Romney prospers by stiff-arming modern conservativism
The polls remain tight, with several national pollsters giving Mitt Romney a small lead for the first time. Viewed strictly in terms of political science, rather than partisan politics, it’s a fascinating and rather sudden turn of events.
And what does it mean?
I think it’s fair to say that should Mitt Romney end up winning the presidential race, his victory will be a repudiation, rather than a validation, of modern American conservatism. I don’t know how else to interpret the fact that Romney was losing the race, badly, right up to the moment in the first debate that he ran fleeing from conservativism like a 12-year-old girl fleeing a Halloween haunted-house attraction.
Look where he stands today in terms of policy, compared to a few weeks ago, and the contrast is stunning:
He has pledged to the world that he won’t cut taxes, and most important of all he would never cut them for the rich. He also promises that he won’t do a thing about trying to outlaw or restrict abortion, and like Obama, he’s not going to kick out illegal immigrants brought here as children.
He won’t reinstate “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” and his health-care plan is going to cover those with pre-existing conditions. His “47 percent” comments, he tells us now, were “just completely wrong,” and he won’t reduce spending on Medicare or Social Security and he won’t cut education either. He’s even in favor of government regulation because “you can’t have a free market work if you don’t have regulation.”
Every single one of those newly packaged positions contradicts or seriously compromises an important conservative position. He and his advisers — in this case reportedly his wife and eldest son — came to the wise conclusion that he could not win otherwise, and the market has confirmed their wisdom.
The question, of course, is how Romney would govern if actually elected. I don’t have a clue on that one.
– Jay Bookman
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343 comments Add your comment
Mary Elizabeth
October 11th, 2012
10:46 am
Dirty Dawg, I cannot agree with you that the majority of Democrats in Congress will be just as much obstructionists as the Tea Partiers have shown themselves to be in obstructing Obama’s initiatives, if Romney is elected as our President.
And, I think the fact that the Democrats will not be of that brutal sensibility (at least not over the extended duration of time that Republicans have displayed those strong armed tactics while Obama has been President) is a good thing for the nation, especially in the long-run.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
October 11th, 2012
10:46 am
I believe most people believe whatever the last thing that came out of Romney’s mouth is where he stands.
Same for Obama. So, Romney’s strategy is to just keep talking and hope the right points fall on the right ears.
Joe Hussein Mama
October 11th, 2012
10:47 am
F. McCool — “I’m proud to say I don’t vote the same way as these people. Skeeeery.”
I guess Garlow got new instructions from his god — kinda like the Mormons claim they do from time to time. Sounds to me like a metaphysical instance of the faithful doing the Hokey Pokey.
Jay
October 11th, 2012
10:47 am
sheets
Welcome to the Occupation
October 11th, 2012
10:48 am
MC: “He’ll govern from the center Jay. He has a history of that”
Meaningless. He governed in the “bluest” of blue states and wasn’t particularly popular at that. As president, he’ll be the head of the most radical right wing Republican party and a political establishment as a whole that is the furthest to the right that we’ve perhaps ever seen, so it’s hard to calculate the pressures that will be brought to bear on him, but the pressure to moderate cannot be counted on, to say the least.
Frankly we just don’t know how he’ll govern.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
October 11th, 2012
10:48 am
I agree Mary E. And with the Dems taking back the House and remaining in control of the Senate, we should see less obstruction.
MC
October 11th, 2012
10:48 am
Verbil Kint, I won’t vote for Obama…but I will vote against the rightwing of the republican party.
UNCLE SAMANTHA
October 11th, 2012
10:54 am
Welcome to the Occupation
October 11th, 2012
10:48 am
MC: “He’ll govern from the center Jay. He has a history of that”
Frankly we just don’t know how he’ll govern.
=====================================================================
is this Obama or Romney thats being talked about????
MC
October 11th, 2012
10:55 am
Welcome to the Occupation he’s going to need the votes of moderates, independents, Latinos, and women to get reelected a heck of a lot more than he will need the wingnuts. The rightwing will cease to exist as their 65+ aging old angry white guys go to the other side. In fact, if the republicans don’t embrace the changing demographic in this country they might as well disband the party, as Laura Ingraham has stated. And if they don’t beat Barack Obama they may never win another national election. There’s a reason they have great difficulty in senate and presidential elections. Republican state legislatures can’t gerrymander states and nations like they can congressional districts.
DebbieDoRight - Prez. O = 2.5M Jobs; Repug Congress = 0. You do the Math
October 11th, 2012
10:55 am
StevieR – then I apologize. Perhaps I misunderstood your response as gleeful. Again, my bad.
==============
Mary E: think what that switch basically shows is that many of the American people are impressed by aggression
Of course! That’s why they re-elected that village idiot Dubya! He said, “I’m a WAR President!!”; and every sadist, (who didn’t actually HAVE to go to war); dang near wet themselves with joy.
====================
BF — Dudley and I are “talking”. His family (sons, parents, sister), asked me had I ever told Dudley that it was time for him to leave and come home BEFORE I started talking divorce. I told them No. If that is what he wanted to do I didn’t want to stand in his way.
They all looked at me like I was a fool. Even his ex-wife, Brenda, was like, “He LOVES you. If you told him how you really feel, he’d do it for you”.
So, I told him I no longer wanted to be a single married lady. I wanted a husband to show off to all of my single girlfriends; and with all the turmoil in the middle east, I didn’t want him to go back — i’d rather be a divorcee than a widow.
So, like I said, we’re trying to find a middle ground. I don’t want him to resent me for giving him an ultimatum but I can’t live a half-life anymore.
===============
troll: More specific than “Forward”
Republican 2012 Slogan — “BACKWARDS!!!!” — Yes, very specific…
MC
October 11th, 2012
10:58 am
Romney’s wife and son are obviously smarter than his political handlers. And he has to live with her.
RB from Gwinnett
October 11th, 2012
10:59 am
Gee, stands, I guess the new “journalism” standard it to have to search the archives to find a photo with only a caption and a blog entry on the story. At least they have the Pizza Hut debate issue covered with a top billing for you liberals to wring your hands over.
You know, stands, if you set your standards low enough, the school newspaper at your local elementary school will meet them.
Don't Forget
October 11th, 2012
11:00 am
kayaker,
“glorified golf cart”
Really?
2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year
2011 Automobile Magazine car of the year
Ranked #7 by US news in 2013 midsize upscale vehicles
Recommended by consumer reports
A whopping 93 percent of Volt owners said they would definitely buy the car again, edging out sporty contenders Dodge Challenger and Porsche 911, each with a 91 percent buy-again rating.
Hardly a “glorified golf cart”
And while you’re mulling that over, how about an explanation of your selective outrage?
This is from that liberal rag “Forbes”
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jamestaylor/2012/10/10/republicans-criticize-the-chevy-volt-and-solyndra-despite-their-own-green-scandals/
DownInAlbany
October 11th, 2012
11:13 am
This just in: Romney has gained 8 points in California. CALIFORNIA! What is the world coming to? (granted, O still holds a 14 point advantage)
UNCLE SAMANTHA
October 11th, 2012
11:15 am
CARS OF THE YEAR AND THEIR ENORMOUS IMPACT ON THE AUTO WORLD
2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser
1996 Dodge Caravan
1995 Chrysler Cirrus
1993 Ford Probe GT
1983 AMC / Renault Alliance
1981 Chrysler K Cars, Dodge Aries and Plymouth Reliant
1980 Chevrolet Citation
1976 Chrysler, Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volare
1975 Chevrolet Monza 2+2
1974 Ford Mustang II
1972 Citroën SM (an imported vehicle that was selected overall “Car of the Year”)
1971 Chevrolet Vega
Williebkind
October 11th, 2012
11:17 am
“We have K71 here, Willieb, Stevie and some guy called USMC ……………. if they hate everything Jay says and everything that he writes, why are they here instead of on Kyle’s blog?”
To add truth to the biased media and let others know they should never depend on Jay and his media for their only source of information. does that make you go hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?
Don W.
October 11th, 2012
11:17 am
I’m a 50s white guy. I WAS a republican. After I let a neighbor talk me into attending a tea party rally in Cobb County Ga I became an independent. I thought I was at a Klan Rally. When the republican party ditches that entire right wing I’ll be back. Until then I’ll vote against the racists, bigots, nativists and white supremacist that have been allowed to infiltrate and pollute the republican party.
Mary Elizabeth
October 11th, 2012
11:18 am
Welcome to the Occupation, 10:44 am
“So when they see a president come out after 4 years in office and get confronted by a guy who is obviously playing fast and loose with facts (people don’t know exactly how he’s being fast and loose, they just can sense that that’s what he’s doing) and all the president can do is bumble, shrug, and look constipated, it has a devastating effect on their confidence in him.”
=====================================
I agree with you on that statement, above, Welcome, in that our President did not perform well in the debate. But the debate was a low ebb for him and does not represent his values nor who he is. Also, I agree with you that most Americans are swayed, unfortunately, by projections of “bravado and brazen courage” – which Romney displayed – more than by policies.
Many analysts believe that Americans vote with their “guts,” or their gut reactions to candidates, more than with their minds. We both agree, I think, that that is what has happened in the change of polls which reflect such a dramatic change in the American public since the debate. If you notice, however, your words of choice of “bravado and brazen courage” are not far in connotation from mine of “aggression and dominance.” I simply go further in the negative connotations of all of those words which I described through the detail in my post.
The reason that I went further than you, in saying that many Americans value aggression and dominance, was because I believe that this nation has been fairly equally divided into two basic sensitbilities for the past 50 or 60 years. I also believe that one of those sensibilities will emerge as the prevailing sensibility (at least for the next few years) through this election. I have described previously on this blog those two sensibilities that face Americans – one is a more “muscular” sensibility that values dominance and control, power, wealth, hierarchial status among people. The other is a sensibility that values collaboration, service, egalitarian and intellectual/spiritual enlightenment. Of course, the real truth is that all of these values ebb and flow in all of us daily (both categories of values) but I believe that, in the course of human events and evolution, the less muscular and more enlightened values will ultimately prevail. Maybe not in my lifetime, but ultlimately. “The moral arc of the universe is long, but it bends toward justice..” MLK
My brother told me, just a day or two ago, that our father had told him, “You cannot work for both money and servitude (service to others) at the same time; you must choose one or the other.” Ultimately, the world will have to choose; not just individuals. One fosters life and one fosters death, in my mind, in a metaphysical sense.
Williebkind
October 11th, 2012
11:19 am
“Until then I’ll vote against the racists, bigots, nativists and white supremacist that have been allowed to infiltrate and pollute the democratic party.”
There fixed your error. However, I dont believe your story.
DownInAlbany
October 11th, 2012
11:20 am
Colorado-based Abound Solar received a $400 million stimulus loan guarantee then went bankrupt. Obama really knows how to pick the winners and losers doesn’t he? (mostly the losers, as the next President has already pointed out)
Another one or two Abound Solars or Solyndras and we’re gonna be talking about some real money! I bet it’s Big Bird’s fault!
MC
October 11th, 2012
11:21 am
Williebkind, you should hear the above mentioned FOX foursome when anything to do with the color brown is a topic. The robe and hoods come out of the closet then.
Williebkind
October 11th, 2012
11:22 am
“The other is a sensibility that values collaboration, service, egalitarian and intellectual/spiritual entitlement.”
I corrected your error too!
Williebkind
October 11th, 2012
11:22 am
One fosters life and one fosters death, in my mind, in a metaphysical sense.
Like abortions?
Williebkind
October 11th, 2012
11:24 am
“I bet it’s Big Bird’s fault!”
So you believe in giving 400 plus million dollars to big bird after he makes 300 plus million profit?
That makes you a sound liberal economist.
Don W
October 11th, 2012
11:25 am
It’s a true story Williebkind. They even had busload of Mulligan’s Pub patrons bussed in and if you know who they are you’ll understand what I’m saying. There was even a booth selling those Obama chimpanzee tshirts Mulligan’s is famous for.
Mary Elizabeth
October 11th, 2012
11:25 am
Hi Debbie, I just wanted to say “hello” to you, and wish you a good day, ahead!
Welcome to the Occupation
October 11th, 2012
11:26 am
uncle samantha: “is this Obama or Romney thats being talked about????”
Ha, that was exactly my point!
UNCLE SAMANTHA
October 11th, 2012
11:28 am
LIBERAL BLUE BOOK
RULE 93
when you have been given a setback and you are worried your candidate is in trouble……….. don’t use logic and reason…………. claim racism and allude to it…………. make your opponent try to defend themselves from baseless claims………. make up stuff if you must………… but never REPLY to their REPLY…………… do not engage……… only make accusations………… then act superior
Williebkind
October 11th, 2012
11:30 am
Don W
October 11th, 2012
11:25 am
Well, just be thankful they didnt destroy property and hurt someone like the OWS crowd. I guess they dont bother you.
Cindy Bo
October 11th, 2012
11:31 am
Is that the pub right off Cobb Pkwy that always has those racists comments on their sign and a bunch of motorcycles out front Don? Some of the comments about Latinos they put there are disgusting.
Cindy Bo
October 11th, 2012
11:33 am
UNCLE SAMANTHA take a look at who the featured guest were at the last CPAC get together and then tell me those claims are baseless.
Coyote
October 11th, 2012
11:35 am
The good news is the rightwing is headed toward extinction. This is the 21st century after all.
Don W
October 11th, 2012
11:38 am
Don’t know anything about them Williebkind. I’m just relating what I saw at that event.
MC
October 11th, 2012
11:46 am
This is another example of why I can’t abide with the right wing anymore.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A freshman congressman running for re-election on a pro-life platform urged his pregnant mistress to get an abortion a decade ago, according to a transcript of the recorded conversation.
The undated phone recording appears to have been made before Republican Rep. Scott DesJarlais’ divorce from his wife, Susan, was finalized in 2001. According to the transcript, DesJarlais tells the unidentified woman that he is concerned that she hadn’t taken steps toward terminating the pregnancy.
“You told me you’d have an abortion, and now we’re getting too far along without one,” DesJarlais is quoted as saying. “If we need to go to Atlanta, or whatever, to get this solved and get it over with so we can get on with our lives, then let’s do it.”
DesJarlais on his website espouses a platform that opposes abortion, saying: “All life should be cherished and protected. We are pro-life.”
Do as I say do…not as I do. My morals are situational when they personally effect me. Too much rhetoric not enough walking the talk.
gm
October 11th, 2012
11:51 am
Guess what? we woke up after Clinton took and had a surplus, and there was Obama for the last 8 years, we were all dreaming when W sent our economy down the toliet and started two unfunded wars, and 3500 American lives were lost under his watch 911, and 4000 American lives was lost in Iraq.
The right wing nut jobs at Fox will have you to believe it was all a dream there was no W ever in office, matter of fact these people never mention his name, these wing nuts have to go back 35 years to brag on Reagan, Biden please mention W hundred times so the right wing can close there eyes.
gm
October 11th, 2012
12:08 pm
There was never a W, 911 never happen, two wars never happen, we woke up and there was mean old Obama saving American lives and jobs in Ohio, Mich, such a bad President how dare him be concern about other Americans.
Obama what a bad President how dare this guy bring our troops home from Iraq after 4,000 lives lost, what a terrible President, how dare his guy make America safe for 4 years, there should of been more attacks.
MC
October 11th, 2012
12:20 pm
But they adore pill popping doctor shopping junkies that should be populating a jail cell gm. And then you have the FOX News darling Dick Morris wearing lingerie and being led around a D.C. hotel room on a leash by a prostitute. For such a pious and sanctimonious crowd these wingnuts sure have some strange heroes.
Welcome to the Occupation
October 11th, 2012
12:27 pm
Mary Elizabeth. I don’t disagree with those sentiments generally speaking. But ultimately none of these things are possible without radicalism and militant confrontation. We need much more militancy.
Black Friday at Walmart anybody?
MC
October 11th, 2012
12:43 pm
gm you left out “how dare this guy kill Osama bin Laden”. Something GW and 2 full scale wars couldn’t accomplish for fear of offending “our good friends and allies in the war on terror”, the Pakistanis. They’re really ticked off about that one.
Z
October 11th, 2012
2:04 pm
How will Romney Govern, well, if he has the Republican Extremist majority that’s controlling the 112th congress now then his Governing will be Extreme. Romney just goes with the flow and that flow right now and most likely if he’s elected, would be Right Wing Extremism. Then look out, all the Social Programs will be on the chopping block. Those are Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Pell Grants, Planned Parenthood which he said he would end if he’s elected, Gone! Affordable Care Act, forget it, Gone. All those programs and more used by those 47% that Romney has already said he doesn’t care about. There are two programs that you can count on Romney installing and that is to give the Wealthy that 2% Tax Cut, the Tax Cut that will cost the American People Trillions of dollars! And to give Corporations a Tax Cut, a Tax cut they don’t need because most of them avoid paying Taxes now through loopholes. A Romney/Ryan ticket, is a disaster waiting to happen for this Country and the American People.
Mary Elizabeth
October 11th, 2012
2:04 pm
Welcome, 12:27 pm
“Mary Elizabeth. I don’t disagree with those sentiments generally speaking. But ultimately none of these things are possible without radicalism and militant confrontation. We need much more militancy.”
====================================
Welcome, consider the following in our discussion of today’s topic, by analogy:
Although both approaches were needed in their day relative to achieving the equal civil rights of all of America’s citizens, whose approach (and philosophy) – to that end – do you think will have had more long-lasting results? The approach of Malcolm X or the approach (and philosophy) of Martin Luther King, Jr.?
catlady
October 11th, 2012
3:38 pm
NO WAY he would actually govern by these new “beliefs”. He can’t hide his true self.
Mary Elizabeth
October 11th, 2012
5:37 pm
Welcome, I will say, however, if you want to organize a peaceful protest, a la Dr. King, in front of a regional Wal-Mart store, in order to highlight their unfair treatment of their employees, then I will be one of the first to join that Wal-Mart protest – with my protest sign held high for all to see.