Many former supporters of Mitt Romney are now giving their support to John McCain. This includes some big donors and party activists.
Shortly after Mitt Romney dropped out of the presidential race his brother Scott Romney scheduled a meeting with McCain's campaign staff
According to freep.com Scott Romney, an attorney with a prominent Detroit law firm said,
"It's disappointing when your own candidate doesn't win, particularly when it's your brother. We got close and had a real good shot at it, but on the other hand, we looked very carefully at the situation in the world and we thought it was very important that we rally around Sen. McCain."
According to Federal Election Commission records there are at least 100 Michiganders who have given money to both Romney and McCain. Most of those who gave to McCain gave after Romney dropped out. These include Romney supporters who are big donors as well as party activists who provide important time as volunteers.
This was very important for McCain as Romney was the top Republican fundraiser and he was more popular among the conservative base than what McCain was.
McCain lost the Michigan primary on Jan. 15 to Romney by 9 points. In a poll taken last week by Quinnipiac University in Connecticut of 1,411 Michigan voters McCain is trailing Obama by 6 percentage points.
Some republicans are still wary of McCain. When a Republican from Sumptor Township Michigan was asked what she thought of McCain she said that her support depends on who he picks for his vice presidential candidate.
The overall feeling for McCain isn't all that enthusiastic. Many Republicans will vote Republican because they believe in the basic principles of the party, and not necessarily because they’re supportive of McCain himself.
Another Republican stated that he believes Obama is too liberal and inexperienced but he is still uncertain about McCain.
Most party regulars were quick to switch their support to McCain. Peter Karmanos, chief executive officer of Detroit-based Compuware, had given nearly $10,000 to Romney's political action and presidential campaign committees. He didn't need convincing to volunteer hosting a well attended fund raiser for McCain at his huge lakefront home in Orchard Lake Michigan a month ago.
Paul Welday of Farmington Hills MI who is a Republican candidate for the state House of Representatives said,
"It was a sort of a coming together party that was urged on by both sides. The Romney folks have melded very well with the McCain campaign."
Welday also said,
"It was a hard-fought primary, and some of us had some issues with McCain. But unity in this party has come easier than I thought it might."
Those who were for Romney could have another reason for giving their support to McCain. They see a McCain-Romney ticket as still a possibility. McCain has a short list of running mates and Romney appears to be on that list.
Romney is seen as a good choice by some because McCain would attract more donors and that Romney will use some of his own fortune on the campaign.
It is also seen that Romney would instill more passion into the campaign and some see that as lacking in McCain's campaign now.
Scott Romney said,
"My brother is going all around the country on behalf of McCain. But there are so many people being considered. It's very hard to tell who Sen. McCain will pick. "But I ... would hope someone would consider him."
