From Deseret News archives:
Romney has no interest in a McCain Cabinet position
Romney chose Utah for his first appearance after arriving in Minnesota for the start of an abbreviated convention due to Hurricane Gustav. Romney's political payback was entirely justified. After all, Utahns not only contributed $6 million to his unsuccessful presidential campaign, but they also gave him 90 percent of the vote in the state's GOP primary on Feb. 5.
The former leader of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City entered the suburban Bloomington hotel meeting room like a rock star, shaking hands, posing for pictures and greeting many Republicans by name. When he made his way to the podium, he was given a standing ovation.
Romney started by thanking Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert and others who supported him. He did not mention Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr., who bucked Utah politics by backing John McCain more than two years ago.
"Utah holds a very special place in my heart, as you know," Romney said, describing the state as his ancestral home. He also spoke of his experience running the Olympics after taking over the troubled effort in the midst of a bribery scandal.
He also praised the strength of the GOP in Utah. "There is one more thing I love about the great state of Utah and that is that it is a dark, dark red. Your rocks are red and you vote red," Romney said, joking that the national party felt no need locating Utah delegates in a hotel near St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center, where the convention is being held.
At the urging of Utah party leaders, Romney made it clear he wants his delegates to cast their votes at the convention for McCain. There has been some talk that at least one Utah delegate, national committeewoman Nancy Lord, plans to ask from the convention floor to be able to vote for Romney. Lord said later that despite Romney's request, she feels obligated to follow what she believes are the party's rules.
After his speech, Romney told reporters he planned to continue campaigning for the GOP even after November. But he said "no thanks" to another run for the White House, even though he said his own campaign was a good experience despite some mistakes which he declined to elaborate.
"I do not anticipate doing it again. It's hard to imagine something like that," Romney said.
Recent comments
"
Between Gustav and left leaning media coverage, the RNC
isn't...
G | Sept. 5, 2008 at 3:35 p.m.
you guys seriously? ... "Sandra" Palin was a stupid choice by a...
how can anybody take | Sept. 3, 2008 at 7:21 p.m.
Sandra Palin was a great choice. She's a mover and shaker if you...
Palin is Great | Sept. 3, 2008 at 7:41 a.m.
- Former safety chief enters guilty plea 12:11 a.m.
- Chief agent named for S.L. FBI office 12:11 a.m.
- BYU soccer incident still popular 12:04 a.m.
- We need answers from Hasan 12:02 a.m.
- Interpreting Buffett's bet 12:01 a.m.
- Editorial: Education still a priority? 12:01 a.m.
- Letters: Will wrong on warming 12:01 a.m.
- Letters: Mayor has it wrong 12:01 a.m.
- Letters: Term 'Latino' misused 12:01 a.m.
- Letters: Oil violence 12:01 a.m.
- TCU showdown has big implications
- Seniors helped BYU regroup
- Lambert surprisingly tops news
- Hope for single moms
- Bystanders framed for child porn
- Korver and Miles to be evaluated
- Soccer MVPs know how to win
- Utah Jazz Extra: Whose hot/not
- GOP blasts Matheson after vote
- Newhouse Hotel, an explosive end
- House passes health care bill
228 - TCU showdown has big implications
183 - Lobo suspended
182 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
154 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
118 - Thousands protest health bill
114 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
97 - Utes pound winless Lobos
89
Meghan McCain, the daughter of former presidential candidate John...
Why do so many people live so close to refineries in Utah and elsewhere?
Sounds like a good option if you can't or won't switch to AT&T for the...
I worked with and around Bill Sederburg for 5 years while he was at...
hand. He needs to work on his moves to the basket and rebounding. Lateral...
play Fez or Koufos tonight. He went with a smaller line up and Boozer, Okur...
I've met Bennett before and he is a nice man. He also knows the Constitution...
That's never been a secret. Everyone will pay for it except those that don't...
I agree with NonMormon. I am active LDS, and I enjoy Ash's articles, and I...
I kept saying don't resign Milsap, especially after Portland offered that...
BYU is the slowest team that has ever been in the top 25. Utah will put up a...
i think u have the cowboys ranked too low! at least an A- LOL nice work!

