[C19fan]

The only close call for an incumbent GOP president in a primary was Ford in 1976. I would call than an anomaly for the simple reason Ford was appointed to be POTUS. The author cites Bush the Elder but the only primary challenge he faced was Buchanan which was over after NH.

[Forward the Light Brigade]

Mitt will govern as a left of Center Republican—Bad yes, but a VAST improvement over the true leftist/Socialist we have now. One thing Mittens has is a healthy dose of Capitalism gained from years of work in the private sector—I say give him a chance.

[mrsmel]

No he’s not a conservative but he’s also not a racist (anti-white) thug so if he’s the nominee he’ll get my vote. At least Congress won’t have be wetting their panties in fear of being called “rayciss” (anti-white) for opposing anything he does. Obango can thank himself and “his people” in the nbpp for changing my mind after I swore I’d never vote for Rommey.

[cripplecreek]

Ay, caramba!.

[mkjessup]

The last President who was denied renomination for a second term was Chester A. Arthur in 1884.

Mitt-Witt will have all the power and resources of being the incumbent President (assuming he somehow pulls off a James Buster Douglas move and miraculously KO's 0bama), he isn't going to be challenged by ANY candidate because the GOP-e will be solidly behind their anointed RINO, so forget that pipe dream of a conservative contesting a hypothetical President Romney's nomination in 2016.

[cotton1706]

I doubt he will but for our sakes, I hope he will. If he replaces Ginsburg with a real conservative, that may be good enough for me. Still won’t vote for him (not that it’ll matter. I live in MA).

[ConservativeDude]

I think Buchanan exposed the fact that Bush was weak, thus re-enforcing the notion that Bush was very, very beatable...sort of a self-fulfilling prophecy.

But back to the main point. I think this article has some merit.

Clearly, Romney has no principles.

Therefore, it is just as wrong to say that he is a liberal as to say that he is a conservative.

He just wants to be President, and he will do whatever it takes to do that. He’ll do anything and say anything.

Ergo, it is likely that he will govern center-right (IF he wins...as of today, pretty clear that it is mathematically impossible....but that is only as of TODAY) to avoid the primary challenge. GWB certainly learned that from his dad.

(All that said, we are really speculatin’ here...cause I think it is at best a coin toss as to whether Romney can defeat obama...but I sure hope he can).

[FourPeas]

If Romney really is the political animal his detractors on the right suspect him to be, he’ll shape his presidency with a single goal: Winning a second term.

[pallis]

Mitt will be a disappointment, but we might be left with an America that still resembles the greatness of our history. With Obama, there will be nothing left to start over on, just rubble and radicals. It’s a difficult choice, try to salvage enough to rebuild America as it should be, or let the Marxists finish destroying it.

[Gator113]

Romney will not govern at all.... he will not win.

[ptsal]

The Mittster must be planning on a catch-up course over the summer..../sarcasm

[Gay State Conservative]

The fight within the Party *stops* when the nominee is determined.I'll vote for Romney even though he's not my first choice...or second choice.I will vote for the lesser of two evils.Hell,I voted for McLame.

THIS WILL BE A CLOSE ELECTION AND THE COUNTRY CANNOT AFFORD FOUR YEARS OF AN **UNACCOUNTABLE** MAOIST.

Look what such a Maoist has done to this country knowing that he had to face the voters...and fundraisers...one more time.

[Lucky9teen]

[Huebolt]

The true test will be his picks for administration positions.

He should campaign on saying who for FBI director, Attorney General, and Secretary of State.

If he chooses among Santorum, Gingrich, Herman Cain, Ron Paul, Bachman, Palin etc. he will be believable, at least.

[xzins]

If Romney really is the political animal his detractors on the right suspect him to be, he’ll shape his presidency with a single goal: Winning a second term

Right at the beginning this guy ignores the record. Mitt did the exact OPPOSITE in Massachusetts. He did a lousy job. He was so bad that he ran rather than face the music.

He has also said recently that a second term isn't necessarily in the cards for him.

[Tzimisce]

It doesn’t take much to be a “conservative” when you have far left wing radical libs like Obama, Reid and Pelosi running the show....

[Fiji Hill]

Mitt will be severely conservative, as he was in Massachusetts.

[ScottinVA]

“Like” a conservative... but not AS one.

[sportutegrl]

I am no Romney supporter and I am very disapointed to see Santorum leave. That said, I have seen a lot of popular conservatives back Romney: Coulter, Nikki Haley, Jindal, Christie, Rubio, Cantor, Issa, Paul Ryan, Mike Savage and others. Each time FReepers attack the endorser. Do the endorsers know something we FReepers don’t? Will Romney move to the Right after the election? Is it possible that Romney can be a stealth Conservative, secretly getting the independent vote? It’s all I got at this point.

[sickoflibs]

Romney is an outright liberal, but of the Republican brand:
He just doesnt want to pay higher taxes. He is like Bill O Reilly,

[DManA]

To politico if you’re not a communist you are a right winger.