Romney’s Out…McCain ‘08

I think it was me. I announce my support for him on Monday, he has a below expectations showing on Super Tuesday and announces his departure today. I’m the Sports Illustrated cover of rarely-read blogs.

But seriously Mitt Romney announced at annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington today that he is dropping out of the race.

In one excellent and moving speech Gov. Romney did more to advance his conservative credentials than in his whole year of campaigning.

Some key excerpts:

“If I fight on in my campaign, all the way to the convention … I’d forestall the launch of a national campaign and frankly I’d be making make it easier for Senator Clinton or Obama to win. Frankly, in this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign, be a part of aiding a surrender to terror.”

“This isn’t an easy decision. I hate to lose… If this were only about me, I’d go on, but it’s never been only about me. I entered this race because I love America, and because I love America in this time of war, I feel I have to now stand aside, for our party and for our country.”

“I will continue to stand for conservative principles; I will fight alongside you for all the things we believe in. And one of those things is that we cannot allow the next president of the United States to retreat in the face of evil extremism.”

“It is the common task of each generation and the burden of liberty, to preserve this county, expand its freedoms and renew its spirit so that its noble past is prolonged to its glorious future. To this task, accepting this burden we’re all dedicated and I firmly believe by the providence of the Almighty that we will succeed beyond our finest hope. American must always remain as it has always been, the hope of the earth.”

Some video is here and a transcript is here.

It was classy, it was moving and it was necessary. Because what we fight is extremism that has no problem with things like this.