Romney – The New George Bush?

Election 2008 (USA) Comments (1)

With the front runner being pro abortion, as far as the Religious Right are concerned, you have to wonder at the sudden popularity of Mitt Romney? While he isn’t a darling by any means, and his credibility is definitely suspect, (see comment ‘Mitt Romney Opposing Gay Rights, Again, Maybe‘) it seems like he could be the one the so called ‘conservatives‘ will line up behind.

Frankly I have no problem with people having different views on issues like abortion, like gay rights even. What I have a problem with is their need to force that view on me, irrespective of my rights. This alone should preclude people like Mitt Romney from being a nominee, though you have to give him credit, he’s certainly shrewd in how he’s campaigning. Still you also have to look at the Religious Right, and how they are so wound up about abortion and gay rights.

James Bopp Jr., an influential conservative lawyer and general counsel to the National Right to Life Committee, said, “For the Republican Party to nominate a pro-choice candidate would be very destructive of the party.” Mr. Bopp, who has signed on as an adviser to the Romney campaign, said that a Republican nominee who supported abortion rights “would essentially be at war with the base, and that would manifest itself in a lot of different ways.” (source)

He is like George Bush in so many ways. (see comment ‘Romney – The New George Bush?‘) I mean does anyone still assume Bush is sincere in his policies, or statements? Yet in the past, he certainly talked a good game. Enough to convince the Right to support him and get him elected to President for two terms. Question is, can his clone Mitt Romney do the same?

One minute, Romney supports Gay Rights, even advocates the rights of those seeking an abortion, until two years ago, when suddenly he became a firm advocate of Pro Life. A convenient switch, in time to make his run for President, but I wonder if the candidacy of someone like Fred Thompson would upset his apple cart? Sam Brownback certainly hasn’t, but then he isn’t as well known, or as well heeled. Thompson on the other hand is known, and has a charisma that just might pull it off, though Romney certainly has the bucks.

And that also makes one recall George Bush. Bush had the backing, the funds to wage his campaign, just as Romney does. This is what helped Bush outlast his opponents, as well as deflect their concerns. Something Romney has learned quite well. The way he uses his money so aptly, to position himself, to defend himself. The mere manner in how he attacks others, labeling them, belittling them, is very similar to George Bush.

For myself, the scary part in all this, is that people are willing to decide a President, based on whether or not he will support what is basically a matter of conscience. Abortion is something each woman has to decide, for herself. To force that decision, to turn the clock back is not about protecting the unborn, but is more about forcing one’s own religious views on the majority. It didn’t work in the past, and it won’t work today, but what does it say about a candidate who is willing to sacrifice his morals, his values, in order to appeal to a select group, as Mitt Romney clearly is doing, as George Bush clearly has?

Can the United States stand another term of a George Bush type President?

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Mitt Romney Campaign Site

Fred Thompson Website

Sam Brownback Campaign Site

Ian @ July 31, 2007