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GOP faithful see positives in Romney's departure

Posted February 07, 2008 10:00 pm

Meagan Sexton and Bernard Schoenburg

Although Mitt Romney most likely won't be in attendance, state Sen. Dan Rutherford still plans on representing him at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., in September.

Rutherford, R-Chenoa, ran as a Romney delegate in Tuesday's primary election. He said he isn't a "free agent" and will not support another candidate for the nomination until Romney says it is OK.

Romney, Massachusetts' governor, suspended his presidential campaign Thursday, essentially ensuring Arizona Sen. John McCain's selection as the Republican nominee.

"Speaker (Dennis) Hastert was very passionate, as was I, for Mitt Romney," Rutherford said. "I think Romney and McCain will be able to put their differences aside and move forward."

Alternate McCain delegate Dave Kelm of Springfield said he is excited that his candidate did so well Tuesday and believes he now has a clear path to the nomination.

"Romney had personal resources he could have continued to invest in his campaign," Kelm said. "He is a successful businessman and understands cost-benefit analysis. Clearly, Romney's campaign took a look at the possible path to nomination and what it would cost and decided to withdraw, and I think it was a wise decision."

Former Republican Gov. Jim Edgar discussed this week's election results during a Sangamo Club luncheon Thursday.

"There's no doubt that Senator McCain was going to win the nomination," Edgar said. "Sometimes it's harder for the other candidates to recognize that. But probably his (Romney's) children are happy. It saves a lot of the trust fund. I think that was the right decision at this point."

Joe Wiegand of DeKalb County, a supporter of Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be the GOP's presidential nominee, said he plans to attend the convention as a citizen and spectator rather than a participant.

Huckabee did not receive any delegates in Illinois.

"Romney exiting the race has given Huckabee supporters a wind of encouragement because now we have the opportunity for Huckabee and McCain to go head-to-head and give Republicans a real choice," Wiegand said. "The odds are better when Huckabee is the one pledged conservative."

Rutherford said Romney's departure from the race was handled in a timely manner with "proper judicious thought."

He doesn't think that Romney would want to be vice president, though.

"I think it would be challenging for Romney to be the vice presidential candidate. He has a strong vision and belief of how America should be," he said.

Meagan Sexton can be reached at (217) 782-6882. Bernard Schoenburg can be reached at (217) 788-1540.

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