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You know– I’m really, really trying to find a reason to not dislike Mitt Romney as much as I do. There are several people within the campaign that I like and respect immensely– they have been the only reason that I have been as easy as I have on the guy thus far. Regular readers know that I have
never been able to get beyond that now infamous
YouTube of the 1994 debate with Ted Kennedy in which Mitt dissed Ronald Reagan, announcing he didn’t want to
"go back to the days of Reagan/Bush." Despite all that, I have thought that, well, I should try to find SOMETHING I can like about Mr. Romney just in case he becomes the Republican nominee. I know I’ve
compared him to John Kerry in the past, and
poked fun at his painful campaign trail explanations of the sudden change of heart (and mind) about the abortion issue. But still, we have to admire his vaunted business acumen, right? And besides, my favorite magazine,
National Review, has endorsed him. Surely he must have some redeeming qualities.
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Then tonight I
read this in the
Politico and just wanted to throw up…
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” today that he wept with relief when the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Mormon church, announced a 1978 revelation that the priesthood would no longer be denied to persons of African descent.
You must be thinking, "He didn’t REALLY weep, did he?" Well that’s what he says. Why, he even remembers the street he was driving on when he heard the news. He said so on today’s Meet the Press with Tim Russert. Reports the Politico:
Romney’s eyes appeared to fill with tears as he discussed the emotional subject during a high-stakes appearance…
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[snip]
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“I was anxious to see a change in my church,” said the Republican presidential candidate, appearing for the full hour just two weeks ahead of the crucial Iowa caucuses.
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“I can remember when I heard about the change being made. I was driving home from — I think it was law school, but I was driving home — going through the Fresh Pond rotary in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I heard it on the radio and I pulled over and literally wept.
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“Even to this day, it’s emotional,” Romney went on.
I’m sorry, but this just seems way over the top. How can something that had such a profound effect on the man’s life as it apparently did (and still does, given the tears he released today) have stayed a secret for so long? Why hasn’t he made African-American issues the centerpiece of his campaign if it so affected him? When will he announce to the world that some of his best friends are African Americans? This is just so much bunk!
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But wait, there’s more. If the thought of Mitt Romney weeping on the side of the road wasn’t enough to make you gack at the prospect of some sort of Republican John Kerry redux, then try this one,
from the Washington Post, reporting on another point the former Massachusetts governor made while on
MTP:
In answer to questions about whether he would sign an assault weapons ban, Romney said: "Just as the president said, he would have, he would have signed that bill if it came to his desk, and so would have I. And, and, and yet I also was pleased to have the support of the NRA when I ran for governor. I sought it, I seek it now. I’d love to have their support."
Later in the interview, he added the following:
"I just talked about, about guns. I told you what my position was, and what I, what I did as governor; the fact that I received the endorsement of the NRA."
The problem?
He was never endorsed by the NRA, and didn’t have their official support during his 2002 gubernatorial campaign. The NRA declined to endorse in that race, as was acknowledged by Romney’s spokesman this morning.
Oops. This guy will say anything that fits the moment– true or not. I really want to win next November. There is NO WAY he is going to get the job done for the Republicans in the face of a determined opposition. To them, Mitt Romney is so much low hanging fruit, waiting to get picked. I know I’m not alone in this sentiment. Lord help us if he wins the GOP nomination…
