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Message Discipline or Tin Ear: Mitt Romney and Social Conservatives

By: kipling (Diary)  |  August 7th, 2012 at 01:41 AM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

In the midst of the Chick-fil-A controversy last week, Mitt Romney voted “Present.”

In Las Vegas on Friday, a reporter asked Romney about the Chick-fil-A controversy and about Michele Bachmann’s call for an investigation into the influence exercised by the Muslim Brotherhood within the federal government.  Romney effectively shut down that line of questioning by saying, “Those are not things that are part of my campaign.”  He then moved on to the next question.

Aides to the presumptive Republican nominee claim that Romney is simply exercising message discipline by keeping the focus upon the economy, which he sees as the best way to defeat President Obama.  Some social conservatives are not convinced.

Bill Donohue, President of the Catholic League, told Newsmax that he found the remarks disheartening and speculated that many social conservatives – already uneasy with Mr. Romney – might sit out the race since they do not feel Romney will represent their interests in Washington.  Donohue wondered why Romney felt the need to go “agnostic on the issue” when leftists like Alan Dershowitz and the ACLU had already condemned the attacks on Chick-fil-A.

“Social conservatives have to make up their mind whether they should just simply stay at home, or go out there and vote for Romney,” said Donohue. “I’m astonished that he couldn’t even come to grips with the question — leaving gays out of it — do we want the chief executives, the mayors of large cities trying to intimidate, using the power of government against private enterprises whose politics they disagree with? I think it’s a pretty simple issue.”

Pat Buchanan and Richard Viguerie expressed similar frustration with the Romney campaign and echoed the same warnings.

Personally, as a social conservative, I give Mitt Romney the benefit of the doubt on this one.  It is clear that Romney and his campaign advisers see the economy as the dominant issue of the election and the perfect venue to draw a distinction between himself and Barack Obama.  They also view the economy as a way of unifying not just conservatives but moderates and just left-of-center liberals who might reject Obama’s overt leftism.  With that in mind, he refuses to be drawn off that issue.  Yet, unlike John McCain, Romney has so far refused to condemn those who attack Obama on other fronts.  In response to the same reporter, he flatly stated:  ”I’m not going to tell other people what to talk about.”

Nonetheless, Romney’s strategy of focusing exclusively on the economy does present a clear danger.  Romney would do well to remember that the only hope he has to gain the White House is to lead a coalition of conservatives (social, fiscal, and national defense), moderates, and independents against the Obama/Chicago machine.  Each part of the coalition must feel that they have a stake in the victory and that the sacrifices (time, money, resources, etc) they are called upon to make are worth it.  A nod by Romney toward Chick-fil-A would have went a long way to putting social conservatives at ease.  The outpouring of support the company received from across the political spectrum would have given Romney enough cover to at least come out in support of free speech and against abusive governments (mayors) who would silence that speech.

Coalition warfare is a frustrating proposition and a messy affair.  Sometimes a leader has to yield to the needs of a coalition member and risk a little capital to support an ally.  As Winston Churchill once quipped:  ”The only thing worse than fighting with allies is fighting without allies.”

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  • checkmate2012

    I agree that by Friday, Romney had a leg to stand on (no pun intended) especially for free speech. And while I completely agree with Bachman et al, it is an explosive issue and a nominee doesn’t want to implode.

    However for Donohue and anyone other social conservative to ponder a vote for Romney or stay at home, is a vote for O. It’s a no brainer to me; vote for Romney even if it’s a baby step and you have to plug your nose because the alternative is way worse. Get over it is what I’d tell them or else O is at the helm again.

    Lastly in regards to this statement: “Yet, unlike John McCain, Romney has so far refused to condemn those who attack Obama on other fronts.” I don’t recall the maverick doing such at all. Matter of fact, he said he wouldn’t tolerate slander or even hard hitting, thus how we got O as president. He was weak on offense and defense and we all lost due his “above the frail”.

    Romney staying on message is a good thing. Sticking up for freedom of speech would have been a good thing. Accusing him of taking a pass, especially after his remarks in Israel, is not 100% accurate. I ‘d rather see him win, then chase the Left’s rabbits and lose.

    Still liked your post as it was thought provoking :)

    • kipling

      The statement is a little convoluted – my apologies. What I meant was that while McCain often condemned others who attacked Obama, Romney has not so far. In fact, Romney has flatly refused to do so. That is a good thing.

      • Common_Cents

        Hasn’t he done enough damage? He needs to be put out to pasture.

        • kipling

          Mark Levin is already expressing concern that conservatives will be excluded from all of the prime time spots. Last I heard Sarah Palin had not been invited. I am not sure about Demint.

          • Common_Cents

            I just hope he doesn’t go all squish like McCain and tell people obama is a good guy.

            Romney needs hardcore surrogates out there doing the dirty work to respond to DEM attacks though at the very least.

          • commonsenseobserver

            Given that both Presidens Bush and VP Cheney are not attending, it’d be strange not to have our party’s most recent nominee and standard bearer speaking. On the other hand, I’m cool with Rand Paul, I have no great hatred of Condi Rice, and I’m sure a decent portion of the primetime speakers will be mainstream Conservatives.

  • funwithknives

    many Americans of all stripes are not enough to keep SoCons on board, perhaps {gentle suggestion} it’s time they go to an Unemployment Line or a Job Fair, or go talk to a couple of local bankers, and get a reality check.
    They can look no further than right here and talk to The Chubby One.
    If it’s Stark Reality they need, I got oodles to share……..

    Mitt endorsed Traditional Marriage,DOMA and similar.
    No way is he gonna go ‘squishy’ on The M B, but this is not in play with 92 days remaining.

    Looking for Signs is a loser. What ever happened to ‘Faith’ ?

    ‘Faith’, in what he has previously stated.
    ‘Faith’, that he listens and will act , as things develop.
    ‘Faith’ , that our Cause is Correct and that enough see this, as We do.

    I have no doubts that Mitt is going to stumble and look a bit cloddy once in a while. That he is not going to ‘satisfy’ everyone who voted for him.
    Them’s The Breaks, guys.
    I’ll take 70% of A Mitt ,seeing as what we have now is a 100% loser.

    ….and like it or not, pure enough or not , those are your choices.

    Reality vs. Purity , and who is ‘The Winnah’ ?
    Those ARE The Stakes in this struggle.
    Go get some Big Eyes and buck up.

    • kipling

      Mitt Romney does not inspire a lot of faith in social conservatives. We remember he was pro-choice until he decided to run for President. We remember the contraception mandate he supported and enforced as governor. The same mandate he now opposes. We remember him already being squishy on several of these issues.

      As Reagan said, “Trust, but verify.”

      • funwithknives

        and filed as ‘active’.

        Not trying to pick any nits, but Ronnie was a Demo for quite a while, was he not? He listened learned and got it going.

        I’m no big ole’ booster of Mitt, and his failings as such have been brought u hereabouts enough that I too, am wary.

        But part of the Faith Thing I’m talking about includes staying on him, for every day he’s in office. Faith in you ,me and ‘these here’ commentors , letting the GOP know when it’s not OK and ditto for Mitt.
        Faith that he has the Brains His Creator gave him , the power of Objectivity and Reason, and he feels the heat/sees the light.
        {As Everett Dirksen used to exclaim}

        SoCons can be invaluable in this fight, and I dare say trend-setting.
        After all they’ve been given the self-same gifts I suggest Mitt has.
        …and they’re tough to say NO to………..

      • PowerToThePeople

        but I must remind you that while I do not know what caused Romney’s “conversion,” it does not take a great amount of time to convert.

        With the exception of abortion which I have always been against, coming out of college and early in my business career, I was the cliche liberal who made way too much money for my age which brought about board room drug use, hard partying, believed in most socialist causes, thought government should be in the business of caring for the bums, etc. Went to church during a revival at the behest of my parents, got saved, and literally woke up the next morning disgusted with not only who I was but what I believed in. Since that day, more years ago than many on here have been alive, I became a staunch conservative. Outside of my temper and sometimes sailor mouth, my life changed along with my politics in just one night.

        I tend to believe Romney could have reformed his political beliefs and personal beliefs until show different. Simply because I know a person can wake up instantly whether due to faith or due to a life experience.

        • kipling

          I have no doubt that a conversion can happen and that it can happen quickly. Romney however must inspire trust.

          Look at it like this. A biker for the Hell’s Angels sudden experiences a conversion when he decides he wants to date your daughter. The conversion may be real or it may be a conversion of convenience. I am sure not going to let him take out my daughter alone until I see some fruit of that conversion. And possibly on after she is 40.

          Thanks for sharing your conversion story. Godspeed.

  • kipling
  • Common_Cents

    obama campaign wanted to rile up the GBLT group, since he was forced to come out earlier this year for the SSM. Let him flame out on that one.

    Have reporters asked obama on this issue? Oh yeah, Barry hasn’t taken questions in how long?

  • lineholder

    I’m a SoCon, and there’s nothing I would like more than to see Romney become a champion for SoCon issues.

    But to be honest with you, I think he should stay with the approach he’s taking of putting our economy first. My viewpoint on this is based on a relatively simple correlation between poverty and individual behaviors. When the number of people living in poverty is high, this can have a direct and/or indirect influence on things such as abortion, criminal activity, lawless behavior, etc.

    As far as I’m concerned, it all comes back down to human beings as individuals. When the opportunity to succeed exists in a way that empowers the individual, this influences the kinds of goals that people can establish in their lives. Without goals to strive for, they can settle into a complacent, apathetic life that doesn’t go much further than simply surviving from day to day. They can live without any real sense of purpose or direction.

    Since President Obama removed the requirements from our welfare programs that people should at least try to apply for jobs…this basically leads directly into the analogy of apathy and complacency that I’ve stated above. That’s the type of economic and social environment Obama’s choice is likely to perpetuate. The longer this type of environment exists, the more people we’re going to have who become acclimated to a life of simply existing and nothing more. The more people we are likely to have living in poverty. And I think we as SoCons should look long and hard at where this could lead on other issues.

    The American people are capable of much more than this. And we deserve a lot better than this, too. But until the economic situation changes….

    OTOH, we already know that one of the favorite memes of the left is to take any type of SoCon philosophy that they disagree with or that could ultimately get in the way of their agenda and demonize that philosophy to the hilt! It gives them an opening to try to dictate the narrative, and it also draws attention away from just how disastrous Obama’s policies are for our country.

    There’s still a fair amount of uncertainty in this Presidential race. If Romney can stay on focused presenting an economic plan that gives us a strong chance of turning things around, and if this allows him an opportunity to establish a level of confidence with the general public…I think in this situation that’s what he should do.

    • kipling

      A private citizen used his freedom of speech to express a view that did not sit well with the left. The left responded by trying to silence him and by using the power of government to threaten the very existence and expansion of his business.

      How is that a battle not worth fighting? How is it that Mitt Romney appears to the left of the ACLU on the issue?

      • JSobieski

        Individuals are free to boycott what they want, but government decisions based on the exercise of free speech is something that even the ACLU would oppose.

        Its an 70/30 issue if taken in that manner.

      • lineholder

        I simply think that in the situation we’re facing, trying to determine where the highest priorities should be isn’t as easy as we might wish for it to be.

        We’re riding along a very dangerous line right now where a growing number of people in our country don’t have a level of confidence that allows them to genuinely believe that it is possible for things to turn around.

        Truth being told, this is exactly the type of mentality that the left wants to see because it encourages people to become dependent on government. Republicans haven’t been helpful as they could be simply because they refuse to take a strong stand on issues such as entitlement reform and they keep passing nonsensical legislation that spends tons of taxpayer contributed public funds on programs that have high failure rates and provide next to nothing in the way of a practical return on investment to taxpayers.

        At the very best, those who do still believe that this nation and its people have what it takes to turn things around are still inclined to look at Romney as being nothing more than the lesser of two evils. Even Conservatives are guilty of this, kipling.

        So for Romney, if he’s going to have any chance to actually succeed in the things that he is trying to promote, he has an uphill battle to climb in convincing people that the opportunity to turn things around does still exists and that he is capable of providing the leadership that will allow us to do this.

        All the way around, the situation is frustrating for everyone. But for people living at or below the poverty level, it’s a daily struggle to keep a positive attitude about any of it. The line of despair is just more of a reality for people living in poverty. I’ve lived in that economic bracket for the past three years so I can speak from an experiential position on this one.

        One of the highest priorities, then, has to be that Romney connects with people in a way that inspires to them believe that the potential to turn things around does indeed exist…that we don’t have to settle for a mere existence dependent on government…that we don’t have to settle for the management of America’s decline.

        • kipling

          If the economic strategy is the way to win the election then by all means pursue it. However, he must support the members of his coalition. He does not have to make the campaign about social issues but he does need to give a nod to that wing of the coalition or they will be uninspired in the general.

          • lineholder

            For myself, I’m looking at it more from a big picture context. I’ve developed something of a thick-skin about it when politicians don’t give us any kind of nod. I’m not interested in getting offended over it or taking it personally. And I’m not about to cut off my nose to spite my own face by sitting at home waiting around for politicians to provide leadership on issues when that leadership may never come.

            The last three to four years of my life have been challenging to say the least, but there’s been a silver lining in it. Because I’ve been living below the poverty level in my personal life, it’s allowed me to empathize with younger females who face the same economic reality and find themselves pregnant. I’ve had a chance to be directly involved in 5 mothers choosing the life of their child over an abortion. And part of it has to do with challenging them to believe that they are capable of succeeding in many things, including being a mother.

            I don’t have to have a politician’s nod to be proactive in supporting a SoCon positions, kipling. I can do that, independently, of my own free will. So can other SoCons as far as that goes.

          • kipling

            The whole Chick-fil-A issue last week had nothing to do with Romney. The left attacked a private citizen and conservatives of all stripes rallied to his aid – so did moderates and even some leftists. The battle was done and over by the time Romney voted “Present.”

            As conservatives we do not need a messiah or all powerful leader to give us permission before we act. However, if Romney wants to lead a coalition in his battle for the White House, he has to start acting like a leader of a coalition. This past week, in the heat of battle, our leader was on the sidelines saying “I want to fight in this direction.” He even refused to give moral support to the issue of free speech. He may play it safe right into the “also ran” bin of history – which means the U.S.A. will be history.

            Let me give you a personal example. Barring an unforeseen event or revelations, I will vote for Romney as the lesser of two evils. However, I have made my first and possibly my last donation to the Romney campaign. I will send my resources and my time to places like the Heritage Foundation, the Ted Cruz campaign, the Senate Conservative Fund, etc. These organizations more reflect my values. If Romney wants more than that, then he needs to move my direction. If he moves in the opposite direction, then I plan to be a burr under his saddle. It is his choice.

          • lineholder

            If it is, kipling, then we simply have major differences in opinion. Nod from Romney or not, there is no way under God’s glorious sun that I’m going to let anything get in the way of what we chance we might have to not only save this country but to actually turn things around.

            I have three children and five-grandchildren to think about…not just myself.

            Not a chance. Sorry.

          • earlgrey

            Just two little ones at my house, but I am sick of losing sleep over their future.

          • kipling

            I support Romney, have written in support of Romney, and have supported him financially; however, I am under no delusion that a Romney victory will save our country and secure the future of our children.

            Romney if infinitely better than Mr. Obama but it is foolish to thing that his election will be the silver bullet that solves all of our problems. Conserving traditional American values and the U.S. Constitution will save our country. Therefore, I will support those who support those values.

            The problems we face will take at least a generation to solve. We need a conservative movement that thinks beyond the next election and plans to wage a generational battle for the heart and soul of our country.

            As the saying goes, I don’t know what the future holds but I do know who holds the future. I trust in Him. If we are going to turn things around it will not be because we elected one man as President.

            If electing Romney supersedes all other goals, then why all the fuss to elect conservatives to the Senate? Why not devote RedState entirely to the Romney campaign?

          • earlgrey

            is where I am right now. If you want to go out and discourage a bunch of other people than please be my guest, but I am not here to be reminded of how hopeless the situation is.

          • kipling

            My point is that it will take a lot more than the election of one man to turn the country around. I say that as a realist not as a fatalist. I think it can be done. I think it will be done. But we have to be realistic and not expect the world to be magically made right after Romney is elected.

            The election of Mitt Romney is a good and necessary (actually crucial) start but it is only a start. No conservative should have the delusion that Romney will lead us to the promised land. We might have to drag him there kicking all all the way. Such is modern leadership.

          • earlgrey

            We won’t ever go back and we will never stop. Romney isn’t the answer. We are.

          • kipling

            E

          • westcoastpatriette

            Romney does not “like” to offend anyone so we must make him feel very uncomfortable when he is veering too much to the center on any issues of importance to conservatives. I think constant pressure from Tea Party and social conservatives will be needed if he is elected to prevent him from caving to too much compromise. I think he knows it would be really dangerous to anger us too much.

          • gekster

            “If electing Romney supersedes all other goals, then why all the fuss to elect conservatives to the Senate? Why not devote RedState entirely to the Romney campaign?”

            Why do you think we can’t walk and chew gum at the same time.
            I think we are handleing it quite well.

            And if you are or anyone else in Michigan,
            get out and vote if you havn’t already.

          • kipling

            It is a rhetorical question and your statement is exactly the point.

            Not only can we chew gum and walk at the same time. We should. And we should not put all of our eggs in one basket.

          • gekster

            :)

          • lineholder

            You mentioned before that you have money to donate to campaigns. Good for you. I don’t envy you one bit on that point. I’m on the other end of economic spectrum., and I have had more than my share of days where I’m lucky to have case quarters to rub together, much less to have the luxury of devoting to campaigns.

            I’m not the least bit interested in wallowing in self-pity, and I’m not saying to have anyone else feel sorry for me either. As a matter of fact, it would tick me off if they did, because about the last thing I need is encouragement to feel sorry for myself coming from anyone.

            But when it comes to what kind of opportunity I want for my children and their children, along with other future generations of Americans…a great deal of what kind of life they end up living is dependent on our economy. At the very least, I know that Mitt Romney not only understands the importance of free-market capitalistic activity and the correlation between individual freedom and liberty, but he’s also been willing to let it be known that he adamantly believes that by supporting free-market capitalism, we do have the chance to turn things around.

            Do I want to see the Conservative movement grow? Yes. Do I want to Conservatives have a greater impact in government? Yes. Do I believe that economically fiscal policies are THE best possible choice to make for our nation’s future? Yes.

            Am I willing to follow blindly behind some sort of purity test where Romney is concerned that could conceivably have a negative impact on the lives of my children and grandchildren, plus all the other people living in poverty in this nation?

            NO, I’m not. You can take that path if you want to. That’s up to you. But I will not follow that lead. Period.

          • kipling

            I have not called for a purity test.

            I have not called for people to not support Romney.

            I only mentioned the campaign donation to show that I do indeed support Romney.

            I have not minimized your effort. We all contribute in various ways. You have written some solid diaries that have contributed greatly to the cause here at Red State. Your support of the pro-life effort means a lot more than if someone fully funded Romney’s campaign. All else will pass away but humans are born for eternity.

            You are free to do as you choose but do not unload on me when I have done none of the things you mentioned.

          • lineholder

            If that doesn’t fit the description of a purity test, what does, kipling?

            I guess what is really bothering me about your comments is that you don’t seem to be acknowledging that we genuinely are riding along a very dangerous line. If we the people stop believing in ourselves…if we lose confidence in ourselves that we have what it takes to succeed…if the very spirit of American independence ends up being broken in a way that people slide into the depths of economic despair where they simply accept whatever meager existence government is willing to dole out to them….

            I wasn’t exaggerating when I said that people living in a state of poverty ride much closer to that line of despair, kipling. In many ways, I’ve been blessed because I have a very supportive family, but I know a lot of people who haven’t been that fortunate. Given where they are, it’s so tempting to buy into the narrative of having government provide for them, just to have some sense of security.

            We HAVE to present a strong alternative to counter some of those temptations, and free-market capitalism is the best shot we’ve got.

            I adamantly and wholeheartedly support Conservatism with a great, big raging “C”. There’s just a lot more at risk than it might seem.

          • lineholder

            I think all of us would be better served if we could take an approach of “all hands on deck” for the time being rather than trying to draw lines in the sand and making stipulations of “if so-and-so doesn’t do such-and-such, I’m going to do X, Y, and Z”

            And that isn’t meant to be derogatory towards you personally or anything of the sort. It’s simply the response of someone’s been living for a good while riding that lines, has plenty of contact with other people in the same positions, and understands how the left is trying to prey on those vulnerabilities in order to bring this nation down!

          • kipling

            What I said is that I choose to allocate my resource toward conservative causes that support my values. I support Romney but I am not going to be all hands on deck on the U.S.S. Romney and not support conservatives elsewhere.

            If you define purity test that broadly then the term loses all meaning. Accepting your definition, you obviously have a purity test or you would support Obama.

            I understand poverty. I grew up in the Appalachian mountains and worked with an inner-city mission for a number of years. I understand that a lack of certain social values will lead to poverty quicker than any Presidential nominee.

          • lineholder

            They know about what it takes to survive independent of government than just about any other sector of our population. On one hand, it’s just part of a behavioral standard that gets passed down from generation to generation to have a distrust of government. They’d rather eat tree bark than rely on social programs. On the other hand, most of those counties are poor, so out of necessity the people living in those counties have to ensure their own survival as best they can.

            That isn’t the case for flat-landers, especially urbanites. I think you know that as well as I do.

            Be careful, please, kipling. Seriously. In 2008, we saw the great seduction of the American people with a message of “Hope and Change”. In 2012, we’re going to be seeing a different kind of seduction…one whereby efforts are made to appeal to those who have been facing tough times for the sake of economic security. And given the number of jobs we’ve lost in four years and that the loss of jobs has continued for an extended period of time…the seduction of 2012 may very well succeed.

            Just don’t go so far that Romney ends up being undermined in countering that seduction, okay?

            For myself, I’m already doing what I can to express to other people who may have been fairly independent 4 years but who have been riding the same line I have that…they really need to think about the trade-off…security for freedom and liberty. And not just for themselves. For future Americans as well.

            That’s all I know to do at this point.

        • littlehouse18

          We already had the proof with the turnout. Romney failed to grab a certain boost to his campaign.

          • kipling

            R

      • runner12

        Romney could have easily come out and supported Chik-Fil-A’s right to free speech. When some Lefties beat him to the punch on that one, it is bad. That is a win-win issue for Romney.

        On the Bachman thing, he was wise to stay silent. It is an evolving issue and would most likely succeed in getting him off-message.

        • kipling

          as long as he does not condemn her calling for an investigation. As the Breitbart sites and pjmedia have pointed out, there are reasons to be concerned about the influence of the Muslin Brotherhood in the federal government.

          Let her lead the charge on that front but do not pull a McCain and undercut a legitimate issue.

          • runner12

            NT

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