PersonalizeThe Washington PostCampaign 2012CongressCourts &LawThe Fed PageHealth CarePollingWhite HouseBlogs & ColumnsIssues: EnergyIn the NewsSupreme Court SOPA and PIPA South Carolina debate GOP race Polarized news SOTU ???initialComments:true! pubdate:01/20/2012 18:44 EST! commentPeriod:14! commentEndDate:2/3/12 6:44 EST! currentDate:1/21/12 3:0 EST! allowComments:true! displayComments:true!
Gingrich surge makes a sharper, tighter race
Happy National Squirrel Day
Share your snow photos
New public face of assisted suicide in the...Romney campaign looks to consolidate support of GOP establishment
View Photo Gallery — ?After what was widely considered an unfocused and bloated campaign in 2008, the Republican former Massachusetts governor is returning to the presidential sweepstakes with a more tightly knit team.
Text SizePrintE-mailReprints By Philip Rucker, NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. — With support for Mitt Romney eroding on the eve of the critical South Carolina primary, his campaign advisers are redoubling their efforts to consolidate elected officials, major donors and key activists from throughout the GOP establishment. And they are having some success.
Several prominent Republicans who until recently were neutral have endorsed Romney over the last few days. Among them are two GOP swing-state stars buzzed about as potential vice presidential candidates — Sen. Rob Portman (Ohio) and Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell — who campaigned with the former Massachusetts governor in South Carolina this week.
Loading...CommentsWeigh InCorrections?
With recent polls showing former House speaker Newt Gingrich overtaking Mitt Romney, the Palmetto State’s primary is suddenly a nail-biter.More on this StoryRead more on PostPolitics.comRomney scrambles to fend off Gingrich in S.C.Gingrich’s personal intangible pulls in votersStephen Colbert takes aim at super PACsView all Items in this StoryDebate fatigue strikes on GOP trailThe Fix: S.C. debate’s winners and losersFact Checker: 15 dubious statementsRomney campaign looks to consolidate support of GOP establishmentSOPA, PIPA votes delayedSupreme Court sides with Texas on redistrictingPolarized in South Carolina House Republicans hold subdued retreat“I think the best candidate to beat Barack Obama and to restore confidence in the United States of America is Mitt Romney and that’s why I’m here,” McDonnell told reporters after a rally with Romney in North Charleston on Friday. “I hope a lot of people come on board right now and let’s get this done and start focusing on the general election.”
Prominent bundlers — including John McCain’s 2008 finance chairman Fred V. Malek, who had been unaligned, and former Bush ambassador David Wilkins, a leading supporter — joined the Romney campaign in recent weeks, giving him a new network of fundraisers who have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for past presidential nominees.
One of the big questions after Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s withdrawal has been whether his large stable of donors and endorsees would follow Perry’s lead and support former House speaker Newt Gingrich. Romney aides are not automatically surrendering that ground. On Friday, Romney announced the backing of three congressmen from the Lone Star state and his fundraisers are wooing hundreds of Perry’s top Texas donors.
“The logic of his candidacy is very powerful and suggests, yes, he’s gonna be the nominee,” said former senator Jim Talent of Missouri. “The people who know what it takes to run for an office like this, I think, have become increasingly convinced that he has the ability to do it — that he can win and that he can govern afterwards. It’s also increasingly obvious that the others that are left are not in a position to do that.”
Talent, a close Romney adviser, said one of the campaign’s fundraisers in California called him Friday morning to say he had recruited five Perry donors there. And in Texas, Talent said, “I don’t think they’re gonna move to Newt. .?.?. I’ve talked to people down there who say we’re going out to get them now.”
Still, many party establishment figures remain on the sidelines — among them, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, who decided against a run last spring and is slated to deliver the Republican response to President Obama’s “State of the Union” address next week.
Aides to Gingrich sounded unimpressed with the Romney effort. Asked about Romney’s gathering of establishment support, Gingrich spokesman R.C. Hammond replied with a short e-mail: “Hasn’t done much so far.”
Gingrich received new endorsements boosts Friday, picking up support from movie star Chuck Norris and Michael Reagan, a conservative talk show host and son of former President Reagan.
Continued12Next PageSuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.
More about badges | Request a badge Culture Connoisseur BadgeCulture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.
More about badges | Request a badge Fact Checker BadgeFact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.
More about badges | Request a badge Washingtologist BadgeWashingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.
More about badges | Request a badge Post Writer BadgeThis commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.
Post Forum BadgePost Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.
More about badges | Request a badge Weather Watcher BadgeWeather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.
More about badges | Request a badge World Watcher BadgeWorld Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.
More about badges | Request a badge Post RecommendedWashington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.
You must be logged in to report a comment.
Sign in hereYou must be logged in to recommend a comment.
Sign in hereComments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.
All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.
More about badgesGet a badgeTo pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.
Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers. + SHARE THIS DEBATE
Featured Blogs & Columns
Election 2012News and conversation about the 2012 elections.
Fact CheckerThe truth behind the rhetoric
The TakeDan Balz on politics WP Social Reader Hide this Friends' Activity Most Popular in politics Most Popular in politics Most Popular Right Now
Your Friends’ Most Recent Activity
View More ActivityPowered by
The Post Most: PoliticsMost-viewed stories, videos and galleries int he past two hoursMost PopularA fiery Mitt Romney comes alive at rally on eve of South Carolina primaryPolarized news market has altered the political process in South Carolina primarIn South Carolina, a sharply tightened raceObama: State of the Union to feature manufacturing, energy, education, AmericanRomney campaign looks to consolidate support of GOP establishmentTop VideosCain sings at rally with Colbert (2:35)Stephen Colbert: New attack ad targeting RomneyPresident Obama sings at fundraiser (00:54)Newt Gingrich slams John King for question on ex-wife (2:01)Colbert campaigns for Cain before S.C. primary (3:04)Top GalleriesColbert, Cain hold joint rally in South CarolinaWitness Campaign: Through the eyes of the American voterObama dines outThe GOP presidential contenders: JanuaryPresident Obama on the campaign trail Fact or Fiction? Loading... Track all the Campaign 2012 fact checks Campaign 2012 tools 
Republican primary tracker Explore the state of the 2012 race in key early states.
Mad Money: Campaign ads Watch the latest campaign ads and track how much candidates spend.
Campaign Finance Explorer See who's raising and spending the most money.
2012 Presidential Candidates
Mitt Romney
Newt Gingrich
Ron Paul
Rick Santorum
Barack ObamaSee AllFeatured Advertiser LinksMesothelioma cancer shatters lives. Find out what to do before the killer strikes the one you love.>>Actos gave you bladder cancer? You may be entitled to compensation. Learn how to file an Actos lawsuit.>>Join Pres. Obama. It's time to do it again.>>Are you in? Join Barack Obama's campaign now.>>Help Pres. Obama keep moving America forward.>>Join the 2012 campaign at BarackObama.com>>Looking to buy a home? Visit TWP Real Estate section for the latest open houses.>>Make Your Vanguard Investing More Profitable - Free Research Report Reveals Best & Worst Funds>>Top politics Stories People Also ReadMost Popular Videos
A fiery Mitt Romney comes alive at rally on eve of South Carolina primaryPhilip Rucker 
Polarized news market has altered the political process in South Carolina primaryMarc Fisher 
In South Carolina, a sharply tightened racePhilip Rucker; David A. Fahrenthold; Nia-malika Henderson 
Obama’s State of the Union: Blueprint for a better economy, implicit pitch for re-electionAssociated Press Romney campaign looks to consolidate support of GOP establishmentPhilip Rucker 
Center for American Progress, group tied to Obama, under fire from Israel advocatesPeter Wallsten 
Republican presidential contest has a day full of upheavalDan Balz; Chris Cillizza Congresswoman: All 6 killed in helicopter crash in Afghanistan were Hawaii-based MarinesAssociated Press 
House Republican Conference holds more somber annual retreatPaul Kane 
Gingrich paid $994,000 in taxes in 2010, nearly a third of his income that yearAssociated Press 
SOPA protests shut down Web sitesDavid A. Fahrenthold 
At South Carolina GOP debate, four survivors spar; Gingrich adds host to the frayPhilip Rucker; Rosalind S. Helderman 
Obama Keystone XL pipeline rejection draws criticism from GOP primary candidates::unspecified:: 
Ron Paul gets boos from South Carolina debate audience; can he reclaim momentum?::unspecified:: 
After Wikipedia blackout, lawmakers struggle to keep anti-piracy bills on trackAssociated Press 
Santorum finished 34 votes ahead of Romney in new Iowa tally; votes from 8 precincts missingDavid A. Fahrenthold; Debbi Wilgoren Romney scrambles to fend off Gingrich in South CarolinaRosalind S. Helderman; Dan Balz Ways you can get us Mobile Apps Newsletter & alerts RSS Post Store Facebook Photo Store Twitter Washington Post Live The Washington Post Work for us Community Relations PostPoints Corrections/Suggestions Archive Contact the Ombudsman Report a problem Web site Make us your homepage Digital Guidelines Ask The Post Newspaper Subscribe Home delivery service e-Replica Advertise In the newspaper On the web site Mobile Events The Washington Post Company Post Company web sites Partners Slate Express Night Out Captial Business El Tiempo Latino The Root Foreign Policy Trove Post Tickets Capitol Deal Service Alley Post Master Class WP Live Student Advisor College Reviews © 1996- The Washington Post Terms of Service Privacy Policy Reprints and Permissions Help Contact Us Ad Choices 
No comments:
Post a Comment