A Path Forward for Romney?
Seems to me that Romneycare is a fatal flaw and will put a stop to Mitt's presidential aspirations as a Republican. Unless.....
What if -- in the spirit of Paul Ryan, Chris Christie, or Marco Rubio -- Mitt were to start speaking candidly and humanly. What if he were to admit that Romneycare is a disaster. Admit regret to having signed it into law and making matters worse. Explain why he thought it would work. Explain why, in detail, he was utterly wrong. Explain why Obamacare is also wrong. And then he can return to his current line (i.e. my mistake was local, as it should be), and end with the big takeaway: Obama's mistake is an unconstitutional expansion of federal power in addition to being a giant, costly mistake.
Would that work for anyone? It just might work for me.
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Oct '10
Re: A Path Forward for Romney?
I think Romney thinks that Romneycare was far, far preferable to what the Democratic legislature wanted to do.
But in general. . .Romney created a center-right solution for a center-left state. It's center-right from the perspective of that particular state (he certainly ignored the sort of insurance reforms that would have made Romneycare work).
I'm not sure if we can blame him for the center-right in Massachusetts being a bit further to the left then we are comfortable.
Jun '10
Re: A Path Forward for Romney?
Does that mean he would come out with a sequel to his book "No Apology" called "Yes, Okay I Apologize" subtitled: "Ignore my last book and forget about that idiotic and costly thing called Romneycare." - ?
The toothpaste is out of the tube.
Feb '11
Re: A Path Forward for Romney?
Brian Watt: Does that mean he would come out with a sequel to his book "No Apology" called "Yes, Okay I Apologize" subtitled: "Ignore my last book and forget about that idiotic and costly thing called Romneycare." - ?
The toothpaste is out of the tube. · May 16 at 1:39pm
That's hilarious, Brian. I didn't know he had a book with that title. He really is doomed, isn't he?
Feb '11
Re: A Path Forward for Romney?
Joseph Eagar: I think Romney thinks that Romneycare was far, far preferable to what the Democratic legislature wanted to do.
But in general. . .Romney created a center-right solution for a center-left state. It's center-right from the perspective of that particular state (he certainly ignored the sort of insurance reforms that would have made Romneycare work).
I'm not sure if we can blame him for the center-right in Massachusetts being a bit further to the left then we are comfortable. · May 16 at 1:32pm
Joseph, this all may be true, but unless he's willing to forthrightly and without spin admit that he bought into a bad plan (even if it was the best to be hoped for) then I just don't see how how he gets past it.
Even if this path doesn't bring him to the nomination, isn't it at least beneficial to the cause of Obamacare repeal? I think the conservative movement can benefit either way. As it is, Democrats can just point to Romney as proof that their plan isn't radical or partisan.
Oct '10
Re: A Path Forward for Romney?
Sorry, but Romney is out for me. There's a big difference in making 1) a mistake in conservative governance, and 2) simply not recognizing the meaning of limited government. Romney made the latter mistake and still does not get it.
By the way, I suspect that much if not all of the "free rider" issue issue would be eliminated if there were clear costs in doing so.
If emergency rooms treated only genuine life-threatening or painful emergencies (trauma) and if hospitals could garnish income (wage, income tax refunds(including refundable tax credits, welfare, and food stamps) at a meaningful rate, and place liens on physical assets such as homes it woulds send a powerful message to those who could afford insurance but choose not to purchase it.
Oct '10
Re: A Path Forward for Romney?
Ed Gorz
Joseph, this all may be true, but unless he's willing to forthrightly and without spin admit that he bought into a bad plan (even if it was the best to be hoped for) then I just don't see how how he gets past it.
Even if this path doesn't bring him to the nomination, isn't it at least beneficial to the cause of Obamacare repeal? I think the conservative movement can benefit either way. As it is, Democrats can just point to Romney as proof that their plan isn't radical or partisan. · May 16 at 1:59pm
Right, but then he loses Independents, who will see it as a purely partisan move. That's the problem. What he should do is emphasize the lessons he learned (including the importance of federalism) and point out that ObamaCare is based on an outdated model (outdated in the sense that Romney and his state learned a lot from RomneyCare, but the bill copies their initial, "rough," design).
I dunno, it's a difficult situation.
Feb '11
Re: A Path Forward for Romney?
Limestone Cowboy: Sorry, but Romney is out for me. There's a big difference in making 1) a mistake in conservative governance, and 2) simply not recognizing the meaning of limited government. Romney made the latter mistake and still does not get it.
· May 16 at 2:21pm
The states have more leeway than the feds, as they should. At the federal level we have the constitution to limit government action; the states don't necessarily have the same restrictions. Besides, Romney never claimed to be a libertarian; a conservative can support local efforts to provide healthcare to those in need, right? In fact, isn't that one of the key answers to Obamacare: let communities and states work out appropriate answers for themselves?
Feb '11
Re: A Path Forward for Romney?
Joseph Eagar
Right, but then he loses Independents, who will see it as a purely partisan move. That's the problem. What he should do is emphasize the lessons he learned (including the importance of federalism) and point out that ObamaCare is based on an outdated model (outdated in the sense that Romney and his state learned a lot from RomneyCare, but the bill copies their initial, "rough," design).
I dunno, it's a difficult situation. · May 16 at 3:32pm
I'm not so sure he'd lose independents if he can find a way to genuinely accept responsibility for his error (admit that it was an error and why, for starters). If he tries to pass off the change in a slick way (e.g. it was a good idea until the legislature got their hands on it, it was the best to be hoped for, it's a good idea locally but not for the federal level, the economy would have ruined any plan) then I think he's hopeless AND unhelpful to the cause. He may be helpful at least if admits what he did was wrong.
Re: A Path Forward for Romney?
Ed, I was hoping Romney would do just what you suggest--we need more economically literate, conservative candidates to test in the primaries--but instead he doubled down on RomneyCare just last week.
I don't see how he recovers now.
Jul '10
Re: A Path Forward for Romney?
I believe Romney's problem all along has been his lack of authenticity. He just strikes people as an elite guy from a privileged background who believes he deserves to be President, while not truly believing in much of anything else.
Say what you want about McCain, but he at least had a certain authenticity - an erratic, cranky, befuddled authenticity, to be sure - but one believed that, however misguided his policies, he loved America.
Romney comes across as someone who loves his mirror and his own voice.
Edited on May 16, 2011 at 4:29pmJan '11
Re: A Path Forward for Romney?
Why won't all the acknowledgments of failure, and their cousins work? Simple, really. That admission, along with his other turn-abouts, would be read meat for Obama in a debate. Where does Romney stand? Who knows? I doubt if he does. It's over for him, I think. He's become, perhaps always was, nothing more than a distraction.
Unless, that is, someone can tell us one thing he's done that demonstrates his readiness for presidential authority and would resonate with political conservatives.
Feb '11
Re: A Path Forward for Romney?
George Savage: Ed, I was hoping Romney would do just what you suggest--we need more economically literate, conservative candidates to test in the primaries--but instead he doubled down on RomneyCare just last week.
I don't see how he recovers now. · May 16 at 4:12pm
Ok, so he's backward - he started with the federalism argument when he should have ended with it, in my opinion. But he might be able to get it right as long as admits what he did.
Then again, like Carlo in the Godfather, admitting what he did just might get him whacked instead of the promised plane ticket to Vegas.
Feb '11
Re: A Path Forward for Romney?
Kenneth: I believe Romney's problem all along has been his lack of authenticity. He just strikes people as an elite guy from a privileged background who believes he deserves to be President, while not truly believing in much of anything else.
Say what you want about McCain, but he at least had a certain authenticity - an erratic, cranky, befuddled authenticity, to be sure - but one believed that, however misguided his policies, he loved America.
Romney comes across as someone who loves his mirror and his own voice. · May 16 at 4:25pm
Edited on May 16 at 04:29 pm
I share that assessment, Kenneth. He seems to be one of those "my only flaw is that I care too much" types. But would an honest admission of failure move your view of his authenticity at all ? Depending on how it's done, it might sway me.
Feb '11
Re: A Path Forward for Romney?
Anon: Why won't all the acknowledgments of failure, and their cousins work? Simple, really. That admission, along with his other turn-abouts, would be read meat for Obama in a debate. Where does Romney stand? Who knows? I doubt if he does. It's over for him, I think. He's become, perhaps always was, nothing more than a distraction.
Unless, that is, someone can tell us one thing he's done that demonstrates his readiness for presidential authority and would resonate with political conservatives. · May 16 at 4:36pm
I'm not so sure it would be red meat for Obama in a debate. There is a real danger that Obama's attack ends in an effective counterattack from Romney if Romney can successfully point out the flaws of Obamacare by using the real world failures of Romneycare as an example. "See, we tried your experiment in Massachusetts and it failed."
Oct '10
Re: A Path Forward for Romney?
Ed Gorz
I'm not so sure he'd lose independents if he can find a way to genuinely accept responsibility for his error (admit that it was an error and why, for starters). If he tries to pass off the change in a slick way (e.g. it was a good idea until the legislature got their hands on it, it was the best to be hoped for, it's a good idea locally but not for the federal level, the economy would have ruined any plan) then I think he's hopeless AND unhelpful to the cause. He may be helpful at least if admits what he did was wrong. · May 16 at 3:49pm
Publicly caving to the base always loses Independents, to be honest. That's how politics works. That's why politicians always try to hide or obfuscate when they do so (e.g. Mitch Danial's passing of an anti-abortion law, rather then giving a speech retracting his social issues true remarks).
Jul '10
Re: A Path Forward for Romney?
Ed Gorz
Kenneth: I believe Romney's problem all along has been his lack of authenticity.
Romney comes across as someone who loves his mirror and his own voice. · May 16 at 4:25pm
Edited on May 16 at 04:29 pm
I share that assessment, Kenneth. He seems to be one of those "my only flaw is that I care too much" types. But would an honest admission of failure move your view of his authenticity at all ? Depending on how it's done, it might sway me. · May 16 at 4:53pm
I'm torn on Romney. Of course he would be an immense improvement over Obama.
But this time around, I want vision, guts, principles and a passionate love of country.
For my money, that means Allen West, who would tear Obama a new one in debate in a way that Romney absolutely could not.
Jun '10
Re: A Path Forward for Romney?
The smartest thing Romney did was embrace RomneyCare, at least his vision of RomneyCare. Because, if he actually gets the nomination, Obama can't vilify Romney in the same way Obama plans to vilify any other ObamaCare critic. Obama can't sell the idea that Romney wants the poor to die in the street without health care. That''s the bludgeon that Obama wants to use, night and day, to change the subject and avoid defending his own failed reform plan. Against Romney, even the gullible Democratic base will understand that's complete BS. RomneyCare didn't succeed either, but you can't say he likes people dying in the street. That lie won't get out of the gate.
Re: A Path Forward for Romney?
Romney is a man without firm principles. He is a businessman, a manager -- he will try to be what he needs to be to get the job done. He will not, however, stop to ask whether the job he has been assigned is worth doing.
He is also thick. He does not recognize that Barack Obama has caused a sea-change in American politics -- and so he comes forward, peddling the same bromides that he had on offer in 2008. In this particular, he and Gingrich are birds of a feather. The age of managerial progressivism has passed, and neither of them has a clue.
I find watching them perform profoundly embarrassing. Neither of them is likely to go anywhere in this race. Gingrich will run out of money early on and drop out. Romney, alas, has money to burn, and burn it he will.
Jun '10
Re: A Path Forward for Romney?
Paul A. Rahe: Romney is a man without firm principles. He is a businessman, a manager -- he will try to be what he needs to be to get the job done. He will not, however, stop to ask whether the job he has been assigned is worth doing.
He is also thick. He does not recognize that Barack Obama has caused a sea-change in American politics -- and so he comes forward, peddling the same bromides that he had on offer in 2008. In this particular, he and Gingrich are birds of a feather. The age of managerial progressivism has passed, and neither of them has a clue.
I find watching them perform profoundly embarrassing. Neither of them is likely to go anywhere in this race. Gingrich will run out of money early on and drop out. Romney, alas, has money to burn, and burn it he will. · May 16 at 5:56pm
If I had to bet, I'd bet on superior organization, rather than superior message. At least for getting the nomination. You just have to avoid walking through open manholes, and your big well-oiled campaign machine usually gets you there. Otherwise, it takes a miracle.
Oct '10
Re: A Path Forward for Romney?
This is a very key point. I believe the 2012 presidential election has to be a referendum on President Obama. We need a candidate who will aggressively attack Obama on Obamacare and the economy. Romney doesn’t strike me as aggressive enough; he will have trouble attacking Obamacare because of its similarity to Romneycare; and his views on improving the economy are outdated and inadequate compared to Paul Ryan’s growth agenda. I hope neither Romney nor Gingrich make it through the Primaries successfully.