Dartblog

Despite winning several states on Super-Duper Tuesday and pledging to go all the way to the nomination, Romney announced today that he is suspending his presidential campaign. That puts John McCain one giant step closer to the nomination and Mike Huckabee perhaps one step closer to a VP nod.

“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.” Romney said in his speech at CPAC.

I have to hand it to Romney. This is the decision of a mature, thoughtful businessman willing to acknowledge his defeat for the greater good of the GOP. Clinton and Obama, on the other hand, remain locked in a dead heat. Even Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean told the New York Times that their party must avoid a brokered convention. These candidates won’t go down without a fight. Clinton can’t wait for another opportunity to run in eight years. Men may look handsome when they are young and distinguished as they age, but women aren’t treated as kindly (just look at the number of middle aged and older women starring in feature films). In France, many speculated that Segolene Royal was simply too beautiful to be taken seriously as a presidential candidate and inspired envy among women. That obviously hasn’t been a problem for Clinton who draws large support from females. While being a beautiful woman may be a disadvantage, being an old woman is even worse. I can’t imagine that Clinton would have the same support at age 68 as she has at 60. Obama could theoretically wait the eight years, but the moment is right in the Democratic Party for an anti-war candidate, and he is less likely to rouse the ire of the Republican base than his opponent. Will either of these candidates be able to look past their ambition for the good of the party?

A candidate who cares about his party and his country before himself is a man to be admired. Romney’s decision truly reflects the best of the Grand Old Party, and showcases even more clearly the choice that voters will face in November.