Mitt Romney must believe in evolution. He’s still evolving
Republicans in the ABS (Anybody but Sarah) camp got more fodder for their anxieties today. A new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll shows that the former half-term Alaskan governor is less popular than Nancy Pelosi. As the blog First Read put it:
Palin’s negative rating has climbed to 50%. That’s the highest negative rating for anyone measured in this poll (and it’s two points lower than Nancy Pelosi’s negative rating from last month). And get this: The only major subgroups that Palin wins in a head-to-head match-up with Obama are Republicans, conservatives, and FOX viewers. That’s it, folks. NBC/WSJ co-pollster Bill McInturff (R) says that this is “a sobering starting point” for Palin if she decides to run for president
But the ABSs (sometimes identified as “establishment Republicans”) are struggling to unite around an alternative to Palin. Some are still enamored of Mitt Romney — at least the smart, affable and reasonable Romney who headed the well-run Salt Lake City Winter Olympics and was a successful one-term governor of Massachusetts.
But that Romney seems to have disappeared, leaving behind a slick and slippery panderer who goes through policy positions like my baby girl goes through diapers.
Even conservatives who would be inclined to support Romney are dismayed. Here’s what the NYT’s Ross Douthat had to say about Romney:
I believe that Mitt Romney is a more serious person, and would probably be a better president, than his campaign style suggests. But issue by issue, policy by policy, that same campaign style makes it awfully hard to figure out where he would actually stand when the pandering stops and the governing begins. In the last couple years, Romney has taken high-profile positions that I agree with (opposing the G.M. bailout), high-profile positions that I disagree with (opposing the START Treaty), and high-profile positions on issues I’m uncertain about (the current tax deal). But because everything he does feels like a pander, I don’t know where he really stands on any of them. And freak show or no freak show, base or no base, that’s no way to run for president.
Mitt, you old chameleon, you
by Cynthia Tucker
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142 comments Add your comment
Scout
December 16th, 2010
4:40 pm
Cynthia:
It really is a shame that Obama became the nation’s first black president. I was hoping for someone like a “Powell”.
Obama’s complete incompetence and failures will set back that diversity cause for a long, long time.
Tommy Maddox
December 16th, 2010
4:42 pm
“…where the pandering starts and where the governing begins.”
Did I read that correctly? And you’re referring to someone who does not presently occupy the White House at the present time?
LOL!!
Paul
December 16th, 2010
4:43 pm
What’s the alternative? A person who never changes their mind? Never considers new evidence? New data? Never realizes that the world changes? That the country changes?
The more the media refer to him as a panderer or a flip flopper the more reluctant politicians will be to change course. The more those terms are used the more emboldened those on the far left and far right will be to demand absolute loyalty to their view of ‘true party principles.’
Tommy Maddox
December 16th, 2010
4:43 pm
“…where the pandering stops…” Opps.
TnGelding
December 16th, 2010
4:49 pm
He has a record to run on and understands how our economy works, and is the only Republican I would be comfortable with. He could have beaten Obama in 2008 because he wasn’t tied to Bush and the disastrous Congress.
Nothing's homie.
December 16th, 2010
5:02 pm
“He’s still evolving”………Great line, Cynthia! This is not the first time your sense of humor as assuaged (sic) both the right and the left. It’s bipartisan and politically expedient (sic) efforts like yours that bring us together during wartime at the holiday season. Season’s best to you and for all you do, this Bud’s for me. (hic)
Nothing's homie.
December 16th, 2010
5:08 pm
“Like my baby girl goes through diapers”. Sarah Palin popularity has been clothespinned in the polls lately. Can she crawl back by 2012? Depends. If you ask baby boomers, they’ll say no. If you ask the young republicans they’ll say yes. If you ask homies in their crib, they’ll say no.
I know, you get the bit.
Kamchak
December 16th, 2010
5:18 pm
Mitt Romney as a viable national candidate?
Only if the right-wing evangelicals say-so.
Tommy Maddox
December 16th, 2010
5:36 pm
We are out there ya know…
Holly
December 16th, 2010
5:37 pm
And he’s still more evolved than you!
Unbreakable
December 16th, 2010
5:41 pm
“But that Romney seems to have disappeared, leaving behind a slick and slippery panderer who goes through policy positions like my baby girl goes through diapers.”
Most people don’t believe what politicians say anymore so his policy shifts aren’t that big of a deal. Starry eyed theories and promises tossed about during campaigns frequently give way to pragmatism and compromise once the election is over and the reality of governing a diverse constituency sets in. BHO is a perfect recent example.
Romney was the only Republican that I found the least bit appealing during the last presidential election cycle. I could vote for him. I would never vote for Miss Alaska.
Camron
December 16th, 2010
6:07 pm
I like Ms. Tucker but she’s being unfair to Mitt Romney.
I don’t think a “lame duck” Congress should work on important legislation. They had two years. They had opportunities. Out of respect and deference to the voters Congress should wait till January.
Romney is a moderate Republican. His heart is in the right place. He has been a private-sector leader and a governor. I think he’d be a great president.
He is a smart and progressive Republican.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
December 16th, 2010
6:20 pm
Here’s some interesting information left out of the poll results-
TOTAL POSITIVE TOTAL NEGATIVE D/S
Michelle Obama 52 21 31
Hillary Clinton 54 27 27
Barack Obama 48 38 10
The Tea Party Movement 33 37 -4
Sarah Palin 28 50 -22
This is not your Tea Party crowd.
From which ONE of the following television news sources do you get MOST of your information about politics and current events? If you do not watch any of these, please just say so.
Broadcast network news, such as NBC, ABC, or CBS ……… 33
The cable channel CNN ………………………………………………. 17
The cable channel MSNBC ………………………………………….. 7
The cable channel Fox News ……………………………………….. 27
Aahhh, so they polled their own viewers, 57-27.
How quaint.
Lil' Barry Bailout
December 16th, 2010
6:21 pm
Imagine that…someone from the New York Times has bad things to say about a Republican!
Leon Bird
December 16th, 2010
6:29 pm
Romney has created more privet sector Jobs than all the other canidates combined,
He has rescued more business than all the other canadates combined.
He has succeded at every job he has had.
Honesty first,
compincy second
Libertarian / consertive third Mitt’s my man
cxyehonala
December 16th, 2010
6:42 pm
Another African American “journalist” making a vicious, personal, ruthless attack against an American political dissidents in order to defend America’s first Black President by selectively using these sort of dubious polls while ignoring the credible one.
President Idi Amin also used his “journalists” to fabricate polls to bluff the people when he went after his political critics especially those Asians viciously, personally and ruthlessly.
An Asian viewing Barack Obama and Idi Amin with disgust.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
December 16th, 2010
6:59 pm
Just 29 percent of the registered voters surveyed by Fox News and Opinion Dynamics said they believed Obama would win in 2012; 64 percent said they expected him to lose.
We got our polls too, just sayin…
Nothing's homie.
December 16th, 2010
7:06 pm
Camron, with the diaper reference, I don’t think Cynthia Tucker meant to point to the lame duck, but rather she conjured the goose, as the season demands she do, indeed, her metaphor passes the smell test and rallies the xmas cheer in us all. God bless us, everyone!
F. Sinkwich
December 16th, 2010
7:21 pm
Romney has some’ splaining to do about his healthcare debacle in Mass. before I can support him.
Nice hair, great resume, maybe empty suit with no convictions.
Ragnar Danneskjöld
December 16th, 2010
7:32 pm
I realize there are few dinosaurs on this blog, those few of us around in 1980 recall that Ronald Reagan was the Carter camp’s first choice among republican nominees, as there was no chance someone so conservative could be elected.
As to Mitt Romney, we republicans have a generous nature, unlike democrats. We believe in redemption. Mitt has a few mistakes on his impressive resume. He recognizes where he has gone wrong. We think of him as the prodigal son – though he may have strayed and shown grievous error in his ways, he has returned to the fold. We celebrate the purer heart born of experience.
Paul
December 16th, 2010
7:35 pm
F. Sinkwich
One time I heard him address it, among his points were:
- it was a state issue put in by the state, not by the feds
- the residents wanted it and supported it
- if followed his belief of letting the states try different things to find the best solutions
- for those reasons, it wouldn’t be appropriate on a national level
Reality Check
December 16th, 2010
7:37 pm
And they will always let you know who they are afraid of. CT spends a lot of time talking bad about Republicans, while Nero Obama dithers and fiddles.
F. Sinkwich
December 16th, 2010
7:45 pm
Maybe, Paul, but I keep thinking that Romney is the media’s favorite Repub candidate, kinda like McCain. Could be a recipe for disaster.
F. Sinkwich
December 16th, 2010
7:47 pm
Palin scares libs. They hate her which only makes her more endearing.
Kamchak
December 16th, 2010
7:53 pm
Palin scaresSnowbilly Snooki amuses libs. Theyhatelaugh uproariously at her which only makes her more endearing.Fixed your typos
Mb
December 16th, 2010
8:13 pm
Romney had a much better health care bill for his state. Like the president, governors can’t just do what they want and just like in federal congress, it had to be voted on by state reps who were mostly liberal and changed parts of it. No offense to the evangilicals but they know Jack about Mormons! Totally mis informed about us!
Kamchak
December 16th, 2010
8:16 pm
No offense to the evangilicals[sic] but they know Jack about Mormons! Totally mis informed about us!
And that will stop them from passing judgment—-how?
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
December 16th, 2010
9:16 pm
Keep Upchuk The Good Fight!- I was kinda wondering what the crazed liberals were doing tonight and here you are!
Now I know!
LeeH1
December 16th, 2010
9:19 pm
After all the talk about Obama being a Moslem, now we will have consiracy whispers about a Morman running for office.
Meanwhile, Christine is still off on the sidelines, where she is riding a broom but protesting she is not a witch. What is it with politics and religion today?
Kamchak
December 16th, 2010
9:21 pm
I was kinda wondering what the crazed liberals were doing tonight and here you are!
All of that work trying to cover my tracks—just gone to waste, I guess.
pez
December 16th, 2010
10:00 pm
romney’s a mormon, mormon’s are racist, based upon this fact he’s a viable republican presidential candidate.
Chris
December 16th, 2010
10:03 pm
That’s it Ms. Tucker? No venom…no racism? Really? When the media refers to Palin, including you, there are talking points you are supposed to quote. Clearly you didn’t read the entire memo. Now in tomorrow’s blog we expect you to make up for this oversight.
Thank you in advance for sticking with the program.
witch
December 16th, 2010
10:09 pm
palin’s one of us, she scribbles crib notes on her hands…
larry
December 16th, 2010
10:12 pm
romney would have to drop on his knees and give santa head to prove to whacked out christians he’s a real american
americanconservativenews.com » Blog Archive » Mitt Romney must believe in evolution. He’s still evolving
December 16th, 2010
10:14 pm
[...] Romney must believe in evolution. He’s still evolving AJC ^ | 12/16/10 | Cynthia [...]
JKL2
December 16th, 2010
10:32 pm
I thought Mitt was your Demwit poster child. Started Romneycare which is four times more expensive than predicted, delivers terrible service, and has driven the state into bankrupcy. Sounds like the kind of program everyopne should be forced to become a part of…
Vinny
December 16th, 2010
10:32 pm
Why didn’t you keep my post Cynthia? I thought that you liked to point out racism every time you see it.
Good Grief
December 16th, 2010
10:38 pm
As one of the bloggers on here who doesn’t feel the need to hold to a party line, or belittle those who disagree with me (ahem, Kamchak), I’d like to say that the Republican party would be smart to rally behind Bobby Jindal. As far as a political starting point, his battles with the Obama Admin this year would engender a unity on the conservative side of the aisle. Plus, he’s a relative newcomer, and his governing record is a bit more steady than anything Obama could offer pre-2008.
JKL2
December 16th, 2010
10:53 pm
CT-
Thanks for your faux concern over potential Republican presidential nominees. I guess it’s just luck that posted his jab Palin and trash Huckabee as a potential candidate before you could come up with your jab Palin and trash Romney diatribe.
Van Jones
December 16th, 2010
11:07 pm
Bitter Betty party of one, your table is ready.
Jack
December 16th, 2010
11:32 pm
“Romney is a smart and progressive Republican”!!!!!??????? Wow, perhaps he should be placed on the Endangered Species List before Sarah and her Tea Party’s pull a Second Amendment Final Solution.
hobbby
December 17th, 2010
12:26 am
CT
Why are you so concerned about a Repub that might change is mind on some issues? At least he says what his position is–even though it might change. Barrack O. got elected without ever giving his position on ANYTHING!!
What a totaly incompetent boob!! A discrace to the office of POTUS. A weak and ineffective leader. Only elected because of the color of his skin. Wouldn’t MLK be proud!! I think not.
It will be a long, long time before another black presidential candidate will accepted by the masses so blindly. What a sad, sad period in American history—–
ken
December 17th, 2010
12:32 am
ABO ( Anybody But Obama )
MS TUCKER IS A UNCLE TOM HOUSE IGGA
December 17th, 2010
1:02 am
YOU ARE AS FAKE AS THE POLOS SOLD IN THE FLEA MARKET CYNT!
politicalmongrel
December 17th, 2010
1:20 am
How many of the posters here remember that Obamacare is quite similar to what Romney pushed through in Massachusetts, including the provision that requires everyone to buy health insurance? Much of Romneycare is mirrored in Obamacare.
Autobiography Title
December 17th, 2010
1:22 am
“But issue by issue, policy by policy, that same campaign style makes it awfully hard to figure out where he would actually stand when the pandering stops and the governing begins.”
Not sure where governing (and not campaigning) has ever begun with current President (and most politicians, for that matter). As with our Community Organizer in Chief, don’t know what you get until the empty suit occupies the Oval Office.
Vreeland
December 17th, 2010
1:48 am
Humanoids like Palin and Romney always have a fighting chance, as long as their constituency includes the willfully ignorant and crass minions who have heretofore, and so generously shared their collective knowledge. Or lack-thereof.
Eubieful O'sheet
December 17th, 2010
2:13 am
“…. leaving behind a slick and slippery panderer who goes through policy positions like my baby girl goes through diapers…..”
Is Cynthia’s talking about the guy who promised that:
– no bill would be voted on by Congress until it had been posted on the web for at least five days so the public could weigh in on it.
– negotiations would be on C-Span instead of behind closed doors in smoke-filled rooms.
– Guantanamo would be closed within one year of taking office.
– he would consult with people of both political parties.
– Khalid Sheik Mohammed would receive a military tribunal trial.
– ad infinitum, ad nauseum.
Is she talking about the guy who is so full of what is in her baby’s diapers, or is she talking about Mitt Romney?
(By the way, Cynthia, your cut-and-paste column is usually also well stuffed with that same material.)
sideshowtom
December 17th, 2010
2:20 am
Cynthia Tucker knows nothing about human nature. She views everything thru the eyes of embittered racism. She is a disgrace to the AJC, if such a thing could be possible.
She is also sorely lacking in any intellectual perspective. A dimwit for the ages.
MS TUCKER IS A UNCLE TOM HOUSE IGGA
December 17th, 2010
4:13 am
CYNTHIA TUCKER
CLARENCE THOMAS
JESSE JACKSON
WARD CONERLY
SHIRLEY FRANKLIN
MICHEAL STEELE
DENISE MAJETTE
BURRELL ELLIS
ALL OF YOU ARE SELL-OUTS!