Why I Reluctantly Will Endorse Mitt Romney [Why we reluctantly will zot]

Neoavatara ^ | December 30, 2011 | Neoavatara

[Neoavatara]

My choice for President is Mitt Romney.

I just shuddered at that statement.

But there it is. There is the reality that 13 debates, months of bickering and intrigue, and countless discussions with conservative brethren have brought me.

It is kind of a sad reality. Is this the best conservatives could do?

So here has been my calculation for who I would support, from the beginning. First, the candidate must be electable and able to defeat Barack Obama, both electorally and intellectually. Second, they must broaden the base of the Republican Party, both on the conservative and moderate sides. Third, they must be economically intelligent and have a pro-growth plan that will overturn the Obama economic disaster. And fourth, because of the Obama experiment, they must show some executive level experience.

If you look at our current crop of candidates, the Congressional candidates (Paul, Bachmann, Santorum) all lack significant executive experience. Newt Gingrich could be argued to have some executive experience as Speaker of the House, but that is stretching the definition to the breaking point.

I think all of our candidates have more of a pro-growth plan than Barack Obama.

As for broadening the base, this is the one I had the hardest time with. For example, Mitt Romney. He would definitely appeal to independents and moderates who like a milquetoast candidate. Could he broaden his conservative wing? I think he could, but that is a hard slog for him. Could Newt Gingrich, who has years of baggage and is relatively well known, broaden his likability among moderates? Doubtful. Can Rick Perry overcome his stumbles and convince non-conservatives that he is intelligent? Unlikely. In short, I am not sure any of our candidates significantly broaden the party.

As for electability, as time has gone on, it is clear that Paul, Bachmann, Santorum, and Cain would have great difficulty defeating Obama, both electorally and intellectually.

So after all of that angst, you are basically left with potential candidates Romney, Perry, and Gingrich.

But after Perry's stumble after stumble in the debates, I can see him getting torn apart by Barack Obama in debates, in a style reminiscent of what Reagan did to Mondale. I really wanted to like Perry, but he has never risen to the occasion. His brightest moment was when he presented his tax plan, and he never showed another policy initiative as grand. And he still appears more a caricature than the man that longtime supporters of him describe.

The best qualified candidate of the remaining opposition to Romney is Newt Gingrich. All things being equal, Gingrich would get my vote. But all things are not equal. Every time I think Gingrich can leave his past behind, something comes up. He cannot seem to keep his mouth out of the way of his campaign. And he has been on top for about a month, and I am already fatigued trying to defend every new story about him. I can't imagine what another year of this would feel like. Gingrich, ultimately, is a paper tiger. He is the most well spoken of the group, bar none. But is he really a conservative? Is he, for that matter, even more conservative than Mitt Romney? I am far from convinced of this. And ultimately, he was the decisive argument for me between the two: while Gingrich's sacrifice of conservative principles largely came while he was in his own think tank with no outside pressures whatsoever, Romney's betrayal came while surround by a horde of liberals looking to take a piece of him at every turn in the most liberal state government in the Union. It is not an excuse for sacrificing his conservative ideals, so much as an explanation that makes far more sense than Newt sitting on a bench with Nancy Pelosi.

It comes down to this. I have been waiting for the better part of 4 years for someone, anyone, to show me to be the standard bearer of the Conservative revolution initially started by Ronald Reagan 3 decades ago...and these group of candidates have failed. I was waiting for a Mike Pence, John Thune, even a Jeb Bush to step forward and take the helm. They all took a pass, for one reason or another. And so we are left with the current crop of candidates, despite all of our objections.

The last debate in December was a sort of epiphany. That epiphany was that none of the non-Romney candidates was going to turn into Ronald Reagan. Ever. Maybe this wasn't an epiphany so mach as facing up to the reality. Oh, sure, there are a few Perry fanatics and Bachmann lovers still out there. They will probably hold on until the California primary. But both have stumbled too many times, and too consistently, to be considered serious any more. Bachmann's Politifact nonsense from the last debate was the last string for me. As for Perry, if he was this good in debates in August and September, he would be the leader. But it just seems to be too little, too late. Too many missed opportunities, with too much of his buffoonery now baked into the social consciousness. Santorum has never made the sale. And Ron Paul is...Ron Paul. Fascinating on pure market economics and libertarian views, but he lives in an alternate universe on foreign affairs. Jon Huntsman is a non-entity.

Almost makes you wonder if Tim Pawlenty, who was my early leader, left the race way too early, no?

So we are left with Willard Mitt Romney.

I know. My friends that read here will say this is a sellout. Maybe it is. But logically, without any knee jerk reactions, I don't see any way around this. I have for months begged others and myself to come to a conclusion that is different. But I simply can't.

But here is, ultimately my logic.

I don't think many people will rationally argue that Romney is unelectable. He certainly is. His record as governor is admirable for one of the bluest states in the union, and he has been in politics long enough to be adequately vetted.

Romney would likely pull a lot of independent voters. My really concern is, would he broaden the conservative bloc? I am far from sure about this. My conservative brethren have a deep and well developed distaste for Romney, and I am unsure if Romney can overcome it. But I think ultimately, our hatred of Mr. Obama's liberal policies will unify the right.

Romneycare is the biggest hurdle. Will Romney really stand for states rights? I honestly believe he will. I don't think he will ever be the opponent to government health care we want, so don't even propose such a thought. But our goal is to end the mandate on a federal scale. I believe Romney will be an ally in this small, marginal victory.

Economically speaking, Romney actually is the most well spoken and practical of the bunch. Although he does not support more radical reforms in D.C. such as Paul Ryan's Medicare plan, he also has a more traditional approach put forward, which would do a lot of good in rolling back Obamanomics. Romney likely would support a more radical conservative agenda for the economy if we can show there are votes in Congress for such a plan.

Furthermore, Romney has really show increased maturity on the campaign trail over the past few months. What was a wooden caricature earlier in the year now shows some humor, fraility, and joviality. His recent Fox News Sunday interview with Chris Wallace showed a comfortable, relaxed, and human Mitt.

Last, and certainly not least, we found under George W. Bush that even a relatively well intentioned President needs to be reigned in by Congress. A Republican Congress failed to do that for Bush...it needs to learn its lesson, and keep Romney on a tight leash. Without that, no man sitting in the Oval Office can be trusted completely.

So, after all that explanation, I endorse Mitt Romney. I am not happy about it, and can't believe it has come to this. And I am sure a lot of my friends on the internet will wonder if I have lost my senses completely. But Romney is a good man, a better man than the one sitting in the Oval Office by far. And if he wins the nomination, it is time for Republicans unify, even if it is for this flawed candidate.

[Moonman62]

However, if the Virginia ballot stands, VA voters should vote Paul just to deprive Romney of the delegates.

I like that strategy, but Paul, being the nutbag he is, will think all the votes are really for him and not a protest.

[little jeremiah]

Your dog would be fine.

Romney would not. Just 0bomba in a mormon suit.

[SomeCallMeTim]

IBTZ

You know you want it.

Beautiful.. so, now.. if you express an opinion that you think Mitt might win, you're ZOT material..

Thanks for making my point.

We can ZOT every person on the net... but, it won't change what's coming.

[little jeremiah]

Diogenesis, you might want to check out this thread, and massmike’s comment with links about Romney’s support of the homosexual agenda. I just pinged it out now.

[SomeCallMeTim]

Ahh... I’m just tired, disgusted, and depressed... Maybe, a few hours of sleep will cure what ails me..

Later..

[Private_Sector_Does_It_Better]

I am not going to be drawn in to defending Romney, I’m voting for Newt, but he’ll, I’d vote for Bill Clinton over Obama. Obama is BY FAR the worst president in history. Bill would be too busy getting nobbers from interns to do the type of damage Obama would do in a 2nd term. I genuinely believe he hates what the America of of our founding fathers.

[little jeremiah]

Why do you think Romneypuke will get the nomination? Just because a bunch of lying polls say so?

[Lazlo in PA]

Amen Brother. The only time we get to be full blown Conservatives is during the Primary anymore. I would love to see this carry on to the General this time. I’m not ashamed of it and I don’t see why others are right now. Screw Mittens and all the other half assed Conservatives and RINOs.

[Norm Lenhart]

“I genuinely believe he hates what the America of of our founding fathers.”

Agree 100%.

Just as a random exercise, Look at the things coming out of Washington in the last 2 weeks alone and try finding a parallel in American history.

Just today... He wants to release a killer-of-Americans terrorist from Gitmo to better negotiate with the Taliban/Hamas/Fatah et all...

Is there anything “right” with that picture? Hell no. That’s brute force anti-Americanism.

[Windflier]

Beautiful.. so, now.. if you express an opinion that you think Mitt might win, you're ZOT material.. Thanks for making my point.

Point? What point? That Mitt Romney, the big government liberal, is the inevitable Republican nominee, and we all might as well get used to the idea?

Get this through your head - Mitt Romney bears no resemblance to a conservative, or even an honest Republican. Examine his record. If you didn't know he had an R behind his name, you'd swear that was a Democrat, and a LIBERAL one, at that.

Not one vote has been cast in any primary, yet here you are on the most well-established conservative meeting place on the internet, demanding that this community stop being mean to good Mr. Romney, and let all his supporters and sycophants have their say, because, well, that's just civilized!

You can take that crap straight to hell, friend.

[reaganaut]

I’ll still be here. I’m not voting for Mitt and I’m with the boss, I’ll move to 3rd party and let the GOP implode without me.

It is time for a revolution.

[DJ MacWoW]

36 years later and Reagans words still ring true.

I'm hitting the hay. Have a good night.

[Private_Sector_Does_It_Better]

“If you feel that strongly than why vote for him? Obama = Romney.”

DISCLAIMER: “I’m voting for Newt”

Now my response... Because in a 2nd term Obama would be completely untethered, the damage he’d do would destroy our country as we know it. He wouldn’t have to worry about reelection and his radical Marxist ideology would be unleashed upon us like a category five hurricane.

Romney (WHOM I DETEST) would have to moderate his liberal views to some degree because at his core he is a political creature, a chameleon with a liberal bent. Obama at his core is a Marxist who despises the liberty and free enterprise system that our great country was founded upon.

DISCLAIMER: “I’m voting for Newt”

[Private_Sector_Does_It_Better]

In regard to the MSM, it doesn’t matter who the Repiblinan nominee is. They will attack him with reckless abandoned. There are lots of reasons to not like Romney, but the fact that the MSM will attack his religion (and they will) isn’t one of them. They will go after the republican nominee viciously regardless of who it is.

[reaganaut]

I’m in one of the later primary states so I may have to vote for Newt in the Primary, but my first choice is Santorum at the moment. But I will not let Romney win without a real, serious fight.

If Romney get the nomination, I am out of the GOP. They will have become completely irrelevant.

[reaganaut]

Yes they will. However Mitt’s religion is a real achilles heel and they will exploit that. It is a big part of why they have been soft on him and want him as the nominee. There is no way Mitt can win, not with what they will bring out.

[Private_Sector_Does_It_Better]

I left the GOP when Bush Sr. raised taxes. The GOP hasn’t represented my strong fiscal conservatism in a long time.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

Why in the hell are you posting your surrender here on FR?You dont belong here with your support of obama light.

[Private_Sector_Does_It_Better]

“However Mitt’s religion is a real achilles heel and they will exploit that. It is a big part of why they have been soft on him and want him as the nominee. There is no way Mitt can win, not with what they will bring out.”

Your arguement is well reasoned, and you may be right. But after the restlessness with which I saw the MSM destroy Bush’s presidency, and their orgasmic love for Obama; I simply believe they will attack ANY republican candidate running against him like we’ve never seen before.

[reaganaut]

Oh they will attack any candidate, I’m not disputing that. But the idea that Romney can win just isn’t viable. I used to be Mormon and I can give you a playbook of the crap the MSM will use. Mitt as the nominee is a much easier win for Obama. MUCH easier.