Romney forgives own campaign loans, clears deck as possible McCain VP

Former Gov. Mitt Romney, who's increasingly visible on the campaign trail on behalf of the man who beat him for the Republican presidential nomination, Sen. John McCain, is about to forgive the $45 million he loaned himself for the primary struggles.

The legal move of filing papers with the Federal Election Commission re-declaring Romney's loans as contributions is imminent, according to a report by Michael Kranish on the Boston Globe's website, Boston.com. It would clear the legal deck for Romney to become a candidate again as, oh, say, the vice presidential Republican running mate of McCain.

Romney, whose personal fortune is estimated north of $190 million, is already marshalling on McCain's behalf his vast national donor network, which supplied another $65 million to Romney's unsuccessful campaign.

Although there appeared to be some personal frictions between the two men during primary debates, especially over campaign finance reform, which the senator has championed, McCain has more recently been openly appreciative of Romney's vigorous campaign grunt work in the months since the Arizonan clinched the GOP nomination.

"I'm appreciative every time I see Mitt on television on my behalf," McCain said earlier this week. "He does a better job for me than he did for himself, as a matter of fact."

Romney's successful career in business and resuscitating the troubled Salt Lake City Olympics plus his economic expertise and non-Washington executive experience as Massachusetts governor could help a McCain ticket.

The 61-year-old father of five boys has been married to Ann for 38 years. He's also already well-known and heavily vetted, lessening the chance of any embarrassing revelations. And Romney's family connections to Michigan, where he won the GOP primary, and his Mormon links in the West could help in both places on Nov. 4.

The Boston.com article quoted legal experts who said it appears that if McCain, like the Democratic candidate Barack Obama, reversed his position and opted out of federal campaign financing, Romney as a running mate could donate or loan the campaign an unlimited amount of his own fortune.

The Obama campaign this morning announced that it had collected $52 million during the month of June.

-- Andrew Malcolm

Photo credit: Mary Altaffer / Associated Press 

Comments

[dave]

while romney has profusely used his campaign throughout to portray himself as unreliable as any of the other candidates of the banking cartel, their corporations and various lobbies, there's a seeming difference: while not all sincere, he's also not all stupid. and this would completely dwarf mccain, and sink his whatever feeble chances for anyone to continue, or even begin to buy, any claims to why mccains bid for his party's nomination should be considered at all. so if there's a plan in place, to drop mccain (who vaguely seems to be aware he's in there for tactical reasons only anyway), and team up romney with candidate for PRESIDENT, RON PAUL, this would begin to make some sense; but it would be a mistake to think that someone who's already amassed a private fortune of 'north of $190 millon,' would naturally be less susceptible to corruption, and nefarious influences, than someone like cheney, and have more time to care about the crucial challenges and issues facing the people, and the country. we can see though how the approach could seem a viable attempt at saving face with the american people, and the world.

[Armyvet]

I like it that Mitt Romney did not follow Hillary's "woe is me" and ask donors to help pay off the primary campaign debt. Romney shows a lot of class: quiet, gets the job done.

[dave]

while romney has profusely used his campaign throughout to portray himself as unreliable as any of the other candidates of the banking cartel, their corporations and various lobbies, there's a seeming difference: while not all sincere, he's also not all stupid. and this would completely dwarf mccain, and sink his whatever feeble chances for anyone to continue, or even begin to buy, any claims to why mccains bid for his party's nomination should be considered at all. so if there's a plan in place, to drop mccain - who vaguely seems to be aware he's in there for tactical reasons only anyway, and team up romney with candidate for PRESIDENT, RON PAUL, this would begin to make some sense; but it would be a mistake to think that someone who's already amassed a private fortune of 'north of $190 millon,' would naturally be less susceptible to corruption, and nefarious influences, than someone like cheney, and have more time to care about the crucial challenges and issues facing the people, and the country. we can see though how the approach could seem a viable attempt at saving face with the american people, and the world.

[Jimmy]

if Gov Romney is the VP nominee, I hope he stands true to his convictions as they were during the primary,I voted for than and I might change my mind and viote mccain if Romney runs with hime and he sticks with the words and actions he promised during the primary

[Julie Harris]

The only way I'd vote for John McCain is if he had Mitt Romney on the ticket.

Romney is fast minded, trained well in business, and has had experience as a Governor.

I haven't seen anyone else who comes close to Romney's ability.

I particularly despise McCain's attempt to sweep the issue of illegal immigration out of view. He says he "wants to be fair." Well, the public doesn't feel millions upon millions of illegals sneaking into our Country and stealing our jobs is "fair." And we don't respect McCain for playing coy with the problem. Like Bush, he thinks we won't notice his virtual support of illegal immigration. There isn't anything "fair" about losing our jobs to illegals while McCain and Bush get a lifetime pension for ignoring the very problem that is hurting our entire country.

[A.Levine]

GREAT TICKET. HERE WE HAVE A MAN THAT CAN HELP THE TICKET WITH HIS BUSINESS AND GOVERNEMENT BACKGROUND, I HOPE THIS HAPPENS BECAUSE THIS WILL BE A SURE VICTORY FOR AMERICA FOR OUR SAFETY AND OUR LEADERSHIP ROLL.

[William Hale, aka, Haji Mohammed]

Seeing you. MIT, and you, John, side by side, and then imagining you, Barack, and, you, who else, [sound of ladder] side by side, the difference that comes to mind is of biblical proportions: Those who control the temple compared to those who seek [Hnk]...

Having a strong hub of your wheel is so essential for those who seek; xef: Ulysses actually having to have his men lash him to the mast to avoid the temptations of the Sirens during the course of his "energetic wandering"

This LA times and NYTimes response is part of whose prayer for one and all:

volley.ind 314: 2008:07:09:02:10
#832 of 833: William Hale (hinging0) Thu 17 Jul 2008 (08:43 AM)

The issue of doping in sports makes you wonder the same about internet
'jockey's

Please see comments after article:

Webroot founder's tragic turn mystifying
Steve Thomas was diagnosed as bipolar, odd at his age, and his dad
suspects head trauma.
By Greg Griffin
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 07/17/2008 12:12:46 AM MDT

Steve Thomas wouldn't get a second opinion on his health.

...

"I have thought about it a lot. It's very possible that he could have
had head damage," he said. "Very soon after he ran through the glass,
he started showing this unusual behavior."

Greg Griffin: 303-954-1241 or ggriffin@denverpost.com

11:31:75*W============NH:

volley.ind 314: 2008:07:09:02:10
#830 of 831: William Hale (hinging0) Thu 17 Jul 2008 (08:14 AM)

Why it's so important to have a strong hub of your wheel. Spokes may
go around fast, or slow, but when you have a strong hub of your wheel,
you endure; xref: "El Fatiah" and "The Lord's Prayer". Were dna tests
done to be sure the offspring was in fact a biologic offspring? Were
drug tests done? The difference betweeen this behavior and a strong
hub
of the wheel is exemplified by the advice of whose maternal
grandmother, "You can run around naked in the rain, as long as you
drink a hot cup of tea, and take a hot shower - within 15 minutes of
coming in,"

Note: To those who try to 'frame' whom with 'negatives', 'look alikes'
and innuendo, your best course of action is seek clear signs, [Whun]
and consistent logic, rather than 'guilt by inference'... etc.

However, given Machivellian politics, likely nothing short of a
'second coming' will be able to imprint this truism on our historical
record.

volley.ind 314: 2008:07:09:02:10
#831 of 831: William Hale (hinging0) Thu 17 Jul 2008 (08:15 AM)

"Web root"; xref: "The root directory of all creation..."

11:32:75*W:===============NH:
xref: whose long standing prayer: : "Ashadu every people have their
rasulluulah (prophets), imam, rabbis, priests, leaders and teachers of
unity, consideration, charity, abstinence, and pilgrimage, each of whom
point to our messiah self repair soft, and hardware dance and song
book thread (ideena s-siratal mustaqueem) woven throughout the tapestry
of all creation which heals any who have faith, and leads to the right
hand..."
=================NH//

[Max]

Romney is certainly the wisest and best Vice President choice for McCain to make. Supporting this view are his strong family values ( example of faithfulness to wife and children), his sterling character, unselfish principles, decency, moral integrity, clean living, and principled, determined, and successful business and economic experience and acumen -- all of which are desperately needed as an example to our nation's people, from those we look up to in positions of leadership.

[Shaun]

I think Romney could really help our nation, economically, if we the people will give him the chance. This is someone who "walks the walk" when it comes to social and fiscal conservatisim. His accomplishments speak for themselves- everything he touches turns to gold.

[liz]

Romney is the worst possible choice for VP. As Mike Huckabee put it, no one was buying his "soap". He spent millions trying to appeal to the Republican voter, and couldn't win their confidence.

Romney is a Social Conservative -- this is not a man who can attract the base to come out & vote for McCain.

The only hope McCain has of re-energizing the Republican Party is to select Mike Huckabee as his VP.

[John]

You know, whenever Malcolm writes a glowing article and has an accompanying flattering picture, he is writing about Republicans. Whenever Malcom writes a hit piece and has a horrible picture, he writes about Democrats. I suppose this is the LA Times way of achieving balance. To me, it is 6th grade partianship pandering. If the LA Times wants great political coverage, it should hire great political reporters, not hacks.

[Jeff]

"especially over campaign finance reform, which the senator has championed"

McCain also violated campaign finance law, for being in the system during the primary season and spending more than what he was allowed to. There's also that line of credit he took out in December when he was almost bankrupt - he used the promise of campaign finance funds to secure that loan.

Too bad you don't hear about these things in the mainstream press - or even a blog on the LA Times' website.

[gsonJagnath]

Mitt-O-Mitt,

He is again trying to buy his way to washington. Voters have rejected him in primaries, yet he is unashamed and trying to buy the VP ticket.

If McCain falls for this, GOP will be trounced in South as well as in the coasts.

[awenshok]

Dubya favors McCain picking Romney because 1) Romney favors drilling in ANWAR and George has repeatedly pointed out that Burmese can't vote here and 2) selecting Romney will split the Mormon black vote.

[sparkyva]

Ha, I always get a kick out of the solitary Huckabee supporter that inevitably pops up in these comment sections. Sorry, a McCain-Huckabee ticket would be Republican mutually assured destruction. McCain would lose Nevada and Colorado (as Huckabee did himself considerable damage in the mountain west), he would annoy conservatives, and lose the election... meanwhile the Huckabee gravy train would become derailed with all the negative publicity. He's got a sweet gig at Fox News and should hang on for dear life there. I appreciate that Huckabee has his supporters and they are committed, but understand that a huge block of the Republican party thinks he is a laughing stock. The "Obama got shot" comment killed any possibility of a Huckabee ticket anyway, so this is all moot.

[Alessandro Machi]

A Clinton/McCain ticket would be intriguing. I'd love to just squash the Obamabots and their cheating, arrogant ways.

Everybody knows a Clinton/McCain ticket would crush anything Obama could whip up. lol, provided the Republican politicians and pundits didn't committ mass sucide first.

[Paula]

McCain/Romney is a GREAT combo....

[Jon Allen]

I love how some misguided evangelical Christians think they are the "party base." I've read it on blogs again and again as bigoted evangelicals try to use their weight as a voting bloc to persuade McCain not to pick "That Mormon" Mitt Romney. It's despicable I tell you. These types of evangelicals are the furthest thing from Christian.

[Janet]

Wake up people. The vice president is only there to look pretty during the primaries, hide in the bunker until he is needed either to replace president or aide in corruption.

He will have no ability to change anything from the VP seat. McCain is a stubborn as that will tell Romney to screw off as soon as he is sworn in.

Nothing at all could make McCain desirable unless he concedes to a replacement for this election.

I think we can make it through 4 years of Obama - god help us. Not that he has a clue either. But McCain could really do serious damage for our country's image and situation.

People should just put obama in to restore the worlds faith in us. If he fails fine the dems are screwed. If he succeeds fine, it just makes a better situation for a real republican to run in four years. McCain could make the party look even worse than it does right now and he is alienating the future republican voters.

[Henry]

This is great idea. Really its awesome.

[Dan Lambert]

I have to laugh a little everytime I hear the Mccain - Huckabee argument. Then cry. Then puke in my mouth a little.

Neither have fiscal experience.

Mccain-Romney gets my backing, both my vote and pocketbook.