The Irony of Mitt Romney

I heard most of Mitt Romney's speech earlier tonight and he sounded a lot like the reasonably appealing moderate technocrat I voted for in 2002. Certainly, much more like that guy than like the "three-legged stool" New Model Wingnut he's been running as. Meanwhile, John Judis notes that despite Romney's more moderate record, he actually succeeded in convincing New Hampshire voters that he was more conservative and "bested McCain only among voters who considered themselves 'very conservative' and were 'enthusiastic' about the Bush administration. In New Hampshire, these voters were a decided minority."

If Rommey had run on his record, in short, he might have won. On the other hand, we saw in 2000 what happens in a GOP primary where moderate Republicans and independents go for John McCain -- he loses to the conservative. But with Mike Huckabee in the field, it's going to be hard for Romney to consolidate social conservatives against McCain. Of course, it also remains to be seen if Rudy Giuliani can rally his forces to any extent.

Comments

You voted for Mitt Romney?

Posted by Noah | January 8, 2008 11:06 PM

You voted for Mitt Romney?

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice...won't get fooled again!

In actual votes, Rudy! is getting his butt kicked by the field. It couldn't happen to a nicer man.

Posted by Jeff S. | January 9, 2008 2:15 AM

I confess. I voted for Romney for the same reason in '02 too. However, Mit can't run on his record... he effectively quit the job about nine months in. If he had continued as governor through at least 2004, he might have something to campaign on. Instead he decided to tour the country bashing Massachusetts!

Posted by Stav | January 9, 2008 10:28 AM