From Alaska to Mississippi to New York, Mitt Romney continues to garner endorsements…

Alaska Lieutenant Governor Mead Treadwell Supports Romney

“I am proud to announce the support of Lieutenant Governor Treadwell,” said Mitt Romney. “I look forward to working with him as I reach out to Alaska voters and work to get our economy on the right track again.”

Announcing his support, Lieutenant Governor Treadwell said, “Alaska’s agenda is to help America’s agenda: we produce energy, and help keep America strong. The current White House doesn’t get it. We need a leader like Mitt Romney who understands and who will help us help the country. As governor, he created thousands of jobs, balanced the state’s budget, and cut taxes. His record of results speaks for itself – that is why I am supporting him.”

Background on Lt. Gov. Treadwell:

Mead Treadwell Is The Lieutenant Governor Of Alaska. Prior to his election in 2010, Lt. Governor Treadwell served on the United States Arctic Research Commission and was designated the commission’s chair by President George W. Bush in 2006. An Arctic policy expert, he was previously the director of oil spill response for the city of Cordova as well as Alaska’s Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Environmental Conservation. In the private sector, he has helped create or turn around a number of technology and manufacturing companies. Lt. Governor Treadwell was a founding member of the Yukon Pacific Corporation and also served as president of the Millennium Society.

Mitt Romney Announces Support of Senator Thad Cochran

“I am pleased to have the support of Thad Cochran,” said Mitt Romney. “He understands that Mississippi voters are looking for someone who will bring jobs back to this country. He is a committed public servant, and I am grateful to have him stand with me in my campaign.”

Announcing his support, Senator Thad Cochran said, “Our country cannot afford another four years of President Obama’s policies. Mitt Romney has the pro-growth message and the unmatched experience that will be required to improve our economy. I am proud to support him.”

Background On Senator Thad Cochran:

Senator Thad Cochran Was First Elected To Represent Mississippi In The United States Senate In 1978. He is Ranking Member of the Committee on Appropriations as well as a member of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and the Committee on Rules and Administration. Before entering the Senate, Cochran represented Mississippi’s 4th District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He also served in the U.S. Naval Reserve and practiced law.

Former New York Congresswoman Susan Molinari Endorses Mitt Romney

“I am honored to have the support of Susan Molinari,” said Mitt Romney. “She understands that voters in New York and across America are tired of Obama’s failed and expensive policies. I am glad to have her help in my efforts to defeat President Obama, restore economic growth, and create jobs.”

Announcing her support, Susan Molinari said, “Obama’s big government spending has failed to get Americans back to work. Mitt Romney understands what it will take to improve our economy. His sound economic plan is based on his real world experience as a successful businessman. As Governor of Massachusetts, he reined in spending and balanced the budget without raising taxes. Washington needs this kind of principled and pragmatic leadership.”

Background On Susan Molinari:

Susan Molinari Represented New York In The U.S. House Of Representatives From 1990 To 1997. While in Congress, she served on the House Budget Committee and was elected to the Republican Majority Leadership. Previously, she worked for the Republican Governors Association and the Republican National Committee. She was also elected to the New York City Council.

(emphasis added )

► Jayde Wyatt

The former President had kind words for Mitt Romney during an interview with Larry King:

George HW Bush on Romney:

“He’s a reasonable guy,” George Bush said of Romney. “He’s a conservative fellow, that’s good. But no, I think he’d be a good president, a very good president.”

It looks Romney can count on the Bush family’s support next time around.

Former MA Governor Romney & Former President Bush

Also worth noting — Barbara Bush’s remarks on Sarah Palin:

“I sat next to her once. Thought she was beautiful,” Barbara Bush said of Palin. “And she’s very happy in Alaska, and I hope she’ll stay there.”

H/t Crystal

-Aaronius-

Interesting info leaks today from two polling sources, both – incredibly – showing Mitt Romney ahead of potential 2012 rivals in their home states.

In Alaska, Mitt Romney edges Sarah Palin by 3%.
From PPP:

Mitt Romney vs. Sarah Palin

If Sarah Palin runs for President in 2012 she can’t count on a whole lot of support back home. 62% of Alaska Republicans are opposed to her making a White House bid and she gets only 17% in a hypothetical 2012 primary in the state tying for her second with Mike Huckabee behind Mitt Romney.

It’s not that Alaska Republicans don’t like Palin- a majority of them still do. But there’s a significant disconnect between GOP voters in the state liking Palin and thinking she should run for President, a divide we’ve seen with Republicans nationally and one that presents the biggest threat to a possible Palin candidacy. Even among voters with a favorable opinion of Palin in the state just 39% think she should launch a 2012 bid.

Romney gets 20% to 17% for Palin and Huckabee, 16% for Newt Gingrich, and 10% for Ron Paul.

In Minnesota, Mitt Romney pummels Tim Pawlenty by 13%.
From MPR:

Mitt Romney vs. Tim Pawlenty

The poll also compared Pawlenty the two most prominent, presumed front-runners for the Republicans in 2012 — former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. Romney fared better than Pawlenty with likely Minnesota voters, 45 percent to 32 percent, while Pawlenty easily beat Palin in the hypothetical matchup, 59 percent to 24 percent.

*It’s worth noting that this last poll was extracted from all likely voters, Republicans & Democrats alike.

Any thoughts on these results? Could these be accurate depictions of the primary to come? Is it possible that anyone could swipe a victory from Mitt in his native Michigan?

~Aaron G.

Please participate in the poll on the left sidebar to show what you think about Sarah Palin being selected as McCain’s VP.

Click here for “All you need to know about Sarah Palin”

I have a number of thoughts on Palin. After initial thoughts I have very quickly come to believe that this is a brilliant pick by team McCain. Here are some reasons why people will be willing to accept her as VP:

Pros

• very conservative governor with all the right stances on issues
• has an excellent record as a reformist
• being from AK and wanting to drill in ANWR makes her a strong voice for energy independence, which will be a hot issue the election round
• has a son in the military – and is a life-long member of the NRA
• has five children including a very young son with Downs Syndrome, attractive to those with strong family values
• frequently described as ‘very down to earth’ and not a Washington insider
• last, and probably most important, she is not only acceptable to both parties of the Huckabee/Romney feud, but also to Hillary supporters thanks to the Clinton/Obama feud.

In short, she does no harm to the ticket, but in fact brings in other would-be fence-sitters had someone else been chosen.

Cons

• relatively unknown
• though able to fulfill the roll of VP, I’m not confident in her ability to step into the roll of Commander in Chief in a moments notice should the need arise
• unsure of how she will hold up in debate versus Biden, though she does have the advantage of her being right and him being wrong
• currently under investigation for alleged abuse of power for helping to get her ex-brother-in-law fired

I think the pros seriously out weigh the cons in this case. I do have one rambling thought I’d like to express concerning this pick. I can’t help thinking that her being a woman was a major factor in her being selected (brings in huge crowds of Hillary supporters). Being a woman is neither a qualification, nor a disqualification. Identity politics has won the day. If this is true it is akin to voting for (or against) Obama because he is black, or voting for Romney solely because he is Mormon. One’s identity is not a qualification! I think Romney and Pawlenty are better qualified, but Palin (my third pick) is the clearly the smarter pick if you want to win the election. Well I do want win the election because of the serious threat of an Obama presidency.

That said I feel that I can wholeheartedly support the Republican 2008 ticket of McCain/Palin.

BTW, I stole the image from Race42008.com where there is a big discussion going on about the pick. Kavon says “Best. Vice. Presidential. Pick. Ever.” Also of interest at Race42008.com is a post from Romney supporter Jason Bonham “Gov. Palin: Awesome Choice, But Still a Bet”

~Nate Gunderson

Other news about the Palin Pick:
Marc Ambinder (includes text from Palin’s speech)
Hugh Hewitt talks about “An Extraordinary Choice”
Michelle Malkin - Palin for America: A true conservative: “She knows when to stand up and doesn’t let anyone tell her to sit down”