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EDITOR OF REDSTATE

Et tu, Mitt?

By: Erick Erickson (Diary)  |  March 15th, 2010 at 12:01 PM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

Bob Bennett, as you know, is the TARP-backing, Bridge-to-Nowhere-supporting, health-care-takeover-proposing RINO running for his life to win re-nomination in Utah for a fourth term. Bob Bennett’s health care proposal – it’s called the Wyden-Bennett bill, remember – includes an individual mandate, forces taxpayers to subsidize abortions, supports “domestic partner” benefits, and would cost more than $1 trillion. He is an unrepentant earmarker, whom Senator Jim DeMint has conspicuously declined to endorse for re-election.

Conservatives in Utah are rallying around Bennett’s challengers, and the Club for Growth is actively working to defeat him at the May nominating convention.

So who does Bennett call on to save his career? Mitt Romney, of course. Bennett is even giving away copies of Romney’s book on the campaign trail — maybe that explains the curious New York Times notation that Romney’s book, debuting in the number one spot this past week on the best sellers list, was the only book on the list to have received bulk orders.

Romney may think he’s playing it safe here. But so did Rick Santorum in 2004, actively supporting Sen. Arlen Specter over Pat Toomey in the Pennsylvania Republican Senate primary. The move alienated Santorum’s base and rendered him a dead-man walking in his own re-election campaign two years later. Romney is now walking the same plank in Utah – supporting an unpopular, out-of-touch establishment incumbent against fresh, new, principled conservatives of the sort who are finally breathing life into the Republican Party. This comes on the heels of Romney declining to join every other 2012 hopeful in NY-23 supporting Doug Hoffman.

Conservatives right now can’t know who their candidate will be in 2012, but this may get them thinking.

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COMMENTS

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  • kchand

    … but he won’t be the POTUS. Of course, I said that about Obama 2 years ago. Then again, Mitt Romney is no Barack Obama.

  • NeoKong

    I like the man personally but politically he is a loser on the national stage. He left Massachusetts to the wolves by not running for a second term and now they have Deval Patrick.
    I wouldn’t vote for Mitt Romney on a dare.
    Take a hike Mitt.

  • onyon43

    Townhall.com was giving away copies of Going Rogue with new subscriptions, does that mean Townhall is in the tank for Sarah Palin? Is Mitt also actively campaigning for him? The evidence you presented is that Bennett is giving away copies of Mitt’s book, in UT. I am not a politician, but I believe that that is good campaign strategy to give away a popular book about a popular guy (especially in UT) who happens to also be LDS. I’m not sure how many LDS people there are in UT, but I am sure there are at least a couple. What if an undesirable candidate started handing out a book by you in GA. I would say that is good strategy, as you are a popular guy, and I think people of Georgia might have a special affinity to you.

    As for the NY-23 race, there were other races going on at that time, that he was more than active in supporting, which were victorious. Also, question… How many of the 2012 hopefuls did anything other than endorse Doug Hoffman? That seems to fall under the “check the box” qualifications that people here on Redstate have been advocating against as far as a Conservative Creed that all candidates must pass.

    To be clear, I want Bennett gone as much as the next guy, I just think that this post is kind of a stretch.

  • briancobbs

    and I say that as someone who like Romney a lot. I’ll let this one slide on those grounds.

    While I want Bennett gone, Bennett is no Arlen Specter (although Mitt’s probably not a Pat Toomey either). This isn’t nearly as egregious. In my opinion.

  • Flagstaff

    in 2008. This (the video at the link) may be a favor being repayed. Let’s see if it is repeated or amplified.

    I don’t like it either, but it’s a fact of political life that debts are created that can be uncomfortable to be repayed.

  • archer52

    I hate to say told ya’. But I did. Mitt’s true philosophies will become more apparent as 2012 comes closer.

    Listen, one thing I learned working the streets is that people are who they are. Only certain phenomenally intense events in a person’s life can actually change them. Or more truthfully, makes them want to work on staying “changed”. (Alcoholics for example) Mitt has had no such event occur in his life. So the man you saw as governor that supported a government controlled healthcare program is still the same man you see now. He may be a nice guy but he is who he is politically and in his mindset towards big government. His presidency may help business, but it will only grow government. I guarantee he would not rescind healthcare, but instead argue it can be “fixed” with more effective programs.

    Leopards/spots, Tigers/stripes. The fox and the scorpion fable. The saying don’t exist for no reason. Sometimes it is what it is.

  • http://thecorruptworld.blogspot.com/ wayneinnh

    He is not the best we can do in the entire country.

  • Flagstaff

    It does raise questions.

  • Flagstaff

    Not quite that bad, I think.

    But perhaps Mitt is logical as a VP candidate with….?

  • briancobbs

    When Santorum came out hard against McCain during the 08 primaries, I was a little disturbed. Even though I didn’t like McCain, it seemed uncouth to trash someone who you begged to have come campaign for you, like McCain did for Santorum.

    This is no more outrageous than Palin campaigning for McCain against J.D.

  • drfredc

    1. Mitt needs to come out and say something like “Romney Care has turned into a One Big Ass Mistake America thing the nation should avoid. It’s turned into the sort of crapola one size fits all expensive healthcare program that you can expect a Democrat Legislature to put on your desk to sign and then screw up even more over the following years. If I could do it again, I’d push more for something like Indiana’s HSA program, starting by allowing the Indiana HSA coverage to be offered across state lines. Healthcare solutions that work should be promoted and allowed to spread in the marketplace.”

    2. Meanwhile, Bennett and his RINO buddies leading the GOP Senate are allowed to hide in the tall grass until the coast is clear, leaving huge stinking piles of legislative crap (like McCain Fiengold, Cap & Tax, Amnesty) where ever they go. Mitt needs to pop up out of the grass and start taking aim at RINOs, or at least pointing out where their mistakes lurk or he’s likely to be caught up as a target in the ongoing RINO hunt.

  • cowman33

    It probably wont matter who the republican nominee is. Most ppl are gonna vote just to get rid of obama

  • utah_1

    What Bennett did was buy a copy of Mitt’s book and have people attend Mitt’s Book Tour stop in Salt Lake if they would sign up for Bennett’s email and delegate list. So, by using Mitt’s name and book, Bennett is buying access. The point is, if Mitt wants to run in ’12, he will need to take a hard look at the landscape and see that he shoouldn’t be alienating the Conservatives who are fired up and retaking things. Especially when Utah voters gave him a huge amount of donations in his ’08 run. 2nd only to CA

  • Swamp_Yankee

    There is still a place for loyalty in politics.

  • Right Reason

    THe VP should be a guy who’s on the way up; someone who has the tools to be POTUS one day, but needs to develop. I can’t help but look at Romney in the same mold as all of the other establishment Republicans current and former. I don’t see him doing anything to roll back the clock and undo some of the liberalism that’s entrenched itself in DC.

  • BrendanW

    The YouTube video linked, appears to be from May 2009. Who knows why Mitt did it. He will have to recon with Tea Party and conservative types (myself included) when he explains why he campaigned for McCain and apparently Bennett.

    As for throwing MA to the wolves. He didn’t want to be sitting Gov and run for president – I wish more politicians would give up the safety job (sitting Senators running for Pres or Gov, etc.) – you can’t do both effectively. I lived in MA at the time and:

    1) it was the beginning of the wave that swept Obama in with majorities in 2006

    2) there was a third party candidate splitting the small rightish vote in MA also

    Blaming Romney for Deval is specious at best.

  • azaeroprof

    True, there is no evidence that Mitt has not blessed this activity, but neither has he issued any kind of statement that this does not denote his endorsement of Bennett.

    Remember, Mitt got his political education from his Rockefeller-Republican father who opposed Barry Goldwater. Anyone who believes that Mitt is a true-red conservative is no smarter than those who believed that Obama was a moderate. There is no more evidence of one than the other, except for some words uttered during a presidential campaign.

  • Richard Mullins

    are going to be magnified in 2012. I don’t think that he’s really getting better to be the 2012 nominee. No real change coming from him.

  • mbecker908

    Bennett has credible opposition in the primary, McCain doesn’t.

    I don’t hold anything against Palin for her support of McCain. Romney supporting Bennett means I stay home if he’s the nominee. He’s nothing more than the supporter of the status quo in Washington.

    I have lots of other problems with Romney, but this one is the nail in his coffin for me.

  • saintgeorgegentile

    We can only hope that an endorsement from Romney (he jumped onto Bennett’s camp April 7th 2009) is as golden as Obama’s was to Deeds, Corzine and Coakley.

    On another topic, Rep. Jim (hey! my brother’s a judge) Matheson still has not made any decision on HCR. First he was reviewing the bill, now he’s waiting for the final language (per his office). Here’s his competition:
    Morgan Philpot (R): http://www.philpotforcongress.com/
    Ed Eliason (R): ?
    Randall Hinton (Constitution): http://www.randallhinton.com/
    Dave Glissmeyer (I): http://www.congressmandave.org/

  • fpete13527

    Mitt is ok but he has clearly shown his colors with Bennett and McCain endorsements.

    Mitt will flip and flop and flow with “moderacy” if it gives him opportunity.

    There is no greater danger to the current and future GOP than to continue to propagate “moderacy”….especially since “moderacy” always tends to mean “liberal moderacy”

    At this point, I would be pressed to vote for Mitt unless a last resort to oust Barry.

  • Swamp_Yankee

    Supporting McCain isnt nothing more than the supporter of the status quo in Washington?

    Bennett has been in Romney’s corner from the begginning

    Its personal perspective. Lee and Hayworth are both anti-establishment dark horses. Lee is favored here. Hayworth is not, But there are still thousands of conservatives who still support Hayworth, and Bennett.

  • briancobbs

    You’d stay home if it was Romney v. Obama? That’s a little dramatic.

  • Swamp_Yankee

    Bennett’s been pushing and supporting him ever since.

  • DRayRaven

    For the life of me, I can’t understand the infatuation so many people have with Mitt Romney. What is it? Is it the perfect hair-do? The breezy smile? The Ken Doll looks? What, exactly, explains conservatives who are willing (nay, eager) to short–sell their own principles and settle for this establishment blue-blood RINO before the primary season even begins?

    Speaking of establishment-types, I totally get Republicans in Congress who support him. These are the same guys who cave to Dems time and time again in the name of going along to get along. You know, the same guys who lost the House and the Senate and gave us a McCain candidacy. The losers, in other words.

    You won’t catch me wringing my hands over Mitt ruining his chances by making stupid endorsements. The guy isn’t one of us, and he never was. He’s a fiscal moderate who will do absolutely nothing to cut spending and curb the gradual centralization of power in Washington. He might slow it down, sure…but he won’t stop it.

    A Romney candidacy and/or presidency will accomplish one thing: the final alienation of the GOP’s conservative base – and possible marginalization of the Republican Party itself. Yes, I’m saying it (if my implication isn’t clear): conservatives and tea-partiers would wind up splitting from the GOP once and for all.

  • http://andrightlyso.com/ civil_truth

    …proving once again the old saw about the identity between politics and illicit sexual relationships.

  • http://impudent.blognation.us/blog kyle8

    He is what he is, very conservative on some issues, less conservative on others. But the only real example of a major flip flop in his career is when he turned pro life.

    Now that happened quite a while ago, and he has been steady pro life ever since, so I don’t think that even counts as a flip flop anymore.

    I am not saying he is great or anything, just that the flip flop label seems unfair.

  • Scope

    which I have read over the web several times already. I find that hilarious, as so far he is the only runner for sure for 2012. Not hard to be the frontrunner when there is no one else in the race yet.

    Romney has been on Fox more often now then he was during the 2008 primaries. It may be because of his book, but, I think the timing of his book is also interesting. Romney has been talking about Romneycare, in the book, and in the interviews. Is he trying to get this negative history out of the way now? He is able to portray Romneycare as not as bad as Obamacare when they are put side by side. He is still defending the Mass. plan, as though it is popular and successful. I’ve heard many in Mass. hate it, and, the premiums are the highest in the country, and, the costs are bankrupting the state. If Romneycare doesn’t prove Romney is a big government kinda guy, nothing else much will. He must support those in Wash. already, and those that he thinks will be in Wash. when the primaries come around. He will collect his debts then. He knows he doesn’t have to support Crist, as Crist won’t be there to pay back debts. Or, has he come out for Crist and I missed it.

  • Flagstaff

    to help get the Presidential candidate elected and be a credible replacement in an emergency.

    I do understand your point.

  • acat

    If the Repubs nominate another RINO like McCain or an unknown with a short jacket (erm, resume) like Palin, then we may find that, come 2014, we’re in the boat the Dems are in now.

    This is *not* the time for RINOs, this is not the time for short jackets and long charisma. This is the time for Conservatives to focus on 2010 – and after that, to see who the best *conservative* Repub we can get is.

    Mew

  • acat

    This is the time to focus on 2010. Any time spent on the 2012 races is, erm, nope, can’t say it in polite company.

    Romney is in front because Joe Sixpack remembers Romney from 2006/2007 and assumes Mitt is back. Not because Mitt is particularly good or bad, the campaign isn’t about that.. yet.

    Mew

  • acat

    I’ve always been lukewarm about Mitt Romney. I liked Fred in 2006/2007, I didn’t like McCain – still don’t – but being in Illinois, by the time we got to vote Fred was out, and Romney was neither McCain nor (shudder) Huck.

    There’s nothing inherently “wrong” with Romney. I don’t expect him to come out as a closet commie or with some bizarre plan to invade North Korea or to turn Salt Lake City into the new capitol…

    but..

    There’s nothing inherently “right” with Romney either. And it’s the little things, like this endorsement for an obvious loser. Sure, Bennett and Romney have worked together, sure there’s some payback here, but .. there’s no reason for this at this time, and if Bennett doesn’t pull up his ratings, it’s going to give Romney a black eye.

    A statement saying that Romney likes Bennett but isn’t endorsing until after the caucuses would have been appropriate, as would no statement at all.

    I recall something similar from just after the Illinois primary back in 2007 – there’s always some dirty politics in Chicago but Romney was unwilling to commit to looking into one particular scumbag or another. A non-commit when a commit cost him nothing.

    Mitt, I have to say, I’m happy you lost in 2007, and I look forward to you losing in 2011.

    Mew

    (who isn’t sure who he wants to win the Repub nomination in 2011 but knows who he *doesn’t* want …)

  • aesthete

    Contrary to mbeck, I’ll vote for Romney if he gets the nomination (I can’t say the same if Huck gets it). But as mbeck points out, there ain’t anyone who is worth anything in AZ supporting the guy, and one of the most conservative districts in AZ (which JD would have to win in a primary) knows who he is and hates his guts. I don’t know much about Lee, but I doubt that the same can be said about him. Concerning Hayworth, I don’t know of a single conservative cause celebre with less conservative support in his own state.

  • fpete13527

    Flip flop probably not best way to describe and probably not often demonstrated. However, I don’t think he will stand by a committment if is a real tough call to make. I believe he will shift moderate.

    Any support for Bennett or even McCain speaks volumes to me though and my gut tells me Romney would be “ok” but definitely not the guy I would chose for WH.

  • Scope

    tell me above

    “This is the time to focus on 2010. Any time spent on the 2012 races is, erm, nope, can?t say it in polite company.”

    Hummm

  • acat

    Mew

  • peg_c

    and supporting to the best of my ability their conservative opponents. If it’s Mitt vs. Marxism Squared, I have to vote Mitt. But I will fight to help us get a conservative candidate. I could see him in a finance post like Treasury or Sec’y of Commerce or something similar. But RomneyCare is a death knell and he IS Big Government. Ixnay.

  • peg_c

    People are sick to death of Obama NOW. Imagine this is March 2012. NO WAY will a country sick to death squared of him, including all his voters, going to vote for him again!

    Incidentally, Mark Steyn today filling in for Rush said those fools dreaming that Obama will do a Clinton and triangulate towards the center if Republicans take Congress in Nov. I’ve said this since Scott Brown was elected – no way does this leopard change his spots! He does not have the self-awareness and especially the creativity and adaptability of Clinton, who truly was a political genius. Obama is not capable of flipping conservatives upside-down and co-opting our agenda as Clinton did.

    Yet another reason I maintain Obama is NOT that bright and NOT that savvy and NOT that politically astute. He is incapable of learning and adapting; all he knows is doubling down. That is NOT a sign of intelligence, folks. What Clinton did, much as I grew to detest him, was brilliant. It cannot be denied.

    Steyn believes if Republicans take Congress, or get enough seats to gum up the works (which we will be demanding), Obama will hunker in his bunker and use Executive Orders to get his way.

    It promises to be a very ugly 2 years to 2012…

  • fiftycaltx

    We already had a faux conservative candidate. We don’t need another one. Romney presided over the MA health care takeover. It is a disaster. Why do you think Brown got elected. Someone will turn up after the November elections.

  • peg_c

    You all but called him Breck Girl II. ROTFL!!

  • peg_c

    We need to concentrate on this year, not 2012!

  • mbecker908

    I was undercaffinated when I wrote that. I really don’t like Romney though, for a laundry list of reasons that have nothing to do with him supporting Bennett.

  • houstoneagle

    “WE’VE GOT SOME CONSERVATIVE GIANTS. SENATOR BENNETT IS ONE OF THOSE.”–Mitt Romney

    *puke*

  • houstoneagle

    Former Rep. Hayworth isn’t credible opposition to McCain? You can be a McCainiac all you want, my friend, but don’t say his opposition isn’t credible.

  • Scope

    n/t

  • houstoneagle

    Great. Well since you have identified yourself as someone who will not support the Republican nominee in November 2012 if that person is Huckabee, it’s only fair that I am now able to identify myself, especially in light of Romney’s “suicidal” (Rush Limbaugh’s word) endorsement of McCain and Romney’s “et tu, Mitt” (Erick’s words) endorsement of Bennett, as someone who will NOT support the Republican nominee in November 2012 if that person is ROMNEY.

    *folds arms grumpily* HARUMPH!

    “What’s good for thee is good for me,” said the gander to the goose!

  • houstoneagle

    a must-see 0:28 video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFMdK0TWtks

  • houstoneagle

    People really have no excuse to support Romney for Town Dog Catcher at this point anymore. Ronulans (Ron Paul supporters), Romulans (Mitt Romney supporters), they’re all the same to me.

  • houstoneagle

    It’s because Romney’s speaking the code that the libertarian and/or socially liberal conservatives on this site want to hear: Standard Conservative Line (with a wink-wink don’t worry I’ll be moderate off to the side).

    It really all boils down to abortion. Just as “states rights” was code for slavery in the 1800s, and just as it was the code for being against civil rights reform in the 1960s, it is being used today by the social libs and Ronulans (and now, Romulans) to hide their affinity for abortion.

    That, and the Ken Doll looks.

    You’re giving the Romulans too much credit when you ask why these “conservatives” are so willing to short sell their own principles. Just witness their extreme HATRED of Huckabee to the point where they claim to be willing to bolt the party in November of 2012 in this very thread should he be nominated. When Huckabee endorses Bennett I will eat my hat.

  • houstoneagle

    when given a chance to attack *shudder* Huckabee.

  • aesthete

    I’ll vote for Romney, but that’s about as far as much as you’ll get me to do for him.

    I’m not at all grumpy about not voting for Huck: my decision not to vote for him is based on an understanding that his administration would likely not be functionally different from an Obama administration, and would be supported by conservatives and Republicans in a manner similar to how Bush was supported by same. Since this is a post on Romney, and not Huck, I’ll leave it at that, and hope that your lack of support for Romney is similarly based on dispassionate analysis of what he would do as President.

  • aesthete

    Neither Mbeck nor I are in McCain’s camp at all. We are from AZ, and we are realists. I assume that you know more about Gov Perry and KBH than I do; similarly, Mbeck and I are more knowledgeable about AZ politics than you are. Jeff Flake and John Shadegg would have been credible candidates with a chance at winning. Before you go off comparing JD to Rubio or Brown, JD (unlike those two at the start of their campaigns) is a very well known quantity, and is disliked by most (including his conservative district). He’s also broke, and a bad campaigner.

  • houstoneagle

    I don’t have to die and go to heaven and come back to be a good funeral director.

    And I take back what I said about not voting for Romney in November 2012 if he is the nominee. I doubt that a Huckabee-hater like yourself would return the favor.

  • aesthete

    but libertarians *really* don’t like Romney for his profligate spending, healthcare plan, and some other, anti-freedom things he’s done as MA’s governor.

  • mbecker908

    Now maybe you’d like to vote for him for Senator from Texas (although Williams is 10,000% better), but the folks here in Arizona happen know him. And they don’t like him one little bit.

    Please note the endorsements for JD v McCain. JD is endorsed by Joe Arpaio, Maricopa County Sheriff. McCain is endorsed by the entire Arizona Republican Congressional Delegation. Shadegg, Flake and Franks. They all served with JD, they know JD well. And as far as Arpaio’s endorsement is concerned, it’s probably a net negative for JD. Joe’s rabid supporters are the Sun City folks and they consider John McCain to an American Hero of the first order and one of their own (he’s old, OK). Outside of Maricopa County, Arpaio is absolutely hated.

    The CD where Harry Mitchell beat JD is center right. Mitchell is pretty far to the left in relation to the people in the district but they were tired of listening to JD whine. It was personal and they’ll remember it every time JD opens his mouth. It will be McCain by at least 10 in CD05.

    As much as the folks in CD05 dislike JD, his rating there makes him American Idol compared to the opinion of those folks down in the second largest area in the state – Tucson (where aesthete is from). Tucson is the Berkeley of Arizona and even Republicans down there are very moderate. The only exception would be the Air Force Base, but oh yeah, McCain is an American Hero.

    None – as in not one – of the Tea Party groups in Arizona supports JD. They are all sitting the election out. Why? They know, in general, he’s no more conservative than McCain.

    McCain doesn’t have to make stuff up about JD in the Crist – Rubio mold. All he’s got to do is run commercials with clips of JD’s talk radio monologues in context.

    Stick to what you actually know and Arizona politics obviously isn’t in that realm. You are perfectly entitled to want to see McCain dropped in the primary. I can guarantee you that both aesthete and I would like to see that happen a whole lot more than you. It’s just not going to happen with Hayworth, McCain will beat him by probably 20 points. And then probably pull 85%++ in the general.

  • DRayRaven

    If Romney were a fiscal conservative, a strict constructionist , or libertarian, I would be able to support him. But he’s not.

    Huckabee isn’t either.

    So we’ve got Mitt – a fiscal and social moderate
    Huckabee, a fiscal moderate/social conservative
    Palin, a fiscal conservative/social conservative
    Ron Paul, a libertarian and (shhhh…we’re not supposed to point this out) racist
    Other assorted black horse candidates, one of whom may rise to the top.

    I’m going with Palin out of the first three. At least she’s a fiscal conservative. I don’t care about the social issues nearly as much: be a moderate or a liberal, whatever…but be consistent (hello, Romney).

    I’m also willing to take a serious look at whoever else throws their hat into the ring. I’m not married to Palin, but she’s the best out of the front runners so far.

    Romney or Huckabee? No, thanks.

  • DRayRaven

    That was intentional. :-)

    Would it really surprise you if a video surfaced of Romney primping his hair for 15 minutes like Edwards? LOL

    Not me…

  • mbecker908

    You know nothing about the Arizona electorate.

    You know nothing about Arizona demographics.

    You know nothing about Arizona political history.

    You know nothing about the strength and organization of the Arizona Republican Party, the Arizona Democratic Party or either of the two candidates in question.

    Bottom line houstoneagle, you’re absolutely ignorant about the subject in question, just like I’d be arguing about who should be the Governor or US Senator from Texas. I can offer my opinion about who I’d prefer to see in office and why, but I’d never be so stupid as to argue with a resident of Texas who understands the local issues, personalities and demographics.

  • mbecker908

    car manufacturing company. :-)

  • houstoneagle

    John McCain. Engage in all the ad hominems you want, becker. I’d rather be ignorant and right than knowledgeable and wrong, anyway.

  • houstoneagle

    I don’t have to live in Arizona to want JD Hayworth to beat McCain in the primary. Lay off!

  • mbecker908

    I simply noted that you’re ignorant about the subject you’re attempting to argue. Ignorant means a lack of knowledge.

    JD Hayworth is not a credible candidate in Arizona because he will not even come close for reasons that have been documented over and over. If you’d like to make the argument that he “can win” as opposed to the wet dream that “McCain should lose”, have at it. We’ll be happy to have the discussion.

    Neither aesthete or I have talked about “conservative credibility” and on that specific point I’d be happy to agree that McCain has none. According to the four largest Tea Party organizations in Arizona JD has none either. Argue with them not me.

    I’m not, nor is aesthete, making that case that McCain “should” win. All we’re doing is reporting that he “will” win and we’re on record – at length – as to why.

  • mbecker908

    would be pounding the drum for Mike Huckabee.

    The guy is populist in the mode of the gentleman from Louisiana who defined populism. Huck has never met a problem that government couldn’t solve and in his 10 years as Governor of AR he never met a tax he wasn’t willing to raise.

    Oh yeah, let’s not forget he’s a thief and a liar to boot.

  • Superheater

    Look, lets be honest. Mitt is probably a nice guy, but he’s a 2nd generation politician, without a core. In Massachusetts, he was a social liberal who hatched state run “healthcare”.

    If all you know about the guy is from his trips to Hannity’s microphone, then be surprised. Otherwise, not terribly surprising that he runs to the aid of a RINO.

  • mbecker908

    a credible candidate are mutually exclusive.

    I’d love to see McCain defeated. JD cannot and will not do it. He won’t come close. Either Shadegg or Flake might have been able to. JD won’t get within 20.

    Get over it.

    And I’m not “grumpy”. I simply resent ignorant proclamations that totally misrepresent the facts. This has nothing to do with who I “want” to win. Hell, I’d like to see Nancy Pelosi get beat too, but I’m pretty sure that won’t happen either.

  • arc_ut

    I also voted for Rep. Jason Chaffetz from Utah.

    Mitt Romney endorses incumbent Republicans, but will change that endorsement if they lose the nominee. That is what he did with endorsing Chris Cannon, and then endorsing Jason Chaffetz when Cannon was out of the picture.

    There are several republican candidates for Utah’s 2010 US Senate race. One candidate actively promoted Mitt Romney, including helping with their fundraiser – Cherilyn Eagar. It highly likely that after Bob Bennett doesn’t make it out of state convention next year, that Mitt Romney will be endorsing the nominee, Cherilyn Eagar.

    I believe that Cherilyn Eagar is the only one running who has supported and been active in fighting for conservative values for the last 30 years at the local, state, national and international level. [That includes Bennett]

  • trutexan

    makes me want to gag. It’s like Mr. Rogers meets Art Linkletter. “I really enjoy this next act and I think you will too!”

  • trutexan

    who instituted mandated healthcare, and then realized their mistake and come out in droves for a guy in a special election who is against mandated healthcare? Would Mitt even be supported by MA in a run? I’m not so sure.

    Mitt didn’t get my support in 08 because of the MA takeover of healthcare and he won’t get it in 2012 (should he decide to run) for the very same reason. He is a RINO, as is McCain – I didn’t like him either but I voted for him vs. Obama…I mean, c’mon. Actually, I voted for Palin but that’s another post.

  • trutexan

    nt

  • trutexan

    “I’m Hunting RINO’s”

    I’m getting on CafePress.com now and making one for myself!

    Hey RNC…if you’d put these on your website, I might start sending you money again.

  • mdd1956

    she thinks he has “values”

  • winghunter1

    How incredibly soon we forget AND especially by those who allowed themselves to be fooled by him.

    Willard “Mitt” Romney
    http://willardromney.blogspot.com/

    http://tinyurl.com/yg4s7ma

  • houstoneagle

    I don’t pretend to have any special knowledge of Hayworth’s candidacy; I simply support a conservative replacement for McCain.

  • houstoneagle

    Must you rant and rave every time someone mentions the name Huckabee? Honestly, mbecker908. Relax.

    The 2008 Republican nominee is safely tucked away in the Senate, the #3 finisher (he whose position on life depends on the political climate where he is running for office at the moment) just endorsed Bennett (lol), Thompson would be the oldest president in U.S. history if he ran and won, and Ron Paul…..roflol…nuff said.

    That leaves….the #2 finisher Huckabee *ducks mbecker908′s knee-jerk rant/rave* and the Veep nominee Palin. Both excellent choices. Maybe they could run on a joint ticket! Or maybe somebody else like Mitch.

    Please try not to tie yourself into a pretzel should Huckabee win the nomination, sir. Will you join me in voting for him over Obama in November 2012 should such a glorious occasion take place? :-)

  • mbecker908

    Actually, that’s about most of what you do. You pretend you know stuff that you are simply clueless about.

    You would be the one on the left.

  • rfpzzzzz

    It is ridiculous to claim Rick Santorum lost PA senate over his backing of Specter. He got clobbered in a DEM wave . The state turned to Casey , a lib , soft pro-lifer because of the GOP brand and actually Rick appeared too conservative for blue PA. This Bennett thing has turned me off to this website . It reminds me of the Free Republic crap with Romney. You ought to at least get your facts straight. The Santorum mention is an example that at least in this instance , you do not know what you are talking about.

  • acat

    It’s early to play “2012 Roulette”. I’m much more interested in seeing what happens this week in D.C. – does San Fran Nan have the votes? After that, we’ll see what happens in the Utah caucuses, which is where we get the link back to Bennett. 2012 is pretty far out for everyone except the core campaign staffers….

    Speculation – “2012 Roulette” – is fun.

    Mew

  • JSobieski

    (1) Casey is a big name in Pennsylvania
    (2) There was a big D wave
    (3) Santorum was probably the most conservative Senator at the time, and Penn is a blue state
    (4) Casey was the soft, no edges, project yourself into me candidate

    When you think about it, its amazing that Rick did as well in Penn elections as he did.

    People who dislike Spector , , , for being Spector would have to be incoherent for disliking Santorum whose only non-conservative action as a Senator was supporting Spector

    In other words, Rick pretty much rocks!

  • madjayhawk

    If it weren’t for religious Republicans voting against a Mormon and for the ‘real Christian’ in Iowa, in 2008 Mitt Romney would be President right now. The choices Republicans have in 2012 are Romney, Palin, Huckabee, and some dark horse like Jeb Bush. Palin is a disaster. About all she does is generate a lot of energy from a certain celebrity worshiping part of the Republican base. Huckabee is a disaster all the way around. The only thing worse than a socialist in the WH is a smooth talking bible toting preacher man.

    Romney was/is an executive. He knows how to run things. He knows how to fix things. He knows how to hire and fire. Just take a minute and look up the miracle he engineered in the Olympics in Utah. We need an executive in the WH, not a community organizer. He knows government. His experience in MA was great. MA, do not forget for one second, is liberal heaven. He won there. He got things done there. The healthcare that they have now is not entirely his doing. He had to work with a very very liberal state government and state legislature on that. He could not have in a million years turn that state into a Republican one on his own at the time. He is currently working around the country to get REPUBLICANS elected. Some of these Republicans unfortunately are not as conservative as conservatives would like. Some like Bennett could even be considered scumbags. Now is it more important to get Republicans elected or to have 4 more years of Obama/Pelosi/Reid? Before you answer that just ask yourself how many more Supreme Court Judges will retire before 2016? Those judges are the deal maker. Republicans need the BEST candidate in 2012 and not the most ideologically pure one. Romney has ideological warts. Romney has faults. Romney can be stiff and wooden. But he is the best candidate Republicans have with a good chance of being elected. He is working hard to do what is required to get the nomination – supporting local candidates and keeping his name favorably in the news. If the party picks Palin, who is HATED like Bush was by a good 30% of the voters and the media or the smooth talking preacher man, Republicans will be watching Barrack H Obama swear in 2 maybe 3 new Supreme Court Judges. And he will select a VP this time that will be his successor.

    I still have a Romney bumper sticker on my car.

  • madjayhawk

    Obama is a community organizer at heart. He sees all problems through that prism. As a man who talks about visionary things he has none. His WH is a chaotic mess. Look at all the missteps. All the do-overs. All the deadlines made and missed. All the contradictory messages. All the diplomatic blunders. The Republicans should have enough video for 2012 to make him look like a total buffoon. Clinton’s was too for the first 2-4 years until he got rid of the Arkansas mafia and replaced them with some, I have to admit, pretty competent folks. Getting Bill Morris as an adviser was a stroke of genius and luck that got him reelected.

    Clinton was probably the most intelligent and political savvy president we ever had. To me intelligence means that you have the capacity and willingness to learn from mistakes and move forward. Clinton did this. The first 3-5 years of his presidency were a disaster. The last 3 were almost decent because politically he became a moderate Republican for the most part. He was a listener. Obama actually believes he is the messiah I think. Clinton didn’t. I hated Clinton too for reasons it would take 4 posts to remunerate, but I respected the man’s political abilities and intelligence. Only a political genius could have survived the mess he got himself into with an intern.

  • madjayhawk

    The term ‘flip flopper’ needs to be put to rest. We are talking about human beings that are politicians. Politicians always think they know which way the wind is blowing and change accordingly. And human beings can and do change. If they didn’t they would still be swinging from branches. I have no problems with politicians changing their views if they have a halfway decent reason for doing so. Changing ones mind shows a willingness to look at things differently and change. I wouldn’t want to elect someone incapable of changing. If we are were non-flip-floppers on important issues we would all still believe that the stork brought babies.

  • rfpzzzzz

    I voted for Rick in his state wide races. He won when the anger was against the Dems last time against Wofford, I believe.
    The Specter support points out the complexity of political relationships. Specter probably supported Santorum and remember Specter was the one who grilled Anita Hill in defense of Clarence Thomas.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfvDcMzyAlY

    He was against Biden , Kennedy at that time.
    Nevertheless, thank God for Toomey.
    Co -senators probably work together on a lot of non-political issues as well like bridges etc and probably develop working friendships.over time.
    I think it is more sensible to argue particular issues rather than to employ demonization of those that are sometimes with you. I think if one of the houses of congress does not flip in Nov , this country could be a goner. It is better to be smart and honest.

  • Ireland

    I’ve been watching all the re-election campaigns. In Utah out of the 5 candidates running Bennett comes in 4th place and just a faction over the lone Democrat. The race appears to be between Mike Lee and Tim Bridgewater. It doesn’t appear that Bennett will get re-elected. The same goes for Harry Reid. Other vulnerable candidates are: John McCain, Barbara Boxer.

    Unfortunately, many who should be sent to the pasture don’t seem to have much competition. Pat Leahy has been there since 1974 and Daniel Inouye has no one running against him, he’s been in the Senate since 1962. If you want change they rotate the crops.

    The People in Utah were against the bailouts and TARP and Bennett voted for both, which ticked them off. He’s another tone-deaf candidate who rejects the will of the People and now it’s there turn to reject him. Bennett has spent a lot of money, close to 3 million thus far. He’s also spent $72,120,700 on 73 earmarks in 2008-2009. They are angry and the voters will be sending him packing.

  • MF

    Palin may not be perfect, but she’s far better than any of the other *current* front-runners.

  • MF

    Philadelphia is deep blue, Pittsburgh tends to sway with the current trends, and some of the old steel towns can be blue due to union poisoning. The rest of the state can be somewhat red. Overall, the state is purple tending toward blue, but not completely blue like MA or CA. It’s not at all a lost cause for a good R.

  • JSobieski

    nt

  • JSobieski

    In many respects, it was Romney’s nomination to lose, and he lost it.

    No retreads in 2012

  • MF

    Yours is reasonable, but I’m considering more than just the Presidential election. I’m lalsi ooking at the Senate and HR winners.

    I can also see PA turning against Obama, if things don’t change drastically (for the better) between now and 11/12.

  • JSobieski

    the issues are not “national.”

    For example, Arizona has had democrat governors and senators, but they almost always vote Republican for President.

  • rightwingmom52

    with my lack of support for him and in fact my husband, a Christian, voted for him. I didn’t vote for Huckabee either. Neither Romney or Huckabee is as fiscally conservative as I would like and Romney isn’t socially conservative. I don’t care what religion a candidate is (unless it’s Islam/Muslim), I’ll vote for the one who most closely mirrors my own beliefs. You’re the one who sounds biased against religion.

  • Flagstaff

    Well, I don’t LOVE him, but I believe he has many positive aspects.

    I also recognize he has some shortcomings which will make it difficult for him to become our candidate. But he is definitely one of the anti-Obamas.

  • rfpzzzzz

    Rural PA , the center and northern tier (the PA T)is generally red but Philly / Scranton / Pitt sways the thing left. Lot of pro life Catholics in Scranton (they went to Casey over Santorum ) but lately the state has been pretty exasperating for any GOPs on the national level. You can drive all along rt 6 in the north of the state and not see a dem political sign at least until the 2006 series. Carney did defeat Sherwood over sex scandal stuff but I think he is tip toeing on health care. McCain won his district. It isn’t too hard to imagine pro lifers and blue collars tipping the state red after the Obama / Casey experience. Toomey will bring some fresh air.

  • houstoneagle

    that you don’t know how to respond to another person’s perspectives with perspectives on the issues of your own. It’s quite understandable that it would make you want to lash out and just call names. I’d want to do the same thing if I were you, too.

    Now let’s channel that anger and take back the Congress for conservatives, Becker! Whaddyasay? :-)

  • leehazel

    Mitt Romney is a fine gentleman and a good Morman Christian. He is also arguably a very good businessman.

    That said: He is a lousy politician and fails miserably at the “Conservative” test. Simply put, he isn’t one. Anyone who can be comfortable with a health care solution which is unadulterated Socialized Medicine certainly fails in my “classroom”.

    PCis Thought Control
    LEE

  • speckk

    Regardless of his liberal record, which is required for a centrist Republican in a liberal state like Massachusetts, many Utahns like Mitt Romney. People like hime because they assume he’s like them with common beliefs, and the economic benefits of increased tourism after a successful Olympics managed by Romney will last for decades.

    Romney may be a conservative-lite, but Utahns just see an effective manager. Only a minority will even look at his foreign gubernatorial policies.

    People who don’t like Romney won’t care who he endorses. Most people who like Romney will forgive him for supporting a national scene centrist liberal republican like “Bailout” Bob.

    As far as national and Republican establishment politics goes, it would hurt Romney to denounce an influential sitting senator, while supporting Bennett won’t lose Romney Utah’s vote.

    At least supporting Romney is more rational than Palin. He may not be particularly conservative, but I’m not scared about what he would do on the international scene like Palin scares me.

  • briancobbs

    Hey, if anyone shouldn’t judge about occasionally being dramatic in comments, it’s me. I was on the “if McCain gets it I’m voting for Hillary!” bandwagon for a little while until I wised up, so I hear ya.

  • Flagstaff

    “Don’t Ren–” I won’t even type it. Shame on her.

  • Flagstaff

    We will need to elect a good politician and executive to clean up the mess in DC. One who does a good job and is competent will be head and shoulders above BHO. One who starts with workable, believable, executable promises, including one to do everything within his power to repeal the HC disaster if it passes, or to make sure it stays dead if it doesn’t.

    Repubs will have to stay away from tricks of process, and they’ll have to listen to their electors.

    But if we elect a no-experience doofus like Obama we’ll have no staying power.

    And BTW, the answer to our deficit problems is lower tax rates, not higher ones, and lower spending.