Romney suspends campaign

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Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s decision to suspend his presidential campaign Thursday left some MSU students disappointed about his early exit.

Romney suspended his campaign — meaning he will no longer spend money but could re-enter the race — because he felt his presence delayed the eventual Republican nominee from launching a national campaign.

While journalism sophomore Andrew Struska understands Romney’s reasons for suspending his campaign, he said Romney’s actions were premature.

“You really should put up some sort of fight,” he said. “It ain’t over until it’s over, but I guess there’s a certain amount of graciousness in stepping aside.”

Leo Madarang, chairman of MSU Students for Mitt Romney, was at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C., where Romney made his announcement.

“Overall, the feeling was that it was a really big blow,” he said. “No one was expecting it. When he said it it was like somebody let all the air out of the campaign.”

Craig Ruff, senior policy fellow at Lansing-based Public Sector Consultants, said Romney’s campaign is most likely deflated despite his name remaining on primary ballots.

Ruff said Romney will probably hold a press conference in the future to endorse another candidate. He also will encourage his supporters and delegates — including all 30 of Michigan’s delegates — to shift to that candidate, Ruff said.

In the end, Ruff said Romney supporters likely will identify with the McCain campaign.

“Voters want to feel like they’ve picked a winner. That benefits McCain greatly,” he said. “People go to sleep much better knowing they voted for a winner.”

Marketing junior Mark Kenyon said Romney’s realization that he wouldn’t win was overdue.

“I think it’s a reality check,” he said. “There’s really no chance in beating McCain now. (Romney’s) been spending a lot of his own money, so I feel it’s probably better for his sake to do what he’s doing.”

Ruff said Romney will have much less impact by suspending his campaign than former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, who suspended his run for the Democratic nomination Jan. 30.

With the Democratic race close between Sens. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and Barack Obama, D-Ill., Edwards’ delegates would be coveted if neither Clinton nor Obama has enough delegates for the party nomination.

Romney and his supporters, however, won’t have an effect on the Republican presidential nomination, Ruff said.

“Some will continue to vote for him, but that will be few in number,” he said.

“A fair number of Romney supporters will simply not vote. The rest will divide, depending on the state, between (former Arkansas Gov. Mike) Huckabee and McCain.”

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