Suddenly, I'm Excited About...Mitt
I never thought I'd write those words, but something just clicked yesterday. Like many, I wasn't enthusiastic about Mitt Romney throughout the primary campaign. I watched every debate hoping one of them -- Pawlenty, Perry, Newt, Cain, Santorum (not so much)-- would land that knockout blow. I wanted a fighter, someone who could take it to Obama and his smirking Ivy League know-it-all toadies. But in the end, the only one still standing was boring, stodgy, RINO-ey old Mitt. I thought it would be a personal replay of 2008, when I'd declared, "I'd rather open a vein than vote for McCain" and then did so anyway.
Then this, from Buzzfeed:
"I thought we were going to see John McCain all over again," said Brad Thor, a bestselling novelist and popular figure on the right who supported Santorum. "But you know what? That fire I've felt for previous candidates, I'm starting to feel it. And that surprise presser at Solyndra was like pouring accelerant on the fire."
Thor said when he heard about the Solyndra stunt, he cheered aloud: "Way to go Mitt!"
"My God, this is right out of Breitbart's playbook. I love it!" he said. "I swear to God, if he roller skates into the DNC convention, or hijacks an Obama press conference--if he does either one of those I'm going to give my kid's college money to his Super PAC."
Yes! I felt the same way.
Who among you would have thought boring, stodgy, RINO-ey old Mitt was capable of the kind of blistering counter-punches he's been landing of late? Who would have thought his campaign would devil David Axelrod and leave him sputtering and at the same time launch a press conference in front of the empty Solyndra headquarters?
I'm still not 100% convinced, but for the first time I'm excited. And last night my wife and I sent the Romney for President Campaign a big check.
Do we have our fighter after all?
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Comments:
May '10
Re: Suddenly, I'm Excited About...Mitt
The whole purpose of the tightly-wound primary was to preserve freedom for going against Obama. Don't waste rocket fuel on Rick or Newt, save the propellant for missiles fired at The Vacuous Garment.
Apr '11
Re: Suddenly, I'm Excited About...Mitt
As I said on Molly's similar thread Mike Murphy thought Mitt more than capable of this. I am glad Mitt is delivering on Murphy's predictions.
I am also glad to hear you gave him some money. It reminds me that I have to send him a check too. It is not much money that I can spare being a graduate student, but hey every bit helps.
To pass on more of Mike Murphy's wisdom. Now is the time for us conservative to put our backs to it a row, we can win this thing. We have to win this thing!
Mar '11
Re: Suddenly, I'm Excited About...Mitt
Yes, indeed, time for a little gloating and a Friday afternoon cocktail - oh, wait, wrong thread ;-)
Mar '11
Re: Suddenly, I'm Excited About...Mitt
If you're gonna go down, go down fighting....
Dec '10
Re: Suddenly, I'm Excited About...Mitt
Not really excited yet. But, I'd settle for not apprehensive.
May '12
Re: Suddenly, I'm Excited About...Mitt
Good start. I hope he carrries that fire through to his platform and not just taking shots at Obama's numerous failures.
Apr '11
Re: Suddenly, I'm Excited About...Mitt
Absolutely we do have our fighter. He'll pick his time, place, terms and pace. I quite like our odds with Mitt, and ABO-energy notwithstanding, I think it's going to take a strategic fighter to win. No show, but steady, focused not frenetic, I think he's the right man for our time. My excitement from almost the beginning has been strong but measured, in homage to the man.
Aug '10
Re: Suddenly, I'm Excited About...Mitt
Me too! I have been enthusiastically supporting Romney's campaign ever since the Louisiana primary - but I have really enjoyed the last few weeks as the Obama Campaign has had misfire after misfire.
Rob, we are not doomed - enjoy the schadenfreude as the Democrats assemble circular firing squad after circular firing squad.
(See, the bodysnatchers even grabbed C.J. Box. - hat tip to Western Chauvinist)
Apr '12
Re: Suddenly, I'm Excited About...Mitt
I'm feeling a little better every day. The Mittster may surprise us all and be another Reagan, or better, Harding/Coolidge.
Of course, being a total jinx, I've endorsed Obama as I endorsed Hillary Clinton in the 2008 primary. I wish I would have remembered my power in the 2008 general election, but when McCain picked Palin as a running mate, I got excited and worked for them. But once again, I have recognized my power to sink candidates through my endorsement. Why else would Obama lose 40% of the vote to nobody in several states? Yep, I'm sticking with him right up to election day.
Nov '10
Re: Suddenly, I'm Excited About...Mitt
I agree. I want to see Mitt take it to Obama AND not play by the MSM's rules. He seems to understand that. This could be fun!
Feb '11
Re: Suddenly, I'm Excited About...Mitt
I have never liked Mitt Romney, however, I must admit, after the whole Obama Polish stupidity, and Mr. Romney's recent movements, I am grudgingly beginning to have some hope and some enthusiasm for our nominee. My support is not full throated, and I'm more interested in the development and defensive of his platform going forward and (heaven be praised) if he wins, how he will actually govern; but I'm beginning to see/feel a little hopey and changey, I just pray it works out this time.
Edited on June 2, 2012 at 12:32amJul '11
Re: Suddenly, I'm Excited About...Mitt
My appendages tingled yesterday.
Mar '11
Re: Suddenly, I'm Excited About...Mitt
What pleased me most about this speech was that Romney took it to Obama - but still kept it civil. He picked perhaps the most sensitive location to attack Obama, but then held a solid, respectable speech without rousing much rabble.
The precious few voters who are actually in play this year already know how they feel about Solyndra, or about the tax code or government spending or most any other policy. From here on out, optics and style will probably be as important as substance, and that means being aggressive without being an attack dog.
Mar '11
Re: Suddenly, I'm Excited About...Mitt
double post
Edited on June 2, 2012 at 12:48amApr '12
Re: Suddenly, I'm Excited About...Mitt
Picking Solyndra as the venue for his speech was pure genius. If the media will not do their job, Mitt sure drew the dot to dot outline for them.
Mar '12
Re: Suddenly, I'm Excited About...Mitt
I don't remember seeing this Mitt in 2008. I imagine watching "nice guy" McCain finish last, Obama's cynical Alinsky governing style, as well as taking the shots in the primary has toughened him up. And maybe, like so many of us, he just has come to see that this is probably the last chance to save America.
Sep '10
Re: Suddenly, I'm Excited About...Mitt
During the early primary season, quite a few pundits (and some Ricochet members) made the point that the painful intra-party competition would have the effect of making the ultimate winner a better candidate. I didn't believe it then, but I do now.
Jul '10
Re: Suddenly, I'm Excited About...Mitt
I got a FEVER and the only cure is more ROMNEY!
Apr '11
Re: Suddenly, I'm Excited About...Mitt
It's a good start. I'm not voting for him, but only because I'm a Canadian.
Jun '11
Re: Suddenly, I'm Excited About...Mitt
I also sent money last night. I think it's important to send the donations when you want to send a message - as in, "more of this, please." Here's hoping there were a lot more of us thinking the same so the campaign keeps this up. :)