Mitt Romney: Tea Party movement is great as long as they vote Republican
Hard hitting interview? Well, let's just say the co-hosts of Newsmax TV weren't exactly Mike Wallace and Morley Safer.
They were more like say.... Shaggy and Scooby Doo.
Former presidential candidate Mitt Romney's appearance on the conservative website Monday wasn't what you would call grueling. He faced questions like: "What is your take on President Obama?" and was asked for this thoughts on Sarah Palin.
That's not to say the whole thing was a waste of time. The ultra-conservative program did get interesting when it ended he was asked about the Tea Party movement.
Tea Party
Does he think it will have an impact on the upcoming election? Of course. But the Tea Party'ers need to play by the rules, he said. If they win in a primary, great. If not, toe the line.
"If we go in the direction of dividing our conservative effort in the general elections, why we'll just basically turn the country over to Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid and that would be very sad indeed...," he said.
If the Tea Party candidate doesn't fall in line? "Divide and fail is the result," he said.
It's understandable what he's saying. If there was a substantive organization that could take away votes from the Democratic party you'd see those on the left saying the same thing.
Loss to Ron Paul
Especially because Romney doesn't believe there is a significant third party possibility out there. Even in light of Ron Paul's big straw poll win -- over him and the entire field -- at the CPAC convention last month.
"I don't really see any change in the Libertarian effort," he said. "There has long been a Libertarian strain in American politics and it typically comes together with the Republican party."
What about Paul's win over Romney? Small in number, but they know how to organize he said.
"The good thing about Libertarians is that when they are called to show up somewhere they do. When they get a call in the night ... to show up at CPAC or show up at a straw poll or show up at an event, they'll show up. You've got to congratulate them for that. But I don't think there is a growing portion of Americans who are Ron Paul devotees. But he has an influence and welcome his participation in the party."
"It's a big tent party," he added.
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