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.

[American Constitutionalist]

Dittos..... you feel as many of us feel..

Hopefully on Jan 2013 we can say what Ronald Reagan said.. it's a new day in America.

[potlatch]

Thanks 2ndDV. I think we always knew Romney loved family and country and that counts for a lot, then he completely thrilled us in his debate. Best Presidential debater in 40yrs some have said.

Sadly, I still am unsure if we can post pro Romney graphics....and it’s just a few weeks before it’s a choice between him or the Obamination.

[American Constitutionalist]

He's a DIY type of guy.
I read a article about him moving from his house and he loaded the truck himself, went to Home Depot and bought lumber to build ( yup, I built that myself ) crating to move his furniture.

[American Constitutionalist]

If Romney turns out to be a decent President and turns out alright... I do now apologize for all the bad and nasty things I have said about him.... I was wrong.. I am sorry.

I am a cross over voter....

Anything is better than BOZO !

[fabian]

Sounds good to me...

[American Constitutionalist]

No matter if it’s Mitt Romney or any other President with any other name, the next president will be faced with such a huge task unlike anyone has ever seen since George Washington faced the task of keeping the Revolutionary War and Cause together.

[houeto]

Thanks for the ping Laz. Good job.

[America_Right]

He’ll probably be somewhere between Bush 41/43 and Reagan.

Yup. Great quickie analysis. I am starting to think that MAYBE he is closer on that sliding scale to Reagan than Bush (either one). Possibly a lot closer to Reagan...

[cynwoody]

It's worth gambling on.

Not that you have a realistic choice.

But I pretty much agree with your post.

Quoth supply sider Larry Kudlow last March, "One can seriously ask whether Romney isn’t the most conservative presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan."

[cynwoody]

No, the critical takeaway from this debate, for me, was the not-insignificant mention of the 10th Amendment!

That actually undermines your argument. Romney cites the 10th to differentiate RomneyCare from ObamaCare. E.g., states can mandate the individual, the federal government cannot. Hence, no need for him to abjure RomneyCare. I heard him advance that argument multiply before the primaries, when asked if he stood behind his Massachusetts opus. I figured it precluded his nomination. I was wrong. And, indeed, the argument got shot down (but only after he'd sewed up the nomination): the mandate is a tax, not a penalty (or whatever Chief Justice John Roberts's drivel stated). But he's the nominee.

So, in any case, the above is historical trivia! Obama must be ousted!! Romey/Ryan must be supported enthusiastically and without reservation!

[wastedyears]

Romney destroyed Obama pretty bad in the first debate.

I hope he brings his A-game to the second and third ones to destroy him twice more.

[1035rep]

Good job, Laz.

[Kitty Mittens]

Thank you for the Ping!

[houeto]

Once 2016 rolls around the Judiciary will be so packed with Obamabots anything Conservatives DID manage to legislate would simply be undone by Judicial Fiat.

If Obama is reelected there will be nothing left to win.

Over the course of the years I have disagreed with many of your posts. Many I have agreed with, many I have not. It makes no difference. You are who you are and I am who I am.

Nevertheless, your simple statement is as profound and as accurate as any that I have read in all my years here.

FReegards, -Elliott.

[houeto]

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

Durn AMPU...you know how them mormons are! They'll say ANYTHING!

[Lazamataz]

I love your screen name.

[Lancey Howard]

[ConservativeChris]

I tend bar a couple of days a week, and I’m ABSOLUT-ly sure that is a bottle of water in front of them.

[Redcloak]

It was that “shout-out” to the 10th Amendment that also grabbed my attention. I don’t think that I’ve ever heard a presidential candidate talk about that forgotten bit of the Bill of rights.

[Kitty Mittens]

Thank you, Lazamataz!
I Enjoyed Reading your Article; you Made Many Good Points.