Mitt Romeny runs as the conservative for ‘08 nomination
In an interview with The Examiner, Romney described himself as more conservative than Republican rivals McCain, R-Ariz., and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani on a variety of issues. “We’re in a different place on immigration; we’re in a different place on campaign reform; we’re in a different place on same–sex marriage; we’re in a different place on the president’s policy on interrogation of detainees,” Romney said.
Running as the conservative candidate is great a strategy. The field of moderates is already crowded with both McCain and Giuliani preparing runs. It’s a Howard Dean strategy focused on the conservative elements of the party except that Mitt won’t implode like Howard Dean.
Archived in: Howard Dean, Immigration, Mitt Romney, Rudy GiulianiNovember 21, 2006 at 10:14 am | Trackback
5 comments
What do you think is Romney’s legacy as Governor?
This is going to be similar to teaching a pig to sing. It is hell on the ears and it annoys the pig.
That’s a tough question. State government is dominated by Democrats, and Romney had little opportunity to put his stamp on the state. Therefore, it’s difficult to tell what he might have accomplished had he not been shackled by a legislature where the Democratic machine calls all the shots.
However, one of the few things he really moved forward was the health care initiative, and I believe that’ll be a complete white elephant for the state in a few short years. He did make a push in 2004 to get enough Republicans elected that Democrats wouldn’t have a veto proof majority, but that failed pretty miserably. After that election, he’s been an absentee governor as he campaigned and built an organization for a presidential run. In some ways, his absenteeism and refusal to give Kerry Healey a significant role inside of state government is party responsible for her loss in my opinion.
Overall, it’s not a very strong legacy, but at the same time, he faced some significant obstacles.
I know you’re no McCain guy, but his LIFETIME ACU rating is 83%, and I’m guessing that his immigration stance is the cause of a good 5-10% slip.
As for Mitt, it is hard for any candidate — even Mitt — to wave conservative credentials too avidly when he’s lugging around a track record of being solidly pro-choice (”ever since I campaigned with my mother”).
I almost didn’t support him during the U.S. Senate primary race because he was too moderate then (mid-90’s). He’s traveled a long road to this point to get to the point where he can claim to be “the” conservative candidate. I think he needs to experience the crucible on this before he’s tried and tested.
As for his “legacy” here, well….the most significant thing in my mind is that he chose a L.T. running mate (yes, that is what he did — primary or not) who was demonstrably unqualified to succeed him, and made one attempt (and only one) to recruit and run quality candidates for the legislature. All in all, a very weak legacy..
I’m not vouching for Romney’s conservative credentials. I’m just telling you how he’s positioning himself. I defer to you on his past because I haven’t been following him that long.
On the big issues, McCain just isn’t that conservative. He’s a danger to free speech through his support of Campaign Finance Reform. He sides with Ted Kennedy on amnesty for illegal immigrants. I haven’t seen him work to control the size of government either.