Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Regarding Mitt Romney, My Sentiments Exactly

Cranky Con links to this post at The Corner regarding the notion that Mitt Romney is the cure for what ills conservatives:

... if Mitt Romney is the political answer for conservatives, the question must be, "How might the conservative movement commit intellectual suicide in the quickest manner possible?" His ideas about health care are virtually indistinguishable from those offered by President Obama, save for the fact that Romney is more disingenuous than Obama regarding the reforms he has in mind. Regarding the auto industry, he is indecipherable, having taken both pro-bailout and anti-bailout positions (the former as a candidate, the latter as an ex-candidate in the New York Times, and yes, it's just another of the usual set of politically opportunistic Romney flip-flops). His alleged fiscal discipline was on vacation during his governorship in Massachusetts. And he is fond of making the case for protectionism and, as your post pointed out, tighter business regulation, asset valuation divorced from market realities, and industrial policy for any troubled sector with political support.

To be fair, one can't necessarily say that what Romney believed yesterday represents what he believes today, or that what he believes today represents what he will believe tomorrow (witness his incredibly well-timed flip-flops on abortion, gay rights, gun control, and a whole host of social issues). Yet the fact that this unprincipled political chameleon is being offered as "the last, best hope for conservatism" (to steal a phrase) speaks volumes about the intellectual and political wreckage on the Right at the moment.
(emphasis added)


Previous Pro Ecclesia posts on this subject:
A Theory [UPDATED]

You Stay Classy, Mitt

The Anchoress: "Convince Me of the Merits of Mitt"

Romney's Free Ride On Abortion

Romney and the Florida GOP Debate

InsideCatholic: "Why Mitt Romney Is the Best Choice for Catholic Conservatives"

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5 Comments:

At 3/18/2009 9:15 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

And to think Mitt was the guy I was going to vote for after Thompson bowed out. Wow, was that a weak GOP field last year or what.

 
At 3/18/2009 1:25 PM, Blogger James H said...

I second this!!!

 
At 3/18/2009 1:37 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"wreckage" is an understatment

 
At 3/18/2009 5:51 PM, Blogger matthew archbold said...

The funny thing is that I can listen to a speech by him and think, "Wow. This guy is great."
And then I remember what he's said and done previously which are antithetical to what he's saying now.

 
At 3/19/2009 7:56 AM, Blogger LargeBill said...

I'm not a Romney-ac. However, some of his flipping is a result of being from Massachusetts. Positions that would be acceptable there would not play well around the country and vice versa. Not excusing his ever changing positions, just saying there are some states that are so liberal that we are not going to get a candidate who has won a statewide race there without taking wrong positions. In many ways it is a shame. Romney is an intelligent guy and he is able to give a good speech. Problem is his past positions makes him damaged goods. For different reasons, Newt Gingrich is a similar case. Very smart and able to convey the conservative message clearly, but definitely unelectable to national office because of his personal failings.

 

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