Curiouser And Curiouser: Romney Surprises Us.

Free Republic Original Content | October 11, 2012 | by Laz A. Mataz

[Lazamataz]

It was obvious to me, and to all ConservativeKind, that Romney was an East Coast RINO, the sort of politician who we detest almost more than an "honest" liberal Democrat.

We were off-put by his Massachussettes record, we were enraged at his selection, and we vowed to fight him right up to the very second he was named the Republican candidate.

Yet, a few things happened recently that call into question our assumption:

1. The Debate. Sure Romney shined. Yes, Obama sulked. The contrast in performance was wonderful to behold. But this is not enough for conservatives: A skilled RINO is as deadly to our cause as an incompetent Marxist. No, the critical takeaway from this debate, for me, was the not-insignificant mention of the 10th Amendment! Perhaps I am wrong about this, but in my adult lifetime, I do not believe I have ever heard any Democrat or Republican candidate mention this all-important limitation of the Federal Behemoth.
2. In the very same debate, Romney repeatedly observed that the private sector manages the economy much better than central planning at the Federal level. Any student of history surely recognises this, but Obama seems to be only a student of his own "magnificent self". This core belief tells me we are dealing with a Capitalist, and this checks off another box for those of us who value conservatism.
3. Again, at the debate: Romney, when finished, hugged his many children. This is small, but significant, since I observed Obama hug only his wife and his aides. Family values WIN.
4. An interview by the NRA of Romney shows a much different Romney than has been portrayed by our conservative brethren. Yes, of course, Romney will be a little more compliant to the views of the NRA when in front of them, yet his going on record will make it more difficult to flip flop -- and remember, a first term means he needs to live to his word to garner support for a second.
5. I have heard, from the rumor mill, that Romney's closest aides say he is much more conservative than his record in Massachussettes shows, and that he actually has to tamp his beliefs down a bit to connect with the fuzzy middle of America, the all-important Independent. Hearsay? Absolutely. Yet this is a tiny wisp of smoke that may indicate a hidden fire.

In Massachussettes, Romney had to play ball with liberals to get anything done at all. In his own words:

In Miami, Romney said he reached out to Democrats to make deals -- most notably, the state health care plan, which he did not explicitly mention during Wednesday’s event.

"My legislature was 85 percent Democrat," he said. "It did not take a rocket scientist to realize I had to work with people across the aisle. I didn’t attack the senate president, I didn’t attack the speaker of the house, I had to work with them. I hope we have a Republican House and a Republican Senate and I get elected as president. But I will not ignore people across the aisle."

Color me skeptical about working with the enemy should we capture the House and Senate, but okay. I can see this in a man of honor.

So: Could it be? Could our wildest fantasies be realized? Could we have accidentally stumbled into a candidate that we fought tooth-and-nail, who is actually a conservative, or close to one?

It's worth gambling on. I have changed my vote from third party to Mitt Romney.

[MHGinTN]

The candidates' opinion of the Constitution is striking, to be sure: little barry bastard faggot commie considers the Constitution a hindrance to what he wants for his Amerika, while Romney appears to hold the Constitution as the standard to which we ought focus.

Kudos on citing this not so nuanced difference in the two ...

[houeto]

That was Johnnie’s writing, not mine. Credit where credit is due.

[WomBom]

I met him in person twice and I like him.

At a min... He beats the day lights out of the alternative.

[Old Sarge]

Oh, that sounds like a PUN coming!

“So this wookie walks into a bar; the bartender says, ‘Your usual, Mrs. O?’”

[Lakeshark]

I happened to go see Breitbart two weeks before he died, it was while there was still a competitive primary, Newt was rising, and so was Santorum. He said something I wouldn't forget, being an anti-Mitt FR type. He said it to everyone, every kind of conservative was there, people for each one of the more than half dozen declared candidates were there, lots of good solid types to see him and Michelle Malkin.

He said: Work like Hell for the candidate you want, work your butt off, but in the end, if you do not coalesce around the winner, then you are culpable for all the evil that will be done by this most crass, most divisive, most destructive and most radical administration ever.

It took me a while to get over Mitt winning, but in the end Breibart's impassioned plea hit me. I became an ABO, plain and simple. It became a no brainer: a RINO squish that I didn't trust nor care for, versus one of the faces of evil in our time. Every single candidate I admired for one reason or another, those that I supported had come to this position: Palin, Cain, Newt, Perry, Santorum, Bachmann

I took a lot of flack during the time prior to Jim Rob coming to the same realization (about 6 weeks), people pinged him and moderators trying to ban me, I have been called a Mitt bot, a Mitt lover, and lots worse. Most days I would log on expecting to be zot meat.

Like you, I have to admit Romney has surprised me in lots of ways. He has not tacked to the middle, not hardly at all. He has defended free enterprise, liberty, religious freedom, family values, pro-life causes and a strong military. He is fighting an uphill battle against the MSM, not to mention some of the stalwart hold outs here on FR.

I have no illusions that Romney won't disappoint us if he wins; I can handle disappointment, just not the wholesale destruction of the Bambi administration. If he turns out better, I would be the first to cheer, but right now, there is a choice: One of two people will be elected, and Romney's not near as bad as the extremists paint him, and Bambi is far worse than anything I can imagine with a record to prove it.

Like I say: Welcome. Good post.

[Pagey]

read tonight bump

[bigheadfred]

...and she says not today...something to get that burned taste out...

...and she says yeah...old crow...

[El Gato]

Color me skeptical about working with the enemy should we capture the House and Senate, but okay.

If we capture the House AND Senate, there will be no need to do so. But in MA, he had Democrats in control of the Legislature.

[Peanut Gallery]

Hey Laz! I trust you are fully recovered from last weekend by now. Please add me to your ping list. I promise to be more *regular* in checking my pings.

[Alamo-Girl]

*Smooch* and {{{hug}}}

[Cringing Negativism Network]

I have mixed feelings, which I have compromised on:

Initially I strongly supported Sarah Palin.

When she bowed out, I was crushed, but then I threw my support to Mitt Romney.

Now I see a small possibility, the two of them could oppose each other in four years.

Let’s see how Mitt does.

[SCalGal]

Well, Buckeye looked on as I made a can dance from 10 to 25 yards, hitting 9 out of 10 shots with a Glock.

You hit it!

[PGalt]

Johnsoncare/Hillarycare/Romneycare/Obamacare/Totalitariancare...lack of choices...MANDATES...attack on freedom. What the government gives you on the one hand...it can take from you with the other hand.

Not 1 politician has slowed down this TOTALITARIAN leviathan.

A 10th amendment totalitarian is no different than a commerce clause collectivist.

It’s all TREASON to “free” people.

OMG (Obama Muat Go)

Delayed response, Laz. Thanks for the ping/post.

[publana]

Hear! Hear! I swore I would never pull the lever for Romney. Never. Ever. No way Jose.

He got the nomination and I was bitter. Then I watched the Obamanation at work to do his best to further the destruction of this country by executive fiat and realized I had no choice.

I cannot sit idly by and not do my part to get that rat bastid commie out of our Whitehouse. I find that crow actually tastes pretty good with a hunk of gruyere volcano bread washed down with a few dressed Dos Equis.

[REDWOOD99]

FWIW- I listened to the debate on the car radio. It started 1/2 way thru my 2hr commute home. I couldn’t handle more than 20mins. 2 guys arguing- not TALKING!

Politics......One guy wears a (D) and one wears a (R). The plane is breaking apart but we think what letter the pilot is wearing on his hat makes a difference.

Obama sucks.

Romney is no better. He’s just different.

Obama will “F*** this country UP!” - IF he gets another term.

Same with Romney, probably, if HE gets 2 terms.

I’m not voting FOR Romney. I’m voting against Obama. No way CA doesn’t go to Obama. My popular vote is of no consequence here. UNLESS..... I can cast my vote as a protest that will get noticed and that MIGHT make an impact on Romney- IF he gets elected.

Would voting FOR Romney do that?
Nope.

Only one way to do that- vote 3rd party. In my case, the Libertarians are the CLOSEST to what I believe. Not the same, but close.

If Obama wins, it doesn’t matter. But, if Romney wins, MAYBE, just maybe, he’ll notice that me and a bunch of others would rather cast our meaningless vote for ALMOST anyone other than HIM. And that we will , again, when HIS re-election comes around.

We are NOT well-served by these 2 parties.

Time to serve them notice.

[xzins]

He said: Work like Hell for the candidate you want, work your butt off, but in the end, if you do not coalesce around the winner, then you are culpable for all the evil that will be done by this most crass, most divisive, most destructive and most radical administration ever.

I have no reason to change my view on Romney until I've seen him live up to his word. It's possible in a 2nd term he might get my vote provided he actually is pro-life, doesn't advance a homosexualist agenda, and does not come up with bi-partisan gun control legislation.

Until then: Jehoshaphat's alliances. 2 Chronicles 17 to 20

On the other hand, except on those occasions when Romney strays into his liberalism, I will spend my time attacking Obama. The greater enemy of my lesser enemy is still my greater enemy.

[bert]

Perhaps you should read something more current than Chronicles and develop a truer feel for the present

[xzins]

Why?

It’s not as if I’m not an avid, long-time reader and conservative supporter on Free Republic for these past 14 years who reads countless articles, books, etc., almost continually.

[Lakeshark]

Here's the problem: Even in those areas you claim are most important, abortion and gays, the current administration is totally trustworthy to be the most extreme group ever for the things you say you hate. They have a record, proof that they hate and want to change everything you say you love. Mitt isn't a true conservative, but he's nowhere near that.

Breitbart was right. If you allow this man and his minions to stay you will be culpable for everything they do.

Sorry, you should rethink before you make a horrendous mistake.

[bigheadfred]

Perhaps you should read something more current than Chronicles and develop a truer feel for the present

That is one sad statement.