Washington, D.C. – Today, addressing the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Governor Romney announced that he was suspending his presidential campaign for the sake of Republican unity and the future of our country. In 2008, Republicans must stand united if we are to prevent Senators Clinton and Obama from taking the White House. As a nation at war and facing uncertain economic times, the American people cannot afford the Democrats and their agenda for retreat and economic slowdown. With today's speech, Governor Romney outlined the significance of this election and the need for the Republican Party to remain strong.

Governor Romney's Address To CPAC (As Prepared For Delivery):

"I want to begin by saying thank you. It's great to be with you again. And I look forward to joining with you many more times in the future.

"Last year, CPAC gave me the sendoff I needed. I was in single digits in the polls, and I was facing household Republican names. As of today, more than 4 million people have given me their vote for President, less than Senator McCain's 4.7 million, but quite a statement nonetheless. Eleven states have given me their nod, compared to his 13. Of course, because size does matter, he's doing quite a bit better with his number of delegates.

"To all of you, thank you for caring enough about the future of America to show up, stand up and speak up for conservative principles.

"As I said to you last year, conservative principles are needed now more than ever. We face a new generation of challenges, challenges which threaten our prosperity, our security and our future. I am convinced that unless America changes course, we will become the France of the 21st century – still a great nation, but no longer the leader of the world, no longer the superpower. And to me, that is unthinkable. Simon Peres, in a visit to Boston, was asked what he thought about the war in Iraq. 'First,' he said, 'I must put something in context. America is unique in the history of the world. In the history of the world, whenever there has been conflict, the nation that wins takes land from the nation that loses. One nation in history, and this during the last century, laid down hundreds of thousands of lives and took no land. No land from Germany, no land from Japan, no land from Korea. America is unique in the sacrifice it has made for liberty, for itself and for freedom loving people around the world.' The best ally peace has ever known, and will ever know, is a strong America.

"And that is why we must rise to the occasion, as we have always done before, to confront the challenges ahead. Perhaps the most fundamental of these is the attack on the American culture.

"Over the years, my business has taken me to many countries. I have been struck by the enormous differences in the wealth and well-being of people of different nations. I have read a number of scholarly explanations for the disparities. I found the most convincing was that written by David Landes, a professor emeritus from Harvard University. I presume he's a liberal – I guess that's redundant. His work traces the coming and going of great civilizations throughout history. After hundreds of pages of analysis, he concludes with this:

"If we learn anything from the history of economic development, it is that culture makes all the difference. Culture makes all the difference.

"What is it about American culture that has led us to become the most powerful nation in the history of the world? We believe in hard work and education. We love opportunity: almost all of us are immigrants or descendants of immigrants who came here for opportunity – opportunity is in our DNA. Americans love God, and those who don't have faith, typically believe in something greater than themselves – a 'Purpose Driven Life.' And we sacrifice everything we have, even our lives, for our families, our freedoms and our country. The values and beliefs of the free American people are the source of our nation's strength and they always will be.

"The threat to our culture comes from within. The 1960's welfare programs created a culture of poverty. Some think we won that battle when we reformed welfare, but the liberals haven't given up. At every turn, they try to substitute government largesse for individual responsibility. They fight to strip work requirements from welfare, to put more people on Medicaid, and to remove more and more people from having to pay any income tax whatsoever. Dependency is death to initiative, risk-taking and opportunity. Dependency is a culture-killing drug. We have got to fight it like the poison it is.

"The attack on faith and religion is no less relentless. And tolerance for pornography – even celebration of it – and sexual promiscuity, combined with the twisted incentives of government welfare programs have led to today's grim realities: 68% of African American children are born out-of-wedlock, 45% of Hispanic children, and 25% of White children. How much harder it is for these children to succeed in school and in life. A nation built on the principles of the Founding Fathers cannot long stand when its children are raised without fathers in the home.

"The development of a child is enhanced by having a mother and father. Such a family is the ideal for the future of the child and for the strength of a nation. I wonder how it is that unelected judges, like some in my state of Massachusetts, are so unaware of this reality, so oblivious to the millennia of recorded history. It is time for the people of America to fortify marriage through Constitutional amendment, so that liberal judges cannot continue to attack it.

"Europe is facing a demographic disaster. That is the inevitable product of weakened faith in the Creator, failed families, disrespect for the sanctity of human life and eroded morality. Some reason that culture is merely an accessory to America's vitality; we know that it is the source of our strength. And we are not dissuaded by the snickers and knowing glances when we stand up for family values, and morality, and culture. We will always be honored to stand on principle and to stand for principle.

"The attack on our culture is not our sole challenge. We face economic competition unlike anything we have ever known before. China and Asia are emerging from centuries of poverty. Their people are plentiful, innovative and ambitious. If we do not change course, Asia or China will pass us by as the economic superpower, just as we passed England and France during the last century. The prosperity and security of our children and grandchildren depend on us.

"Our prosperity and security also depend on finally acting to become energy secure. Oil producing states like Russia and Venezuela, Saudi Arabia and Iran are siphoning over $400 billion per year from our economy – that's almost what we spend annually for defense. It is past time for us to invest in energy technology, nuclear power, clean coal, liquid coal, renewable sources and energy efficiency. America must never be held hostage by the likes of Putin, Chavez, and Ahmadinejad.

"And our economy is also burdened by the inexorable ramping of government spending. Don't focus on the pork alone – even though it is indeed irritating and shameful. Look at the entitlements. They make up 60% of federal spending today. By the end of the next President's second term, they will total 70%. Any conservative plan for the future has to include entitlement reform that solves the problem, not just acknowledges it.

"Most politicians don't seem to understand the connection between our ability to compete and our national wealth, and the wealth of our families. They act as if money just happens – that it's just there. But every dollar represents a good or service produced in the private sector. Depress the private sector and you depress the well-being of Americans.

"That's exactly what happens with high taxes, over-regulation, tort windfalls, mandates, and overfed, over-spending government. Did you see that today, government workers make more money than people who work in the private sector? Can you imagine what happens to an economy where the best opportunities are for bureaucrats?

"It's high time to lower taxes, including corporate taxes, to take a weed-whacker to government regulations, to reform entitlements, and to stand up to the increasingly voracious appetite of the unions in our government.

"And finally, let's consider the greatest challenge facing America – and facing the entire civilized world: the threat of violent, radical Jihad. In one wing of the world of Islam, there is a conviction that all governments should be destroyed and replaced by a religious caliphate. These Jihadists will battle any form of democracy. To them, democracy is blasphemous for it says that citizens, not God shape the law. They find the idea of human equality to be offensive. They hate everything we believe about freedom just as we hate everything they believe about radical Jihad.

"To battle this threat, we have sent the most courageous and brave soldiers in the world. But their numbers have been depleted by the Clinton years when troops were reduced by 500,000, when 80 ships were retired from the Navy, and when our human intelligence was slashed by 25%. We were told that we were getting a peace dividend. We got the dividend, but we didn't get the peace. In the face of evil in radical Jihad and given the inevitable military ambitions of China, we must act to rebuild our military might – raise military spending to 4% of our GDP, purchase the most modern armament, re-shape our fighting forces for the asymmetric demands we now face, and give the veterans the care they deserve.

"Soon, the face of liberalism in America will have a new name. Whether it is Barack or Hillary, the result would be the same if they were to win the Presidency. The opponents of American culture would push the throttle, devising new justifications for judges to depart from the Constitution. Economic neophytes would layer heavier and heavier burdens on employers and families, slowing our economy and opening the way for foreign competition to further erode our lead.

"Even though we face an uphill fight, I know that many in this room are fully behind my campaign. You are with me all the way to the convention. Fight on, just like Ronald Reagan did in 1976. But there is an important difference from 1976: today, we are a nation at war.

"And Barack and Hillary have made their intentions clear regarding Iraq and the war on terror. They would retreat and declare defeat. And the consequence of that would be devastating. It would mean attacks on America, launched from safe havens that make Afghanistan under the Taliban look like child's play. About this, I have no doubt.

"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.

"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 evil extremism.

"It is the common task of each generation – and the burden of liberty – to preserve this country, expand its freedoms and renew its spirit so that its noble past is prologue to its glorious future.

"To this task, accepting this burden, we are all dedicated, and I firmly believe, by the providence of the Almighty, that we will succeed beyond our fondest hope. America must remain, as it has always been, the hope of the Earth.

"Thank you, and God bless America."

My mom, dad, Craig and I have done our best to show the Romney campaign to Missouri. While my dad was speaking in St. Louis, I was making my own stops in St. Louis, Joplin, Lebanon, and Springfield. My mom is campaigning in Kansas City on Feb 4.

Here's a shot addressing some supporters in Joplin:

Here's a shot of me taking some questions from the press in Missouri:

--- Matt Romney

In addition to many high profile talk show conservatives, many evangelical leaders are also rallying for Mitt and realizing that he is the best face to represent the party. Here are a few great examples of their thinking:

Reverend Rob Shenck: "After careful and prayerful consideration, I have concluded that an evangelical vote for Mike Huckabee is a vote for John McCain, and a vote for John McCain will be a disaster for this country. Let me explain. It's clear to me and many others that Mike Huckabee is not broadening his appeal enough to win the primary."

John Schroeder of Article 6 Blog: "The conservative voice in the Republican party is at stake - everybody agrees on that, and Evangelicals are the energy, motivator, and banner carrier for that voice. Conservatives lose and Evangelicals are on the bench, if they are in the stadium at all. In other words, we stand on the precipice I feared from the beginning. The current electoral calculus is such that a vote for Mitt Romney is the only way to preserve that voice."

Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson: "Love of God, family and country are the most important values in my life. All are under attack in America as never before. I believe that Governor Romney, though not without flaws in his record, is a decent, highly capable man who believes in these same values."

Sadie Fields of the Georgia Christian Alliance: "'I believe that Governor Romney is the best man to run the country for the next eight years. He's the only candidate running who has created jobs,' said Fields, whose Christian Alliance — formerly the Georgia Christian Coalition — is the most active religious conservative political group in the state."

--- Tagg Romney

I made a trip to Oklahoma on Feb 3 in advance of their primary on February 5th. Here's a picture of me greeting a couple of potential voters, Rita and Garrett, in Miami, OK. They had just seen my dad on TV and were impressed:

Here's a very unoriginal picture of the "Welcome to Oklahoma" sign:

--- Matt Romney

Also, while I'm on the blog, I want to point out this quote from Rush Limbaugh today, in case you haven't already seen it:

One Candidate Now Stands For All Three Legs of Conservatism

"I think right now Romney probably -- as the campaign has coalesced and as the campaign has progressing on down the highway -- I think the one candidate of the three still out there on our side … in saying who more closely embodies all three legs of this conservative stool, you'd have to say that it's Mitt Romney. There's actually no choice in the matter. It certainly isn't Senator McCain."

--- Ben Romney

First of all, apologies about not posting any Florida pictures. My camera unexpectedly broke down before the trip, and I didn't have enough time to get a replacement. Even without the pictures to prove it, I can assure you that I actually did go. My wife, Andelyne, and I, toured around Florida in the Mitt Mobile, with most of our campaigning in the northern part of the state. We were very, very impressed with the enthusiasm and friendliness of the people we met there. It was quite heart warming, and humbling to see all the hard work that people were putting in to get my dad elected president. After a few days there, I remember thinking there was no way that we could lose Florida, because of the huge outpouring of support everywhere we went. Turns out, I was partly right - we didn't win Florida, but we won Northern Florida! (And yes, I'll take credit for that).

Since then, life has been a little busy for our family. Twenty-one states will be voting tomorrow, and we've done our best to get to as many as we can. By last count, since January 29, someone in the family has been campaigning in 17 of those states. Here they are, in alphabetical order: Alabama, Alaska (way to go Josh - not easy to go from Florida to Alaska in the middle of winter), California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, and West Virginia. (And no, I won't take credit for that - I've had to go back to work, so that's all been done by Mom, Dad, Tagg, Matt, Josh, and Craig)

--- Ben Romney

Dad spoke today at a huge rally in Atlanta, GA. He's doing a 24-hour swing all across the country. A staffer told him on a conference call last night that if he wanted to go to California tonight, the major drawback would be that he wouldn't get to sleep as he'd have to turn back around and fly to WV right afterwards. His response? "Nah, don't need to sleep. Let's go to California." I don't know how he keeps fighting like this, he's doing a great job. Watch the rally for a minute or two, carried here live on CNN, he takes a good couple of whacks at McCain and really stirs the crowd up pretty well.

--- Tagg Romney

We won the Maine caucuses yesterday by an astounding 30 points, gaining more than 50% of the vote. We won by bringing out 2 groups of people -- those who knew how well my Dad governed the state of Massachusetts, turning around a faltering economy, balancing the budget, etc., and those who decided to heed the rallying cry being put out by conservative thought leaders like Sean Hannity, Laura Ingraham, Mark Levin, Lars Larson, etc. to stop John McCain from becoming the face of the Republican party. Mike Huckabee was a non-factor as he continues to show that he is mainly a regional candidate, and as many people realized that a vote for him would essentially be a vote for the guy the national press wants to anoint.

Why do some in the mainstream media seem to want to hand this race over to McCain when we have won 4 states and he has won 3? It may have something to do with the fact that they agree with him on the very things that make conservatives upset -- they agree with his positions on amnesty for illegals, on raising gas taxes to stop global warming, on speech stifling campaign finance reform laws, and they are comfortable that he admits to not really being motivated that much by social issues. We are in this race to win, and expect to win a lot of delegates on Tuesday. We don't think any of the GOP candidates will win enough delegates to lock up the race, and we will fight like crazy to make sure the Republican party continues to stand for those principles that have helped make it the grand old party--fiscal consevatism, social conservatism, and a strong national defense. We hope the rest of the country realizes what is at stake on Tuesday and makes the right choice!

--- Tagg Romney

Growing up in Boston, I was a huge Celtics fan in good years and bad. My favorite team had to be McHale, Bird, Parrish, Ainge and Johnson. So you can imagine my excitement when I saw Kevin show up at a campaign event for my dad. I told him about going to a Celtics game recently with Craig where he wore Kevin McHale's actual shoes and shorts from the early 80's. The shoes were huge but the shorts were oh so short on Craig. The look on people's faces when Craig tore off his sweats to reveal his shorts at the game was priceless.

Here's a picture with Kevin, his wife Lynn and me and my dad:

Here's a picture of my dad fielding questions at a press conference in Minneapolis:

--- Matt Romney

On the flight to Fairbanks I took a picture of Mt. McKinley on a clear day from the plane:

After freezing for an hour on this street corner we all went back for a bite to eat where I sampled all of the Alaskan classics: moose, salmon and whale. Oh so good.

--- Josh Romney