The AP had an article today about Mitt Romney's presidential aspirations. Apparently he was able to take a little time away from cross-country Massachusetts-bashing to offer up a few quotes.I have to hand it to Mitt, he must be among the most optimistic politicians ever. Knowing he stood no chance of winning another term at home, he's just going to focus on running the entire country.
After losing 20 of 36 governor's races as the head of the Republican Governors Association, he bravely uttered:
"The job of Republican Governors Association chairman is to raise money," he said. "We're not going to take the credit for any wins we get, nor are we going to take the blame for losses we suffer."
Hmm, I wonder if he would have said the same thing if the Republicans hadn't lost so many governorships. It's easy to not take credit for wins when you didn't get any, and it's just cowardly not to take credit for losses.
Also, in reference to wider Republican losses, the multimillionaire said:
"We must return to the common sense Reagan Republican ideals of fighting for hardworking Americans," Romney said in a postelection statement.
Now, I was fairly young during the Reagan administration, but I don't recall Reagan doing much for hardworking Americans. He did classify ketchup as a vegetable, which I suppose helped hardworking ketchup makers like John and Teresa Heinz Kerry. I'm pretty sure that was the extent of his legacy, though.
Romney also has the not-quite-but-almost approval of the religious right:
"We're not trying to find a Sunday school teacher in chief; we're trying to find a commander in chief," said [Jerry] Falwell, who traveled to Massachusetts last month to meet with Romney. Also attending the meeting were Franklin Graham, Gary Bauer, Lou Sheldon, Richard Land and other conservative social and religious leaders."Where he goes to church will not be a factor; how he lives his life will be," said Falwell.
Of course, that he does go to church at all is a major factor. He may be part of what many on the religious right consider a cult, but at least he's no stinkin' atheist!
Even if we accept that his nutty religion won't really be a factor, Romney has no chance. Most of the far right sees him as being to the left of McCain, and being from gay marriage loving Massachusetts won't do him any favors there. Not to mention his flip-floppy treatment of abortion rights. He has said a lot of stupid things about Muslims though, which might win him a few points.
The real problem though is that he hasn't done a damn thing as governor. He managed to royally screw up the Big Dig, but that's about all most people here will remember him for. He'll blame the Democrat-controlled legislature, but whoever wins in '08 will also be faced with a Democrat-controlled legislature. Making excuses for not doing anything isn't going to go very far.
Not doing anything isn't necessarily a problem when running for president, but you have to be charismatic enough to make people like you. Which he's not.
Who does like Mitt Romney? I'd wager Kerry Healy doesn't. The voters of Massachusetts certainly don't. The voters of New Hampshire don't (McCain and Giuliani both lead him in polls there). The far right doesn't because he's not crazy enough. The moderates don't because he's too crazy. Someone must, but I've yet to meet them.
His only chance is to shoot for VP and hope his looks get him in. He could be the Dan Quayle of 2008, only less qualified.
3 comments:
OK. So Mitt Romney is responsible for the Governor losses, is he also responsible for loosing the house and the senate? Maybe you might have noticed a trend, republicans lost everywhere, so I'm not really seeing how you blame that on Romney in an intelligent way...
I don't think you are trying to be intelligent, I think you like spitting in his face because he lost. That is fine. More power to you. Way to go.
Re: “Also, in reference to wider Republican losses, the multimillionaire said:
"We must return to the common sense Reagan Republican ideals of fighting for hardworking Americans," Romney said in a post-election statement.
Now, I was fairly young during the Reagan administration, but I don't recall Reagan doing much for hardworking Americans. He did classify ketchup as a vegetable, which I suppose helped hardworking ketchup makers like John and Teresa Heinz Kerry. I'm pretty sure that was the extent of his legacy, though.
Is that supposed to be funny? Why do you bring up the fact that Romney is a multi-millionaire? Is that supposed to contrast with his quote that: "We must return to the common sense Reagan Republican ideals of fighting for hardworking Americans"?
Because Romney is a Multi-Millionare are you saying that somehow he does not qualify as a hard working American? Is it impossible for a millionaire to say that we need to return to republican ideals?
That’s all I see from these anti-Romney posts, is un-explained hatred. No reason. No logic. Just un-explainable hatred and name calling. Reagan classified ketchup as a vegetable, and that helped John Kerry? Is that funny?
Re: “Even if we accept that his nutty religion won't really be a factor, Romney has no chance”
Great. Thanks.
Re: “Most of the far right sees him as being to the left of McCain,” Who sees him left of McCain, and why? No logic, just stupid assertions. What makes these people waste their time writing this stuff?
Does Mitt hate Mass?
Governor Mitt Romney and Massachusetts
* "There's no question I do love jokes," Romney answered when queried on this point. "Indicating that there are very few conservative Republicans in Massachusetts, I do not think is a surprise to anyone inside or outside of Massachusetts and is in no way an indictment of the state. If anything, it's a recognition that I have to do a better job of recruiting Republicans."
o Governor Mitt Romney, Mighty Mitt Romney, By Shawn Macomber, The American Spectato, 04-21-2006
As for Democrats' complaints about the amount of out-of-state traveling he's done, Romney refuses to repent. "My guess is my travel outside of the state has been far less than either Michael Dukakis or Senator Kerry," he said, adding, "What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander, and I would encourage my Democratic friends to remember that."
o Governor Mitt Romney, Mighty Mitt Romney, By Shawn Macomber, The American Spectato, 04-21-2006
So, to be clear, did Romney -- who came here in 1975 to seek degrees from both Harvard Business and Law schools -- pursue the governorship out of some Machiavellian plan to attain higher office, or does he love the state he leads?
o Governor Mitt Romney, Mighty Mitt Romney, By Shawn Macomber, The American Spectato, 04-21-2006
* "We've lived here now 34 years, raised all five of our sons here, and paid a mountain of taxes here," Romney noted. "You don't do that unless you enjoy the state and the economic, social, and cultural opportunities which it provides."
o Governor Mitt Romney, Mighty Mitt Romney, By Shawn Macomber, The American Spectato, 04-21-2006
Myclob,
To respond to your one substantive argument, you're right that perhaps I jumped a bit too far in claiming that people see Romney as "left of McCain".
More accurately, they're both seen by the far right as being too far to the left. Where they actually rank is up for debate.
The rest of your comment seems just to take issue with either rhetorical style or things that were tongue-in-cheek, it's a waste of both our time to argue over such things.
I will however take your lack of argument with my main premise (that Romney stands no chance in the presidential race) as agreement. So thanks for your support!
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