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.

[Lazamataz]

[skeeter]

I'll break my arm pulling the lever for Romney, fully expecting he'll disappoint me at some point. I despise Obama that much.

If he turns out to be more conservative than I expected it will be a pleasant surprise.

[Lazamataz]

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Yes, I know I misspelled "Massachusetts". Two things work in my defense: 1) The spell check and grammar website 'spellcheckplus' did not flag the error. I noted that and made a mental note to correct it. FAIL.

2) The state is too liberal to deserve correct spelling. :P

[wolfpat]

Yeah, my ears perked up when he mentioned the 10th Amendment too. I have been reevaluating my position that I would probably vote for Johnson.

[Lazamataz]

A ping shout-out to all of you who I met at the shoot who are not on my ping list. If you like my work, please indicate you wish to be on the ping list, and your wish will be my command

[muawiyah]

I'm convinced of only one thing at the moment ~ he'll probably beat Obamugabe but that shouldn't rule out preparing to start an impeachment by third Monday in January.

[Lazamataz]

I have to tell you, the rest of the factors would have gone unnoticed, had he not mentioned the 10th Amendment. That one mention turned the tide for me on Romney. He might be alright.

[TrueFact]

I think you might owe me an apology.

[knews_hound]

People around here get banned for heresy like this.

I have stopped posting on political threads because of it.

Good luck,

knewshound

[Lazamataz]

The 10th Amendment mention, heretofore never seen in my adult lifetime by any ‘mainstream’ candidate, didn’t do a thing for you?

[Darren McCarty]

My tagline gives my reason.

I'm not a Mitt fan. I voted Santorum. However, I know for a fact that Mitt would fire 99%, if not 100% of Obama's cabinet and czars. He'd also have a chance at appointing decent Justices to SCOTUS. At worst, it won't be Holder as AG and Kagan on the Supreme Court.

[proud2beconservativeinNJ]

Hi Laz. Do you expect any surprises from Ryan?

[cripplecreek]

Just don’t back down from him. Vote for him if you must but be unafaid to speak up when he does wrong.

[The Duke]

I'm thinking that, regardless of is degree of conservatism, Romney may just be the most *honest* politician of my lifetime.

There's someting to be said for that.

It certainly beats that n're-do-well that we have in the White House today.

[Cyber Liberty]

[Lazamataz]

People around here get banned for heresy like this. I have stopped posting on political threads because of it. Good luck

Those days have passed. Romney is the candidate. Like I noted, we fought Romney tooth and nail. This site was no exception. JimRob has indicated that it is time to stop fighting Romney.

But this article is more than simple compliance: It is how I feel. Something happened during the debate that blew me away: The mention of the 10th Amendment, and to a much lesser degree, Romney mentioning the Constitution in the background of their stage. Pretty amazing stuff for a purported 'liberal', no?

[muawiyah]

I believe we saw the Constitution read outloud in the House by Representatives. Somebody had to do the 10th didn't he or she?

I watched that ~ you didn't do that.

[onona]

IBTLAHGP

In before the Laz and Humble Gunner Pic !

[no-to-illegals]

Have crossed over Laz. Once the picture appeared, it hit me, you are an alien! Thank You, Mr. Alien.

[Lazamataz]

I think you might owe me an apology.

I must, regrettably, decline to apologize, sir. I fought valiently and honestly against Romney with the facts at my disposal.

New facts have been introduced. I will not apologize for changing my mind based on new facts; I will not apologize for a political fight waged before I had those new facts.