VIRGINIA ENDORSEMENTS & FAVORABLE STATEMENTS OF MITT ROMNEY:
★ - means endorsed Romney in both 2008 and 2012
* - means endorsed Romney in 2012
* Governor Bob McDonnell
“As I have said throughout this primary process, we need a governor to serve as our next president,” said Governor McDonnell.
“America needs leadership and that's what governors do: they lead. Governors actually have to find solutions and bring all parties together in order to get results for their citizens – they can't just sit back and cast votes. Mitt Romney has been an effective leader his entire life, in business, the Olympics and as governor. President Obama’s lack of leadership experience is now clear – he has failed to turn around the economy and end the gridlock in Washington. Mitt Romney used his leadership ability in a politically difficult environment to balance the budget every year, cut spending and taxes, and create jobs. He is a results-oriented conservative. This is the type of record that conservatives like me are honored to support – we need a leader like Mitt Romney in the White House to enact effective change that will put our country back on the right path and Americans back to work.”
“Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney holds the biggest lead among GOP candidates over President Obama in hypothetical 2012 match-ups in Virginia... the former Massachusetts governor leading the president by eight percentage points, 45 percent to 37 percent... Fifty-four percent of those questioned in Virginia disapproved and 39 percent approved of Obama's performance as president in the swing state that he won with over 52 percent of the vote in the 2008 presidential election.” CNN - Sep 26, 2011
“My message will be if you want to win the race in November, vote for Mitt Romney. He’s the best candidate that we've got to beat President Obama. He will do the best job going toe to toe with President Obama in debates on the issues that matter to Americans particularly independent voters, jobs, fiscal responsibility and somebody who has been a strong leader and has a proven record in a blue state.” – Gov. Bob McDonnell on CNBC
“I’ve said for months and months that I think a governor or former governor would be the best person to be the President of the United States... When I look at the lack of leadership out of this administration and I look at the key issues in the race, which is creating jobs, doing something about this horrific national debt and having a strong leader who will turn America around and regain our confidence around the world, Mitt Romney is clearly that guy. Marvelous record in a blue state, great private sector experience in creating jobs, and has been an optimistic, results-oriented conservative.” - CNBC, Jan 20, 2012
“I am absolutely convinced that he is the right person to carry our party's banner into the 2012 campaigns and the right person to lead our country toward a more prosperous future. Governor Romney's experience in the private sector and his success as a political leader, uniquely equip him to find solutions to the significant challenges facing our country today. As a successful business leader, Mitt Romney will do what is necessary to balance the federal budget, reduce our national debt and put Americans back to work. He is exactly the type of principled, conservative leader we need to get America back on the right track, and I look forward to campaigning with him to victory in 2012.”
“Mitt Romney has demonstrated throughout this campaign that he understands how the real economy works, and he has put forth a detailed plan to create jobs. That's the kind of leadership our nation desperately needs.”
“Lieutenant Governor Bolling said, "I have carefully considered all of the Republican candidates for President in 2008. While they are all good men, I believe that Mitt Romney is the best candidate to carry the Republican banner in the 2008 presidential campaign."
“ "Mitt Romney also has the right vision for the future of our country. We can trust him to keep America safe at home by defeating the Jihadists abroad; and keep America strong by reigning in government spending, keeping taxes low, protecting the values we believe in, and confronting head on the new generation of challenges currently facing our nation," Bolling continued.”
“ "Gov. Mitt Romney is a leader Virginians can be proud to support,'' said Bolling, who serves as Romney's statewide campaign chairman in Virginia. "He is the only candidate in the race who has the experience, vision and values to lead this country forward." ”
“I chose to endorse Governor Romney for President last July because I believed he was the best person to carry our party's banner into the fall campaign and the right person to lead our country into the future at a critical time in our nation's history. After working with Governor Romney for the past eight months, I am more convinced than ever that I made the right decision in supporting his candidacy...
“On a personal level, I have enjoyed developing a deep friendship with Governor Romney and his family over the past eight months. I wish Governor Romney, his wife Ann, and their wonderful family all the best in their future endeavors.”
“Conservatives not only need a candidate who can beat President Obama, but one who can also put our values into action,” said former Governor Jim Gilmore. “That candidate is Mitt Romney. No other candidate in the race has a more detailed plan to get Americans back to work or has a laid out a vision for America’s role in the world. Our country cannot take four more years of President Obama’s failed fiscal and economic policies. Mitt Romney will bring America back and I’m proud to stand with him.”
“ In November, Cantor was elected House minority whip and quickly invited Romney to address congressional Republicans when they gathered for their first post-election retreat...
“When Cantor unveiled his National Council for a New America, perhaps the most concerted of the efforts within the party to rebrand the Republican agenda, he had Romney by his side for the early May photo op...
“ "He's someone who is solutions-oriented. He's about results, it's about deliverables. He says: Let's put a goal out there," Cantor says of Romney. "So much of what our party needs right now is the respect that we can implement our conservative vision." ”
“In this crucial election, the choice is clear: four more years of misguided economic policies that have made our recovery worse or a proven leader who has a detailed plan to create jobs and shrink the size of government,” said Congressman Davis. “Mitt Romney is a leader who has proved numerous times that he can be counted on to turn troubled organizations around, whether it was in business, the Winter Olympics, or as Governor of Massachusetts. That is why I urge all those who want to fight for the America we love to join me in standing with Mitt.”
“Mitt Romney has the real life experience and success in the private and the public sectors that Virginians are looking for in the next president. He has balanced budgets, kept taxes low, turned around failing enterprises and most importantly has created jobs and understands the principles that allow entrepreneurs and job creators to thrive.” - Barbara Comstock
“Mitt Romney has the leadership experience needed to get our country on the right track again. Whether it was in the private sector, leading the Winter Olympics, or as governor, Mitt Romney has shown that he is ready to lead our country toward an economic recovery, create jobs, and bring fiscal sanity to Washington.” - Chris Peace
“Today, Governor Mitt Romney announced that 16 members of the Republican National Committee (RNC) will be joining the Romney for President Exploratory Committee...
“RNC Committee Members Supporting Governor Romney:
“Mitt Romney was in Washington yesterday... who in town is supporting his nascent presidential campaign? He's got 23 congressmen listed on his invite, but there are a lot of other powerful people rallying behind him. Here's a run-down ...
“Jason Abend :: The executive director of the
National Law Enforcement Recruiters Association and CEO of
LawEnforcement.com.
“Puneet Ahluwalia :: The
CEO of Loans and Mortgages, LLC and treasurer of the Center for
Multicultural Human Service.
“Tomas Bilbao ::
The executive director of the Cuban Study Group.
“J.C.
Boggs :: Partner at Blank Rome LLP and president of the
Republican National Lawyers Association.
“Brad
Card :: Managing principal at the lobbying powerhouse Dutko
Worldwide.
“Roy Coffee :: Partner at Locke
Liddell & Sapp.
“Cesar Conda :: Principal
at Navigators, a group of lobbyists, political strategists and
public relations experts, and former adviser to Dick
Cheney.
“Vin Weber :: Managing
partner of Clark & Weinstock's Washington office and served as
the Bush-Cheney ’04 Plains States Regional
Chairman.
“Nate Gatten :: Former top banking
aide to Utah Senator Bob Bennett and now a lobbyist
for Fannie Mae.
“Edward J. Gerety III ::
Served as senior special advisor for the United States Interagency
Council, has joined National Community Pharmacists Association as
director of government relations.
“Christopher
Goode :: Now at Hyjek and Fix, he was director of
administration for the 1995 Defense Base Closure and Realignment
Commission.
“Taylor Gross :: Former White
House spokesman; co-founder and principal of The Herald Group,
LLC.
“Laurence Fisher :: Partner at
Dickstein, Shapiro.
“Gregg
Hartley :: Vice chair and chief operating officer for
Cassidy & Associates.
“Chris Lamond ::
Senior vice president, Ogilvy Government
Relations.
“Nels Olson :: A major player on
the scene, long-time managing director at Korn/Ferry International,
the world's largest executive search firm.
“Rick Powell :: Managing director of the powerful
political firm Quinn Gillespie.
“Sam Reid :: Consultant at Ninigret
Partners.
“Edward J. Shapiro :: Partner at the Washington
office of Latham and Watkins.
“Brett Shogren
:: Former Tom Delay aide, now senior vice president
of The Washington Group
“Tim Stewart ::
Partner at the lobbying firm Larson, Stewart, Myrick, and Link. A
longtime Utah congressional staffer, Stewart served first as
legislative director and later as chief of staff on the House
Committee on Resources.
“Andrew F. Wahlquist
:: A partner at Alcalde & Fay, and former Chief of Staff to
Virginia Senator John Warner.”
Bill Wichterman :: “The Brody File reported Gov. Romney’s coup in signing up Bill Wichterman, a former Fred Thompson advisor known for his strong connections in the conservative Christian world...
“Here’s Brody on the significance of Wichterman’s joining the Romney team:
“This is a guy who has been big on the federal marriage amendment for years. When Bill Frist was trying to push the amendment through the Senate, it was Wichterman who was leading the charge by getting social conservative groups organized and mobilized...
“It's not just the marriage issue. By nabbing Wichterman, it's a sign to inside and outside the beltway social conservative groups that Romney is serious in courting them. Wichterman is very well respected by these groups and he has close contacts at places like Focus on the Family, Family Research Council, etc. When he was on the Hill, he was very active in the Senate's "Value Action Team" meetings where dozens of groups would meet once a week to go over social policy and plot strategy.”
''And I've got to say, you know, I'm a supporter of Mitt Romney. You know that. But I thought the speech that he gave today was probably the best speech that he's given over the last few years. And it was a good way to go out. He wrote it himself last night. No one wrote it for him. And it was from his heart.'' (Laura Ingraham)
''Alright I'm going to see your endorsement and raise you an announcement.
February 12th is the big D.C. primary-- I'm pulling the lever for Mitt Romney!
No doubt about it. No hesitation.'' (Laura Ingraham)
Laura Ingraham is the fifth most listened to conservative radio talk show host, with over 5 million "listeners per week via 340 radio stations and both XM and Sirius Satellite Radio. She appears frequently on television talk shows and has written two books."
Elected Officials & Candidates (2012)
