1 And we all know who that benefits.

Hugh Hewitt?

2 Surprisingly, this benefits Sarah Palin.

Fancy that.

3 And we all know who that benefits.

CNN's bigoted sidebar?

4 The big question in my mind is has he overcome his technocratic hubris that caused him to create RomneyCare in Massachusetts?

5 "I think on a tactical level he's a great candidate in '12. Politics is often about reacting negatively to what you have and wanting the opposite" Which is why he is in a lot of trouble. He is attached to HCR in Mass. If HCR somehow passes he doesn't have a prayer in 2012.

6 I heard that he beat gangsta-rapper to death on a plane flight recently cause the rapper dissed Romney's ho'....

Well that's what I heard....

7 As regards to the CNN story, you gotta love the pictures they choose
to depict Republicans and Democrats.

8 1 And we all know who that benefits.

I'm gonna go with Governor Mike Huck-a-bee-bee.

9 I hate to tell you this, but Romney is not going to happen.  People are sick of the elite in this country.  And he is an elitist.  I also don't cotton to someone who went on a show with a perverted misogynist.

10

The book “No Apology: The Case for American Greatness” hit shelves Tuesday, and in it Romney focuses much of his time attacking Obama’s foreign policy.

“Never before in American history has its president gone before so many foreign audiences to apologize for so many American misdeeds, both real and imagined,” Romney writes of Obama’s overseas trips. “It is his way of signaling to foreign countries and foreign leaders that their dislike for America is something he understands and that is, at least in part, understandable.”

This is what i have to say is  crux  of the matter of my abhorance for Obama as our President that has frustrated me since  aknowledging His hanging out with Ayers and Mr. Wright.

How can I feel respectful : empathy, kindness or anything .. for that matter for a Man that Insults Our Country , Our people and our Ideas . That seems to have made His life a project to Insult  and undermine everything about us?

11 One thing Mitt has going for him is that he's been successful at pretty much everything he's attempted.

12 Republicans have a history of nominating people who have waited and earned their turn and Mitt is definitely well placed to claim it's his turn

Like Bob Dole and John McCain

13

I know a lot of people have doubts about Romney, myself included, but those excerpts are simply magnificent, and anyone who denies it is not to be trusted as an analyst (and if you don't get that reference, you're new around here, aren't you?).

Yes, he writes a book. He has "great rhetoric" but so does Obama. Romney is a RINO gun grabber by his very deeds.  His rhetoric can not change that until he spends a great deal of rhetoric explaining what "road to Damascus" moment he had that caused him to reverse his position on these issues.

Either than or he gets elected to some other office like the Senate or House where he amasses an ACU rating of 90 or above.

14 7 As regards to the CNN story, you gotta love the pictures they choose
to depict Republicans and Democrats.

Posted by: McLovin at March 03, 2010 01:02 PM (RwvN1)

Politico is such a biased piece of shit organization it's unbelievable. 

15 If Romney would convert to a Baptist he could carry that vote. Then he could do like Obama and revert back to his former faith after the election.

16 Saw this at Hot Air, check out the caption and get ready to laugh. I might post this in every thread.

17 Like Bob Dole and John McCain

And Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan.

It's a mixed bag but it's what the GOP does for the most part.

18

To my knowledge this is the first major Presidential candidate, not otherwise compromised by racism, to attack multiculturalism ever.

This shows a depth of courage I rarely see in America.

19

RomneyCare is not my big beef with him. My big beef with him is that he has gone on record as saying that RomneyCare is teh awesome. Coming out and admitting that the plan has been a loser, that he was conned, and that he now sees the light about government involvement in health care would go a long way toward redemption for me.

As far as fiscal policy, I think the guy has major street cred which as of right now will be the major issue in 2012.

20

A book I will be buying.

Hey obammy and friends..."America, Fuck Yeah!!!"

21

Given the past, Romney will never, ever mention ObamaCare, or why it's wrong.

22

It's no secret I don't like Romney. I think he's Compassionate Conservatism Part Deux. But beyond that, he can't beat Obama. If there is no ethnic minority and/or female on the R ticket in 2012 we're toast. Two Whitebread Males on the ticket would be electoral suicide. Simple as that.

Identity politics sucks big time, but that doesn't mean it's not a problem for Republicans. Dems use it very effectively and in 2012 will use it in, er, spades.

23 I'm not crazy about Romney, but I think he's well positioned for 2012 to walk in and be the adult as regards to business, the economy, taxes, and fiscal sanity.

No matter who we nominate, they're going to need those kind of chops. People know the economy is off the rails and they need to feel confident in putting someone in office who knows his ass from a profits and earnings ratio. (heh)

24 And we all know who that benefits. That hair, that voice, those creases in his pants... My God, I'm becoming David Brooks!

25

Ghost #19, suppose Romney said: "That's what federalism is all about: to provide services at the state level that the citizens of that state want. My proposal in Massachusetts turned out to be a mistake. I do not intend to repeat that mistake over the entire United States of America. Furthermore I pledge not to bail out Massachusetts with the tax monies of the 49 other states."

The problem with that is that his opponents would then say, here's Mitt Romney, taking a huge crap on his state, and then leaving it for everyone else there to clean up. How's this any better than what Bush did or, for that matter, what Obama's doing.

26 Sorry, but being the next guy in line should be a mark AGAINST a candidate. We need someone new. And it doesn't help that he looks like a used BMW salesman from LA.

27 I'm sorry, Romney is not appealing, '08 failure to defeat McCain is a HUGE black eye, and his liberal positions will haunt him. I don't like the guy.

28

I think Romney blew it by not backing off of Romneycare. He had a grace period at the beginning of the Obamacare discussions when he could have come out and said something like:

 "We tried a lot of these ideas in Massachussetts and unfortunately they haven't worked as planned. That's one of the strengths of our federal system whereby most decisions are to be left to the states and localities and ideas can succeed or fail without binding the whole country to potentially disasterous results. I've learned my lesson and the nation can benefit from the knowledge that our experiment in Massachussetts didn;t work. Replicating this healthcare approach on a national level would be both unconstitutional and a financial disaster."

Had he done that - and I think he had only 'til about last July to do it -  that could have worked to his advantage. Instead it seems like he's doubling down, and Romneycare will be a lead weight on his candidacy.

29

We just spent a fucking year fighting Obama because hes trying to add a new healthcare entitlement that we cant pay for! Now, people want to put Romney up as our nominee!? His main accomplishment is signing a huge healthcare entitlement that we can't pay for!

If he is our nominee, then the conservative movement is a complete joke that believes in big government entitlements. I must have missed that part of the conservative platform, massive healthcare entitlements that bankrupt  our states.

30

22 If there is no ethnic minority and/or female on the R ticket in 2012 we're toast. Two Whitebread Males on the ticket would be electoral suicide. Simple as that.

One thing we learnt in 2008 is that we can't beat Obama with a woman. The kind of woman who would consider voting for a ticket with a female on it, just for that reason, is either stupid and/or feminist. Both of them are natural D constituencies.

As for ethnic minority, my vote is "Cuban"; or "Conservative Tejano". Other than that, the conservative bench is paper thin. Few outside the South will vote for, say, a Jindal ticket. Who else we got? Joseph Cao?

31 A lot of people will be pissed if Palin runs and doesn't win, but if she thinks she can't win she probably will try to play kingmaker. 

I prefer Palin strongly, because in spite of not having the critical experience level I want, I trust her and she is a repudiation of the media firestorm.

But I know Romney is really a huge improvement over Obama or Mccain and I would support him too.  Just don't tell me Romney with Palin as some conciliation Veep or Secretary position. Nothing pisses off Palin fans more than this kind of patronization.

So I'll vote Palin over Romney in the primary, even though Romney probably wrote his own book and is a brilliant guy.  He's a bit too brilliant a politician, if you know what I mean.

32 I'm more worried about the process than the people right now.   The GOP needs to close the primaries ASAP.  Otherwise the Obami will crossover and we'll end up with some rube like Gomer Huckabee.  Former fat fuck who wants to tell me what to eat.  I sorta like Mitch Daniels but I hear is something like three feet tall.

33

 dUOK+: Just don't tell me Romney with Palin as some conciliation Veep or Secretary position

Palin would make a pretty good Secretary of the Interior. I wouldn't consider that "conciliation".

Agreed she shouldn't be a Veep candidate. That's another thing we learnt in 2008 not to do.

34 "One thing Mitt has going for him is that he's been successful at pretty much everything he's attempted."

Well, except for Romney-Care and beating McCain....

Romney=loser.

35 Abortion is an irrelevant issue which can't be repealed. Now if you're talking about being pro-life vs pro-choice, that's still a relevant issue. We can create laws forbidding methods on aborting, we can create laws that requires parental decisions and etc. However the position Mitt Romney took was (and back then when it was "relevant" [Now irrelevant]) necessary to go against Kennedy. Also we can forbid taxpayers from subsidizing abortions (if anything we should encourage more children to keep above the replacement rate). Today, I don't think supporting abortion or not has any bearing whatsoever on politics. Funding it is a completely different matter. I'm pro-life however I do recognize that abortion will never cease to exist.

36 Just one teeny tiny correction to the book is needed:  "There is ONE superior nation, and the United States of America is that one."  There, fixed it for you.  This should be in any revisions of the book.

37

Remember that last time Palin had to learn McCains entire career overnight and all his policy positions and learn how to defend HIS positions. Next time, she will have her own policy positions. Defending your own policies is far easier than defending someone elses, especcialy when you do not agree with all of them.

Keep an open mind and she will suprise you in primary debates and while campaigning.

38

Personally I don't think it will be Romney or Palin. And it sure as hell will not be that idiot Huck.

Agreed that they do need to at least start the ball rolling in cleaning up the primary process before we even start talking about the candiates. The process changes absolutely needed in the order of importance:

1. Eliminate winner take all

2. Change the order to reflect the "Republicanness". of the last State vote. Ie perreniel Blue States get to go last, not first!

3. Close the primaries.

39 I'm more worried about the process than the people right now.   The GOP needs to close the primaries ASAP.

Hell yeah!  If this process is not being worked on right now, we are toast.

40 "His main accomplishment is signing a huge healthcare entitlement that we can't pay for!" You and I know that isn't true. When he left office, it was still intact. Then guess what. Democrats sees government programs as necessary to expand no matter what if taxpayer money can't fund their pet projects. Deval Patrick did exactly that and said "Fuck it, let's blow this shit up and get more votes!" Now Massachusetts reaps the consequences of these dipshit morons blowing every fucking thing that moves.

41

So yesterday we see an old story about Obama wanting to reinstate the assault weapons ban, and today we're praising the Republican candidate who shares the same views? 

No thanks.  You learn a lot about a candidate about his views on the 2nd Amendment, and here's a hint for Mitt: it's not about hunting.  But he'll be the favorite of "East Coast Conservatives" that wouldn't know how to exercise their Second Amendment right if you put a gun in their hand and told them which way to point it.

And I wonder about his "business sense" we're supposed to love him for when he thought Romneycare was a great idea and totally wouldn't run his state into the ground.  Oh, and there's him being in favor of the first bailout (but not the subsequent ones, probably because it wasn't his party pushing them).

Oh, but he saved the Olympics.  Games have been going on for thousands of years, but they wouldn't have happened without Mitt. I heard one day the Sun almost didn't rise, but thanks to Mitt, it still does.

For everyone who complained about McCain and his RINO tendencies, Romney is clearly The Conservative Choice (btw, McCain believes in the 2nd Amendment).

42 Change the order to reflect the "Republicanness". of the last State vote. Ie perreniel Blue States get to go last, not first!

Oohh.. that's a new one to me.  That sounds intriguing.

43 If he wants my support in the primaries, he will have to lay total waste to Romneycare, not just we didn't do it right, but an outright rejection of government collectivist healthcare crap.  He must disavow it with no ifs, ands, or buts.

A true belief in a flat tax system would also be bonerific.

44 2. Change the order to reflect the "Republicanness". of the last State vote. Ie perreniel Blue States get to go last, not firs Holy shit, that's something I would fucking support. What's funny is that Utah would go first (reddest state out there)

45 He's a bit too brilliant a politician, if you know what I mean.
Posted by: throwaway handle

I agree. Compare and contrast with Reagan on the campaign trail: "I'm not here tonight because I'm the guy with all the ideas; you're the ones with the ideas." (paraphrasing)

46

But he'll be the favorite of "East Coast Conservatives" that wouldn't know how to exercise their Second Amendment right if you put a gun in their hand and told them which way to point it.

He is NOT an "East Coast Conservative". He is a North East liberal squish country club Republican. The people on the South East Coast know about the second amendment!

47 I'm ready to compromise. I want deep reductions in the size and scope of the federal government. All other policy considerations are of secondary importance. Who will be my candidate?

48

Oohh.. that's a new one to me.  That sounds intriguing.

Shouldn't be new, I've been screaming for it since 2008.

 

49 Yeah, Mitt Romney.

Lessee, the only noteworthy political move that Mitt's made in the last two months was to stroll into this year's CPAC convention, and, after he delivered his coronation speech, he promptly had his butt handed to him by the Paulbots.

When you can't even beat Ron Paul in Groverland, you ain't ready for primetime.

50 @46 My mistake in wording, you're correct.  I tend to even forget that the South East Coast states are near the North East ones, there being such a difference in mentality. To me they're part of the South, and the Northeast states are off in their own crazy little world.

51 40 katian...Thats the point! Once you put the entitlement in, then all bets are off and it grows out of control. Shouldnt Romney have known that being a genius? Did he expect to be governor forevor to keep it in check? lol Once you give the left the entitlement, they will explode it. Why do you think Ted Kennedey wanted it and is laughing and smiling as Romney signed it?

52 When you can't even beat Ron Paul in Groverland, you ain't ready for primetime.

Meh. The paulbots pulled an acorn and packed the joint.  Means nothing.

53 The GOP needs to close the primaries ASAP.

...have you figured out how to verify that everyone who checks the "Republican" box when they register at the DMV or the state fair or through the mail agrees with the latest party platform (and aren't just pulling an Operation Chaos with the intent of re-registering Indie or Dem before the general)? 

Then how does that assure the results you want?

Even if there was some sort of purity test/approval as a condition of getting a ballot("OK, I have deemed you Republican Enough to vote in our primary!") I don't think that will guarantee conservative candidates.  People overlook Huckabee's nanny facism because he carries a Bible...

54 I hope he runs, and wins.  Sarah is HAWT (duh) and very Conservative (duh again) but the media ripped her to pieces so badly that some some of their shit they have flung has indeed stuck. 

Mitt is it.

Oh and McCain, STFD and STFU.

That is all.

55 Well here's how the primary could potentially lead out if it was Palin vs Romney in a primary shootout (Fuck McCain) Iowa - Palin (social conservatives) Wyoming - Romney (won 200 New Hampshire - Romney (Almost beat out McCain in 200 Michigan - Romney (Romney's father was governor, won 200 Nevada - Romney (Sizable mormon population) South Carolina - Romney (Barely any social conservatives there, almost beated out McCain) Maine - Romney Now that's the pre-Super Tuesday bullshit. Since winning the early primaries have a huge effect on whoever wins Super Tuesday will likely be the nominee.

56 @ 51 Just about any social kind of program is entitlement bullshit. However Deval Patrick is one huge fuck up and not the brightest bulb (duh). Then again which democrats are? *shrugs*

57 Mitt Romney is old school, the leavings of the last century. Like Newt or Huckabee, he will not be our nominee. And if he is,we will not win.

58

South Carolina - Romney (Barely any social conservatives there, almost beated out McCain)

Whatwhatwhat? You must be talking about Bizarro South Carolina. McCain would have lost SC if Fred Thompson hadn't siphoned off votes from Huckabee.

Palin would smoke him here unless the Huckster runs again.

59 Erm I meant to say Florida.

60 South Carolina is a Democratic Primary before Super Tuesday. I meant to say Florida when I was reading off the list.

61 Partial-Birth Abortion didn't make him change his mind on abortion, but Embryonic Stem Cell Research did? Sorry, I don't buy that. Romney has no principles.

62

Huckabee is dirty.  Dole was never that.

I supported Mitt from the beginning then all of a sudden McCain's the last man standing.   Since then, I still don't give a hairy rat's about his religion but feel some dread re the Massachusetts health care situation.  Mitt and Sarah would be an uncommonly attractive pairing on several levels.

By the way, will be attending the county 'Pub convention this Saturday getting ready for the state convention in June.  Tonight I'm making survey calls again in support of Governor Branstad's latest campaign to the geriatric luddites unwilling to use or buy answering machines.   Get off your dead asses, morons, and get busy.  No need to run for office, just become one of the voices that determines who gets to run.  Politics is a closed loop so start finagling your way in now.

 

63 No thanks.  You learn a lot about a candidate about his views on the 2nd Amendment, and here's a hint for Mitt: it's not about hunting.  But he'll be the favorite of "East Coast Conservatives" that wouldn't know how to exercise their Second Amendment right if you put a gun in their hand and told them which way to point it.

Posted by: aggiebc at March 03, 2010 01:37 PM (9DyYi)

Are you a Moby or do actually believe that you can't be a 'real' conservative unless you have a gun rack?

Here's a hint, there are a lot of Democrats who have plenty of experience with guns and yet vote with Nancy Pelosi all the time. Check out just about any Democrat from say Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Nebraska, the Dakotas, etc.

64 Embryonic stem cell research is not illegal whatsoever. No organization are forbidden from researching into it. So I don't see your point. Abortions on the 3rd trimester are illegal and if underage requires parental knowledge.

65 Problems with Mitt.  You left out his promise of government support to America's Big Three auto companies during the Michigan primary and his scare-mongering robocalls against McCain during the Florida primary where he accused McCain of holding a position that Mitt also held although that last part was left out of the calls.  There's also something a little bit scary about a guy who thinks he "understands the economy" and knows what levers to pull to fix it.  Isn't part of the problem that too many levers are being pulled by people who think they "understand the economy"?  He's an okay spokesman for the party, but I'm hoping we can come up with a more trustworthy candidate.

66

As for weaknesses, well they are certainly well known though mostly they represent a problem getting through the primaries. The abortion flip, RomneyCare ("I like mandates") and his religion.

After Barry and his G-ddamn America pastor and racist TUCC, Romney's Mormonism will not be a problem.  There are other problems with Romney, as noted above.

Disclosure:  Romney was not my choice in '08 nor will he be in '12.

67

...have you figured out how to verify that everyone who checks the "Republican" box when they register at the DMV or the state fair or through the mail agrees with the latest party platform (and aren't just pulling an Operation Chaos with the intent of re-registering Indie or Dem before the general)? 

A lot of people use that argument but in reality the average voter is too lazy to do that. A few operatives may do it but not enough to be statistically meaningful. I also think that that holds true for the Dem voters sabatoging Republican Primaries when they don't have one, but to a lesser extent.

Here's a hint, there are a lot of Democrats who have plenty of experience with guns and yet vote with Nancy Pelosi all the time

Drew; I throw the red hearing flag on that one. There is a damn big difference from having a "gun rack" and being actively pro gun control. Romeny is active pro gun control. To me that is a heavy hitter in the liberal category.  

Yes, there are some Dems who are anti Gun Control, but that doesn't make a pro gun control Republican a conservative.

68

I think a good many of you fail to understand that those of us who voted for Romney in the '08 primaries did so because Juan McAmnesty McClimateFraud McLame was a non-starter, Teh Fred wouldn't get off his duff and do it, the skeletons were literally falling our of Rudy's closet, Huckabee was becoming a nanny-statist demogogue, and no one else had the clout and the warchest.

Mitt in '12? It really depends upon who the field is, and upon how much he mea culpas about Romneycare. I'd prefer someone better, just like I preferred someone better in '08.

69 Posted by: Vic at March 03, 2010 02:15 PM (QrA9E)

No, aggiebc was talking about more than the politics. He said "But he'll be the favorite of "East Coast Conservatives" that wouldn't know how to exercise their Second Amendment right if you put a gun in their hand and told them which way to point it."

How much you know or don't know about guns has nothing to do with one's stance on the 2nd amendment.

70

I consider Romney clever, but a little too clever by half.  He's a politician, a cunning one, but he's like the fox who traps himself in his own traps -- he's blundered on some issues that would cost him the election (if not the primary).

And yes, the man does indeed look like a used BMW salesman -- sorry, but it's there.  A little too pretty, a little too smooth.  After "mister articulate pants crease" and this debacle, people will not be so attracted to that sort of good looks in a leader.  (you may mock -- but that's what got Ronnie elected -- consider his looks, his image; the man was not classically good looking, yet; same, for opposite reasons with Slick).

Romney, like Palin, would be good in a cabinet position, I think. But they won't win.

Tap into a bit of predicting as to who the people would see as their hero, the perfect foil to "mister perfect in his own image" -- and there's who should be running.  In the meantime, let the Dems keep hanging themselves and whistling past the graveyard...they're going to run on "the people haven't forgotten Booosh" this time out, and possibly in '12...let them, and let them pay for that dearly.

71 The GOP and Romney can come in third or fourth,  even if wrong I won't be voting with them.

72 I may get to shake the man's hand tonight.  But I won't be acting like a moron.

73

To my knowledge this is the first major Presidential candidate, not otherwise compromised by racism, to attack multiculturalism ever.

This shows a depth of courage I rarely see in America.

Absolutely. And that Mitt is doing so is a BIG plus in my book. It really is time to call the Multi-Communists and Politically Communists in academia and the media out.

I still would like a better candidate, but if the GOP primary lineup in '12 is anything like the lineup in '08, then I have to go with Mitt. (Thank goodness that is extremely unlikely).

74 “The multiculturalism movement must be unmasked for the fraud that it is. There are superior cultures, and ours is one of them."

I would love to see him throw down this line in a debate.  I don't think Professor Obama would be able to resist the urge to argue against it.

75

My point, perhaps poorly worded, is that there are a number of people who call themselves conservatives, and yet actively support gun control.  I meant, through an off-handed comment, that maybe they're completely clueless about guns and so completely overlook the issue when supporting a candidate. 

I'm not saying you can't call yourself a conservative if you can't use a gun. I am saying you can't call yourself a conservative and support gun control like the AWB (Romney) or outright bans (Giuliani in NYC).  If you outright ignore one of the Bill of Rights, you're not conservative. 

76 At least in relative terms, I'm not quite as enthused as I was about the idea a month or two ago, but I still think a Romney-Palin ticket could win, and be a wrecking ball to the left as a viable political force.  For decades.  And it would be so delicious to live.

77 Slick Mitt will never -- never -- get a vote from me without a full-out Road to Damascus on government health care and gun control.

Don't give me any crap about Massachusetts, either -- he isn't running for the President of fucking Massachusetts.

78 (live throught)

79 (through)

80

How much you know or don't know about guns has nothing to do with one's stance on the 2nd amendment.

I never said it did. I was responding to a previous comment which implied that everyone on the East Coast was a gun grabber like Romney.

81 Mr. Romney will be coming to my town (Grand Rapids, MI) on the 11th of this month for a book signing. When Mrs. Palin came to town last year, I stood in line for hours to get her signature. I plan to swing by just to see how many people are waiting in line.

I believe the "me-too" Republicans that  FDR ridiculed are alive and well as represented by Mr. Romney. I expect him to flog the theme, "we can do better."

But I don't want to be done by Washington.

82

My point, perhaps poorly worded, is that there are a number of people who call themselves conservatives, and yet actively support gun control. 

I agree. You can NOT support Gun Control and be a conservative. I would say the "best" you could do in that area is not support incorporation, but it would have to be consistent across the board for all the BOR.

83 Posted by: aggiebc at March 03, 2010 02:30 PM (9DyYi)

Fair enough. It just sounded like a Democratic parody...you can't be a conservative unless you shoot a gun.

I honestly have forgotten about Mitt and guns but to me it's somewhat moot. 1st, Obama can't get any gun legislation through an overwhelmingly Democratic Congress, I don't see any Republican President trying or succeeding with what's likely to be at least a Republican House. Also, the Supreme Court is about to moot it all anyway.

That said, I do get why people hold it against Mitt.

I want to like the guy, there's just too many things that make you step back.

84 No, he's not exciting, but Obama is exciting!  See what excitement has gotten us.  You can't always get what you want.  Moreover, don't think for a second that conservatives aren't subject to leg tingles and swooning.

85

I believe the "me-too" Republicans that  FDR ridiculed

FDR? That was Goldwater.

86

If there is no ethnic minority and/or female on the R ticket in 2012 we're toast. Two Whitebread Males on the ticket would be electoral suicide.

Soooo disagree with this. After the great multicultural disaster that was President Obama, voters will be running to return to the traditional candidate. Two whitebread guys is exactly what they'll want. Which is the main reason, btw, that I think Palin's got no shot at winning.

87 But he looks too good and looks too polished that you really can't feel the trust so screw him.
Posted by: polynikes at March 03, 2010 02:55 PM (m2CN7)

My 'trust' issues with him are based on looks but actions. I think Mitt is exactly what he seems to be...a manager. You hire him to do a job and he'll do it. His personal ideology won't get in the way.

Massachusetts wants a moderate-liberal Republican? He can do that. National primary voters want hard core conservatism? He can do that too. I don't think it's the normal political pandering we see, I think it's his training and natural disposition, he's a technocrat.

I do think he is conservative by temperament but not a true believer. Now, I don't need a true believer and I don't think Mitt is the kind of guy who will 'grow' in office. He'll do what the people (mostly Republicans, independents and conservatives) sent him to do and stick with it. He won't be Bush the Elder who was a liberal Republican pretending to be a conservative.

I could support Romney if he's the nominee, I just can't get fired up about him over anyone else at the moment.

88 er, my #89 should be

My 'trust' issues with him are based not on looks but actions.

89

85  It isn't a case of  exciting/not exciting (I would consider Romney more "exciting" than either Huckabee or McCain).  But the image a canidate gives off, the vibe if you will, is important -- the public will probably reject anyone who gives off the slick, educated elite image (which is what they've gotten with this one) and the Republican insider vibe will indeed remind them of everything unfavorable to them during the Bush years (which the Dems would probably play up to the hilt).

If we have another terrorist attack or something remotely bad goes down on that front, then Liz Cheney looks mighty good. I'd even say a Cheney-Christie ticket might go somewhere in '12 given the right scenario; Liz is an iron woman, but she looks like one of my old school teachers -- the nice one who baked us cookies; Christie is the fat guy -- but the fat guy with a sense of humor that we all know from work. The people will be looking for somebody they think they can trust, a lot.  Outside of image they seem to know the right things to say to the people, and seem to be able to back it up (verdict is still a bit out on Christie, let's see how he does with the mess he's inherited, but so far so good).

That's the sort of combo I think might win -- either that or somebody from the military who can "do" politics without looking like they "do" politics. (although with this society that could be iffy)

 

90 As for voting for Romney -- well, at this point I'll vote for a dead rhino (the real kind) over the reverse Jesus.  He's a smart guy -- but he's made some, at the time fairly clever but in the long run fairly self-trapping, decisions that do make people wary of him.  Did he do the healthcare bill due to the political climate of his state?  Maybe. Same with gun control.  But the rest of the country will likely not take that into consideration when looking at him as a canidate -- not everybody is a politics junkie, or even remotely interested beyond the sound bites.  That's what has to be considered.

91

RomneyCare's a real vote-breaker for me.  Too many Republicans and their potential supporters have staked major political capital on fighting socialized healthcare for Mitt to be the man, IMO.

Its ultimate importance may depend on how things play out with ObamaCare, but if Obama and the Dems simply ram their plan down America's throat with 50ish votes, Americans may have a very sour taste for socialized medicine by the time they vote in 2012, and that's how things seem to be playing out at this point.

Personally I rank foreign policy as one of our highest priorities and give Mitt credit where its due on that score, but every credible Republican candidate opposes "Blame America First" and believes in peace through strength, so this stand doesn't go too far in overcoming Mitt's domestic policy baggage.  If the other guys were Buchannanite isolations maybe it would, but as it stands I stll think there will be better choices available.

 

 

92

My 'trust' issues with him are based on looks but actions. I think Mitt is exactly what he seems to be...a manager. You hire him to do a job and he'll do it. His personal ideology won't get in the way.

Posted by: DrewM. at March 03, 2010 03:03 PM (9B5OK)

Word perfect in describing my nagging doubt.

I want a leader, someone who respects their power while understanding their awesome responsibilities as Commander-in-Chief.  I want an adult (yes, that charge), not a man-child who holds a 'healthcare summit' with so many of this country's top order of succession needlessly in attendance.

I want a candidate with a seriousness of purpose, not party central.

 

93 I think Romney's Mormonism would be a huge problem in the general.  There will be a steady information drip concerning the various beliefs Mormon theology, church history, and a number of scientifically unsupported beliefs they regard as infallible.  The cumulative effect will be devastating.  The average American knows very little about Mormonism and it's various tenets.  By the time Romney gets to the general election, he'll be regarded as something akin to a Creationist Birther who worships L. Ron Hubbard.  Some of the attacks will be fair, some won't.  Either way, it's going to be relentless and enough of it will stick to subvert any chance he has at becoming elected.   

94 I may disagree with Romney on a number of issues, but I damn well cannot get behind another "celebrity-in-chief" candidacy (Palin), nor can I get past the "crazy" part of crazy Uncle Ron (Paul), so I guess Mitt looks pretty good to me right now. 

Bottom line: I'm tired of amateur hour at the White House.

95 Holy crap. Just watched NJ Gov Christie, my favorite fat guy since John Candy. Veep my ass; this guy might roll up the Republican field if he keeps this up.

96 Look at how the skinny guy is dickin' us up. Vote for the Fat Guy and tip the scales for the American Way!

97 Romney can't get the conservative christian coalition.
He's dead in the water.
The press will spend two years saying things like, "Romney, noted member of the Mormon faith, walked down the street today..."

98 Screw that 'Next in line' crap...it's *really* worked out well hasn't it.

Besides, the move is towards a more conservative candidate and if I recall correctly while Mitt isn't poking conservatives in the eye with a sharp stick like McCain did he's not exactly noted for having a conservative background.

I'll take "Anyone that isn't a RINO" for 2,000 Alex...

99 100 Too true; the Mormon thing, no matter how unfair it might be, is a problem.  Again, most people don't really know that much about Mormons, but I have to admit they've made first class pitas of themselves in my home town -- worse than the Jehovah's Witnesses about coming to your door and pestering you (on July 4th at that!) or even stopping you while out walking your dog, really in your face type stuff.  So a lot of people think: Mitt = Mormon = the guys that ride around the neighborhood on their bikes pestering the crap out of you about their religion. This does not translate into favorables.

100 Wait.  Moron in the Whitehouse flies, but not Mormon?

It's sad that it may have been necessary, but I think Obama's religous "background" clears the way for an LDS follower.  Not for everyone, but for enough people.

Especially if he runs with Sarah Palin.  Or even if he doesn't.

101 "Romney can't get the conservative christian coalition." Fuck social conservatives. They're the bane of the party. I don't need fucking Pat Robertson projecting his bullshit in the White House. I was pretty pissed off when some social conservative spouted his mouth off at the "gheys" (GOProud) at the CPAC. Gay marriage is an issue I disagree on (whole different reason why, not "it's a God thing") but attacking gays that supports fiscal conservativism and small government, I'm fine with that. That's right I said it. Fuck the SoCon's.

102 errr "attacking gays", scratch attacking.

103 There are no atheists LDS haters in foxholes voting machines with Obama on the ballot.

IYKWIMAITYD

104

Too true; the Mormon thing, no matter how unfair it might be, is a problem. 

While ity may be a problem for a very very small number of biggots I don't think it is a problem that would sway the election.

I think the "Mormon is a problem" meme is another myth created by the MSM during the last primary to serve two purposes; first to get a dig in at those evil "Christians" and second to help their boy McLame. (no matter that technically a Morman is a Christian)

Nope, Mitt will not do good in any truly conservative State, but not because he is a Morman. It will be because he is a liberal.

105 Look, I hate a new mandate for health insurance, but the fact is WE HAVE ONE NOW.  Right now, if a person goes into the hospital with no way to pay, all of us are mandated to pay for his care.  That's the fact.  It's illegal for the hospital to turn them away.  So before people start bitching about mandates, be willing to deny uninsured the "right" to free care they have now.  If not, the current mandate will continue to suck my tax dollars.

106 Most people don't care about Romney's religion. Some do, but most couldn't care less. Romney has a LOT of baggage that has little to do with his being a Mormon.

107 "(no matter that technically a Morman is a Christian)"

Depends on who you listen to.  And even then, not entirely cut and dry.  John Richard Neuhaus wrote some excellent essays about this, and the baggage Mormonism brings to Romney's candidacy over at First Things.  Well worth the read. 

108

John Richard Neuhaus wrote some excellent essays about this, and the baggage Mormonism brings to Romney's candidacy over at First Things.  Well worth the read. 

Since the very defintion of a Christian is someone who believes in Christ I don't need anyone to tell me that Mormans aren't Christians since they do believe in Christ.

109 What baggage?

Posted by: cleaning guy at March 03, 2010 05:08 PM (m2CN7)


TARP

"Well, it [TARP] was the right thing to do. You know, I remember talking to Senator McCain -- and he was in the middle of a presidential campaign -- he said "Look, it is very bad politics to be for TARP. On the other hand, it's the right thing for the country."

Secretary PaulsonÂ’s TARP prevented a systemic collapse of the national financial system. Secretary GeithnerÂ’s TARP became an opaque, heavy-handed, expensive slush fund. It should be shut down. ~Mitt Romney

assault weapons ban

"He [Romney] is a supporter of the federal assault weapons ban."
- Romney 2002 campaign website

"That's not going to make me the hero of the NRA," Romney told the Boston Herald in 1994.

At another campaign stop that year, he told reporters: "I don't line up with the NRA."
- Boston Globe, January 14, 2007

"Americans should have the right to own and possess firearms as guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution," said Governor Romney. "I'm proud to be among the many decent, law-abiding men and women who safely use firearms."
- Governor Romney, News Release, January 12, 2007

"The minimum wage is important to our economy and Mitt Romney supports minimum wage increase, at least in line with inflation."
- Romney 2002 campaign website

Governor Mitt Romney yesterday rejected the Legislature's plan to raise the state minimum wage to $8 an hour over two years, angering Democratic lawmakers and advocates who accused him of abandoning a 2002 campaign pledge to significantly boost the pay of low-wage workers.
- Boston Globe, July 22, 2006

In a November 2005 interview with the Boston Globe, Romney described immigration proposals by McCain and others as "quite different" from amnesty, because they required illegal immigrants to register with the government, work for years, pay taxes, not take public benefits, and pay a fine before applying for citizenship.

"That's very different than amnesty, where you literally say, 'OK, everybody here gets to stay,' " Romney said in the interview. "It's saying you could work your way into becoming a legal resident of the country by working here without taking benefits and then applying and then paying a fine."

Romney also said in the interview that it was not "practical or economic for the country" to deport the estimated 12 million immigrants living in the US illegally. "These people contribute in many cases to our economy and to our society," he said. "In some cases, they do not. But that's a whole group we're going to have to determine how to deal with."
- Boston Globe, March 16, 2007

In his appeals to conservative voters, Romney has made the Arizona senator's work on immigration one of his favorite targets. When McCain and other senators unveiled the latest reform bill two weeks ago, Romney called it the "wrong approach" and immediately launched a television ad slamming "amnesty" for illegal immigrants.
- Boston Globe, June 1, 2007

Romney didn't support President Bush's tax cuts in 2003.  That earned him praise from liberal Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA)
- Boston Globe, April 11, 2003.

In 2002, Romney broke with his predecessor, Jane Swift, and Republican governors before her by declining to sign a written vow not to raise taxes once in office.

- Boston Globe, January 5, 2007

Almost five years after he refused to sign a "no new taxes" pledge during his campaign for governor, Mitt Romney announced yesterday that he had done just that, as his campaign for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination began in earnest.
- Boston Globe, January 5, 2007

During a debate, Romney declared: 'I believe that abortion should be safe and legal in this country. I have since the time that my mom took that position when she ran in 1970 as a US Senate candidate. I believe that since Roe v. Wade has been the law for 20 years we should sustain and support it.' "

Planned Parenthood gave to the gubernatorial candidates in 2002, Romney answered ''yes" to the question, 'Do you support the substance of the Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade?'

"Every decision I have made as Governor in a very liberal state has been on the side of favoring life." – Governor Romney

"In seeking the support of the Log Cabin Republican Club, Romney wrote them a letter promising that 'as we seek to establish full equality for America's gay and lesbian citizens, I will provide more effective leadership than my opponent.' "  1994

# "[Romney] did, however, pledge to support the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would ban job discrimination based on sexual orientation, and other civil rights protections for gays in the areas of housing and credit. He also promised to bring the initiatives begun in Massachusetts to protect gay and lesbian youth to the federal level."
- Bay Windows, 3/28/2002

"There will be children born to same-sex couples, and adopted by same-sax couples, and I believe that there should be rights and privileges associated with those unions and with the children that are part of those unions." On another occasion, his spokesman "declined to state Romney's position on whether homosexual couples should be allowed to adopt, and declined to say whether the governor opposes gay adoptions."
- State House press conference, 6/15/2005
- Boston Globe, 3/2/2006

Romney stated, "I feel that all people should be allowed to participate in the Boy Scouts regardless of their sexual orientation." In the same article, a BSA official criticized Romney for opposing Scout policy.
- Boston Globe, 10/27/1994

More recently Romney proposed allocating $250,000 for the Governor's Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth for fiscal year 2006, twice what he proposed for FY05. The Legislature ultimately funded the commission at $250,000 for FY05, so Romney's proposal for next year amounts to level funding, and the proposal is still a far cry from $1.6 million the commission received in the mid-'90s before the state budget crisis. Yet as commission co-chair Kathleen Henry said, Romney could just as easily have dissolved the program. "We serve completely at the will of the governor," said Henry.
- Bay Windows 3/3/2005

Twice after the Legislature approved funding for the Commission, Romney then appeased pro-family activists by vetoing it! However, since there are not enough Republicans to sustain vetoes, a veto is largely a charade.

    *  When Romney was running against Sen. Ted Kennedy, Bay Windows asked him how he would have voted on an amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act that would ban federal funds from public schools which are “encouraging or supporting homosexuality as a positive lifestyle alternative.” He answered:

      "I would have opposed that amendment. I donÂ’t think the federal government has any business dictating to local school boards what their curriculum or practices should be. I think thatÂ’s a dangerous precedent in general. I would have opposed that. It also grossly misunderstands the gay community by insinuating that thereÂ’s an attempt to proselytize a gay lifestyle on the part of the gay community. I think itÂ’s wrong-headed and unfortunate and hurts the party by being identified with the Republican party."
      - Bay Windows, 8/25/1994

Lopez: "And what about the 1994 letter to the Log Cabin Republicans where you indicated you would support the Federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and seemed open to changing the "don't ask, don't tell" policy in the military? Are those your positions today?

Gov. Romney: "No. I don't see the need for new or special legislation. My experience over the past several years as governor has convinced me that ENDA would be an overly broad law that would open a litigation floodgate and unfairly penalize employers at the hands of activist judges...As for military policy and the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy, I trust the counsel of those in uniform who have set these policies over a dozen years ago. I agree with President Bush's decision to maintain this policy and I would do the same."
- Interview with National Review, December 14, 2006

In 2002, before the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court declared same-sex marriage protected by the Constitution, Romney denounced as "too extreme" the effort by pro-family groups to enact a preemptive state Marriage Protection Amendment prohibiting homosexual marriage, civil unions and same-sex public employee benefits.
- Boston Phoenix, May 14-20, 2004

MSNBC's Joe Scarborough: "Do you support a national constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage?"

Governor Romney: "Boy, I sure do. You know, that's a topic that's really, I think, very important to the country because marriage is not just about adults.

"One issue I want to clarify concerns President Clinton’s “don’t ask, don’t tell, don’t pursue” military policy. I believe that the Clinton compromise was a step in the right direction. I am also convinced that it is the first of a number of steps that will ultimately lead to gays and lesbians being able to serve openly and honestly in our nation’s military. That goal will only be reached when preventing discrimination against gays and lesbians is a mainstream concern, which is a goal we share."
Sincerely, W. Mitt Romney

"Romney arrived on the scene with great promise, but is leaving the Republican Party here in shambles. Not only are the Republicans yielding the governor's office for the first time in 16 years, but registered Republicans have fallen by 31,000 since Romney took office, and their legislative presence is at historic lows. But it worked out fine for him: He is now chasing the prize he really covets, the presidency."
- Boston Globe 11/8/2006

"The Massachusetts Republican Party died last Tuesday. The cause of death: failed leadership. The party is survived by a few leftover legislators and a handful of county officials and grassroots activists who have been ignored for years. Services will be public and a mass exodus of taxpayers will follow. In lieu of flowers, send messages to New Hampshire Republican voters warning them about a certain presidential candidate named Romney."
- Boston Herald, 11/12/2006

"At a campaign appearance at Brandeis University in June 2002, Romney strongly endorsed stem cell research."
- Boston Globe, December 17, 2006

"I studied the issue for many months, and entered into conversation with experts from across the nation who were looking for consensus solutions, like Stanford's Dr. William Hurlbut.  In the end, I became persuaded that the stem-cell debate was grounded in a false premise, and that the way through it was around it: by the use of scientific techniques that could produce the equivalent of embryonic stem cells but without cloning, creating, harming, or destroying developing human lives."
- Governor Mitt Romney, Op-Ed, "A Stem-Cell Solution," National Review Online, June 15, 2007

"When he ran for governor in 2002, Romney said he supported expanding access to the emergency contraception pill, a high dose of hormones that women can take to prevent pregnancy up to five days after sex . . . On a questionnaire Planned Parenthood gave to the gubernatorial candidates in 2002, Romney answered 'yes' to the question, 'Do you support efforts to increase access to emergency contraception?' "
- Boston Globe, July 7, 2005

"Yesterday I vetoed a bill that the Legislature forwarded to my desk. Though described by its sponsors as a measure relating to contraception, there is more to it than that. The bill does not involve only the prevention of conception: The drug it authorizes would also terminate life after conception."
- Governor Mitt Romney, Op-Ed, "Why I Vetoed The Contraception Bill," Boston Globe, July 26, 2005

"Our analysis reveals a weak comparative economic performance of the state over the Romney years, one of the worst in the country," the researchers wrote in the Boston Globe. Specifically, they found:

* As U.S. real output grew 13 percent between 2002 and 2006, Massachusetts trailed at 9 percent.

* Manufacturing employment fell 7 percent nationwide those years, but sank 14 percent under Romney, placing Massachusetts 48th among the states.

* Between fall 2003 and autumn 2006, U.S. job growth averaged 5.4 percent, nearly three times Massachusetts' anemic 1.9 percent pace.

* While 8 million Americans over age 16 found work between 2002 and 2006, the number of employed Massachusetts residents actually declined by 8,500 during those years.

"Massachusetts was the only state to have failed to post any gain in its pool of employed residents," professors Sum and McLaughlin concluded.

Between July 2002 and July 2006, the US Census Bureau estimated that 222,000 more residents left Massachusetts for other states than came here to live. This high level of net domestic out-migration was equivalent to 3.5 percent of the state's population, the third highest rate of population loss in the country.

110

108  Hey, I only report what I see and hear...Are the myths fair? No.  Are they accurate? No.  But Vic, you yourself just admitted that the MSM used the whole "Mormons are a bit odd" meme during the primaries -- not saying it was the major hit piece they'd use, but it would be there (it has been used before), and it will help to bring Romney down.

So, you yourself just admitted that this was something which has been used effectively against Romney in the past -- but now it doesn't matter?  How so?  The Dems and the MSM will pinky swear not to use that particular meme again?

111 He needs to pound his strength, which is tremendous business and free market economic expertise, especially as applied to governing.  IOW, start sounding like Christie and tell people the truth about the pain that we all must be willing to face to get ourselves out of this socialist lollipop culture were are trapped in.  "No more lollipops folks, get over it", should be the message. 

Don't try to be cute or hip, just steely eyed and matter of fact.  Americans respond strongly to someone they know isn't full of crap and is straight up with them.  Let him do what he does best.  Forget all the other crap trying to be hip and cute.  In a rational world he would have been the nominee last time if he had done this. 

112 You might find this interesting, Vic...

http://tinyurl.com/yae78xl

113 BTW, I liked Mitt Romney more than John McCain in 2008, but neither he, nor McCain can be considered much of a conservative.

There were no good choices in 2008, just the best of a bad deal.

114

No.  But Vic, you yourself just admitted that the MSM used the whole "Mormons are a bit odd" meme during the primaries

No, what I said was that the MSM created a myth that "conservatives" would not vote for him because he was a Morman.  Keep in mind that the MSM uses religious as a definition for conservative.  Their intent was to brand the "religious conservatives" as biggots (something they always try to do) at the same time they gave aid and comfort to their desired Republican.

Don't get me wrong, I am no fan of Romeny. In fact I think he is an opportunist liberal RINO and I will not vote for him.  But I don't think his being a Morman is the reason people in the Red States will not vote for him.

115 Posted by: cleaning guy at March 03, 2010 05:47 PM (m2CN7)

Yeah!

No actual answers to the problem, just 'your picking on him!

Mitt Romney has the exact same problem John Kerry did. What he doesn't have is a record of service in the military, or a friendly MSM who will carry water for him.

It will be a massacre and when it is over the GOP will have an intimate understanding of how George Armstrong Custer felt.

I do my research on John McCain, Sarah Palin, Mitt Romney, David Petraeus (self described Rockefeller Republican BTW), and others.

I look for the most negative things I can find about a candidate because that is sure as hell what the MSM will be doing. Maybe more people should have done that and the Presidency wouldn't be in the hands of an anti-American fool.

116 Isn't is funny that whenever some uses the Republicans always pick the next in line argument they leap over the Palin (the person who WAS actually on the ticket) and go straight to Romney?  Hmmm... how is it the vp candidate is not the next person in line? 

I like Romney but he doesn't inspire any one to follow him.  OMG, he lost to McCain who had no money and ran a pathetic campaign.

117 Only the Stupid Party of 2006-2008 would ignore the most significant political events of 2009-2010 (if not of the entire decade) in their choice of nominee in 2012. 

What else can you say about a group that would tie itself up in knots for more than a year waging a near death battle against gov't healthcare and then turn around and select as its standard bearer the godfather of government healthcare in the US?

What would you make of a party that hemmorhages supporters to the inchoate Tea Party and then selects a 2012 nominee abhorent to those same Tea Partiers?

Good riddance I guess is what you would say about that party.  If collapsing the GOP and replacing it with an opposition party that is  unambiguously anti-socialist were my top priority, I would welcome the nomination of Mitt Romneycare by the GOP in '12.   And that is a high priority for me. But since saving the Republic is a higher priority, I would suggest to the Vichy Republicans that victory over the socialists in 2012 is possible only if the GOP nominates a leader against government healthcare who is also liked by the Tea Partiers.  There is one person (so far, at least) who fits that description. And even the Stupid Party knows who that is.

118

#123: wrote "how is it that the vp candidate is not the next person in line?"

Because he isn't, historically speaking. Look at the 1976 race, you had Ronald Reagan (who challenged and nearly upended Ford's nomination) and you had Bob Dole, who was the actual VP nominee on the GOP ticket. In 1980 both ran for the nomination, Reagan won handily and quickly, and Dole was barely a footnote. In 1996, Bush 41's VP didn't even bother challenging Dole (who became the next in line by virtue of finishing 2nd in the 1988 Primary against Bush, who was also the VP, but was also Reagan's main primary rival in 1980).

119 117--He needs to pound his strength, which is tremendous business and free market economic expertise, especially as applied to governing.

Where was his free market advocacy when he was gov. of MA?  Why would a free market advocate fear vetoing Romneycare, when he had the ability to do so?

Why would a free market advocate go into hiding when governement healthcare came up for debate on the national level?  Your advocate has been AWOL.

Explanation 1--he is a cowardly free marketer; or
Ex. 2--he is not a free marketer

120 Want to see how the Tea Partiers would react to a Romney nomination?  Look at 115 for just a taste.

Romney as nominee in 2012 ensures that there will be a third party run to his right in the general.  And that would kill off the GOP I believe.

121 I wish Romney were more dynamic and inspiring, I do, but after Obama one of my main criteria for president is whether or not they are a true grownup who can actually tackle the tough problems and not just speak nice platitudes on them over a teleprompter. Romney has proven through his business experience that he can do that. Does that make him electable? Not necessarily, and we need someone who is electable and can defeat Obama. But all the supposed Republican candidates have flaws at this point. Sigh. The idea that Obama might win reelection because all our candidates suck in some way or the other gives me the chills; I hope somebody steps up to the plate soon and gives real reasons to vote FOR them, not just against Obama. Thought voting against Obama might be enough this time around. As for 118: I'm going to try to keep this short because I don't think anyone wants to read a big flamewar here on whether or not we think Mormons are Christians. But I am going to say that I think the whole interreligious vs ecumenical section of that article is a bit disingenuous. Mormons believe that Jesus is their personal savior who died for their sins, as do all true Christians; Muslims simply believe he is one of many great prophets. That is hardly the same thing. Mormons read the King James version of the Old and New Testaments and consider them holy scripture; just because they reject the Nicene Creed does not mean they are no longer a Christian religion. The article is very nicely worded but has a lot of flaws. But thanks for posting it!

122 Romney/Cheney 2012? He'd have the financial smarts to fix the country and she's have the guts to backhand him if he does anything stupid. Or reverse their names, I don't care.

123 I'm no Romney fan. But what do you mean by "As for weaknesses... his religion." Mormon makes you unqualified? Sure it's an "unpopular" religion, but if you disqualify him because of your personal prejudices than your an ass hole. Now, saying he should be disqualified because other people are ass holes and wont vote for him because of his religion, that may be true. Maybe clarify your position, because it sounds like you don't like him because of his kooky religion.

124 Mitt is a poor choice. He is not a Conservative. He is McCain with better hair.

125 I met him tonight, made him laugh, even.  May post something on the NY For Mitt blog about him. 

What I will say here (and it's kind of more obvious after seeing him in person) is that we're talking about a President, not the leader of some charismatic church.  And I'm not referring to his faith but rather that the President needs to be someone fairly competent in running a large organization, and hiring competent people who will hire competent people, and so on.

The current bozo is not only ideologically scary, but he is a managerial moron who thought people like Van Jones, and that Mao Dunn woman would be good hires.  yeah, maybe Summers is a good hire, maybe.  But count how many failed czars have failed one way or another.

If you want charisma, go find a church or a Rabbi.  Yeah, maybe Reagan was charismatic; maybe Palin is (but is she competent to run a big big organization?)  Maybe it's nice, but remember, Obama is charismatic, or was charismatic, too to a lot of people (and still some)--until he proved himself to be a bozo jerk socialist.

126
Mitt has a great hairline and all he needs is fire in the belly. In '08 he reminded people of an HMO chief exec, and people instinctively turn away from that king of shit. If he stresses fiscal sanity and opposition to the beltway gimme culture, he could shed a lot of negative baggage.

Obama is wide ass open on national security and foreign policy. Mr. Hairline has an outstanding opportunity here. A suggested slogan: "Too much ass kissing, not enough ass kicking."

127 I agree with all your arguments in favor of Romney. He is clearly the best chioce.

128 I you guys can't spot a finger in the wind politician who is going to sell you out as soon as the political climate favors it then you truely deserve to be called morons.

129 The fatal flaw of a Romney candidacy is that he is inauthentic. Barack Obama is also inauthentic. After taking a chance on Obama, I don't think that a lot of voters will warm to another inauthentic candidate; even though Romney has the business experience and financial acumen needed in the next President.

Sarah Plain is probably the most authentic candidate to ever run for national office in the modern era. She's certainly more qualified to be President than is Obama. However, I'd prefer that she wait and build a stronger knowledge base from which to govern. Although, having said that, I'd vote for a less experienced candidate who is authentic than a very experienced candidate who is a phony. With a phony, you never know what's you're getting. It's like buying a box of chocolates. You never know what you're getting until you bite into one.

So, in a sense, there is a core test that a candidate must pass to earn support for a run for President in 2012: authenticity. 

130 Women's supra shoes