Mitt Romney Is Not Apologizing
By The Pajama Pundit | Related entries in 2012 Election, Romney
At TMV Jazz Shaw talks about Mitt Romney’s upcoming book (’No Apologies’) and a possible run for the presidency in 2012:
I never thought Romney stood a chance in 2008, mostly because of a combination of his “Mormon problem†and his rather abrupt conversion to hard core conservatism, which left many Republicans wondering how sincere he was in those beliefs. Personally, I liked the Massachusetts version of Romney a lot better than the one who wanted to be President, but McCain’s poor showing last fall has left a lot of Republicans with a bad case of buyer’s remorse, and they may be looking at Mitt with some new found love in their eyes next time around. This new book will probably serve as the unofficial launching point for his campaign and get him back out on the circuit of Sunday morning chat festivals to make his case to Republicans for another grab at the brass ring.
For the most part, I agree.
I didn’t see the “Mormon Problem” as much of a issue for Romney — particularly after he gave his ‘religion speech’ (a la JFK). I know that there were some conservatives who felt that Romney was party to nothing more than a cult, but most mainstreamers (the Michelle Malkins and Ann Coulters of the world) clearly had no problem with Romney’s Mormonism.
What bothered me about Mitt Romney was not his faith, but rather his devotion to his principles (or lack thereof).
The Romney who was governor of Massachusetts seemed more reasonable to me — not unlike current gubernatorial contender Charles D. Baker — in that he was more moderate in much of his approach to social policies (while maintaining conservative stances on fiscal issues). The abrupt and seemingly calculated, err, transformation to über-conservatism left me with a slimy-used-car-salesman impression. I felt that Romney was being insincere and switching his stance on several key issues to appeal to the far-right base of the party.
By the time the Republican presidential primaries roll-around in 2012, some time will have passed and it’s likely that most Republicans won’t question Romney on his conservative bonafides. Especially if the Limbaughs, Coulters and Hannitys of the movement get behind him…
[cross-posted at ThePajamaPundit.com]
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August 7th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Does it make me a bad person that I see him being a mormon a problem?
August 8th, 2009 at 12:52 am
malkin and coulter, mainstreamers?
no wonder the GOP is imploding.
August 8th, 2009 at 4:12 am
I don’t believe we’ll see a Republican in the White House until 2020 at the earliest. They have nothing to offer – no record to stand on – and no one that can re-establish a platform of fiscal responsibility, personal responsibility, and less government. Not to say the Dem’s have a lock, they don’t……..but a strong third party is more appealing to most Independents than a re-packaged Republican party. It’s a damaged brand name selling a lousy product.
August 8th, 2009 at 9:11 am
Chris, I don’t think it necessarily makes you a bad person — but personally I try to judge a candidate on his character rather than his faith (of lack of). To me, religious belief (or non-belief) is a personal thing and is the business of the candidate’s private life.
dmf, indeed. We should throw Rush, Hannity and Beck in the mix too.
TerenceC, I agree to a point. However, I think that if the Dems keep spending, spending and spending and don’t tell Americans to sacrifice something — anything — the GOP won’t need a platform to run on. Republicans will just be able to say, ‘hey, we will stop spending’. Personally, I would give a good third party a strong look — but I have yet to see any really strong contenders for a third party. The Libertarians are getting close…
August 8th, 2009 at 11:47 am
# TerenceC Says:
August 8th, 2009 at 4:12 am
I don’t believe we’ll see a Republican in the White House until 2020 at the earliest. They have nothing to offer – no record to stand on – and no one that can re-establish a platform of fiscal responsibility, personal responsibility, and less government. Not to say the Dem’s have a lock, they don’t……..but a strong third party is more appealing to most Independents than a re-packaged Republican party. It’s a damaged brand name selling a lousy product.
======================================
Yah Terence, The DEMOCRATS would luv a conservative third party. Especially Obama!
August 8th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Hey! America, what do you see America now? what happen to America now?how do you feel now? what do you need now? the most of America want the economy growth, they want America prosperity,and they want America go fortwart on the right track,is not like today that America do not know the meaning of change we can believe in, change for what? still one word Obama never let America know,he keep in secret,change for himself, will change for communist,socialism, dictator,or change from America system to Kenya system,no body know,except Obama. America! the direction of the country is come first,the economy is come in second,the homeland security is come in third,right now all the political no one is better than Mitt, he is the one who fit with the need of the country now,he is the hope of America now,he is the most qualify for the presidency now,the wealthy man can make a wealthy country ,or America will go hell? Mitt turn around the company,turn around the business,turn around the Olympic,so he can turn around the country too.even if the health care in Ma is not good enough he can reform too. Obama is the change we can’t believe in,Mitt is the change we can believe in,he did it,he has done it, he has the track record to proved it. Obama is the sunset star,Mitt is the rising star,Mitt is the man of America dream,the true America leader.
August 8th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Lol what was that ^^? PJ, i agree it is a personal thing and I wish they would keep it to themselves, but knowing mormonism as I do, I can’t completely trust someone who could suspend logic and rational thinking far enough to believe in that “religion”. All mythical beliefs of religions take some degree of the suspension of disbelief, but mormon’s take the modern cake.
August 8th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
If the Republican Party is faced with the choice of Romney or Palin, they better get over any religious bias they may have and go with Romney. He might actually have a chance of winning in 2012 if Obama continues to perform the way he has during the first six months.
August 8th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
I understand where you are coming from Chris, but Tom raises a really good point.
What about Newt Gingrich or Tim Pawlenty? Any thoughts on either of them? They both look to be prepping for a 2012 run as well…
August 8th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
My view of Romney has not changed one whit in two years:
August 9th, 2009 at 10:54 am
Mitt is the right man for the right time that no one can compare with him at this time,so you have not thing to critic him why you just blame him for flip-flop, America need change,but Obama is not the change America need,Mitt is the change America need now,he had the track record that fit America at this time. He changed from pro choice to pro life is not flip-flop, is change from kill innocense babies to save life is the right thing that he has done it, is change from bad to best,that is leadership style,he knew what is right and what is wrong so he choose the right thing to do for America. Mormon or what ever any religion in this country are welcome for America by law,this country don’t discriminate religion and don’t racism people. If America have the right vision and love America,they knew the true Obama is not the change they hope in last November,Obama doesn’t want America know his goal of change,he just say change,change for what? wake-up America! don’t sleep too long ? or you will so sorry when Obama took over every thing from your founding father that they build for you, Obama will change every thing for him,or may change from America system to Kenya system that don’t fit America life style,America don’t need. America have never lack of leadership,wake-up,stand-up don’t look over America leader,don’t forgot America, stand strong for America principle, America is the greatest country in this world,America is the most prosperity country in this world, America have the best system of political in this world why America need change? change what? Obama never tell the true,or America need the Kenya’s system? what ever America need,Mitt is the America real leader,,he has the best vision for America,he is the strongest and smartest leader,he knew what will happen to America if let Obama change America,no! we don’t want the change from Obama. Great to see some body love America like Mitt stand up for America to save America for America,Mitt is the man.
August 9th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Romney has more name recognition, more funding, higher favorable ratings and more experience than any of the other contenders for the 2012 race. SC senator, Jim DeMint, said it best in his endorsement letter of Mitt Romney. His reasons for wanting Romney in the WH are even more crucial now. See all the reasons we need Romney in the WH ASAP:
http://www.humanevents.com/rightangle/index.php?id=19396&title=jim_demint_s_letter_endorsing_mitt_romne&tb=1&c=1
August 10th, 2009 at 9:31 am
Not sure why this post has elicited 2 lengthy zealous pro-Romney rants. Maybe the far right is throwing some wight behind him.
As a MA resident, I can assure you that the real Romney is closer to the one we see now. I could always tell that Romney was phonying up his moderation a bit to get elected here in MA. His so-called moderate stances on social issues were always bolstered by Clintonesque weaseling.
It’s a reflection on the liberal narcissism of many MA voters that Romney got elected. He sang a song, voters swooned.