Locally, I've been stunned at the number of strong conservatives both fiscally and socially who like Romney, many of them members of conservative organizations that strongly support veterans. One of them told me just two days ago, how struck she was by the strong sentiment against the Mormon religion at play with regard to Romney, which she believes will ruin any future chances for a presidential bid. Yet, with his experience getting companies out of the red, as she saw it (and I agree) he would have been the perfect president for the time.
I was and am no supporter of Giuliani. Yet I know some strong conservatives who supported him for president, often because they believed he would have prosecuted the strongest war against terrorism. In my opinion it was that assessment which was incorrect. It didn't necessarily bear a reflection upon the strength of their conservatism.
There is a huge difference in the perception of Romney between his supporters and detractors. Thus, there are strong conservatives who support him and strong conservatives who don't. It is not the strength of a person's conservatism, but the disparity of perception, which is the primary factor which should be considered when attempting to assess support for or opposition to, Governor Romney.
Had we viewed/view him the way you did/do, we wouldn't have supported/support Governor Romney either. We believe the perception of his detractors is for the most part, incorrect.
There are some other interesting possibilities, for 2012. General Petraeus and Marco Rubio (provided he wins the FL Senate seat which I think he will) are two. Rubio is in a position similar to Obama's when he ran against Keyes. (It was then the possibility for an Obama presidency first came to my mind.) The same possibility comes to mind with Rubio. He is the Hispanic anti-Obama. : )
We know little about Petraeus stands on the issues, and it will be interesting to learn more. But if he proves to be a social and fiscal conservative, and runs for the presidency, he may prove to be a promising candidate.
And of course, it will also be interesting to see if Governor Palin decides to run also. It appears 2012 is going to bring the Republicans and the country, an excellent slate of candidates from which to choose. But most importantly in 2012, Obama and the Democrats must go home. If we work together as well as we did for Scott Brown this past month, they will.
Being President is a lot more than business sense.
He "saved" the olympics (which ended up in the red) but managed to get a lot of political capitol from the effort.
We believe the perception of his detractors is for the most part, incorrect.
Well, a lot was vetted and imo he fell way short.
A lot of strong conservatives agree with that.
I believe we need a strong military man on the ballot in 2012. I don't know who would fit that bill, but there are several that could pop out of the crowd.
Hopefully Romney sees how well he can work for others to get them elected, and does the same thing for the Conservative candidates in 2012
I think he will run himself though.
That would be a disaster imo.
Thanks for the post my friend.
Because it's so MANY?
Or so FEW??