Thanks for jarring my memory. He pandered Iowans with ethanol subsidies during this campaign, IIRC.
I had forgotten about Mitt and ethanol pandering.
But as to him in 08 versus today: in 08 he clearly was more conservative overall than McCain - and on all economic and regulatory issues clearly more than Huckabee. He was in the middle of the field for conservatism overall and the most conservative of the final 3.
This cycle he’s cynically moved to be the most moderate-liberal of the field with the possible exception of Huntsman on some issues. And clearly in tone with the exception of Huntsman. It is how he has positioned himself - moving left while the electorate and the over all field moves right ,that REALLY aggrevates me.