The Boston Globe's Got Romney's Back
An op-ed in the Boston Globe today defends Mitt Romney's Massachusetts healthcare bill on conservative grounds. It's not much of a defense, to be honest: rather short, like the Globe editorialists couldn't quite bring themselves to do a substantive piece that benefits a Republican. Their minds probably aren't wired for that kind of work. Or perhaps there just aren't many conservative arguments for the bill.
Two things that they want us to keep in mind: One, the individual mandate was a compromise to prevent Democrats from getting what they really wanted, a massive new tax on businesses; and two, Romney vetoed some parts of the bill only to have those vetoes overriden in the legislature. He was trying, in short, to prevent the bill from being such a burden on business, which conservatives should admire.
I, for one, don't know enough about the bill to speak intelligently on it. Romney is not my preferred candidate for the 2012 Republican ticket because Romneycare will prevent him from speaking with any authority or legitimacy on what I think will be the major issue: Obamacare. I'm leaning instead toward Pawlenty, maybe Daniels if he gets in the race.
On the other hand, I'm not willing to write Romney off completely. I could support him in the general election, were he somehow able to get the nod. Frankly I think he deserves more respect than conservatives give him. No Republican in Massachusetts could govern without serious compromises. That's just the reality of holding office in a deep blue state.
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Feb '11
Re: The Boston Globe's Got Romney's Back
You're vastly more charitable about Romney than I am.
I think Romney with his typical GOP talent for rolling over- I mean "compromising"- would be a disaster.
For example, I think if elected he would be the man to finally "gift" the US with a VAT tax- and then lecture us about how wonderful it is because the government is finally taxing consumption, etc. Pure speculation on my part of course but that's the sort of thing I expect from Romney.
Maybe he'll change my mind later, but right now I can't see myself voting for him, period.
Oct '10
Re: The Boston Globe's Got Romney's Back
Romney would propose a VAT, yes. It's either that or raise middle-class taxes, and VATs are favorable to trade (to delve a little into economic theory, the short-term need to raise taxes is proportional to our current account deficit, IMHO, and in theory you could raise less revenues with a VAT then would otherwise be necessary with middle-class tax cuts).
Of course, VATs are wonderful things for spending, and most politicians--in both parties--would love for that 21-22% of GDP long-run upper limit to go away. Thus, we may be better off with the middle-class tax hikes. I dunno. I hope Republicans can minimize the amount revenue has to go up, but I'm afraid if they cling to the no-tax Republican brand the Democrats will end up getting bigger tax hikes and less spending reform.
Apr '11
Re: The Boston Globe's Got Romney's Back
I just Googled "Romney" and "VAT tax" and came up with this, from his book: He thinks the idea is "attractive" b/c it avoids certain problems of the so-called Fair Tax, but he worries that "big government spending could simply add it to the current tax burden. That is why we should not open the VAT door." He argues instead for an "overhaul" of the current system: "Lower taxes and a simpler tax code."
Of course who knows if, once in office, the VAT tax would be too much of a temptation.
Jul '10
Re: The Boston Globe's Got Romney's Back
Romney means I have to vote third party to vote against Obama/RomneyCare, a law that threatens my nation and my family. Does the GOP really want to chase the "tinkering madmen candidate" vote that hard? After almost four years of wreck and ruin and debt bombing under the Regime?
Nov '10
Re: The Boston Globe's Got Romney's Back
I think the Boston Globe has Obama’s back, not Romney’s. They know something a lot of conservatives might not yet believe. Romney will lose to Obama as sure as Seattle rain. The Republicans might as well nominate a blue-nosed gopher as Romney and that’s why the BG will praise him, a little.
McCain got some good press before he was actually nominated. They knew that Republicans were wrong about McCain (more politically astute conservatives knew better) and that’s why they wanted him to get the nomination. Now they want Romney to be the McCain of 2012.
When it comes to political strategy the Republicans should always listen to the Left and their media mavens because they always telegraph who they fear (Palin) and who they don’t fear (Romney). Conservatives have to break their code, but it’s easy. It’s closer to pig Latin than the Enigma code so you don’t need a Hut 6 at Bletchley Park to understand their motives and statements on any given day.
Edited on Apr 19, 2011 at 12:26pmNov '10
Re: The Boston Globe's Got Romney's Back
The first four comments above tend to prove my point. The Left knows Romney has problems with conservatives. Therefore, they will do whatever they can to help Romney become the Republican nominee.
If conservatives endorsed a primary challenge by Dennis Kucinich against Obama (I’ve heard talk of that on the kook fringe left) the Democrats would not be fooled for one second.
Republicans are easily tricked. I wish they’d stop making it so easy.
Aug '10
Re: The Boston Globe's Got Romney's Back
Romney made a big show about signing the bill as a wonderful thing for the Commonwealth. He can backtrack as much as he wants now -- too late to win me back.
Aug '10
Re: The Boston Globe's Got Romney's Back
Oh yeah, the Left is quaking in their boots about Palin alright - candidates with negatives in the 60s tend to do that to them!
I agree with Father B that conservatives do not give Romney enough credit. The man tried to use his Medicaid dollars more efficiently in the most conservative way possible as the governor of Massa-frickin-chusetts, which means he had to get it through an ultra-liberal legislature. A plan, btw, of which that notorius lefty think tank The Heritage Foundation approved.
As for you guys who are intimating that Romney will impose a VAT, you are really grasping at straws. Perhaps you should debate the man's stated positions rather than making strawmen to knock down, which is very Obama-like.
You guys are going to have to get much stronger arguments to convince me that Romney would make a bad nominee.
Edited on Apr 19, 2011 at 2:05pmJul '10
Re: The Boston Globe's Got Romney's Back
Frozen Chosen ...
I agree with Father B that conservatives do not give Romney enough credit. The man tried to use his Medicaid dollars more efficiently in the most conservative way possible as the governor of Massa-frickin-chusetts, which means he had to get it through an ultra-liberal legislature. A plan, btw, of which that notorius lefty think tank The Heritage Foundation approved.
...
You guys are going to have to get much stronger arguments to convince me that Romney would make a bad nominee.
Romney looked at a similar Medicare mess as 49 other governors and arguably ranks 50th among governors for his solution. I do not impugn the man for his intentions, I impugn him for his actual accomplishments and for his subsequent defense of same. If he came away admitting RomneyCare turned into the runaway fiscal and medical train wreck that it has, and provided credible reasons why and was chastened, I might not consider him the worst option in the race.
Judging a man by his intentions without consideration of actual outcomes suggests we should retain Obama, so he can make America fair to everyone. Ignoring the fact that he has not shown the necessary talent.
Nov '10
Re: The Boston Globe's Got Romney's Back
I agree; there are certainly conservatives-I am one- who have been willing to overlook certain policy stances taken by Rudy Giuliani on some important issues (guns, gay marriage, par exemple). However, the grim reality of our current fiscal crisis is this- social and personal issues will all become ideological luxuries if this country doesn't focus on promoting economic prosperity. Very simply, we need to make the donuts to pay for our principles!
I want an expert in crisis management who has succeeded in the private sector. I frankly don't care about Romney's unimpressive tenure in Massachusetts. He's a wildly successful (and solvent)businessman who certainly understands the necessity of making expedient adaptations to changing market conditions. Upon reviewing his financial resume, I believe he will take up that gauntlet as president.
Feb '11
Re: The Boston Globe's Got Romney's Back
"As for you guys who are intimating that Romney will impose a VAT, you are really grasping at straws. Perhaps you should debate the man's stated positions rather than making strawmen to knock down, which is very Obama-like."
Oh. His stated positions.
My problem there is that republicans' stated positions have an uncanny knack for changing once they win nominations and elections. "Trust me" just doesn't cut it anymore.
In fact right now I'm wondering why the GOP bothers to exist. The party seems utterly unable to stop the slow collapse of the country into socialist tyranny, and perhaps unwilling.
The presumptive frontrunner- our object of conversation Mitt Romney- gave his state a socialist healthcare law, after all.
See the problem there? If you want to get rid of Obamacare perhaps the signer of Romneycare isn't the guy to do it. Somehow I think his heart might not be in that task, no matter what he says now.
Feb '11
Re: The Boston Globe's Got Romney's Back
"I frankly don't care about Romney's unimpressive tenure in Massachusetts. He's a wildly successful (and solvent)businessman who certainly understands the necessity of making expedient adaptations to changing market conditions. Upon reviewing his financial resume, I believe he will take up that gauntlet as president."
Forgive me for picking on poor Mitt with two successive posts, but I thought this was worthy of comment also.
So he failed at his last elected post but he understands the necessity- hey wait a minute.
He failed at his last elective post? So why would I want to hire him for a more important office, with nuclear weapons? Uhm... I don't. When even his supporters describe his tenure in Massachusetts as "unimpressive" you know he's got a big problem.
Anyway, he understands the necessity of making expedient adaptations to changing - huh? What does that even mean?
Well, I think it means he'll be willing to grab the gauntlet and raise taxes. Because I've seen that before- read my lips etc.
No offense, but I think if Romney was really the next great president you'd have been able to make a vastly better defense of him.
Nov '10
Re: The Boston Globe's Got Romney's Back
Huh...Take a business course. Econ 101 should suffice.
Edited on Apr 20, 2011 at 3:41pm