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.

[wastoute]

I know how you feel Laz. I am starting to at least entertain the notion.

[papertyger]

I too have decided to vote for Romney, rather than write-in Palin.

If for no other reason than I have seen absolutely no effective check on Obama’s excesses in the exercise of power. Not the Press. Not the Republicans. Not the Courts. Not the criminal justice infrastructure. Not the military infrastructure. Not tradition, culture, or past practice.

Romney is our best chance to get this guy out from behind the levers of power.

Frankly, if Hillary Clinton was Obama’s most credible opposition, I’d vote for her.

[jazusamo]

You make good points and I want to believe also.

As for Romney's alternative it's a disaster in the making should he be reelected, his comment in Russia clearly shows Obama’s intent.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Ping!!

[Lazamataz]

So who was it read the 10th? You had several members of the House running as candidates ~ did one of them do it? Can’t rule that out without knowing who did it. Bachmann could have read it, or Ron Paul even.

A) I am referring to mention, not an actual reading of the Amendment, and B) I am referring only to 'mainstream' (read: Democrat or Republican) Presidential candidates.

And on those conditions, you cannot help to be a little interested at Mitt's mention of that all-important Amendment.

[Lazamataz]

I take it you like this. :)

[John 3_19-21]

I dare not use the word hope.

It is after all, not a strategy

[aMorePerfectUnion]

He sure convinced me that he wants to be POTUS so much, he’ll say anything...

[TADSLOS]

Laz, I'm going in with my eyes wide open. Political leopards don't change their spots, they just fade in and out to match the environment they find themselves in. It's election season and political rhetoric rules the day, despite Romney's liberal record being well documented. The best this nation can expect from a Romney administration is a momentary step back from the abyss. Then there is either going to be a miracle take place that drives our national will back to liberty and responsibility under the Constitution or we will simply back up enough to get a running start for the final leap to destruction. Given a growing populace with the sentiment that the "government" should support them cradle to grave, I'm expecting the latter to happen, not the former. But I will pray for a miracle.

Glad you had a fun time at the shoot. It was entertaining to follow along in the ethersphere.

[muawiyah]

i know why mitt favors the 10th. we’ll discuss those in February.

[Osage Orange]

Have to see you shoot first.............

You may not be worth it...

[Lazamataz]

Your #5 - Jeff Head has been saying this for a long time. And he’s one of the three or four freepers I’d trust the most.

Agreed. Another man I view having extreme credibility is our own Travis McGee.

Ping to Trav. Read this editorial if you have the time. It is interesting to entertain the notion we may have stumbled onto a win.

[muir_redwoods]

I think Mr. Romney is going to surprise everyone and not just the democrats. It’s good to see people coming around

[2ndDivisionVet]

I'd vote for Hubert Humphrey if he was running against Barack Obama. Having said that, all the threads I've posted since Gov. Romney became the presumed nominee have made me much more optimistic than I was a year ago.

[Combat_Liberalism]

A vote for Johnson (that kook?) is a vote for Obama.

[Osage Orange]

The best this nation can expect from a Romney administration is a momentary step back from the abyss.

If that's the "best"....then we are doomed.

[JRandomFreeper]

Why in the wide, wide world of sports am I on your ping list?

/johnny

[Lazamataz]

I've long maintained here that Mitt might be one hell of a conservative (as most Mormons are)

That is an unsung indicator as well. I did not mention it -- on purpose -- because I hate stereotyping any religion (except Islam), and also because exceptions exist in any religion (except Islam).

[is_is]

all in here.....

[Lazamataz]

It would be disappointing if you are right. Still: The factors are there.