Great interview. He answered a lot of questions that I have seen raised here on FR. As far as I am concerned, he is the front runner.
I agree. Have tracked Romeny's career since he spoke at HBS in 1985. To me, he is the leadership candidate on the Republican side offering an alternative to the better known McCain and Guiliani. (Obama is in the same postion on the Dem side offering an alternative to Clinton, Edwards, Biden, etc.). I am glad to see him in the race but not sure if I'll vote for him in February 2008...
I do like the answer to this question. Talk is cheap and actions count:
"Now on domestic issues, in a recent interview with National Review Online, you addressed concerns that conservatives have raised about your previous views on abortion. I’m wondering, why should conservatives believe you when you say you’re now pro-life despite some previous statements you’ve made on that subject?
Conservatives, of course, can make their own assessment. But the great thing is people don’t have to look at what people say, they can look at what they do.
When I was running for office 12 years ago, there were a number of things that I said and felt at that time that, with the benefit of experience, I have a different view today. One of those is abortion.
As governor, I’ve had several pieces of legislation reach my desk, which would have expanded abortion rights in Massachusetts. Each of those I vetoed. Every action I’ve taken as the governor that relates to the sanctity of human life, I have stood on the side of life.
So talk is cheap, but action is real. And people can now look at my record."
Nominating John McCain will give us the same result that nominating Bob Dole did.
Guiliani is all symbolism.
Romney has nearly all of the intangible qualities one would want in a President, and the practical business and political experience that no other candidate has.