Mitt pulls out: the blogosphere reacts

Mitt Romney has announced his departure from the Republican race. We look at what US bloggers had to say:

The Fix (Washington Post):

Romney was the last candidate in the race with the financial wherewithal to make a serious run at McCain. With him dropping out, the Arizona senator is now the odds-on favorite to be the Republican presidential nominee. Significant pressure will likely be brought to bear on Huckabee, who enjoys a good relationship with McCain, to bow out of the race an unify behind a single candidate.

The Caucus (New York Times):

The question now for Mr. McCain is how far he needs go now in reaching out to conservatives who have been wary of him – if not flat out opposed to him – given his history on issues like easing immigration restrictions and changing campaign finance laws. critics. Mr. Romney was arguably Mr. McCain’s greatest threat on the right and his greatest impetus for moving right; now that he is gone, some of the motivation for moving right is gone.

RedState:

This was the right move at this time for the Romney campaign, given that the delegate math has made it virtually impossible for Romney to win. Better this than a long and self-destructive protest campaign ending at the convention - a route that would certainly have torpedoed Romney's chances of ever running again.

Captain's Quarters

Mitt made the right decision, and he made the announcement in the right place. He's a good man, and I think this will allow the Republicans a lot more time to find accommodation with John McCain.

Ross Douthat, Atlantic Online

Too bad. I actually agreed with Hugh Hewitt - it might have been good for the GOP, and conservatism, to have the McCain-Huckabee-Romney debate continue (on friendly terms, ideally) for another month or so, even if the outcome was more or less preordained. But at least this way Mitt can save some of his kids' inheritance for the 2012 campaign ...

Top of the Ticket (LA Times)

Romney quietly stepped into line as a likely candidate to inherit the party's leadership someday, if McCain loses come November.

Romney might even be considered a possible vice presidential pick for McCain, who will need a strong, younger partner to run with, one who, given McCain's age--he would be the oldest man to become president at 72 next January --could appear capable of stepping in immediately as chief executive

Comments

[Mike C]

And what about Ron Paul?

[Pawdna]

Why isn't the really shady past of McCain reported on the media? He definitely would not be where he is today if people did a little research on him. From womanizing to not being the war hero HE says he is (there's no witnesses) & dumping his wife & kids for a younger woman. He doesn't even have the backbone to show up to vote on issues in the senate because he's afraid he'll lose votes according to how he votes. He's a panderer. McCain for President of the U.S.?? NOT!! Don't think so!

[John Chuckman, Toronto, Canada]

You might think something of importance happened, instead of the mere fact that an insipid man stopped spending his own fortune - $40million spent - promoting himself.

[jacqui]

The real fun will begin when President Obama announces his affirmative action cabinet appointees.

Fun that is, behind closed doors among sworn friends.

No public media and no politician who want a public future will take the risk of pointing out the obvious.

It's appears to be OK that the US President has as his only positve the abilitiy to speak real pretty.

But the cabinet will need some folks who have had some executive decision experience.

[Chris]

I believe the GOP wished Romney's departure to make room for McCain's "coronation." The GOP realizes that McCain will be tough sell to the conservative movement in the US and wishes its' members to see no alternatives.

The problem is many conservatives view McCain as a liberal and are more willing to vote for a third party candidate or stay at home. Many of these conservatives are driven by values and would not vote against their conscience since they will have to account for their actions at somepoint in the future. Because of this we can expect Mike Huckabee to receive large amounts of support creating difficulties for McCain to solidify his party's nomination.

[Tom]

I agree with Ann Coulter McCain is more liberal than Hillary. I would never vote for him after the CFR bill and the fact he refuses to admitt it was a mistake and even if he did I would not believe him.

The only reason He did not switch parties back when Jeffords did was so he could run for President now. He is not conservative and I believe he hates the religious Right.

I would rather a liberal Democrat win than a liberal republican. If we get two liberal parties we will not have a choice when we vote. I fear that if one liberal Republican wins the nomination then there will be others and we wont have a choice any more. I will vote and not stay home but I will never voter for McCain.

[Oprahbama]

Just when you think things can't get any worse.. we get two Washington insiders.. McCain and Hitlery.. so much for "change". The only change you will see will be coming out of your pocket should any of these three remaining candidates win the election.

The only question remaining is: How far to the left will we go?

The medai assassination campaigns on Rudy Giuliani and Mott Romney have worked to perfection.

To powers-that-be have realized that neither Obama nor Hitlery will be as enthusiastically received by the general populace once they face a general election.

McCain is thus the ideal fall-back candidate. He is a RINO. A Republican In Name Only.

Unpalatable for issues-oriented voters on things like terrorism and immigration to taxes and the economy.

This will prove to be a very strange election. Three one-World candidates who reject American Exceptionalism.

A huge segment of the voting population have just been completely disenfranchised.

Let's hope a "Democrat" will win so they will be the party held to account when the s**t relly hits the fan.

[John Chuckman, Toronto, Canada]

Anyone should be ashamed of saying they agree with Ann Coulter about anything.

The woman is an unrepetant fascist, a shabby vendor of hate speech.