Governor Mitt Romney’s non-stop September boost-a-thon for conservatives ended with a wallop while opening October with a wowser…
September 30th:
Endorsements ● Romney’s Free and Strong America PAC revealed a robust roll-out of southern endorsements in Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee.
Georgia ● Romney had a full day of rallying for Georgia’s statewide GOP candidates in Atlanta. After breakfasting at the OK Café with Attorney General candidate Sam Olens and a few Republican strategists, he mingled with patrons. Later in the day, he endorsed Republican gubernatorial hopeful Nathan Deal and when the sun began to set, Romney raised cash and roused the crowd for U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson.
From Sam Olens: Thank You Mitt Romney for Your Visit Today
Sam was honored today with a breakfast with Gov. Mitt Romney. In a press conference following, Romney told the crowd that he was in Georgia today to support Sam and he knows Sam will be a “pro-business Attorney General who will create a climate that will attract business to Georgia.” Thank you Gov. Romney for your support!
Nathan Deal spokesman Brian Robinson said Deal’s campaign was grateful for Romney’s support.
“He is a respected Republican leader and an expert on business issues. Those who know the most about getting Georgia’s economy going again are expressing their faith and support in Nathan Deal,” Robinson said.
September 30, 2010 - Mitt Romney talks with would-be voters at OK Cafe in Marietta, GA on a day of campaign stops for state-wide candidates in Georgia.
October 1st:
Endorsements ● A blaze of 38 enthusiastic endorsements for Iowa GOP candidates running in state and federal elections were released from Romney’s Free and Strong America PAC. Candidates’ campaigns also received a total of $41,500.
(CNN) – Mitt Romney’s making a major investment in Iowa
Romney’s endorsements include five-term Sen. Chuck Grassley and all of the Republicans running in the state’s five congressional districts. Romney endorsed former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, the GOP gubernatorial nominee, prior to the June primary, and has contributed $10,000 to Branstad’s campaign.
Florida, Rick Scott ●
October 1, 2010 - Mitt Romney addresses big crowd on behalf of GOP Governor candidate Rick Scott at The Villages in Florida.
Romney was heartily welcomed at Republican gubernatorial hopeful Rick Scott’s ‘Leadership for Florida’ rally at The Villages (a well-worn presidential campaign stop and huge retirement community) in Florida:
Scott, who will face Democrat Alex Sink in the Nov. 2 election, told the crowd of several hundred people that he plans to create jobs in Florida and keep them here.
“This state will get back to work,” Scott said, echoing his campaign slogan.
The visit by Scott and Romney was a treat for friends Susan Prince and Margo Haught.
“I like his agenda and what he stands for,” Prince, 70, said of Scott.
Haught, 72, said she admires Romney’s experience in government — and “he’s a good businessman,” she said.
(emphasis mine)
Marco Rubio ● Romney attended a fundraiser for U.S. Senate GOP candidate Marco at the Palma Ceia Country Club in Tampa. Then, Romney rocked a ‘Reclaim America’ rally with Marco Rubio at Benedetto’s Italian restaurant in Land O’Lakes, Florida.
Oct 1, 2010 - Gov Romney speaks at 'Reclaim America' rally with Marco Rubio in Benedettos's Restaurant in Land O' Lakes, Fl.
UPDATE: Tampa Bay Online:
Officially, the event – a Reclaim America Rally tour stop – was about boosting Republican nominee Marco Rubio’s U.S. senatorial chances. And he brought along Weatherford, GOP congressional hopeful Rich Nugent and U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, who, seeking the job of Florida’s top farmer, got off the line of the afternoon: “Many of you don’t realize it, but there are other races besides the commissioner of agriculture this year.”
Nonetheless, the guy in the Sinatra/Clooney role was, plainly, Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, savior of the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, coast-to-coast booster of Republican candidates and early favorite for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination.
Re-evaluating Mitt
And here at last, the Benedetto’s renowned intimacy worked to someone’s favor.[...] This is also one long Mitt Romney Second-Glance Tour.
In Benedetto’s cozy confines, Romney was warm, engaging, spontaneous and witty…[…]
[...] Jeb Bush says the key to Florida is Pasco County. If, come the next chilly inauguration day, a guy named Romney is taking the oath, we’ll know which intimate Italian eatery trips the pivotal Pasco lock.
(links added, my emphasis)
(Hat tip /Bosman for Rubio videos.)
► Jayde Wyatt
UPDATE! Mitt Romney in Florida: Even more Videos, Photos, and related Stories
I’ve followed Marco Rubio since the first day he hit the campaign trail. The man is the real deal with a bright future in politics. He has a wonderful American story. He was down to Crist by several points, but fought hard and pushed Crist out of the GOP. Watch out DC big dogs, the real deal is headed to the hill in January 2011.
Mitt will be there in Jan. 2013. I have do doubt and have never been wrong in my predictions. And I mean never.
The rise of Marco Rubio has been a joy to behold.
Love your prediction, Phyllis.