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You might have a point. I don't really know the intricacies of his governership in MA. I suppose I should read up on it.

I share your dislike of career politicians and lawyers. But I disagree as to whether a nearly-billionaire businessman is necessarily the best person to head a pro-business party. I don't doubt Romney's intelligence or management skills, but putting someone like him in charge might actually bring the party back to the image of the northeastern establishment Rockefeller Republicanism that, thankfully, Goldwater, Nixon, and then Reagan got rid of.

I'm a Floridian who moved to New York after high school to study finance at a prestigious school (I'm not going to name it, but you can check rankings and make a deduction if you care). I'm going to get my degree soon and enter the financial world, and there's a lot of decadence here in terms of how these business guys in the north live their lives. Cocaine, indiscriminate sexual encounters, often homosexuality, and RAMPANT marital infidelity.

I don't think Romney's one of them. He actually seems like a pious guy. But all I'm saying is that in terms of marketing, it might not be the best idea to tie the GOP too closely to this.

Of course, the GOP is pro-business. But to the voters in the "red states" this means having the freedom to own property and capital, make money off that capital, and live freely without having your money stolen from you to support the dregs of society. I don't believe the average Republican really cares about Wall Street. I don't even think the average Republican supports having American foreign direct investment help build China's military (part of why I like Hunter so much), but that's another story.

In terms of marketing and party-image, a retired Navy officer and Vietnam veteran like McCain would do much better.

I've read about Giuliani's marriage problems. I've read that he cheated on his wife, kicked out his wife and children, and then had his mistress live in his mayoral mansion. That's very sleazy stuff, and I have my reservations about supporting a guy like that. I can't blame you there. McCain's personal life isn't completely clean from what I hear either.

might actually bring the party back to the image of the northeastern establishment Rockefeller Republicanism that, thankfully, Goldwater, Nixon, and then Reagan got rid of.

I don't think this should even be regarded as a concern of anyones.

There isn't a snowball's chance in... that Romney would A) represent such B) even try to revive that at all.

Should Romney get elected it will have an almost Arizona feel to it, much more than some NE new englander...

I don't doubt Romney's intelligence or management skills, but putting someone like him in charge might actually bring the party back to the image of the northeastern establishment Rockefeller Republicanism that, thankfully, Goldwater, Nixon, and then Reagan got rid of.

It's not clear. We have time to investigate his business record and his record as governor. I'm just saying that I think he merits a good hard look. I really like his balanced budget record, his deflection of employer mandates on health care, his record of salvaging dying companies with down-to-earth management. I'm just talking about his management style and executive ability here. I don't see indications that he is a part of the decadent capitalist bunch. He may be but nothing in what I've read so far indicates it.

I don't think Romney's one of them. He actually seems like a pious guy. But all I'm saying is that in terms of marketing, it might not be the best idea to tie the GOP too closely to this.

I don't think he's actually very pious. I think he is one of those guys who likes having one wife and an intact family. A man who enjoys living but doesn't indulge his every stray desire. We all know people like this. They could cheat on their wives and get away with living in the fast lane. They choose not to. It's intrinsic to their personality and habits. It's how they choose to live. Reagan was divorced, for instance, but that might have been partially or entirely the fault of his first wife. Nancy was clearly his wife and I don't think he strayed. Because he couldn't or didn't think he could get away with it? I don't think so. The same goes for the two presidents Bush. Husbands and fathers, not looking to date again.

In terms of marketing and party-image, a retired Navy officer and Vietnam veteran like McCain would do much better.

I really think McCain is too old. We might never again elect anyone over the age of 65. It is a very demanding job. And McCain has made himself utterly hated by many base voters and some conservative organizations. These are the people you need to really work for you to win the primaries and the general.

McCain's personal life, while a little messy, isn't so appalling as Giuliani's. I don't think much of Giuliani and Newt having much younger trophy wives. And Rudy's wife is his former Monica. That just repels me. You can ignore it in private life. But not for the White House. Given how Rudy's taste in women runs to leftwingers who like to appear in things like Vagina Monologues, I think I don't care for his taste in women. With Rudy and Newt, you don't get the feeling their wives are equal partners in a deeply committed lifelong relationship. These are things that speak to the character of a man. I won't apologize for preferring wholesome families and marital stability in a candidate.