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Philip Klein: Romney and the Right
National Review Online ^ | May 22, 2012 | Philip Klein

Posted on 05/22/2012 2:54:18 PM PDT by neverdem

This November, millions of conservatives will find themselves in the familiar position of holding their noses to vote for a problematic Republican presidential candidate, because the alternative is far worse.

Although conservatives don’t exactly have fond memories of the candidacies of Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole in 1996 and Senator John McCain in 2008, the almost certain nomination of former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has its own sting.

In 2010, tea-party energy swept a new generation of conviction conservatives into statehouses, governors’ mansions, and the U.S. Congress. Many on the right held out hope that the big payoff would be putting a principled conservative in the White House.

Instead, at a pivotal juncture in American history, the best hope for replacing President Obama now rests with a man who claims to be “severely conservative” with the same degree of conviction he once conveyed when claiming to be “progressive.”

In a new e-book, Conservative Survival in the Romney Era, I try to reconcile two competing responses on the right — disillusionment on the one end and a desire to reflexively fall in line behind Romney on the other.

Clearly, sitting out the election isn’t an option for conservatives, given the need to defeat Obama. On the other hand, refraining from criticizing Romney now that he’s the presumptive nominee would lead us down a treacherous path.

In 2000, the short-term desire to defeat Al Gore made conservatives overlook the dangers inherent in George W. Bush’s big-government “compassionate conservatism.” Then, as conservatives expended energy defending Bush from liberal attacks during his presidency, the Republican-controlled Congress tossed aside limited-government principles, and spending soared. It rose from $1.86 trillion in 2001 to $2.98 trillion in 2008, according to the Congressional Budget Office, an increase of 60 percent. Not only did Bush fail to reform entitlements, he actually expanded them — in the form of the Medicare prescription-drug law — by more than any other president since Lyndon B. Johnson.

As the United States hurtles toward a fiscal crisis fueled by runaway spending and an unsustainable welfare state, the nation cannot afford a repeat of this pattern under a Romney presidency. That’s why it is important for conservatives to make it clear early that they will have no qualms about criticizing Romney if he doesn’t run and govern as a conservative, although they will gladly give him their support when he earns it.

Clearly, a lot of conservatives are skeptical that the formerly pro-choice, pro–gun control, pro-mandate governor is genuinely committed to conservatism. But instead of rehashing the primary campaign, conservatives should look at productive ways they can keep pressure on Romney to make sure he adheres to a limited-government agenda on key issues such as tax reform, entitlements, and health care.

Ironically, one of the most frustrating aspects of Romney’s character — a calculating political nature that has enabled him to effortlessly reverse prior statements and positions — could prove essential to conservative efforts to pressure him into doing the right thing.

Critics of Romney who argue that he’s really a liberal and boosters who claim that he’s a true conservative both err by attempting to understand Romney through an ideological prism. In reality, he’s a businessman who wants to apply his well-honed management skills to the public sector. If one is to be successful in the business world, the important thing is to satisfy customers and maximize profits.

If Romney is convinced that conservatives will enthusiastically support him no matter what, then he’ll make the calculation that he has room to migrate left during the general-election campaign and throughout a potential presidency. But if he feels uneasy about his support among conservatives, he’s much more likely to run and govern from the right.

Rather than resting on their 2010 laurels, conservatives should work hard this year to put as many principled lawmakers as possible into Congress — people who won’t merely talk tough about shrinking government when a Democrat is in the White House, but who will be willing to resist calls for party unity and stand up to a Republican president if he tries to expand government.

Supporting Romney as the only alternative to Obama doesn’t mean that conservatives have to spend the summer and fall defending Romneycare to their friends or making excuses about his history of flipflops to their neighbors. By staying true to their principles, conservatives will not only feel better about themselves, but they’ll also improve the odds that Romney will run as a conservative in 2012 and govern as one if elected.

— Philip Klein is senior editorial writer at the Washington Examiner and author of the new e-book Conservative Survival in the Romney Era.



TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2012election; election2012; kenyanbornmuzzie; mittromney; romney
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To: CharacterCounts

You’ve got a great plan!


21 posted on 05/22/2012 4:17:36 PM PDT by rogue yam
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To: greene66

You’ve got a great plan!


22 posted on 05/22/2012 4:18:31 PM PDT by rogue yam
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To: Uncle Miltie

You’ve got a great plan!


23 posted on 05/22/2012 4:19:30 PM PDT by rogue yam
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To: rogue yam
Romney gets along by going along. It is up to us to make sure that it is conservatism with which he finds himself going along.

Many RINOs base their political identity on their ability to "work with" Democrats, and will fight tooth and nail against anything which would undermine that. I disliked Romney less than McCain in 2008, but since then he's shown himself to be more and more of a leftist at heart.

If a conservative were to be elected President in 2012, such a person might be able to turn the government around without a major crisis of legitimacy happening first. If that isn't going to happen, it would be better to have a President whose actions can be seen by many as being those of an illegitimate tyrant, than one whose actions, while somewhat less tyrannical, are more widely perceived as legitimate. In that regard, another Kagan on the court would be far less dangerous than another Souter. If states have to stand up and openly denounce Supreme Court decisions which directly contradict the plain language of the Constitution, it would be better for them to denounce decisions which are written by openly partisan Democrats than ones written by pseudo-Republicans like Souter.

24 posted on 05/22/2012 4:46:34 PM PDT by supercat (Renounce Covetousness.)
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To: neverdem
That’s why it is important for conservatives to make it clear early that they will have no qualms about criticizing Romney if he doesn’t run and govern as a conservative.

Perhaps conservatives could write Mutt a strongly worded letter or something.

Sigh.

25 posted on 05/22/2012 4:50:46 PM PDT by Colonel_Flagg (Obama vs. Romney: Zero x Zero = Zero.)
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To: Louis Foxwell

President Obama is an anti-Christ.


26 posted on 05/22/2012 6:41:44 PM PDT by a fool in paradise (Barack Obama has cut and run from what he called "the right war".)
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To: a fool in paradise

so is Romney..... we have a choice of two loosers or neither. Both will take the country the wrong direction.


27 posted on 05/22/2012 6:51:11 PM PDT by caww
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To: caww

One will defuse our nuclear arsenal, end our ability to obtain oil, and support Islamist dictatorships abroad, while looting the national economy to fund the Marxist sons of ACORN.


28 posted on 05/22/2012 6:55:01 PM PDT by a fool in paradise (Barack Obama has cut and run from what he called "the right war".)
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To: caww

One will defuse our nuclear arsenal, end our ability to obtain oil, and support Islamist dictatorships abroad, while looting the national economy to fund the Marxist sons of ACORN.


29 posted on 05/22/2012 6:55:06 PM PDT by a fool in paradise (Barack Obama has cut and run from what he called "the right war".)
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To: neverdem

Klein has the right take on how to play Romney - support him but keep agitating for an implementation of solid conservative principles.


30 posted on 05/22/2012 7:16:00 PM PDT by citizen (Obama blames:Arab Spring,Banks,Big Oil,Bush,Ceos,Coal,Euro Zone,FNC,Jpn Tsunami,T Party,Wall St,You)
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To: a fool in paradise
I don’t see it as voting for a Republican. I see it as voting for the lesser of two Democrats. And the Democrats saddled us with McCain in 2008 as well.

And Dole in 1996. After a year and a half of an endless press campaign of vilification of congressional Republicans, Jonathan Alter, in August 1995, told any Republican who'd listen, via his Newsweek column, that the GOP had lost "relevance" and "respect" because of the "extreme" conservatism of Congress. (Which was his way of drawing GOPers' attention to the fact that Media could go on hurting them as long as Media liked, as long as the GOP continued to write conservative legislation, such as welfare reform.)

It was time, Alter lied, for the Big Dog Republicans, keepers of their party's reputation, to Act. To rebuild the Party's good name. To reclaim Republican gravitas, by nominating a man of gravitas. A man like Bob Dole.

It was all lies. Clinton and Dick Morris had already focus-grouped and forum-tested all the potential Republican challengers, and their field testing showed that Bob Dole was the best matchup -- the weakest GOP candidate, the man who offered Clinton his most complimentary antagonist, who practically guaranteed Clinton's then-doubtful (even with his pockets bulging with Chinese intelligence-service reptile money) re-election. And Alter had to know about it.

Alter lied. He always lies. The Media people always lie.

Just keep that in mind. Anything they tell you, is calculated to manipulate you to hurt yourself, your family, and your country.

The GOP RiNO's did what Alter told them to. They nominated Dole, and Dole lost in a humiliating defeat that opened the door for Monica, and impeachment.

Alter's been laughing all the way to the men's room ever since.

31 posted on 05/22/2012 8:30:44 PM PDT by lentulusgracchus
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To: rogue yam
Once is enough, thanks. We got it.
32 posted on 05/22/2012 8:32:25 PM PDT by lentulusgracchus
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To: donna
The author should spend his time and effort to endeavor to dump Mitt and get a small-gvernment traditional values candidate.

Bump. Open convention! Turn the delegates loose!

33 posted on 05/22/2012 8:34:22 PM PDT by lentulusgracchus
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To: neverdem

So Phil Klein has been reading the more thoughtful FR posts on the matter and he’s written a book consolidating them. What does he say that hasn’t been said here?


34 posted on 05/23/2012 1:33:08 AM PDT by 1010RD (First, Do No Harm)
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To: a fool in paradise

He’s already doing that.


35 posted on 05/23/2012 5:30:08 AM PDT by caww
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To: citizen

Some here want to claim that O is an anti-Christ. He is, more precisely, demonic. Our very own Mormon candidate is, on the other hand, a Judas, willing to change allegiances when it serves his political needs. They are 2 sides of the same coin, neither trustworthy, neither committed to serve the Lord.
On balance I would prefer a demonic enemy in the White House to a quisling Judas. If we are to save our nation from the brink of destruction it will be by the clarity of our mission. We can, if we have the will, destroy Obama’s presidency and with it the liberal movement.
Romney offers us no such target. He is chimeratic, an angel of light suffering the necessity of corruption for the glory of his eternal soul. He will sow confusion where crystal clear vision is needed.


36 posted on 05/23/2012 8:48:22 AM PDT by Louis Foxwell (The day liberals grow up is the day tyranny ends.)
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To: a fool in paradise
I will not vote for romney....nor Obama....you can put out there all the boogie man threats of what you fear.. but I will not vote for Romney.....fools have taken the bait now and there's nothing to stop the trajectory either of these men will do now to this country. You and others are being deceived... and the thing about deception is those who are never can see it.
37 posted on 05/23/2012 10:19:55 AM PDT by caww
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To: fieldmarshaldj

It’s difficult for those who are supporting Romney to see what they don’t want to...they are sooo focused on what they fear from Obama they cannot see what Romney really will do and bring onto this nation.

I will oppose them both....neither reflects what the USA is about and never will.


38 posted on 05/23/2012 10:23:22 AM PDT by caww
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To: Louis Foxwell
They are 2 sides of the same coin, neither trustworthy, neither committed to serve the Lord........ On balance I would prefer a demonic enemy in the White House to a quisling Judas. If we are to save our nation from the brink of destruction it will be by 'the clarity of our mission'. We can, if we have the will, destroy Obama’s presidency and with it the liberal movement.......Romney offers us no such target.... He is chimeratic, an angel of light suffering the necessity of corruption for the glory of his eternal soul. He will sow confusion where crystal clear vision is needed.

Thank you for this post...I agree. Though we attempted to keep Romney from the lead, here we are with two diabolical people to choose from. I will vote for neither....and I am comfortable with this decision.

39 posted on 05/23/2012 10:28:14 AM PDT by caww
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To: fieldmarshaldj

It’s difficult for those who are supporting Romney to see what they don’t want to...they are sooo focused on what they fear from Obama they cannot see what Romney really will do and bring onto this nation.

I will oppose them both....neither reflects what the USA is about and never will.


40 posted on 05/23/2012 10:29:53 AM PDT by caww
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