you’re still missing my point....I’m beginning to think on purpose. FACT: Mitt was considered TOO conservative by the GOP establishment in 2007-08 and was to the right of John McCain and FACT: Mitt WAS the establishment choice in 2012 over conservatives.
And individual flip flop here or there versus the total trajectory of the man in context - I’m talking about the latter.
Mitt however did move to the right from his 08 campaign. Just not as far right as his rivals were. I think that's the difference.
Again, Rush's intent in 08 was to keep McCain from the nomination much as he attempted to do in 00 when McCain was the major challenger to Bush II.
I don't think Mitt was at the time the 3 legged conservative Rush painted him as in 08. I do think he moved a bit more to the right in 12. But I think he probably better fit the establishment criteria more than he fit being a true 3 legged conservative in 08. It was the establishment felt more comfortable with McCain in 08.
And Mitt's religion made many uncomfortable in 08. Having been exposed to it, it was less a factor in 12. Although it still bothered some evangelicals.
Again it was Rush, not me, that painted Mitt as the true conservative by meeting the 3 legs of the conservative stool in 08. And he only did that to try to stop McCain. Problem was his puffery in 08 sort of set up Mitt as the standard bearer in 12 and Rush wanted Newt or Santorum more in 12 so he attempted to paint over the portrait he made in 08.