GOP Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney & Running Mate, Paul Ryan
As excitement builds for the Romney/Ryan ticket, an undercurrent of hope runs through the nation and I am completely caught in the rip-tide. That was not always the case–I am a Johnny-come-lately to the campaign, and so take a moment to reflect on the events which swayed my loyalties.
Tamara Jackson
Last November the GOP presidential field included Michele Bachmann, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Rick Perry, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum. My initial preference was either Herman Cain or Rick Perry: but then, following some scurrilous accusations, Cain withdrew and a couple of months later, with leaden approval ratings following a couple of subpar debate performances, Perry withdrew.
I was troubled, but decided to support Rick Santorum–a consistent, life-long conservative. Then on April 10th Santorum withdrew and I reluctantly moved my allegiance to Mitt Romney. Oh it wasn’t that Mitt was a bad person–by all reports he had lived a good and moral life. But there were nagging questions concerning his validity as a true conservative: he had signed onto RomneyCare and he had supported Roe v. Wade prior to 2004. However, when faced with the abysmal failure of Obama to do anything but break promises and push America toward socialism, I was left with little choice.
Then came the pivotal moment: Hilary Rosen spoke a firestorm into being with the words “His wife [Ann Romney] has actually never worked a day in her life.” I heard that one statement from an elitist MSMer and former HuffPo editor, and was immediately indignant.
Ann Romney
As the daughter of a stay-at-home mom, I know first hand the hard work and tremendous sacrifice of such a choice. No one worked harder or deserved more praise than my mom, and the millions of other such homemaker-mothers. Raising children and balancing housework, meals, meetings, sports and of course, a marriage, is a 24/7/365 demanding proposition. Ann Romney had 5 boys between 1970 and 1981: Tagg, Matt, Josh, Ben and Craig. Mrs. Romney has also had the challenge of dealing with MS (diagnosed in 1998) and breast cancer (diagnosed, surgery and treatment in 2008). Come to think of it, if the tone-deaf, left-ward leaning, mainstream media wants to target Ann Romney, go right ahead! Women across this nation will continue to defect the Democrat party to side with a true lady who has raised 5 good and productive sons, lives with MS, survived cancer and suffered a miscarriage–a less-frequently mentioned loss and heartache.
The next events that prodded my heart and convictions to side with Mitt were his excellent run of speeches: the July 11th speech at theNAACP Convention, the July 24th VFW speech, and the July 29th speech in Jerusalem. At the first venue Romney showed great poise and courage before a non-supportive audience. In the next speech, Mr. Romney resonated with veterans and stressed national security in an almost Reagan-like delivery. And in Jerusalem, Mitt re-affirmed America’s commitment to our strongest ally in the Middle East–Israel.
As if these speeches were not telling enough, Romney made time during his August 2nd visit to Denver to meet with Gary Bauer, Dr. James Dobson, Sen. William Armstrong and Lt. General William Boykin, all men of deep faith and firm convictions. CAIR was livid over the meeting, in particular to Lt. Gen. Boykin’s attendance. CAIR’s displeasure only confirms the rightness of such an event!
Paul Ryan (R-WI)
Finally, all hesitation was erased on Saturday, August 11th, when Mitt introduced his Veep pick: Paul Ryan. Ryan, who had long been my favorite, signaled that Romney was serious about the economy, serious about the sanctity of life, serious about foreign policy and peace through strength. This was a solid pick of a man of character and conservative values. At that moment I knew.
I knew my head and my heart were unwaveringly convinced Mitt Romney was a sound choice. I knew I was seeing the resurgence of hope amongst conservatives. And I knew that I was now whole-heartedly, enthusiastically on board Romney’s Bandwagon.
Follow @tamij
Interestingly, I followed almost exactly the same path you did to get to where I am now in my support of Romney/Ryan. I, too, was a Cain fan. I liked his successful private business experience, and I liked that he was bold enough to lay out a plan early on (9/9/9). When Cain dropped out, I liked Bachmann and Santorum–primarily for their strong conservative credentials, and unwavering pro-life commitments.
As the campaign season has progressed, I’ve come to really appreciate the organization Mitt put together, and clearly he has an outstanding record as a CEO and leader–which is what we’re sorely lacking in the White House today. And he has all the private business experience you could want!
When he picked Ryan, that only confirmed it. I love Paul Ryan! I had hoped Romney would be bold enough to pick either Ryan or Allen West. He picked a true conservative with a vision, and the skills to articulate that vision.
I’m definitely on the Romney bandwagon…and I have a good feeling about November 6. Let’s make sure it turns out well!
Posted by Red Pill Report | August 22, 2012, 2:43 amThat’s really something–so many us of Conservatives felt this way, but Mitt has made believers of us! I’m feeling the excitement, but will not become complacent or over-confident! We do need to work hard for the sake of this greatest nation on God’s green earth!
Posted by TamiJ | August 22, 2012, 10:42 amGreat Article. I think it describes a path that a lot of us have followed.
Posted by Shelley | August 22, 2012, 10:20 amThanks for taking the time to read this and comment, Shelley! I’m finding thousands and thousands of wonderful kindred spirits out there…and it’s a very good thing!
Posted by TamiJ | August 22, 2012, 10:43 amWell said, Tami. It has been a long and winding road to the nomination of Romney, but I know of no Republicans or Conservatives who are not in full support of Romney… especially since the brilliant addition of Ryan!
When I look at the group we started with, I can’t be happier at the final result. Cain wasn’t ready, and was easily lampooned. Bachman would have been roasted by the Dems. Perry had the Texas swagger that would have linked him with Bush, and few answers. Huntsman and Pawlenty just failed completely to inspire, and Newt was great in the debates – but easily roamed into silliness and ego. As for Ron Paul… no comment is necessary.
Romney is squeaky clean, morally upright, successful, and organized. And Ryan is young, articulate, positive and well spoken. We’ve got a great ticket; one that is far better than I had hoped for 6 months ago!
Posted by Dave Gjerness (@daveinaz) | August 22, 2012, 10:40 amThanks so much Dave! I really appreciate you taking the time to read and comment. And I could not agree more. I’m trying to stay level-headed and focused like a laser beam on winning, although the anticipation of what may just happen in November keeps bubbling up! I can’t help myself–I am smiling a whole lot these days!
Posted by TamiJ | August 22, 2012, 10:53 amThanks for detailing the road map so many of us followed in the Primaries I knew from the beginning the quality of Romney’s character and the kind of husband and father and religious leader he had been, but I worried about his “pragmatism” in Massachusetts political office. Then, one by one his opponents fell. But Mitt did not fall; he rose to the top week after week without alienating or degrading others. Now they all support him because he preserved their dignity. He couldn’t have made a better choice for VP. Three cheers for Mitt Romney.
Posted by Linus | August 22, 2012, 2:30 pmIt’s been months in coming, but I am seeing hundreds of friends who echo these very same sentiments. I was the reluctant believer, but no more! Thanks for taking the time to read and comment–truly appreciated!
Posted by TamiJ | August 22, 2012, 2:36 pmIt is a GREAT feeling to have a GREAT ticket going into the November election. Loved your article. Your journey to support Romney was interesting, so welcome aboard. Romney/Ryan/ 2012
Posted by AmericanMaid | August 22, 2012, 2:58 pmThanks! And thank-you for the welcome–we do have a golden ticket and I’m excited!
Posted by TamiJ | August 22, 2012, 4:29 pmAh, Tami – once again you have sliced to the chase. We finally have a ticket to win in November and I credit Mr. Romney for his selection of running mate. Mr. Ryan is precisely the right man at the right time with no pun intended. The mark of a good manager is the caliber of people with which he/she selects to advise and carry policy. A case in point of failure is the current Presidency and accompanying administration. Just look at the people. Conversely, a point of success would be the Reagan legacy and the folks he chose to be associated with. The selection of Mr. Ryan bespeaks volumes of how the Romney administration will flesh out.
Again, good show Tami!
Posted by Tom Murray | August 24, 2012, 10:35 pmThanks Tom! Yes, I am so pleased with the Ryan selection and am suppressing an irrepressible optimism that we may see a tsunami in November. I want all hands on deck and no one over-confident. But I have a good feeling about the upcoming election!
Posted by TamiJ | August 24, 2012, 11:17 pm