Well, apparently you haven't been listening. Romney's platform sounds Reaganesque.
I guess you haven't heard about the three-legged stool which Mitt discussed at the last debate or maybe you haven't seen any of his commercials or visited his website.
Mitt is the only one who has articulated a campaign theme (the three-pronged approach to strength) and he has posted a very specific agenda on his website which addresses Iran, border security, lower taxes, smaller government etc. His commercials indicate he is focused on cutting spending, shrinking government and strengthening the military.
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Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Romney's three-legged 'stool'
Romney told CNN Wednesday a successful GOP candidate must be strong on the military, strong on the economy and strong on family.
COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) -- The "stool" is a staple of Mitt Romney's campaign pitch. To be successful, he argues, Republicans need a strong message on the military, the economy, and families.
So it was no surprise when the former Massachusetts governor raised the "stool" theme Wednesday in a breakfast with state GOP chairmen, and then later in a brief interview with CNN.
But this time the way he delivered the lines seemed a bit more pointed, leaving some in his audience convinced it was directed at Rudy Giuliani's argument that he is the party's best hope in the general election.
In the conversation with CNN, Romney said:
"Republicans win when they have a stool, if you will, with three legs. Strong military, strong economy and strong family. And it's just not going to be possible to have a nominee who can't speak on all three topics with passion and with a record that supports their capacity to generate a strong family, a strong military and a strong economy."
The latter half could be interpreted as a suggestion the twice-divorced Giuliani might not be as strong a candidate as a man married for 38 years.
I've been paying close attention and so far Romney hasn't impressed me with his conservatism. He remains a moderate centrist. While I thought he won the first two debates, this isn't about who the best debater is. Romney still hasn't expressed an agenda that conservatives are comfortable with or offered up any signature issues that can drive his campaign.
Having said all that, I won't rule out voting for him should he be the GOP nominee. So far, only Ron Paul and Rooty Toot will NOT get my vote.
The three top GOP candidates are far from representing what Ronald Reagan stood for. So this remains a weak field of candidates. Should Fred Thompson get in the race, I will employ the same standards for his candidacy that I do for all the rest. At this stage, FredT appears to offer a viable alternative and may have what the GOP needs to win when it comes to policies, politics and personality.