Romney Judged by a Different Standard
It seems every time I listen to a Ricochet Podcast I come away shaking my head, not quite getting the rabid antipathy toward Mitt Romney. For some reason he is judged by a different standard than everyone else. “He’s not a true conservative,” they rant, despite the fact that he’s landed smack on the conservative position on almost every issue. "Yes, but he’s only posturing," they add.
Then what follows is a list of supposedly authentic conservatives you can trust in, e.g. Herman Cain. The same Herman Cain who wouldn’t mind turning over the Guantanamo detainees in exchange for a captured American soldier, who leaves it up to the woman and her family to decide if an abortion will happen, who supports TARP, who blasts his opponents for leveling unsubstantiated charges and, in the same breath, charges others without an iota of evidence, not to mention his vacuum of knowledge about so many issues. Of course he almost immediately walks these positional gaffes back. In his case that doesn’t constitute flip-flopping. Instead it is a charming example that he’s not a canned politician. What does he have going for him? 999! That trumps everything. He hasn’t thoroughly considered its implications but never mind, it’s BOLD!
Or there’s Newt Gingrich. The same Newt Gingrich who did an ad with Nancy Pelosi about global warming, who favored the idea of a federal health insurance mandate (not just a state one), who co-sponsored the 1987 Pro-Fairness Doctrine Bill, who’s advice to Fannie Mae that they shouldn’t back mortgages to insolvent homeowners was somehow worth $300,000 of the taxpayers’ dollars, who flip-flopped on his sacred commitments to his previous spouses. Not to worry! He’s full of great ideas expressed with consistent contempt for everyone else. Best yet, as James Delingpole says - he’s not Romney!
The same litany could be recited about Perry, Huntsman, even Ron Paul. The only candidates who can genuinely call themselves consistent conservatives (and are actually running) such as Santorum and Bachmann get no traction from the party.
So how did Romney land in this quicksand of unfavorable opinion? I’ll admit I don’t entirely get it. Beyond his change in positions, which is often handily exaggerated to conform to the accepted stereotype, some of the reasons mentioned are that he’s too smooth, too good looking, too rich, too smart, too awkward (don’t ask me how that jibes with too smooth). Perhaps mediocrity is what we’re searching for.
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Comments:
Dec '10
Re: Romney Judged by a Different Standard
All of us pining for a non-Romney just don't like Mormons. There can't be any other answer.
/sarcasm off
He's simply the only one who ever tried to run for anything even with, or to the left of, Teddy Kennedy. It's hard to get over that. Even if he was lying through his teeth just to get elected it only creates a different set of problems for him.
Mar '11
Re: Romney Judged by a Different Standard
The King Prawn: All of us pining for a non-Romney just don't like Mormons. There can't be any other answer.
/sarcasm off
He's simply the only one who ever tried to run for anything even with, or to the left of, Teddy Kennedy. It's hard to get over that. Even if he was lying through his teeth just to get elected it only creates a different set of problems for him. · Nov 10 at 3:47pm
What are you referring to specifically when you say he ran to the left of Kennedy? I'm unaware of that.
Dec '10
Re: Romney Judged by a Different Standard
When he ran against Kennedy for the Mass. senate seat.
Aug '10
Re: Romney Judged by a Different Standard
Romney comes across as a man who believes his resume and family background entitle him to be President; just like George Bush. We saw how that worked out.
Edited on November 11, 2011 at 1:01amDec '10
Re: Romney Judged by a Different Standard
Romney comes off from that race as being a republican only because he has great hair, immaculate hygiene, and because he made a lot of money in business. For everything else, he was very left, which may be why he felt so at home in Massachusetts.
Mar '11
Re: Romney Judged by a Different Standard
I mean what position did he take that was to the left of Kennedy?
Mar '11
Re: Romney Judged by a Different Standard
Elena: Romney comes across as a man who believes his resume and family background entitle him to be President; just like George Bush. We saw how that worked out. · Nov 10 at 4:00pm
Edited on Nov 10 at 04:01 pm
An interesting comment. I'm unaware of any instance where he indicated that his family background entitled him to anything. And of course, everyone politician touts his resume. What else can they run on?
Feb '11
Re: Romney Judged by a Different Standard
For what it's worth I don't entirely get how I ended up with such a negative opinion of Romney either.
But I saw this earlier today in a different thread (from a comment by Busy System Admin) and it helped me come a bit closer to figuring it out :
"During crisis periods, leaders may find they have either hugely outsized influence (if they are able to be in the right place at the right time to provide that tipping "nudge") or entirely powerless (if they continue to play by the rules that used to work in pre-crisis times)."
I think Romney will continue to play by the rules, even after that makes no sense at all, because those rules have worked so well for him- and they're all he can imagine.
On some level that isn't even a criticism, because I recognize Romney's accomplishments and character. But I just don't get the sense that he understands the stakes we're facing or how deep our problems are.
Gingrich? Yep. Perry? Sure, just don't try to debate him about it. Cain? Maybe.
Romney? I'm just not seeing that.
Dec '10
Re: Romney Judged by a Different Standard
I think you're onto it, Xennady. In normal times, I would be admiring of Romney's executive competence, his family life, and apparent moral rectitude. In these times, RomneyCare disqualifies him for me. I'm not sure why it doesn't for you, Richard.
After listening to the latest edition of Radio Free Delingpole, I'm more convinced than ever we have to destroy the corporatist/political alliance we've tolerated for six decades or more. If we want to retain some semblance of liberty, that is. Romney is not the man to do it. I'm not sure any of them are, to be honest, which is why I'll vote for Romney if he's the nominee.
Jul '10
Re: Romney Judged by a Different Standard
James is brilliant and funny, but the lessons of a parliamentary system aren't necessarily applicable to a two-party constitutional republic.
It's a long march. It starts with one foot in the right direction.
Mitt can be that big toe leading the way.
We know, we know, that Barry will make things worse. Obamacare isn't really an entitlement...yet. Its purposes are: to make healthcare delivery worse and set the stage for an American NHS, be a temporary grab bag for large businesses with armies of lawyers to fleece taxpayers and limit potential competitors' entrance, and give 51% of voters a rationale for restricting & meddling with their neighbor's every single behavior because a study suggests it's expensive.
He needs to go. I'm not wasting my time on anyone who won't beat him.
Romney 2012: Time For An Adult
Oct '10
Re: Romney Judged by a Different Standard
For people on both sides of the divide, it's an intuition that he actually is the stereotypical politician; all things to all men. I can believe this is the widespread view, because that's the impression I get myself.
There's a Time magazine cover with Romney on it from May 21st, 2007 with this on it: 'Sure, he looks like a president, but what does Mitt Romney really believe?' Yes, it was probably a typical MSM hit piece, but doesn't it sound like every other commenter here on Ricochet? Anyone arguing against this common perception would have a stronger case if his changing positions on abortion weren't in living color on Youtube and in print interviews.
Boston video interview, 2002; abortion should be legal.
Time print interview, Nov 9, 2004; convinced abortion shouldn't be legal.
Video, May 27, 2005; abortion should be legal.
And now of course, He staunchly maintains it shouldn't be legal. I can't be bothered to chart when this latest heartfelt change occurred. And then of course, Romneycare...
We need someone electable, wise and persuasive. I'd rate him a 'B', 'C', and 'D-', respectively. Not much of an average.
Oct '10
Re: Romney Judged by a Different Standard
Romney looks and smells like Kerry.
Jul '10
Re: Romney Judged by a Different Standard
I don't recall Mitt going out of his way to smear anyone, let alone war vets.
But say that's true. Would Howie Dean have won in 2004?
Or would that have been a cakewalk election for W that gave him the leverage to successfully offer the option of private accounts for SS?
Edited on November 11, 2011 at 4:30amNov '11
Re: Romney Judged by a Different Standard
As hard as it is to articulate, my problem with Romney comes down to trust. I concede that similar issues exist with Gingrich, Cain, and Perry but I feel that I could at least trust them to fight for conservative policy goals more consistently than Romney.
For instance, Romney's demagoguery concerning Perry's claim about Social Security being a Ponzi scheme suggests that Romney will support whatever position gets "51%" support. With the many crises facing the nation that demand clear, consistent, conservative governance to rectify, I am just not convinced Romney is the candidate that can deliver.
Aug '10
Re: Romney Judged by a Different Standard
Romney earned his money - Kerry married his. Huge difference in resumes also.
Dec '10
Re: Romney Judged by a Different Standard
“Speaking at a town hall meeting in Miami… Mitt Romney talked up his bipartisan credentials, name-dropping Franklin Roosevelt and Obama Education Secretary Arne Duncan and touting his time working with Democrats… Romney also praised Obama’s education secretary for the Race to the Top program [$4.35 billion fund created under the economic stimulus package]. “I think Secretary Duncan has done some good things,” he said. “I hope that’s not heresy in this room.”
“I see that the Department of Education can actually make a difference. So I supported No Child Left Behind. I still do.”
"I support the subsidy of ethanol. I believe ethanol is an important part of our energy solution in this country," Romney said.
“Romney took an outrageous position on campaign finance reform that put him to the left of the current McCain-Feingold legislation, arguing for campaign spending limits.”
“He ran a series of newspaper ads in Boston, New Hampshire, and Iowa denouncing the 17% flat tax proposed by then presidential candidate Steve Forbes as a “tax cut for fat cats.” In 2007, Romney continued to oppose the flat tax with harsh language, calling the tax “unfair.”
RomneyCare 2.0.
Jul '10
Re: Romney Judged by a Different Standard
Charles Gordon
Oh?
So The Club for Growth put out a PDF attacking Mitt?
That's cute, but here is the problem:
My 6-year-old daughter memorized a two paragraph reading for an all-school Mass yesterday and she nailed it. Meanwhile, "presidential candidate" Rick Perry can't recall which 3 cabinet departments he will eliminate.
How does that work? Do I tell her "Hey honey, it's fine that the "Energy President" can't recall the existence of the DOE? He really means it."
Or do I just say "Texas Rules!?"
Lamenting the "game show" nature of the debates isn't grounds for nominating a guy who isn't qualified to be a game show contestant.
Mar '11
Re: Romney Judged by a Different Standard
I'm sorry but it's comments like this that I find totally silly and meaningless.
Dec '10
Re: Romney Judged by a Different Standard
Palaeologus
So The Club for Growth put out a PDF attacking Mitt?
All Romney supporters should support Club for Growth and its president, Chris Chocola, a Hillsdale alumnus (married to a Hillsdale alumna): “The goal of tax policy should be to raise the amount of money needed to fund legitimate functions of government while doing the least amount of damage to the economy and respecting the principle of treating taxpayers equally.”
They issued a White Paper on each candidate participating in the game shows, including Pawlenty and Johnson (PDF is optional).
Palaeologus
Or do I just say "Texas Rules!?"
No. Tell your 6-year-old daughter: “Don’t mess with Texas!”
Palaeologus
Lamenting the "game show" nature of the debates isn't grounds for nominating a guy who isn't qualified to be a game show contestant.
The seductiveness of glib, our historic first Islamic apostate president has proven. Would a debate forum overreact to the importance of debate performance in its assessment of a candidate?
Not another FDR admirer (“This came out of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and I think it’s pretty darn good, and I’d like to keep it.”), we need Silent Cal, a Leviathan slayer.
Oct '10
Re: Romney Judged by a Different Standard
"This came out of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and I think it’s pretty darn good, and I’d like to keep it."
I don't care for his evoking FDR, the father of so many of our current woes. I can't agree that Social Security is pretty darn good. And I particularly don't like the tone of faux-populism painfully expressed in "I think it's pretty darn good". It sounds as forced and insincere as Garrison Keillor or John Kerry, two other avid practitioners of this sorry sort of posing.
I don't hate Romney, and I'll vote for him if forced into a corner, but I find it almost unbelievable that we can't find a better candidate, AGAIN! Is something deeply flawed in our method?
Edited on November 11, 2011 at 3:01pm