Friday, January 21, 2011

Is Romney giving an Iowa social conservative group the cold shoulder?


Apparently, there isn't a whole lot of love between Mitt Romney and Bob Vander Plaats of the Iowa social conservative group, Family Leader. According to ABC News, Mitt hasn't returned his calls.
ABC News’ Michael Falcone reports:

Leaders of a prominent social conservative group in Iowa that is organizing a series of forums with potential GOP presidential candidates said that they have been getting the cold shoulder from Mitt Romney.

[...]

“We have made several attempts to reach Gov. Romney or those close to him in order to extend an invitation to our Presidential Lecture Series. None of those attempts have been successful as of today,” said the group’s spokesman Chris Nitzschke.

Political observers have been speculating about whether Romney, who finished second behind Huckabee in the 2008 Iowa caucuses, would skip the state altogether in 2012. He has traveled infrequently to the state since his presidential bid -- a contrast to some of his potential competitors like Pawlenty and Gingrich who have spent considerable time in the Hawkeye State in recent months.

Romney’s office did not respond to a request for comment, but his approach to the Family Leader event is likely to set off renewed speculation about how seriously he plans to compete in the state.

[...]
Update: Politico's Ben Smith tweeted this message yesterday:
Vander Plaats says no slight intended, he's just been "unable to communicate with [Romney's] office or his staff...left a lot of messages"

8 comments:

hamaca said...

Maybe Romney heard that a certain Iowa radio talk show host was going to be moderating.

Anonymous said...

Hamaca,

Ha, I don't doubt that Deace will be there in some fashion--especially when/if Romney shows up.

On the surface, this looks like much ado about nothing. So far Pawlenty, Gingrich and Santorum have agreed to participate. Maybe one other--I can't remember--but Huckabee, Daniels, Palin, Barbour, Thune, Pence and Romney are not confirmed.

The Family Leader is a highly religious organization in a state where anti-Mormonism ran strong. I wouldn't balme Romney if he is less than enthusiastic.

-Martha

Doug NYC GOP said...

It's still early. A lot of these "jockeying" stories are cooked up by a press needing to write something each day.

This where experience can be benefial. Romney scored 25% last time and currently runs about 19%. He has a base there. He doesn't need the Evangelical wing to make a decent showing. Let the split that voter block.

Anonymous said...

Iowa has not picked a GOP candidate in a few cycles now. they are 'important' how?

Dave said...

I can't prove it, but I saw the Iowa Gubernatorial Primary debate between Governor Branstad and Vander Plaats, and I believe the latter libeled the former in citing something Terry supposedly said to Bob in a "private" conversation.

It was clear that Branstad was outraged and denied the comment, but it came down to Vander Plaatz's word against Branstad's.

In any event, Mitt would be walking into an ambush if he participated in this "forum."

OhioJOE said...

Ah, so it is OK for Mrs. Palin to walk into an ambush, but not Mrs. Palin. In any event, it is not a deal yet. Just like every other candidate, Mr. Romney can afford to hack off a few states and a few groups. If it becomes a pattern that is another matter.

Right Wingnut said...

I do not like Vander Plaats either. He made a couple snarky remarks about Palin at a speech about a couple years back. That may be the reason she backed Branstad.

That's one more reason why I wouldn't support Huckabee.

BOSMAN said...

Huck Backed Vanderfarts and Romney backed Brandstadt WHO WON.

Mitt, Let um wait!