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Former Michigan Governor Backs McCain, Calls Romney "A Disappointment"
John McCain has picked up the endorsement of former Michigan Governor William Milliken, a Republican moderate who served as governor of the state for 14 years — and before that, was lieutenant governor under none other than the late George Romney, father of Mitt Romney.
"I was a great admirer of his father," Milliken told the Detroit News. "But Mitt Romney has been a disappointment to me because he has changed his socially responsible positions he took as governor of Massachusetts. I don't have the respect for him that I had for his father."
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Bill Milliken is a good liberal man. These days, he mostly endorses Democrats. This is bad for McCain with Michigan Republicans. Mittmentum!!!
January 14, 2008 8:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
OUCH!
However, to be fair, it doesn't make a lot of sense to criticize Romney for not being pro-choice anymore and then endorsing McCain, who is anti-abortion.
January 14, 2008 9:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
Mitt Romney needs to lose the Michigan Primary. He's a very foolish man. I sure hope John McCain wins.
January 14, 2008 9:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
I don't want McCain to win. I think any Dems voting for McCain are a bunch of morons. He's the only one of the Republican candidates polling even with or ahead of the Dem candidates.
Much better to have a Romney or a Huckabee as the nominee for an easier general election. I realize we all dislike Romney and Huckabee, but think long term. Better to have Romney humiliated in the general election than to lose the White House to McCain, right?
Brain cells people. Use 'em. (I think the Michican Democratic party should use that as its slogan).
January 14, 2008 11:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
A lot of Michiganians have fond memories of Milliken and he's respected by Dems & Repubs alike. I wonder if John Engler will endorse anyone, and if it will matter. I'm in MI and I just got ANOTHER push poll this morning, the third in 5 days. This was either from McCain or Huckabee. It trashed Mitt on taxes & 'negative campaigning' (snort!). I wish I knew who this one was from, but I'm going to guess McCain becaise the other two were from Mitt & Huckabee.
My father has been a lifelong republican. I talked to him yesterday and he said he was planning to vote against Clinton in teh Dem primary tomorrow. Apparently it's more important to him to ensure that she's not the Dem nominee than to help determine who's nominated for the GOP. This is a surprisingly pragmatic tactic, and one that makes sense if you assume a Dem victory in the general election.
January 14, 2008 2:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I come from a large family here in MI, and recently we all seem to be agreeing that though there's concern about Romney's change in positions, he is really the only one with empirical evidence of having made serious, positive changes with anything. We think he is the only one with the full toolset to get in Washington and make real changes for our country. McCain and Huckabee are both skilled orators with witty comebacks. But truthfully, so are most senators and other experienced politicians, and ultimately it means nothing when it comes to getting something done. Also, if Romney goes through to the general election, he's the only one we see who is seriously equipped to beat the democratic nominee. Our vote, it looks like (and there are lots of of including extended family), is firmly going to Romney tomorrow.
January 14, 2008 3:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
I come from a large family here in MI, and recently we all seem to be agreeing that though there's concern about Romney's change in positions, he is really the only one with empirical evidence of having made serious, positive changes with anything. We think he is the only one with the full toolset to get in Washington and make real changes for our country
As a Democrat, I completely agree with you. I've teased my Republican friends, who despise Romney, that if he can fool the Republicans into nominating him, he is worthy of my vote.
Romney is clearly a liberal pragmatist with a track record of success. Just as Hillary would make an excellent Republican candidate, Mitt would make a decent Democratic candidate.
Maybe they were accidentally switched at birth.
January 14, 2008 4:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Let's just remember that Rudy, Fred, Ron, and Mitt all have one thing in common: They all need Mitt to win Michigan tomorrow to stop McCain's momentum!
Giving Mitt a win keeps balance, so let's all suport Mitt -- unless you are a McCain supporter, in which case---don't forget to vote on Wednesday.
January 14, 2008 8:36 PM | Reply | Permalink