New and Improved Mitt

[jackalope]

New and Improved Mitt

The Boston Phoenix has a great piece on Mitt Romney's 2012 likely presidential bid which "will be somewhat different than the one that lost in 2008. In that campaign, Romney tacked hard to the right -- where Romney and his strategists perceived an opening as the conservative alternative to front-runners John McCain and Rudy Giuliani."

"As a result, the new Romney is now de-emphasizing social issues like abortion, same-sex marriage, and illegal immigration" and he has "scrupulously avoided association with the Tea Party movement." The book tour for his forthcoming No Apology and a series of planned speeches "will drive home that shift in emphasis."

"Interestingly, this latest incarnation is probably the closest we have seen to the 'real' Mitt Romney -- who close observers believe doesn't care much about social issues, isn't very ideological, and revels in applying management skills to large organizations to help them achieve their goals and functions."

New and Improved Mitt -- Political Wire

That's the Romney that could have beaten Obama in 2008. I wonder tho, what does he think has changed within the GOP primary selection process that would allow the social issues to be de-emphasized?

 

[MC.no.spin]

That's the Romney that could have beaten Obama in 2008. I wonder tho, what does he think has changed within the GOP primary selection process that would allow the social issues to be de-emphasized?

It's the economy, stupid. :mrgreen:

 

[American]

Regardless, the left will still question what kind of judges he would pick.

 

[VanceMack]

Seems to mde that once you have been identified as a flipflopper changing views for political expediency it is hard to escape that identity...especially when changing positions and tactics yet AGAIN for political expediency.

Romney should probably campaign as a vice presidential candidate...hitch his wagon to some one.

I just hope that whatever choices we are given for president it will be better than the last. How sad is it that I was literally HOPING for an opportunity to vote for Hillary???? Even Bob Barr was a nothing more than a retread republican.

 

[jackalope]

Seems to mde that once you have been identified as a flipflopper changing views for political expediency it is hard to escape that identity...especially when changing positions and tactics yet AGAIN for political expediency.

Romney should probably campaign as a vice presidential candidate...hitch his wagon to some one.

I just hope that whatever choices we are given for president it will be better than the last. How sad is it that I was literally HOPING for an opportunity to vote for Hillary???? Even Bob Barr was a nothing more than a retread republican.

I do think the re-models on his ideological stance will be a problem. I like the first incarnation, and I think this one, but the flip-flopping, yea that would be a problem.

Not a bad idea on the VP thing.

 

[Cold Highway]

The same piece of **** who introduced state medical socialism when he was Governor? **** him and his so called change, what a ****ing snake!

 

[kansaswhig]

Romney, IMO, is the epitome of everything that is wrong with politics: Flip-flops, image-reconstruction, pandering, etc.

Plus, he also epitomizes all the stereotypes of Republicans by most Americans: Born into wealth, greasy-haired, white guy.

Personally, I have a problem with his lack of military service. It's kind of a pre-requisite to be a hawkish GOP guy, IMO. But that's just me. It also irks me that he has FIVE able-bodied sons and not one of them has put on the uniform. His remark in the 2008 campaign: "My sons are serving their country by working on my campaign" really rubbed me the wrong way. My dislike of him started then.

I wouldn't vote for him.

 

[Winnb]

It's about electoral math.

IMO Romney knows he can run to the middle and have a great shot at winning the presidency. He's gonna carry Texas and most of the Southern states no matter how far in the middle he is in a Presidential election. Who else are those folks gonna vote for, the Democrat? Add in the fact that he can carry some Central and North Eastern states with his North Eastern Republican background... And now I also give him a good shot at Florida.... And well IMO you've got a republican that can win the Presidency.

Here's the problem for Romney - The Republican nomination. In order to win that he has to appease certain right wing voters that he probably would rather not appease. He has to run to the right. And that's when he looks and sounds awkward. It's so painfully obvious that he's not a far right kind of guy, but he can't afford to alienate those people because they ALL VOTE.

It definitely puts Romney in a bit of a bind. How does he appease the anti-gay, anti-abortion, anti-global warming, anti-evolution, pro-war, pro-death penalty, pro-intelligent design, gun toting, bible thumping, Christian Coalition types?

Can he do that?

 

[kansaswhig]

It definitely puts Romney in a bit of a bind. How does he appease the anti-gay, anti-abortion, anti-global warming, anti-evolution, pro-war, pro-death penalty, pro-intelligent design, gun toting, bible thumping, Christian Coalition types?

Can he do that?

No, they are voting for Palin. But since Iowa and NH are first, maybe Palin will drop out before SC. She might have a shot there. I hope not.

 

[Winnb]

No, they are voting for Palin. But since Iowa and NH are first, maybe Palin will drop out before SC. She might have a shot there. I hope not.

Good point. But didn't Huckabee carry Iowa last time? By a little a think. And he's an ex-governor and Baptist Minister.

EDIT: Ex-Southern Governor I should have said.

 

[B L Zeebub]

bollocks, I thought it was a cooking advice thread

 

[kansaswhig]

Good point. But didn't Huckabee carry Iowa last time? By a little a think. And he's an ex-governor and Baptist Minister.

EDIT: Ex-Southern Governor I should have said.

Iowa is a tough one to figure out. Huck wins, but they approve gay marraige. Go figure.

I think Huck's personal appeal really helped him. People like a guy that makes you feel at ease when he talks (minister part helps there). Not sure Palin will be as lucky there.

 

[Winnb]

Iowa is a tough one to figure out. Huck wins, but they approve gay marraige. Go figure.

I think Huck's personal appeal really helped him. People like a guy that makes you feel at ease when he talks (minister part helps there). Not sure Palin will be as lucky there.

Yep. Huckabee definitely has the "Sheriff Andy Taylor" routine down pat. He has mastered it. And now he has a TV show right? If it's still on?

I think the difference is one was a GOP Primary (Huckabee won) the other was a state wide ballot where everyone voted (right?). Not sure on that.

Anyway my only point is that a guy like Huckabee or a woman like Palin have a shot in a Republican only vote. And again it puts Romney in a bit of a bind. The conservatives just don't get excited over him.

And let's not even get started on the whole Mormon thing. Again! :2razz:

 

[Zinc Route]

The same piece of **** who introduced state medical socialism when he was Governor? **** him and his so called change, what a ****ing snake!

******** Now Sarah can Save Us - Right ????

 

[kansaswhig]

Yep. Huckabee definitely has the "Sheriff Andy Taylor" routine down pat. He has mastered it. And now he has a TV show right? If it's still on?

I think the difference is one was a GOP Primary (Huckabee won) the other was a state wide ballot where everyone voted (right?). Not sure on that.

Anyway my only point is that a guy like Huckabee or a woman like Palin have a shot in a Republican only vote. And again it puts Romney in a bit of a bind. The conservatives just don't get excited over him.

And let's not even get started on the whole Mormon thing. Again! :2razz:

You are right. Romney would probably have a better shot if Iowa let Independents vote in the GOP primary...although I could be wrong anyway because I think Iowa is a caucus state (which is wierd to begin with, IMO)

 

[Zinc Route]

Yep. Huckabee definitely has the "Sheriff Andy Taylor" routine down pat. He has mastered it. And now he has a TV show right? If it's still on?

I think the difference is one was a GOP Primary (Huckabee won) the other was a state wide ballot where everyone voted (right?). Not sure on that.

Anyway my only point is that a guy like Huckabee or a woman like Palin have a shot in a Republican only vote. And again it puts Romney in a bit of a bind. The conservatives just don't get excited over him.

And let's not even get started on the whole Mormon thing. Again! :2razz:

***** Two points that exist now(and in 2008) are that A) Huckabee for very Down to Earth reasons was willing to see either Obama or Hillary as POTUS rather than Romney . To believe otherwise is to think a Hungry Man won't eat. B) Palin is unqualified to be either President or Vice President. She cannot Win because Rightly or Wrongly a certain perception exists and John McCain provided this lovely gift to the ideological enemy.

 

[liblady]

That's the Romney that could have beaten Obama in 2008. I wonder tho, what does he think has changed within the GOP primary selection process that would allow the social issues to be de-emphasized?

if anything, the right will go harder to the right, don't you think? i don't think romney stands a chance in the primaries.

 

[kansaswhig]

if anything, the right will go harder to the right, don't you think? i don't think romney stands a chance in the primaries.

He does in the NE states now that McCain is out of the picture. If he can pull of a win in Iowa, he will win NH. Momentum.

 

[liblady]

He does in the NE states now that McCain is out of the picture. If he can pull of a win in Iowa, he will win NH. Momentum.

in iowa? do you think so? i just don't see mitt having a chance.

 

[Winnb]

if anything, the right will go harder to the right, don't you think? i don't think romney stands a chance in the primaries.

I don't know. Depends on his competition I guess. McCain was (IMO) the most serious "moderate" contender against Romney.

If a farther right Republican challenges Romney in the 2012 primary then Romney has a problem. Could be Palin, Huckabee, I don't know???

 

[Winnb]

in iowa? do you think so? i just don't see mitt having a chance.

Well then the next question is - who does have a chance?

 

[liblady]

I don't know. Depends on his competition I guess. McCain was (IMO) the most serious "moderate" contender against Romney.

If a farther right Republican challenges Romney in the 2012 primary then Romney has a problem. Could be Palin, Huckabee, I don't know???

not palin OR huckabee. the republicans need some new blood. haley barbour, maybe?

 

[kansaswhig]

in iowa? do you think so? i just don't see mitt having a chance.

I hate that Iowa is a caucus state. I think that process is ridiculous. It depends on who else runs. Does he beat Sarah in Iowa? I'm not sure. The hard right has a better chance of bullying moderates in the caucus states, which would be in Sarah's favor.

I think a lot of the hard right likes to beat their chest about being Palin supporters, but when push comes to shove, it might not sound like such a good idea.

In states with actual primaries that let independents vote, Palin doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell.

 

[Winnb]

not palin OR huckabee. the republicans need some new blood. haley barbour, maybe?

I don't know... It's a tough call...

When I look at the math it really puts any Republican in a tough spot. The best hope for the GOP, as sad as this sounds, is that the economy continues to tank and the Dems continue to get nothing done. THAT makes it easier for any Republican to run a campaign. They simply have to run as "Not a Democrat".

The problem for republican candidates is getting the nomination. It's two wildly different campaigns. And one has to be much farther to the right than the other. I mean look at poor McCain last year. Some of the questions he had to answer from Republican crowds and even some moderators were just ridiculous. "Do you believe in evolution?"

Good grief.

 

[Winnb]

In states with actual primaries that let independents vote, Palin doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell.

I agree with that. But that also kills any chance she has of being President. I have to assume (always risky) that Palin's people put out polls just like everyone else. And they have to know she can't win a general election. I mean they HAVE to know that.

And if they know then there's no sense in her running. She should just keep doing her gig, the speeches, the books, or whatever and enjoy that. But hey, things change in the world of politics pretty quick. Who know's what'll happen in the next few months...