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I am so disgusted that the any man with high moral charactor will be chased out of the race by the media. Why? Because it was apparent that they could not control him. Huckabee will be next unless he can be bought.

Mit always came across to me as a morman who was willing to sell his soul or at least change his mind for the highest bidder . I think this is why the god is oil type republicans really liked him. He might have had a chance if the god is the creator type republicans wern't getting nervus about all the killer storms ,melting ice caps etc. that may be caused by burning too much oil.

Ron Paul is the only choice now!

So in 4 years when the Republicans get this stuff together and come back with a good candidate, you are still not going to support the party?

I'd argue that most presidential candidates, even going back to the Founders' Era, enter the fray because it's "the next logical progression up the resume chart." That was even true, to some extent, for George Washington himself -- though he was recruited, and did not seek (nor need) such resume padding.

Rare is the candidate, like Reagan, who seeks the presidency mostly to carry the banner of a movement rather than primarily achieve personal glory. (The Progressives of the turn and early 20th century -- Teddy Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, FDR -- were certainly personally ambitious, but were also tapped to carry the banner of their revolutionary political philosophy to the highest level of government.)

Clinton dreamed of being president as a child. Gore was groomed by his family to be president some day. Hillary, too, has long eyed the opportunity to break what she calls "the ultimate glass ceiling." I think it's obvious that McCain's motivation for seeking the presidency leans much more heavily on the personal ambition side. And if we're going to get into a rationale contest, Obama -- with the thinnest resume of any major party candidate in history -- has the weakest case.

Romney, certainly, has thought of his Dad's unsuccessful reach for the White House and perhaps was looking for vindication -- both for his family and the Mormon faith. But I think, in large part, Romney (1) saw a wide-open field for the nomination and (2) felt that he was a good governor and would make a good president. In other words, "Why not me?" And it was that underlying passivity that ultimately failed to attract any real passion to his campaign.

Here's part of Romney's speech. (HT: The Corner.)

I disagree with Senator McCain on a number of issues, as you know. But I agree with him on doing whatever it takes to be successful in Iraq, on finding and executing Osama bin Laden, and on eliminating Al Qaeda and terror. If I fight on in my campaign, all the way to the convention, I would forestall the launch of a national campaign and make it more likely that Senator Clinton or Obama would win. And in this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign, be a part of aiding a surrender to terror.

This is not an easy decision for me. I hate to lose. My family, my friends and our supporters... many of you right here in this room... have given a great deal to get me where I have a shot at becoming President. If this were only about me, I would go on. But I entered this race because I love America, and because I love America, I feel I must now stand aside, for our party and for our country.

In a few sentences, Romney shows why I thought he was the best choice -- the strength of his character. How gracious.

He's at CPAC, listening to Romney make his speech. So check Ben's blog soon for a take.