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No kidding. Forget all of his other issues, look at how frail he looks next to someone who is no spring chicken either:
Posted on 01/27/2008 7:52:45 AM PST by jdm
Over a year ago and many times since, I wrote that I could give no endorsement, because I had honestly not made up my mind about which candidate to support. I also told the CapQ community that if I did make a decision, I would announce it as soon as I made it so that they knew where I stood. The deadline for that decision rapidly approaches, since Minnesota caucuses on February 5th, and I have decided to caucus for Mitt Romney.
This decision did not come easily. Some have complained about the choices available to the Republicans, but I have seen the field as a collection of highly accomplished, experienced candidates, almost all of whom I could support -- enthusiastically -- in a general election. That made the decision as hard as it was, and it forced me to analyze what I want to see in a nominee.
First, I want to have someone who supports conservative values. In this, we have no perfect candidates. Fred Thompson came closest, but he quit, and I'm not going to cast my vote for someone who has already dropped out. Romney, Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, and John McCain all have some claim to a portion of the conservative mandate based on their accomplishments. Of the four, I trust Romney and Giuliani most to continue supporting conservative principles in the face of opposition -- and in fact I'd probably trust Giuliani a little more.
Second, and very importantly, the Republican should have demonstrated success in executive management in both private and public sectors. This eliminates everyone except Romney and Rudy. John McCain wants to make the case that his experience as squadron leader qualifies, and it does demonstrate leadership, but not executive experience. Both Rudy and Romney have led entire organizations in both the public and private sectors, with Romney getting the best in this area. They have had the buck stop at their desk. Both Rudy and Romney have transformed failing entities (New York City and the Salt Lake City Olympics). McCain led 400 men, but he answered to commanders above him at several levels while doing so, and I have yet to see an argument for transformation under McCain's leadership.
Why is this important? The Democrats have no one who can match that experience. Putting McCain or especially Fred Thompson against the Democratic nominee, whether that is Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton, effectively cedes the inexperience argument. It argues that Republicans consider resumes to be irrelevant, and that will have us fighting with one hand tied behind our backs.
Third, we face a tough election if the economy turns south, even mildly. We saw this in 1992 and lost when Bill Clinton successfully convinced people that he had the best ideas for a turnaround. We have one candidate who has undeniable success in the global markets, who understands them and the players that run them. Romney gives us an advantage as the nominee that none of the others can match in this regard.
Over the last two weeks, my focus has come down to Rudy and Romney. Both would make good Presidents. Mitt, however, has shown that he will fight in every state, while Rudy played a bit of rope-a-dope -- and has apparently lost the gamble. Until the debate, I thought Rudy might have had the right idea, but Rudy still hasn't come out of the gate in any effective manner.
Romney is not a perfect candidate. We don't have any perfect candidates. In fact, I could still support Rudy, McCain, or Mike Huckabee without reservation in a general election against either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton. I think, though, that Romney has the most staying power, the better argument, and the best resume of the remaining Republican candidates. I will enthusiastically caucus for Mitt Romney on February 5th.
Addendum: I have thoroughly enjoyed interviewing the candidates in this race, and I believe I have given all of them a fair shake. Part of that "fair shake" includes being honest about my decision. It also means giving you a fair shake as well.
Yesterday's interview with Mitt Romney helped me firm up my choice. Be sure to listen to it on tomorrow's Heading Right Radio show at 3 pm ET.
Woo hoo! Another endorsement for Mitt Romney!
Look at these bozos running... they all look like crap...
Not one of them looks good except Romney. None of these bozos have ever done anything that wasn’t connected with some sort of government excess.
Romney doesn’t NEED the job, he can do just fine on his own in the private sector. The rest would be groveling for chump change if it wasn’t for some type of government work or insider contacts with a state enterprise.
I have seen lots of convoluted, meandering definitions of “conservatism,” but when the rubber hits the road, who would be left standing with no worries in THE PRIVATE SECTOR based solely on their own merit???
Romney is the only one of them...
The last thing the Democrats want is a tall, vibrant, healthy man like Mitt Romney standing next to their short, fat old hag during the national debates.
I was torn between McCain & Romney, stupidly believing that McCain had “seen the light” on the illegal immigration problem.
Then I saw the picture of Juan Hernandez, who is a Mexican citizen in addition to being an American citizen, at McCains daughter’s election headquarters for her father.
Seems to me somebody should be asking Senator McCain to ask Mr. Hernandez to renounce one of his citizenships or get the heck out of the campaign.
I will only vote for Romney now.
Might as well use a dartboard and blindfold to pick.
MYTH will be destroyed by the left if he gets the nomination.
They want to run against WILLARD for sure
White males in the South will not come out for WILLARD.
I think the Captain has been a bit kind to some of them, perhaps all of them, even.
But overall, I agree with the assessment.
Giuliani could have been a good candidate on many levels, but his basic fear of the GOP electorate gave him cold feet and he was more concerned with not losing than with winning.
Giuliani hasn’t worn well, either, and he actually diminished his record by cautiously clinging to his three-legged platform of 9/11, New York City, and Ronald Reagan.
Giuliani eventually even lost the Fox News vote to John McCain, who now keeps telling us in sing-song tones that Florida Governor Crist endorsed McCain (so we better fall in line) every 15 minutes.
They’re also pushing McCain’s lies about Romney’s record unchallenged, when even the AP called BS.
*sigh*
This is exactly the reason I have decided to vote for Romney.
No, they’ll vote for Obama
And his plastic demeanor will be a negative in states like CA as well.
Romney is an empty suit. The media will crumble him should he get the nomination.
Quite possibly, but MYTH will get killed worse.
Larry the Cable Guy and NASCAR fans will not vote for WILLARD.
Mitt had a little more personal wealth to throw at "every state".
I respect Ed’s opinion and agree with him. McCain is the democrats favorite Republican. What does that tell you? Rudy is a complete enigma to me for taking the campaign advice that he did and the word on Fred was out from the start that he would fail early. Huck is a nut, not a Republican. Romney will be a good choice.
"They want to run against WILLARD for sure"
Wrong!
"White males in the South will not come out for WILLARD."
Right!
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No kidding. Forget all of his other issues, look at how frail he looks next to someone who is no spring chicken either:
They may not come out to vote for Romney, but they sure as hell will come out en force to vote against Hillary.
I wall pulling for Duncan Hunter and Fred Thompson, but in my heart I knew neither of them were going to make it.
I am disappointed that Duncan Hunter endorsed Huckabee. Now, this is just my opinion, but I feel deep in my heart, America is not going elect a guy named Huckabee. Just a gut opinion, the same way I knew in my heart there was going to be no President Hunter and no President Thompson.
I will have to throw my support behind Romney as well. I have said in the past, it is my opinion that he isn’t an evil slickmeister the way he is being painted by some.
I know that isn’t going to change any minds, but it is the way I feel. Just an opinion...
They don't get much phonier than Governor Suntan (except for MYTH).
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