Ironically, by graciously withdrawing from the race, Mitt Romney was able to do accomplish something he could not do by staying in the race; finally fully establish his conservative bona fides. (It's kind of a Catch-22). Let me explain ...
It's fairly obvious that too many conservatives never fully trusted Mitt Romney -- and for a legitimate reasons: Just a few years ago, he was a liberal Republican governor from Massachusetts. To many, it appeared that he essentially "re-cast" himself as a conservative, in order to run for president this year. What is more, his polished style helped cement the narrative that he was "casting" himself as a conservative. For those who value authenticity, Romney was viewed with suspicion.
(It is understandable why many conservatives felt this way, after all, we have been misled a few too many times in the past.)
Most institutions, such as fraternities, for example, have sort of tribal rituals that one must complete before becoming a full-fledged member. Similarly, I believe that, by running for president as a conservative in 2008, and by so graciously stepping aside for the good of the party, Mitt Romney has sort of "paid his dues." Think of this as his "initiation" into the conservative movement. The hazing is over!
In four -- or eight years -- assuming Romney remains conservative -- he will have held his conservative views for about a decade. I think that's a respectable amount of time to assume that he is sincere in his views.
By stepping down at CPAC, Romney demonstrated that he is willing to sacrifice his own personal glory for the good of the cause. I believe that, at that moment, he became a real conservative in the eyes of his skeptics.
Now, he has the chance to either be a conservative voice in the Administration, the "loyal opposition" to a moderate Republican Administration, or, should a Democrat win, possibly the leader of the conservative movement -- and the conservative heir apparent.
Brokered Convention = Mitt decides after we have a discussion about what it means to be a Republican.
1) Republican Brokered Conventions result in wins!
Abraham Lincoln – 3rd Ballot - Won Presidency Rutherford Hayes – 7th Ballot - Won Presidency James Garfield - 36th Ballot - Won Presidency Warning Harding – 10th Ballot – Won Presidency Dwight D. Eisenhower – “2nd Ballot” – Won Presidency
2) A Brokered Convention gives conservatives a voice. A Brokered Convention gives Mitt Romney a voice. A Brokered Convention keeps media attention on the Republican party for the next 6 months for free! If we just roll over and go to sleep the media will almost solely focus on the Democratic contest.
3) McCain has to win 467 more delegates (44% of remaining delegates) to secure the nomination. Huckabee needs 639 delegates (57% of remaining delegates) to force a Brokered Convention.
4) On Super Tuesday McCain got 42% of the vote in Blue States and only 26% in Red States. Over 60% of McCain’s delegates have come from Blue States. Do we really want our candidate picked by States that we have very little chance of winning in the Fall?
5) 71% of the remaining delegates are from Red States. If we unite we can force this to a Brokered Convention.
6) During the 10 days leading up to Super Tuesday, Mitt asked Huckabee to drop out and for conservatives to unite behind him. The Golden Rule asks for “you to do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” For the sake of conservatives please support a Brokered Convention and encourage your supporters to back Huckabee. All of the Moderate and Liberal Republicans that have dropped out have endorsed McCain. Please gather the courage to rally your supporters to the conservative cause to push this to a Brokered Convention.
7) Conservatives Unite! There is still time! Win the Red States and we go to the convention for a discussion about what it means to be a Republican.
Hope this brings encouragement and hope. It is not over!
Spread the word. Feel free to repost this as a Blog Topic at will.
I'm sorry but I can't really believe that Romney got out of the race because the war on terror was the most important issue for November.Mitt was very bitter about leaving this race so early.I think he was very angry about what happened in the last few days in Florida. I think it boiled down to how much more of his personal fortune was he was willing to surrender mostly for a symbolic alternative to McCain.Still I think think Mittheads feel very smitten with him saying he was going to stay in through the convention then 2 days later saying he was getting out. I still say he should have stayed in through Ohio and Texas and just said he'll reassess his campaign after those two states. It's hard to look forward to 2012 knowing that Huckabee is going to be there again siphoning off votes.
I think it is time to start taking Romney at his word. So many people did not believe him when he said he was a true conservative. He changed his position on one or two issues while Governor of Massachussetts, and in their eyes, that meant he was not a 'true' conservative. Now, after his speech at CPAC, many of these skeptics now say they believe him. He has always been this way. Just look at his record in MA. While Governor, he stood on conservative ground and implemented many governmental actions using conservative values, and we know how hard that must have been with the majority Democrats in the government.
I think his actions were the actions of a very sharp, focused conservative. He is a man of integrity. As for his withdrawal, there was more than one reason he had to reassess his campaign and decide whether or not he would go on. With that said, I am also sure that his main reason for dropping was exactly as stated. The party was polarizing, and now, because of his exit, it is not so polarized. More conservatives are now focused on supporting McCain, even though some may do so reluctantly.
Sorry, you are posting on the wrong forums- most of the people here wouldn't vote for Huck if the race for the Republican nomination was between him and Satan. That man is a low, dirty politician of the worst kind. Sorry, but you are going to have to try and pick off less ardent Mitt supporters.
4 Comments | Post a Comment