks like a serious 2012 contender in what is left of the GOP.

He makes all of the rest of the Republicans look and sound like the Total thoughtless buffoons that they are!

Sniffit   September 16th, 2009 2:42 pm ET

OH EMM GEE!!! Does that picture above show a hair out of place? I think it might...like right above the right ear or so...THE APOCALYPSE IS NIGH!!!

A Democrat of 51 years who has finally got smart to their follishness.   September 16th, 2009 2:40 pm ET

Dear Lord may he be so busy he will not have time to run for President and take votes away from Palin who will smoke Obama.

Roger   September 16th, 2009 2:26 pm ET

Now this is a smart dude. Runs for president wastes a lot of his own money doing it. Gets totally wiped out in all the primaries. Gets it handed to him by a guy who spent no money (Huckabee) so what does he do? Decides to do it all over again. Way to go Mitt, what you lack in brains you make up for in persistence.

Rocky   September 16th, 2009 2:24 pm ET

Nice isn't it Romney is beyond wealthy and doesn't have to hold down a job, he can trot around the county on his Mitt Romney for President 2012 campaign, and take vacations in Italy, Europe and on the sunny beaches.

Has Mitt bought any more houses to establish residency in any other states?

Katelyn   September 16th, 2009 2:20 pm ET

Laughable....just laughable. What a mess the GOP has become. Sad.

Mississippi Miss   September 16th, 2009 2:19 pm ET

Take a long look at Mitt Romneys credentials, and you will find him to be among the best choices for President of this great country.

He is responsible for Massachusetts Health Care, which needs some changing, but he tackled it and got it done. He is decidedly a man of
action, a man of moral clarity (I personally do not agree with his choice of religion), but I admire his faithfulness to conservatism, his faith and family values, patriotism, and humanity.

Very grateful to have him speaking out for conservative principles.

As conservatives we promote humanitarian ideals, freedom and patriotism. Come vote with us in 2010!

Jillie   September 16th, 2009 2:19 pm ET

Republican Romney has NO SOLUTIONS, just critizisms. He's your "standard" Republican. Nixt on Mitt!!!

RT   September 16th, 2009 2:19 pm ET

Imagine the shock when the GOP admits their top candidate for 2012 pushed through state-run health insurance with a public option in Massachusetts and mandated that every citizen must have it or face a tax penalty. It was his proposal, his idea, and he made it happen. I don't remember any Tea Parties in Massachusetts back then. In fact, I don't remember any protests or marches on the state house either. Why doesn't the GOP ever mention this or why doesn't the media ever try to get his opinion on the current health insurance debate. That's a story right there for you CNN.

Trenton   September 16th, 2009 2:18 pm ET

Mitt is just another disgruntled Republican, whose only change has been to dye his hair darker. Must be a requirement to being Republican.

Bob the Observer   September 16th, 2009 2:16 pm ET

Just as long as you're a tourist, you can spend all the time in Washington that you want, Mitt. Don't get too comfortable there.

Shirley In California   September 16th, 2009 2:16 pm ET

Let's see now – this is the same "cat" who lost to a 70 plus year man? I thought so.

Democrats have NOTHING to worry about. We will STILL win big.

Abby   September 16th, 2009 2:15 pm ET

Poor ole Mitt, he's such a flip-flopper. He's saddled with the word Republican in front of his name. He'll say and do anything to capture a vote. Boo Hiss!!

Tim   September 16th, 2009 2:11 pm ET

Mr. Romney is exactly what liberals portray republicans as.

Rich, out of touch with the common man, finger to the wind, talk to both sides of an issue depending on the crowd, war monger (see clip of him laughing at Ron Paul as Paul explained how we were not the world's police.)

He's the Democrat's best weapon against the republican party.

I hope he's chosen to represent the Republicans when Obama runs again. It'll be an easy choice then. NEITHER!!

Mike in MN   September 16th, 2009 2:05 pm ET

This dangerous racist, anti Obama conservative domestic terriorist is going to be in the Washington area? I hope security levels are increased.
Hopefully some alert thinking liberals will be on hand and have an arrest warrant ready. Romney is certain to say some things in oppostion to Obama's policies which would be racist hate speech and a hate crime.
I don't see how the founding fathers ever thought freedom of speech would work. It is just to dangerous for everyday American citizens to practice. We should all only be allowed to say things that liberals deem socially acceptable.

Lynda/Minnesota   September 16th, 2009 2:01 pm ET

Romney can plan all the events he wants. It won't get him any closer to the White House until he is willing to contain the nonsense which his party has embroiled itself in for the past 9 months.

Romney's lack of leadership skill and his powerless inaction and unwillingness to take on Limbaugh, FOX News, et. al., speaks volumes. As long as the wing nuts are in control, there is no hope for Romney or any other member of the GOP to face off with President Obama in 2012.

The damage being done by the birthers, tea baggers, and others is too staggering to overcome.

RahmAxleRod SuperTroopers   September 16th, 2009 2:01 pm ET

Romney a true Moderate, the Massachusetts, who provided a real statewide healthcare plan, and despite what he will say as a candidate he was the governer of Mass during the first gay marriage.
Get Real in 2012, go for the guy who actually accomplished real change Americans Want!

Fed Up   September 16th, 2009 2:01 pm ET

We need to get Romney in the WH in 2012 to clean up the mess that will be left.

JonDie   September 16th, 2009 2:00 pm ET

That guy gets around a lot...for someone who hasn't held a job, or a title other than "professional politician", for years.

MK in Arizona   September 16th, 2009 1:48 pm ET

I can't wait until 2012 when I can once again vote for Mitt Romney for President!

Nick   September 16th, 2009 1:47 pm ET

Don't forget your magic underwear, Romney.

Cynthia   September 16th, 2009 1:46 pm ET

This is so not news, nobody care about this loser.

j   September 16th, 2009 1:46 pm ET

Who cares !!!!!

Dutch/Bad Newz, VA   September 16th, 2009 1:43 pm ET

Values Voters Summit

Ha! Will Sen. Ensign and Gov. Sanford be attending as well?

Doug, New Jersey   September 16th, 2009 1:43 pm ET

It is very rare that evil satans would elect a moral angel to govern them, how Romney pulled that off is quite amazing.

Romney does know first hand the evil that is the liberal Democrat, since most Americans are good hearted honest people, if he can show all of America how liberals really are, how they act, what they think, and their total disregard for American lives, he could ensure that an evil lib is never elected on the national level ever again.

Liberal4Obama   September 16th, 2009 1:41 pm ET

Seriously... who cares? This guy couldn't beat 72 year old John McCain... that is enough for me to say he won't ever amount to anything.

fideauxdon   September 16th, 2009 1:40 pm ET

I hope that at least one person in his audience asks him if he thinks that he would have been reelected if he ran again for Governor in Massachusetts again. The answer is "when donkeys fly".
The same answer would apply if he ran for Ted Kennedy's seat.
Mitt is like Zelig in the old Woddy Allen movie. He's more famous for being there than anything else. He'll profess to support whatever the voters believe in order to be elected, but the man is totally devoid of any solid beliefs.

Fred   September 16th, 2009 1:39 pm ET

Might as well save your breath, Romney. There won't be an America by 2012.

G2   September 16th, 2009 1:38 pm ET

Wish we had Mitt...he'd have figured out the economy better and gotten a fair healthcare compromise done. We really missed the boat in the last election. It should have been Hillary vs. Mitt, then a Mitt win by 2%....we would all be doing better.

NC   September 16th, 2009 1:29 pm ET

Romney is wasting his time. Right wing fringe republicans will not vote for a Mormon.

TangledThorns   September 16th, 2009 1:27 pm ET

Romney will only appeal to the Beltway conservatives. If McDonnell was smart he'd ask Palin's help where the real conservatives live, outside NOVA. Oh well, I live in Reston and will be voting McDonnell anyways.

Moderate Democrat   September 16th, 2009 1:26 pm ET

That's because Romney believes as McDonnell does: Women have no place in the work place, they shouldn't be allowed to vote and their opinion is worthless. They are also both racist, Romney even cried when his church allowed black people to attend for the first time.

As such, it's no surprise that he is raising money for a total nut case with logic and ideals dating back to the BC years. We can always count on republicans to bring us down. Don't believe it? Look at California and South Carolina if you want to see what a republican governor does to a state.

Kevin in Ohio   September 16th, 2009 1:26 pm ET

November will be the beginning of the end for the ruling junta of democrats.

Farrell in Houston   September 16th, 2009 1:25 pm ET

I hope that Mitt Romney runs for president in 2010 and let's see how many Republicans will support him. LOL.

Ekbaaaaaaaal from AZ   September 16th, 2009 1:25 pm ET

Is Palin there too???

I wonder who else can entertain the leadership??? I was surprised to learn yesterday that she slept with Bush too !!!!

Felly   September 16th, 2009 1:24 pm ET

This much ado about nothing.

obama the liar   September 16th, 2009 1:24 pm ET

be careful mitt...if you raise money for republicans you will be labeled a racist.

Frank, Las Vegas   September 16th, 2009 1:24 pm ET

Does anybody really care about Mitt?

Jeb   September 16th, 2009 1:23 pm ET

Who cares, I mean, really? Why does the GOP recycle candidates? Is their pool that shallow?

SOUTHERN HOTTIE   September 16th, 2009 1:21 pm ET

...and I had chimichangas for lunch...

So what?

Steph   September 16th, 2009 1:21 pm ET

Does this dude have a job? Why is he important?

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