US News has an interesting article by Peter Roff on the possibility of Mitt Romney running for Ted Kennedy’s vacant senate seat. Personally, I like the idea a whole lot better than Romney for President in 2012.
While many in the media and the GOP leadership seems to be working overtime to sell us on Romney for 2012, in reality there are a few pitfalls for a second Romney presidential run.
First there is the GOP base. After enduring RINO McCain, confused Congressional Republicans and out of the closet Socialist Democrats, the conservative GOP base is in no mood to be trifled with. In 2012 the GOP conservative base will be looking for someone who lives and breathes conservative principles plus has a very health respect for the Constitution. Mitt Romney may have a little trouble fitting this mold with a past of Pro-Choice, Pro-gun control and RomneyCare. Should Romney run for the senate, these issues would be less important to the very left leaning Massachusetts electorate. Once elected, Romney could then go about creating a solid conservative record to run on in 2016 or beyond.
Another big issue for Romney making a presidential run in 2012 will be RomneyCare. ObamaCare is stinking up the joint with much of America. How would America feel about voting for someone who actually passed legislation similar to ObamaCare? As a senator, Romney could say he has seen the error of his ways on Health Care and go about promoting more conservative and acceptable reforms like tort reform or removing interstate restrictions.
Right now, Romney is also the only big name Republican 2012 hopeful without a platform. Jindal has his governorship; Huckabee has his show, and Palin blowing up Facebook. If Romney wants to stay in the game until 2012 he needs a platform to promote his ideas and policies. As a senator he could do just that, even promote his own legislation.
Finally there is the issue of Obama 2009 vs. Obama 2012. Right now, Romney holds up well against Obama in polling. However, three and a half years is a lifetime in politics. Today the main thing sinking Obama is that he is pursuing some crazy Cloward and Piven type strategy because of his ideology. But the White House changes people. Should Obama love being president more than being a leftwing ideologue he need only go about significantly reducing our debt and really creating jobs. Would Romney still be that appealing against a more fiscally responsible Obama? As a senator, Romney would be able to stay in the public eye for six years, plenty of time to stay relevant in the event (God forbid) Obama is not beatable in 2012.
It is no secret that Romney covets the Big Chair, but in his case, maybe a brief respite in a senate seat might go a long way in making his dream come true.
Via: US News
Via: Memeorandum
0 comments:
Post a Comment