What They're Really Saying About Governor Mitt Romney At The Durham, NH GOP Debate

Romney for President 2008 ^ | 09/06/07 | Various

[Reaganesque]

Thursday, Sep 06, 2007

Riehl World View's Dan Riehl: "Based solely on my viewing the flow of the numbers from start to finish - on average, I honestly believe Romney resonated most strongly with the most people, conservative and moderate, in terms of the over all debate." (Dan Riehl, Riehl World View, http://www.riehlworldview.com/, 9/5/07)

Conservative Blogger's William Smith: "Mitt gives a great answer with regard to the responsibility of city government and state government." (William Smith, Conservative Blogger, http://www.conservativeblogger.com/, 9/5/07)

The American Spectator's Jennifer Rubin: Romney "[s]ays we have to have concern for the mother and change hearts and minds. Very nicely done." (Jennifer Rubin, The American Spectator, AmSpec Blog, http://www.spectator.org/blogger.asp#7970, 9/5/07)

The Washington Post's Chris Cillizza: "The focus on Romney and Giuliani reinforced the notion that the race right now is between those two men with former Sen. Fred Thompson who did not attend the debate as a potential wildcard." (Chris Cillizza, "GOP Debate Wrapup: Frontrunners Under Fire," The Washington Post's The Fix, http://blog.washingtonpost.com, Posted 9/5/07)

Heading Right's Macranger: "Romney immediately scored with his point about de facto amnesty, and he talks about shutting down the 'magnets'. Romney's doing great so far..." (Macranger, Heading Right, Heading Right Blog, http://headingright.com/page/2/, 9/5/07)

The Washington Post's Eric Pianin: "Romney's response drew loud cheers; Giuliani's polite cheers. It speaks to the difficulty of any candidate who has something less than a black and white position when it comes to immigration." (Eric Pianin and Chris Cillizza, The Washington Post The Fix Blog, http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/, Posted 9/5/07)

- Pianin: "Romney is working hard to make sure viewers know that he and Giuliani differ when it comes to immigration, seemingly slipping in the fact that New York was a 'sanctuary' city at every turn." (Eric Pianin and Chris Cillizza, The Washington Post The Fix Blog, http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/, Posted 9/5/07)

National Review Online's Kathryn Jean Lopez: "That was a serious answer from Romney [regarding intelligence and the War on Terror]. It channelled [sic] his own decision to refuse protection for an Iranian tyrant - one of those who is against us - while governor of Massachusetts. Going into mosques if they preach terror is a reasonable and necessary position. And one that someone who gets the stakes would espouse." (Kathryn Jean Lopez, "Going Into Mosques," National Review's The Corner, http://corner.nationalreview.com, 9/5/07)

The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder: "Otherwise, Romney, being very familiar with New Hampshire's inner maw, had well-thought out answers for every other question, even as three of the first four turned, in some measure, on whether he flip-flopped." (Marc Ambinder, "And The Winners Are......," The Atlantic Blog, http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com, Posted 9/5/07)

National Review's Kate O'Beirne: "Romney's '462 events' In Iowa and New Hampshire alone also effective." (Kate O'Beirne, "Ready For The Questions," National Review's The Corner, http://corner.nationalreview.com, Posted 9/5/07)

Townhall's Mary Katherine Ham: "Mitt has a good line about his 'right to be kept alive' with respect to the government's response to terror." (Mary Katherine Ham, Townhall, Townhall blog, http://www.townhall.com/blog/MaryKatharineHam, 9/5/07)

Heading Right's JASmius: "So far, I think Romney gave the best answer [on immigration and sanctuary cities]." (JASmius, Heading Right, Heading Right Blog, http://headingright.com/page/2/, 9/5/07)

[Spiff]

Romneycare forces insurance on people who do not want it.

See Post #59 for a different take on Commonwealth Care.

If it "forced" health insurance on anyone, it was to ensure that their healthcare would not fall back on the state to pay for.

[Spiff]

No rebuttal to Romney's current social liberal stances, supporting embryonic stem cell research and gay rights?

I simply used your mischaracterization of Commonwealth Care as an example of the misrepresentations you were making about Romney's record and positions on the issues. I could have just as easily gone after what you're saying about him on social issues.

That's right, better to just ignore it and keep worshipping your matinee idol.

More juvenile comments. I don't "worship" Mitt Romney. Do you "worship" the candidate that you support? Are you capable of reasoned debate?

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

I am not adverse to any of the candidates except for Paul.
Even McCain came through fairly well last night. I like Fred or Rudy of the majors. Romney is OK, but up against McCain he doesn’t look as stalwart. While I am concerned about McCain because of immigration and campaign finance, on the war, he is on. Huckabee and Hunter are in the running for VP.

[Uncle Miltie]

Does Romneycare require healthy young people or wealthy old people who previously chose to self-insure to acquire insurance?

Please advise if these people can still have free choice.

If not, that’s socialism.

[bert]

.....I thought Mitt was extremely weak....

Additionally, he was governor of Massachuttes. One can only wonder how he got elected in that ultra liberal state? Was he lying then or is he lying now?

[redgirlinabluestate]

You are right.

FOX definitely appears to be shilling for Rudy. First, they came out slamming Fred and then they went on an ambush of Mitt, saving all the harshest questions for him.

I noticed that when Mitt mentioned Rudy's immigration failings, Rudy was allowed to rebut. When McCain mischaracterized Romney's immigration position, Mitt was not allowed time to rebut at all. They definitely appear to be pulling for Rudy.

FOX -- the Rudy '08 network.

[jps098]

It doesn't matter what others are saying. The way Romney threw Sen. Craig under the bus, my wife said she would never vote for a man who can't wait for a few facts, and give someone the benefit of the doubt, in the meantime.

I've never known her to change her mind about a candidate, once she's said something like this.

[normy]

I’m with you, Huckabee was horrible. He reminds me of Clinton sorry to say. McCain and Rudy won this hands down. I watched Fred on Leno and he looked like he will be a worthy addition. Hunter and Tancredo get too few questions and they only have to do with immigration. As for Rudy talking about New York, thats where his record is and he should talk about his accomplishments there, at least he shoots from the hip and doesn’t have a bunch of canned answers like our version of Bill Clinton. I also think this debate could signal the end for Mitt.

[JohnnyZ]

No rebuttal to Romney's current social liberal stances, supporting embryonic stem cell research and gay rights?

I'm sure it's hard to disprove something that Mitt goes around proudly proclaiming all the time. But it would amuse me to see the depths of denial to which the Mitt-worshippers have sunk. :)

[redgirlinabluestate]

What choice do we have right now not to have our tax dollars used to pay for the health care costs of those who are uninsured and receive their medical care for free? We already have a pseudo-socialized system.

I'd rather more people take responsibility for their own helath care costs instead of leaving us holding the bill.

You either buy insurance, set up health savings accounts, or show you are able to pay for your own medical care. It's about personal responsibility.

[redgirlinabluestate]

The current health care system is broken. A majority of American citizens are asking for reform. Romney is the only one who has offered a viable alternative to the slippery-slope we are on sliding towards Hillarycare.

Romney's plan is highlighted below. It is not identical to the plan in Massachusetts. It is better. His original plan in Massachusetts was altered with changes that resulted in 8 overridden vetoes by the 85% liberal legislature.

Health Savings Accounts are part of his plan. Here's a more viewable version of the plan in a power point format:

The Romney Vision: Health Care Reform Goals

• First, Instituting Reforms That Make Private Health Insurance Affordable. More Americans need access to quality, private health insurance.

• Second, Providing Access To Quality Health Insurance For Every American.

• Third, Enhancing The Portability Of Private Health Insurance.

• Finally, Slowing The Rate Of Inflation In Health Care Spending.

Linking Goals With Action Steps:
The Federalist Approach -- Governor Romney's Approach To Health Care Reform Is One That Values The States As Laboratories Of Innovation And Beacons Of Creativity.

The Romney Plan: Six Action Steps

• Step 1: Establish Federal Incentives To Deregulate And Reform State Health Insurance Markets So Market Forces Can Work.

• Step 2: Redirect Federal Spending On "Free Care" To Help The Low-Income Uninsured Purchase Private Insurance.

• Step 3: Institute Health Savings Account (HSA) Enhancements And The Full Deductibility Of Qualified Medical Expenses.

• Step 4: Promote Innovation In Medicaid.

• Step 5: Implement Medical Liability Reform.

• Step 6: Bring Market Dynamics And Modern Technology To Health Care.

Specifics about Romney Plan

[Uncle Miltie]

Still waiting for an answer to the following:

Does Romneycare require healthy young people or wealthy old people who previously chose to self-insure to acquire insurance?

Please advise if these people can still have free choice.

If not, that’s socialism.

[redgirlinabluestate]

Again, as the prior post stated, you either buy insurance, set up health savings accounts, or show you are able to pay for your own medical care. Self-insuring is part of the plan.

[Uncle Miltie]

So the healthy young person who logically shouldn’t buy health insurance (because their opportunity cost for their cash is high, and their likelihood of getting sick is low) cannot opt out.

I understand.

“Government is Force.”

[redgirlinabluestate]

If self-insurance is not an option, there are catastrophic care only policies with very low and affordable premiums with comparable costs to cable TV fees and iPod music downloads fees that healthy young people seem to be able to afford.

Priorities.

If that healthy young person gets in a horrrible accident and requires 24/7 care, why should I have to pay for it? I have my own healthy young people to worry about. I don't need to worry about other "healthy young people."

Government should not force me to pay for someone else's faillure to plan ahead or irresponsibility.

The young healthy person has the last clear chance to avoid being a burden on me and other taxpayers.

It's not rocket science. Accidents happen. Be prepared.

[redgirlinabluestate]

Romney opposes federal funding for all embryonic stem cell research that involves ending a human life. That's the bottom line as it relates to us.

What Romney actually thinks about embryonic stem-cell research.

_______________________________

There's also this on Ann Romney:

In a 2/14/07 appearance on ABC "Good Morning America", Ann Romney talks about her personal struggle with multiple sclerosis and offers her perspective on embryonic stem cell research with a powerful, inspiring message opposing medical experimentation that could conceivably relieve her own suffering. Read a thought-provoking commentary by Alliance Defense Fund attorney David French on Ann Romney's strength of character in opposing embryonic stem cell research as seen in the ABC "Good Morning America" segment.
Ann Romney on Stem Cell Research

_________________________________

There's also this:

Kennedy rips Romney over stem cells as Governor eyes an alternate plan

By Rick Klein and Gareth Cook, Globe Staff | February 16, 2005

WASHINGTON -- Senator Edward M. Kennedy yesterday blasted Governor Mitt Romney's proposal to ban the cloning of embryos for stem cell research, saying the governor's approach would rob Massachusetts of the benefits of one of the most promising areas of scientific research.......
Kennedy rips Romney over stem cell policy

[Spiff]

I'm sure it's hard to disprove something that Mitt goes around proudly proclaiming all the time.

Mitt Romney does not "proudly proclaim" things that are socially liberal "all the time". He speaks as a social conservative and his record isn't far behind what he is currently saying. Some premiere social conservatives have endorsed or expressed their support for Mitt Romney. Ann Coulter likes him and has expressed support. Jay Sekulow founded Evangelicals for Mitt to support him. Even James Dobson likes him and may support him. He's not the liberal that some would pretend he is.

But it would amuse me to see the depths of denial to which the Mitt-worshippers have sunk.

There you go again with the juvenile "Mitt-worshipper" stuff. Can you discuss this rationally and without the sophomoric pejoratives?

[princess leah]

I did not know that New Hampshire had 2 republican senators - an island of republicans surrounded by the Northeast Liberals! Why didn’t Thompson show up for the debate? Seems like he blew an opportunity that was rather important to establish himself amongst the others. I can’t say that I’m very impressed with his management of his campaign and if he’s doing a poor job with that, how the heck does he think he’ll manage the country?

[Spiff]

So the healthy young person who logically shouldn’t buy health insurance (because their opportunity cost for their cash is high, and their likelihood of getting sick is low) cannot opt out.

Health insurance doesn't just cover "getting sick". And young people get sick too. The problem with being uninsured is that if you get injured or sick and you refused to get health insurance, then you become a burden on the state. The idea is to reduce that burden.

[Uncle Miltie]

"The problem with being uninsured is that if you get injured or sick and you refused to get health insurance, then you become a burden on the state."

Not true.

A young person can rely on Dad, Loans, Churches, selling the car, etc.

And why should an older wealthy person have to show proof of self-insurability to anyone? Whose business is it that proof of my financial health is a required to avoid a government mandate?

Y'all just slid partway down the slippery slope. I'd rather stay off of it.