FINALLY-Mitt Romney Explains Why He Spoke at CPAC

 2012 GOP Standard bearer Mitt Romney just left the CPAC stage and a major question was finally answered...why the heck was he speaking?

Pundits have been asking this question incessantly over the past few weeks. 

He lost! Why would he want to speak?  Some attendees even questioned why he was invited to speak and Chris Christie remained in New Jersey (Christie is more liberal than Romney). So why the heck was he there? He couldn't be coming to advise conservatives how to win the next time.

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley introduced Romney and it seemed as if she was giving a convention speech to rally behind a nominee.  

Romney came out to a standing ovation. He started out by thanking conservatives for helping to launch his campaign, for their support in 2008 and 2012.

The former Mass. Governor took the role of the cheerleader (without the short skirt and pom-poms), echoing some of the themes of Allen West's speech on day one:

"It’s fashionable in some circles to be pessimistic about America, about conservative solutions, about the Republican Party," he added. "I utterly reject that pessimism. We may not have carried the day last Nov. 7, but we haven’t lost the country we love, and we haven't lost our way." 

But not quite, Romney then launched into specific examples of American's who overcame business problems--examples which came from his usual stump speech, then urging the party win to fix their problems.

"It is up to us to make sure that we learn from my mistakes, and from our mistakes, so that we can win the victories those people and this nation depend upon.

Saying he because he lost he was not one to offer advice but he provided advice anyway. Romney gave the names of Governors, especially those in blue states like McDonnell, Scott Walker, John Kasich, Chris Christie, Susanna Martinez as people who should be listened to. Interestingly, the ACU received criticism because two of those governors McDonnell and Christie were not invited to speak.

He drew great cheers with his wrap up 

"I'm sorry I won't be your President, but I will be your coworker and I'll work shoulder-to-shoulder alongside you."In the end, we will win just as we have won before, and for the same reason: because our cause is just and it is right."

And ended up with:

"Thank you again for your help and support along our journey," he said. "Ann and I will treasure these memories all the days of our lives." 

As he left the stage the crowd rose and cheered---and that was it.

The weeks of speculation were over.  The questions running through the mainstream media over and over..why was he coming? That's easy...the guy wanted to say thank you.

You are very welcome, Mr. Romney.