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MULTIPLE CHOICE MITT
It all happened so suddenly for Mitt Romney. Not long ago, he was in a strong front runner position in the GOP race for President. In fact, most political analysts were ready to award Romney with the nomination. Now, he is in a free fall. Today, a new Rasmussen national poll has former House Speaker Newt Gingrich with a 38-17 percent lead over Romney. Gingrich is challenging Romney in New Hampshire and is leading in the key early states of Iowa and South Carolina. Here in Louisiana, it is the same story. A new WWL TV poll showed Gingrich with a comfortable lead over Romney and the rest of the field.
From the beginning of this race for President, conservatives have been looking for an alternative to the flip flopper Romney. When former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin decided not to run, there was a stampede of support for Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann. After her star dimmed, Texas Governor Rick Perry became the "hot" candidate. Well, Perry bombed in numerous debates and conservatives abandoned him for businessman Herman Cain. Soon thereafter, the inadequacies of the Cain campaign became apparent. His team failed to respond effectively to accusations of sexual harassment from four women. The final blow came this week when an Atlanta woman, Ginger White, alleged a 13 year affair with Cain. While the candidate denies the accusation, he does admit to sending White money and not telling his wife about the arrangement. At this point, Cain is losing political and financial support in droves and is facing pressure to withdraw from the race.
In the meantime, House Speaker Newt Gingrich keeps moving up in the polls, buoyed by his strong debate performances and the troubles of the other conservative candidates. He does have baggage, but his strong intellect and innovative ideas are starting to catch fire with the conservative base of the Republican Party.
In contrast, Mitt Romney is a tired political opportunist, who has been continuously running for President for five years. He is on every side of almost every issue.
Conservatives want a candidate they can trust, one who has a proven track record promoting important principles such as limited government and lower taxes. Unfortunately, Romney has a track record of liberalism in Massachusetts. As the Democratic national Committee exposed in a new video, Romney has changed his position on the stimulus bill, abortion, health care, unions, and a host of other issues.
In a 1994 U.S. Senate debate, the incumbent Ted Kennedy famously called Romney "not pro choice, but multiple choice." For once, Kennedy was 100 percent correct and his characterization of Romney is truer today than ever.
As his poll numbers drop, Romney is starting to lose his cool. This week, he complained to Brett Baier of Fox News for "overly aggressive" questions. Yet, Baier was just asking Romney to explain his ever shifting positions on issues.
With the Iowa caucus in a month, Romney is finally getting asked about his new positions. Is the real Mitt Romney the one we see today or the one who served as Governor of liberal Massachusetts?
The last time a Massachusetts Governor was nominated for President it did not turn out well. Democrat Michael Dukakis was destroyed by an unimpressive Republican nominee, George H. W. Bush.
In this election, the GOP needs to nominate a candidate who has a consistent track record of conservatism and can handle a debate against an accomplished television performer, Barack Obama. The last thing the Republican Party needs is a candidate who gets flustered over tough questions.
By moving away from multiple choice Mitt, Republican voters are making the right choice for their party and their country. |
