THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
An Online Journal of Political Commentary & Analysis
Volume XIII, Issue # 269, November 12, 2011
Dr. Almon Leroy Way, Jr., Editor
Government Committed to & Acting in Accord with Conservative Principles
Ensures a Nation's Strength, Progress, & Prosperity
IF NOT ROMNEY, WHO?
By Alan Caruba
MITT ROMNEY AS THE RIGHT MAN AT THE RIGHT TIME TO DEFEAT INCUMBENT PRESIDENT BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA
IN THE U.S. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 2012? SELECTING THE REPUBLICAN PARTY'S PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
CURRENTLY AT THE CRITICAL STAGE
FULL STORY:
Generally overlooked in the midst of the many debates and the usual competition between Republican contenders for
their Party’s nomination as its candidate for President is the fact that a rather impressive number have thrown their hats
in the ring. It is testimony to the health, depth, and diversity of the Republican Party. Compare that with the Democratic
Party’s lone candidate, a President already ceded the title of worst President ever.
As campaigns proceed toward the on-rushing primaries, Republicans are increasingly focused beyond the usual circus
atmosphere, including the latest problems encountered by Herman Cain and Rick Perry’s gaffs. Selecting the GOP
candidate has now reached the critical stage.
That is why a lengthy editorial in a recent Wall Street Journal is noteworthy. “Romney’s Fiscal Awakening” was a
thorough analysis of a November 4, 2011, Romney speech on the subject of reversing the nation’s economic problems.
The Journal said “his remarks deserve more attention than they’ve received as a guide to how he might govern.”
Mitt Romney has run a smart campaign to this point, not attacking the other candidates and waiting for them to exhaust
themselves while he maintained a fairly constant 25% of support to this point. Unlike the boxer who spends all his energy
in the first or third round, Romney has tended to the grassroots kind of effort necessary to succeed in the early primaries.
He’s been here before -- losing the nomination to John McCain the last time and it is likely that many Republicans have
some very serious regrets about that. He learned from that effort, probably in the same way Ronald Reagan did when he
challenged Gerald Ford for the nomination. McCain was an updated version of Bob Dole, the kind of GOP candidate who
gets the nod because he was judged to have earned it, even if he couldn’t campaign his way out of a paper bag.
Increasingly, Republicans are asking themselves, “If not Romney, who?”
While many believe that almost any GOP candidate could beat Obama, that kind of optimism is unwise because an
incumbent president has a lot of resources to draw on between now and Election Day. That said, Republicans have seen
their own incumbents, George H.W. Bush and the aforementioned Gerald Ford defeated.
On Saturday, November 12, Rasmussen Reports reviewed the week’s polling results.
“Poll after poll shows former Massachusetts Governor
Mitt Romney to be the Republican presidential contender
voters are most comfortable with and the GOP hopeful
who continues to run most competitively with President
Obama. But that's not enough for a lot of Republican
voters.”
“Just this past week, new surveying found that Romney
is the GOP candidate viewed most favorably by all
voters. This parallels other recent findings that voters
see Romney as the GOP hopeful most qualified to be
President and the candidate for the White House closest
to the mainstream in a group that includes Obama.”
I would recommend reading Mitt Romney: An Inside Look at the Man and His Politics by R. B. Scott (Lyons Press)
because it is not an authorized biographical profile, the author has excellent journalistic credentials, and he provides useful
insights regarding the Mormon Church you are not likely to read elsewhere.
I have concluded that Romney’s religion is not going to play that much of a role in the forthcoming election. Consider that
he won the governorship of Massachusetts, one of the most Liberal states and a Democratic stronghold. Romney knows
how to win elections.
In saying that, I am also saying he is a very skilled politician. In addition, he has also a proven record in the world of
business and finance. These are two elements that are going to be vital to his election in 2012. Yes, I think he will get the
GOP nomination. Yes, I would vote for him.
The highest hurdle Romney must overcome is his reputation as a “flip-flopper.” There is no question that he has changed
his views over the years on many topics, but that can be easily countered by merely listing the many times that Obama has
done the same or, in his case, voted “present.”
Whether it’s been about abortion and choice, stem cell research, gun control, immigration or taxes, Romney has been on
one side of the issue or the other over the years. What is called “flip-flopping” can also be seen as a process of growth, of
examining his positions on these issues and — yes — changing them.
Here’s where Romney’s religion really plays a role. The Mormon Church, in which he has been an active leader, is famous
for its moral code. They don’t drink. They don’t smoke. And they have positions on major moral issues that are not
dissimilar from those of the Roman Catholic Church.
As R.B. Scott says in his book, Mormons have values that include “veneration for the experience, wisdom, and caution of
the elderly; respect for the talents and pragmatism of skilled tradesmen; honor and gratitude for those who perform heavy
labor; deep admiration for poets, musicians, writers, entertainers and athletes; and veneration for religious, academic, and
secular achievements.”
Romney has diverged from the Church’s positions on occasion, but Mormons also hold to a fundamental tenet, the
doctrine of free agency. “Regardless of existing laws, faithful Mormons had the obligation to make moral judgments for
themselves,” says Scott. Romney has done that.
Romney has been the clear winner of the recent debates. Rick Perry was the biggest loser and the rest of the candidates
increasingly look like window dressing.
Romney has been successful at almost everything he has ever put his hand to. He is the right man at the right time to
defeat Barack Hussein Obama in 2012.
© Alan Caruba, 2011
LINKS TO RELATED TOPICS:
American Politics, Political Competition, & the Control of
Public Policy: Elections, Political Parties, Political Factions,
Ideologies, & Special Interest Groups
American Government & the U.S. Presidency:
Presidential Politics & National Leadership
The American Political System:
Politics & Government in the U.S.A.
Alan Caruba's commentaries are posted daily at Warning Signs, his popular blog -- and thereafter on dozens of other
websites and blogs. His monthly report on new books is posted at Bookviews.
A business and science writer, Caruba is the Founder of The National Anxiety Center, a clearinghouse for information
about "scare campaigns" designed to influence public opinion and policy.
Return to Top of Page
Go to the WEBSITE INDEX
Return to Beginning of
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA,
Public Issues & Political Controversies
Return to Beginning of
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
Most Recent Articles
Return to Beginning of
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA,
Volume XIII, 2011
Return to Beginning of
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA,
Subject Matter Highlights
Return to POLITICAL EDUCATION Homepage
CONTACT & ACCESS INFORMATION
This is not a commercial website. The sole purpose of the website is to share with interested persons information regarding civics,
civic and social education, political science, government, politics, law, constitutional law and history, public policy and political
philosophy and history, as well as current and recent political developments, public issues, and political controversies.
POLITICAL EDUCATION, CONSERVATIVE ANALYSIS
POLITICS, SOCIETY, & THE SOVEREIGN STATE
Website of Dr. Almon Leroy Way, Jr.
Government, Politics, Public Policy, Legal Issues, Constitutional Law, Government & the Economy, Cultural Values, Foreign Affairs,
International Relations, Military Defense & National Security, Geopolitics, Terrorism & Homeland Security, American National Interests,
Political Systems & Processes, Political Institutions, Political Ideologies, & Political Philosophy
INDEX FOR THE ENTIRE WEBSITE
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
THE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE, USA
An Online Journal of Political Commentary & Analysis
Dr. Almon Leroy Way, Jr., Editor
Conservative & Free-Market Analysis of Government, Politics & Public Policy, Covering Political, Legal, Constitutional, Economic,
Cultural, Military, International, Strategic, & Geopolitical Issues
Conservative Government Ensures a Nation's Strength, Progress, & Prosperity