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.

[Lazamataz]

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

Or -- and just as likely -- he governs a group of people as they wish to be governed. Liberally in Massachusetts, more moderately, or even conservatively, in America as a nation.

I make no real prediction. In the spirit of what Fox News once was, I report, you decide.

[wolfpat]

I’m SO tired of the idiocy that “a vote for” (insert name here)” is a vote for Obama.”

It wouldn’t be my fault if the Republicans nominate someone who is unacceptable for me to vote for. That “Lessor of two Evils” stuff has been a disaster for us so far.

Romney’s performance in the debate may have convinced me that he’s not so bad after all.

[FreedomPoster]

>>Just don’t back down from him. Vote for him if you must but be unafaid to speak up when he does wrong.

I think we all learned our lesson with Bush on that one.

[MileHi]

Cautiously optimistic

Damn, that .50 cal pistol barks, huh?.....

{:0)

[Enterprise]

I vote absentee and have already voted for Romney. I beat you!

[lysie]

Thank you.

[Ouderkirk]

Romney is whatever he needs to be.

I am not a fan, but what choice do I have?

Third Party ?

Really?

I pissed away my vote on Perot in 1992 and it gave us 8 years of Bubba and damned near 20 years of Hillary ad FLOTUS, Senator D-NY, and now Sec of State. Yeah...third party that really worked out well didn’t it ?

I have come to realize that the path is to expurgate the RINO’s from the Republican party much the same as the democRATS have gotten rid of those who are not communists.

[2ndDivisionVet]

I don’t have a “ping list” anymore. Just thought you might want to see this.

[Lazamataz]

Have to see you shoot first............. You may not be worth it...

Well, Buckeye looked on as I made a can dance from 10 to 25 yards, hitting 9 out of 10 shots with a Glock.

Maybe that was an abberation, maybe that was an improvement in my skill set -- but whatever it was, it got me very excited!

[meyer]

Good post, Laz. Somewhat mirrors my feelings.

Thanks for the pingeroo!

[PA Engineer]

His VMI speech was also very good. I’m am still hesitant, but hopeful with a proper congress. Down ticket is critical.

[Combat_Liberalism]

So vote for him.

[TADSLOS]

Factors are always present to weigh decisions. The key is the action taken. Personally, I remain unconvinced a Romney administration will do anything of substance to reset the nation back to its Constitutional setting, but I’m glad to see that you have some confidence I don’t possess.

[Lazamataz]

Damn, that .50 cal pistol barks, huh?.....

I suspect Bacon Man set me up. He allowed me to fire the .44 earlier and it looked identical to the .50. It fired with a manageable, if sturdy, recoil.

Then he graciously let me fire the .50, and all of a sudden, he wants to video it.

Well played, Bacon Man. ;^)

Well played indeed.

[Rides_A_Red_Horse]

I’m waiting for Rage Monkey’s commentary.

[no-to-illegals]

Had to check up-thread, and when did, realized finally beat a ping. Thanks, only second ping win. Have to celebrate when beating the ping.

[Revolting cat!]

Frankly, Frank, I’m at the point where I don’t care if Mitt is as bad as we imagined him to be a couple of months ago, I want the Communist Kenyan out!

In the meantime, I hope that Romney will use the debates to educate the sheeple, and force the MSM’s hand to educate them. For instance, he could mention the bowing down to the tyrant of Saudi Arabia, forcing the MSM to show the picture. And so on.

[ETL]

Voting for Romney is like crashing into a thick line of bushes to avoid going off a cliff. At least there’s a (hopefully, good) chance of surviving.

Formerly...

Voting for Romney is like crashing into a tree to avoid going off a cliff. At least there’s a chance of surviving.

[oneamericanvoice]

It is good that you changed your vote from Third Party. Everyone is needed to defeat the Left and Obama. Third Party never wins and never will. So thankfully, you’ve seen the light, at least this time. Now, hopefully, you’ll get others out to vote. All hands onboard!

[Lazamataz]

Remember, also, that most GOP candidates follow Nixon's advice: Run to the right to get the nomination; run to the left to get the presidency.

Interesting that Romney's statements are more to the right than Nixon would have advised.