If you’re Mitt Romney, busily launching your third bid at the White House, you’re not happy to see The Wall Street Journal say such things as these in a lede editorial (under the headline, “Romney Recycled“):
If Mitt Romney is the answer, what is the question? We can think of a few worthy possibilities, though one that doesn’t come immediately to mind is who would be the best Republican presidential nominee in 2016.
Mr. Romney told donors last week he is mulling a third run for the White House, confirming cheering whispers from his coterie of advisers. The question the former Massachusetts Governor will have to answer is why he would be a better candidate than he was in 2012….
Mr. Romney is a man of admirable personal character, but his political profile is, well, protean. He made the cardinal mistake of pandering to conservatives rather than offering a vision that would attract them. He claimed to be “severely conservative” and embraced “self-deportation” for illegal immigrants, a political killer. But he refused to break from his RomneyCare record in Massachusetts even though it undermined his criticism of ObamaCare. A third campaign would resurrect all of that political baggage—and videotape.
“If Mitt Romney is the answer, what is the question?” Ouch.
You know, if I were Mitt Romney, with more money than I’d ever need and no need whatsoever to earn a living, and I had my health and perfect hair, I suppose I might run for president, too. But beyond giving Mitt something to do, I do wonder, along with the Journal, what the rationale for this campaign is.
What’s his role? The post of duty Establishment candidate is filled by Jeb Bush, who as son and brother of presidents outranks a second-generation presidential wannabe.
One of Mitt’s main claims to qualification is his supposed business acumen. Well, what Mitt-shaped niche does he see out there in the market?
With Hillary Clinton, Jeb Bush, and now Mitt Romney to choose from, we only need one thing to make 2016 complete: Surely, there’s a descendant of Harold Stassen out there somewhere who could jump into this…
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The allure of the cheering crowds and being in the public eye is probably pretty strong once you’ve got a taste of it. Especially if you look at the rest of the crowd and think you’re better than all of them.
Also, I would expect there are plenty of political consultants and similar leeches who would be whispering sweet nothings in Mitt’s ear in order to relieve him and his donors of their cash.
Romney should take his own advice after the 2012 election results and stay out of the running. He seems to be a good person and a devoted family man. What would it gain him to run again and face another defeat? As of today, I see no Republican who has announced that I could vote for but on the other hand, I see no Democrat I could vote for either.
This will probably be my last post on Brad’s blog or at least for the immediate future. Nothing to do with anyone who is a regular contributor, all have earned my respect and admiration, even you bud. I do appreciate your passion. Things have changed with my circumstances and due to embarking on a different path which will require most of my time, at my age, about all I can do when it comes to politics is do as Jeff Dunham’s character, Walter, said on another subject, “About all I can do is run to the end of my chain and bark.”
I will keep up when time allows but I do appreciate the civility and the intelligence level of the regulars whether we agree on an issue or not. Most if not all of the comments are presented with respect and a cogent expression of values and beliefs. Everyone presents a well balanced debate on issues and that is very refreshing in our current toxic political environment.
A healthy debate over issues is needed and after several years of following Brad’s blog, if the elected representatives inside the Beltway could take the time to present and discuss the issues the way Kathryn, Doug, Phillip, and all the others do, maybe the gridlock would cease and the country could move on and be productive for all, not just the select.
Wow, Bart — if I sat up all night trying to think of the kindest things I wish someone would say about this blog, I don’t think I’d come up with anything as nice as what you just said.
On behalf of all the contributors, I thank you so much for so appreciating the civil community that we’ve built over the past few years.
At the same time, I express my regret that you don’t foresee having the time to spend with us going forward. You will be missed, if that’s the case. Here’s hoping that you won’t be as swamped as you anticipate, and will still be able to help us maintain the kind of forum that we all want this to be.
Thanks so much, Bart.
Godspeed!
Good luck in the future endeavors, Bart!
Gosh, thanks, Bart!
Kind, true words, Bart. Good luck with whatever you do and wherever you go.
Live long and prosper, Bart.
I will fully support Mitt’s candidacy if it immediately begins to buy large newspaper ads.
I will fully support Mitt’s candidacy if he travels back in time and immediately begins to buy large newspaper ads in The State, before Robert and I get laid off.
Mind you, he’d have to buy a LOT of them. Or he’ll have to have bought a lot of them. Or whatever. Tenses are tricky with time travel…
Best of luck in your new endeavor, Bart. I’ll miss your comments.
RE: Mitt Romney: He’s got plenty of money, now he wants the (public) power.
Then, after he gets the power, he gets the woman, according to Tony Montana.
So his wife should keep an eye on him…
You know, if I were Mitt Romney, with more money than I’d ever need and no need whatsoever to earn a living, and I had my health and perfect hair, I suppose I might run for president, too.
Not me. No way, no how. You couldn’t pay me to run for president. If I were in Romney’s shoes I’d spend time with my wife, kids and grand-kids, read lots of books, travel, enjoy my hobbies, give lots of money to charity, and generally enjoy my life.
Yeah, now that you put it that way, I’d do the same as you.
I would not want to be president. I’d like to be the guy who the president calls, once or twice a year, to come by the White House and tell him what to do in a tight spot. Or maybe he comes to me.
In other words, a real man of respect, not a pezzonovante. Because a man who does not spend time with his family can never be a real man.
As you see, I’m shooting for some more points for Gryffindor…
Back in my 20s, when I was into community theatre (and yes; I’ve mentioned this before), I played Geoffrey in a production of “The Lion in Winter.” He was the son who would never be king, and foresaw a future in which he was merely chancellor to his younger brother, John. When he told his Mum, Eleanor of Aquitaine, about that plan, she said “How nice for you.” He — which is to say I — sulked, saying “It’s not as nice as being KING”…
I was really into the role, and felt Geoffrey’s sense of deprivation deeply.
But now that I’m much older, I realize that I would PREFER to be the power behind the throne…
Today, at the doctor’s office, I saw a gossipy magazine about Princess Kate being pregnant with “a playmate for George.”
She needn’t bother. My grandson is available for play dates — with toddlers who are the right sort, of course.
Yesterday, during story time at the library, he sauntered up to a strange man and announced, “Me King Boy.” My wife was so embarrassed…
That’s because you are a well-balanced, nice guy, not an overweaning narcissist like so many, if not most, politicians!