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]

" 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. "

It's confirmed then, that proves it, one of them is a Alaskan KingCrab Boat Captain.. no doubt about it.

[beachn4fun]

In Massachussettes, Romney had to play ball with liberals to get anything done at all.

Here in lies the problem for me. This is the same old "good boy" attitude that currently exists in our government. We need to break this "bad habit".
That's why I'm liking Ryan, he wants to. And he's been a thorn in the side of the democRats these last few years.

[Old Sarge]

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

See my tagline...

[aMorePerfectUnion]

True that

[Abathar]

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

skeeter, I'd break my arm voting for the name that a dart hit on a wind-blown phone book over Obama.

Heck, at least we would have a chance that person loves this country a little.

[WashingtonSource]

I love the pictorial comment! HIlarious.

[WashingtonSource]

I love the pictorial comment! HIlarious.

[Old Sarge]

I saw the demeanor of the 2 wives predebate. And I knew Romney was going to SMOKE o's butt.

I'll take June Cleaver over Angry Black Woman any day.

But we don't vote for wives.

[zeugma]

LOL. Great graphic to go along with the article. I would like to believe, but we’ve seen how badly CINO’s can screw us over as they play footsie with democrats and other socialists in order to appear “reasonable”.

[TXnMA]

"And those around here who feel their political sour grapes from the 2012 GOP Primaries are more important then [sic] the future of our country will have been the active allies of that destruction. "

And may well prove to be the agents of destruction of FR, itself.

Look around: many of the fine FRNames who made FR and its activism great and effective are no longer active on FR. And the likelihood of having enough donors to provide servers capable of dealing with election night looks pretty slim...

~~~~~~~~~~~

Laz, thanks for this ray of hope!

[Democrat_media]

Agree with your points. I saw many of the same things.

[thesearethetimes...]

“...what he is a pragmatic business man. We will have to work daily to keep his feet to the fire but he will listen to us. Obama will work tirelessly against us.”

Exactly, Houeto.

And many thanks for the hopeful vanity Laz.

May God keep watch.
Tatt

[kevkrom]

I still don’t like or trust Romney. As of this second, I can’t see myself voting for him (ok, technically, his slate of electors), but as I live in Maryland, my Presidential vote is rather an academic question anyway.

However, I have to say I have been impressed by his campaign so far, and I expect it will crescendo into the first week of November. If so, I may find myself changing my mind and casting a Romney vote, just to reward good behavior.

[kevkrom]

I still don’t like or trust Romney. As of this second, I can’t see myself voting for him (ok, technically, his slate of electors), but as I live in Maryland, my Presidential vote is rather an academic question anyway.

However, I have to say I have been impressed by his campaign so far, and I expect it will crescendo into the first week of November. If so, I may find myself changing my mind and casting a Romney vote, just to reward good behavior.

[going hot]

LOL.

Truly.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for sharing your insights, dear Laz!

[Lazamataz]

I still love you!

[Lazamataz]

Hey man, I got your back on that other thread against the troll, but this post tells me you are still wayyyyy out there.

[Lazamataz]

bttt, trying to see if I can get this buzzing again....

[bigheadfred]

But we don't vote for wives.

All I'm saying is Mrs. Romney looked like she was sitting in church. The wookie looked like she was sitting in a bar.