Romney Campaign Press Release - What They're Really Saying About Governor Romney's Message Of "Change Begins With Us"

Governor Romney Takes On The Republican Party's Problems "Head On":

The New York Times' David Brooks: "Thank God. Listen, Republicans need to show it's a new Republican Party. George Bush did in 1999. They've been marching to disaster without promising any change, and he's got to fill that in with some substance. But, finally some Republican candidate is going to answer that." (ABC's "This Week," 9/23/07)

- Watch David Brooks Here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdeOMhZ_cac

Conservative Activist Richard Viguerie: "'At last, a top-tier presidential candidate is paying attention to the discouraged, disheartened and disillusioned base of the Republican Party,' Viguerie said, pointing to a Romney TV ad criticizing the party's 'excessive spending, immigration amnesty and ethical slackness.' Viguerie, a powerful voice in the party's conservative base, said Romney 'has taken a small but significant step toward reclaiming the GOP for the grassroots conservatives who are its backbone.'" (Jill Zuckman, "Romney Declares 'Republican Party Got Lost'," Chicago Tribune, 9/22/07)

The Politico's Jonathan Martin: "If there was any doubt before now, Mitt Romney made plain today his intent to run as a change agent against a political establishment that he argues is failing the country." (Jonathan Martin, "Romney Makes Strongest Case Yet For Change," The Politico, 9/22/07)

National Review Online's Jim Geraghty: "I think the ad Romney unveiled today is, far and away, his best ad and message yet..." (Jim Geraghty, "I'm A Fan Of Romney's New Message, 'Change Begins With Us'," National Review Online's "The Campaign Spot," http://campaignspot.nationalreview.com, 9/19/07)

- Geraghty: "Kudos to Romney for taking on the GOP's image problems head on. I think an electorate that is tired of finger-pointing, excuses, and evading responsibility will appreciate a candidate who says, 'our side screwed up.'" (Jim Geraghty, "I'm A Fan Of Romney's New Message, 'Change Begins With Us'," National Review Online's "The Campaign Spot," http://campaignspot.nationalreview.com, 9/19/07)

Captain's Quarters' Ed Morrissey: "[W]hile it may not be what Republicans want to hear, it may also be what Republicans need to hear." (Ed Morrissey, "Will Criticizing Republicans Help Romney?" Captain's Quarters, www.captainsquartersblog.com, 9/22/07)

Matt C At Race 4 2008: "This ad is music to my ears - finally, somebody saying exactly what I'm feeling." (Matt C, "New Romney Ad: 'Change Begins With Us,'" Race42008, 9/19/07)

CNN's Joe Johns: "Well, it's a good message. Hate the mistakes but love the principles." (CNN's "Late Edition," 9/23/07)

The Hill's Klaus Marre: "Presidential hopeful and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) Wednesday called on Republicans to get their house in order and return to the party's core values." (Klaus Marre, "Romney Calls On GOP To Shape Up," The Hill, 9/19/07)

Arizona Republic's Dan Nowicki: "Romney was hailed as a native son and won a standing ovation at the end of his speech [at Mackinac]." (Dan Nowicki, "In Michigan, Romney Slams D.C.'s GOP," Arizona Republic's "McCain Central," 9/22/07)

- The Politico's Jonathan Martin: "An ovation came a moment later when he implored his party to 'start acting like Republicans – not earmarking Republicans, not big spending Republicans, not big government Republicans, but like Reagan Republicans and Roosevelt Republicans.'" (Jonathan Martin, "Romney Makes Strongest Case Yet For Change," The Politico, 9/22/07)

American Spectator's Jennifer Rubin: "He looks a bit more relaxed (no jogging shorts this time but a non-dress shirt) than usual and sets out an effective theme that works for his pitch: we need to change Washington and not imitate the Democrats on spending, immigration and ethics." (Jennifer Rubin, "Romney's New Ad," American Spectator Blog, www.spectator.org, 9/19/07)

In The Headlines:

ABC News: "Romney Tells Republicans To Reform."

(Matt Stuart, "Romney Tells Republicans To Reform," ABC News, 9/22/07)

The Associated Press: "Romney Issues Challenge To GOP."
(Liz Sidoti, "Romney Issues Challenge To GOP," The Associated Press, 9/22/07)

The Boston Globe: "Romney Issues Challenge To GOP."

(Foon Rhee, "Romney Issues Challenge To GOP," The Boston Globe's "Political Intelligence, 9/21/07)

Chicago Tribune: "Romney Declares 'Republican Party Got Lost.'"

(Jill Zuckman, "Romney Declares 'Republican Party Got Lost'," Chicago Tribune, 9/22/07)

CNN: "Romney To Republicans: Get 'House In Order.'"

(Alexander Mooney, "Romney To Republicans: Get 'House In Order'," CNN, 9/21/07)

Detroit News: "Put House In Order, Romney Tells GOP."

(Gordon Trowbridge, "Put House In Order, Romney Tells GOP," Detroit News, 9/22/07)

The Hill: "Romney Calls On GOP To Shape Up."

(Klaus Marre, "Romney Calls On GOP To Shape Up," The Hill, 9/19/07)

The Politico: "Romney Makes Strongest Case Yet For Change."

(Jonathan Martin, "Romney Makes Strongest Case Yet For Change," The Politico, 9/22/07)

Reuters: "Romney To Fellow Republicans: Put House In Order."

("Romney To Fellow Republicans: Put House In Order," Reuters, 9/19/07)