Once Bitter Rivals, Romney and McCain Unite on Fundraising Trail
SALT LAKE CITY — In a show of Republican unity, one-time bitter foes John McCain and Mitt Romney raised money and campaigned together Thursday for a single goal — getting McCain elected president.
“We are united. Now our job is to energize our party,” the Arizona senator said in an airport hangar, flanked by Romney and Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., an early McCain supporter. Both have been mentioned as potential vice presidential picks, and McCain praised each.
Romney lauded McCain and promised to do all he can to help, saying: “He is a man who is proven and tested” and without question the right man to be president.
In February, Romney won 90 percent of the vote in Utah to McCain’s 5 percent. Romney’s ties to the state run deep, from his Mormon faith to his work overseeing the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.
“Look, that wasn’t the only state I lost to Governor Romney in — it was just the largest loss,’ McCain said chuckling. He joked that it was abject humiliation but understandable given Romney’s Utah links. “I was at least hoping to break into double digits though!”
“I think he did just fine in New Hampshire, South Carolina, Florida, California …,” Romney said, laughing about states McCain won.
The two then headed to Denver for another fundraiser accompanied by Meg Whitman, the outgoing chief executive of eBay Inc. and a former Romney backer who now supports McCain.
On the flight, there seemed to be little residual acrimony between the former rivals.
They sat next to each other and ate turkey sandwiches. They laughed and talked during the hourlong flight, and were complimentary of each other when talking to reporters traveling with McCain.
A tanned and rested Romney said it was fun to be campaigning again and nice not to feel any pressure. “I don’t have to worry about goofing up,” he said. He brushed aside questions about a No. 2 spot on the GOP ticket.
At one point, McCain answered a question by lamenting an accelerated GOP primary process that he said doesn’t allow voters to scrutinize the candidates as much.
“Mitt just went through the process,” McCain said and turned to the former governor.
“The process was very good to you …,” Romney responded. McCain laughed, and Romney added that the process was good to him, too.
McCain, who has struggled to raise money compared to Democratic rivals Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton, is on a weeklong Western fundraising swing. Romney is popular in Utah and Colorado, states with large numbers of Mormons.
Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, dropped out of the race last month after it became apparent it would be near impossible to topple McCain in the convention delegate race. He endorsed the Arizona senator a week later and pledged to help him win the nomination.
Since then, McCain has praised Romney repeatedly as someone who is certain to continue playing a large role in the GOP. Romney, for his part, has suggested that he’d accept a vice presidential slot, though some Republicans privately speculate that he’s looking ahead to a possible repeat run in 2012.
Neither man appeared especially fond of the other during the campaign. Romney cast McCain as outside of the GOP’s conservative mainstream and a Washington insider who contributed to the problems there. McCain, in turn, argued that Romney’s equivocations and reversals on issues indicated a willingness to change his positions to fit his political goals.
“McCain, in turn, argued that Romney’s equivocations and reversals on several issues indicated a willingness to change his positions to fit his political goals.” McCain’s a hypocrite with this comment, however, seeing McCain pair with Romney is most encouraging. Romney is the Teddy Roosevelt, Rough Rider, today’s America needs to move forward with success and strength.
If Romney hooked up with McCain–McCain will defintely win the race for President–
what a ticket. I voted for Romney and wasn’t so sure about McCain,butt if they hooked
up together it is a SURE ticket. There would be a chance for America yet.
Looks like a Republican “Dream Ticket”
The idea of regulateing began with Carl Marx and Engles. It took Lenin and Stalin seventy to prove it wouldn’t work. Now we have a super smart BOY that will try again. I’m tired of these super smart people that know more and more about less a nd less. The knot heads in Washington screw up every thing they touch. Look at the great society,L.B.J’s mess need I go on?
I voted for Romney in the Alabama primary! Now I am stuck with McCain? God help me!
I was so pleased to read that Mr. Romney was campaigning with Sen. McCain.
In these financially troubled times, I believe a vice-president with his knowledge of the law and economics would be wonderful!
Disgusting… they wasted our time attacking each other; now they’re in bed together. McCain has sold out for money, and Romney for power.
McCain’s having Romney for his Vice Presidential candidate is the only reason I would vote for McCain!
One of the best things conservatives can hope for is a Romney VIP bid. Regardless of whether or not it happens though, Romney has to be considered the front runner for 2012. Here’s hoping!
I certainly hope McCain picks Romney as his running mate, he needs a conservative with an economic background and is a true conservative to make up for his liberal leanings. If he, does as he says, and closes Gitmo, and goes for this global warming bunk, I just will not be able to vote in this election. His monotone delivery remindes me of “Percy Milktoast” why dosesn’t he speak like a man with the ability to lead. This league of nations crap is a complete surrender to the liberal countries of this world. (this is hard to swallow) Maybe he should pay attention to the postive changes made in France.