Mitt Romney got pwned
The New York Times is reporting that Mitt Romney has dropped out of the presidential race. I’ve said before that I think Romney is probably a decent guy whose heart is in the right place. Well, I’m revising that assessment. Even if he is a decent guy, his political persona is abhorrent and I’m glad he won’t ever have a chance at becoming president. Read this excerpt from his concession speech:
“This is not an easy decision for me. I hate to lose,” Mr. Romney said. “If I fight on in my campaign, all the way to the convention, I would forestall the launch of a national campaign and make it more likely that Senator Clinton or Obama would win. And in this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign, be a part of aiding a surrender to terror,” he said during the conference. Members of the audience shouted, “No!” as Mr. Romney spoke. [Emphasis mine]
“A surrender to terror.” If that was Willard McRomney’s last pander – to the Republican base- it was an unnecessary one. And If it wasn’t, then Romney is far more odious then I thought, and he deserves to lose. I don’t know if I’ve said this, but there are no circumstances under which I’d support a Republican for president. But it’s not because I’m some sort of yellow dog Democrat (I vote Democratic because they best represent my interests). It is just that I place a very high value on respect; my disagreement with someone has nothing to do with my personal opinion of that person. The same generally can’t be said of the Republicans; they aren’t content to just disagree, in their eyes if you’re not a “conservative” (read: authoritarian statist), then you must hate America, hotdogs and apple pie.
I can’t vote for a party which treats all disagreement as treason, or at the very least, a priori evidence of bad faith.
So, in conclusion, f*ck you very much Mitt Romney. And good riddance. Bastard.
(Photo from flickr user geraintwn)
Update: Multiple grammar corrections.
“…won’t ever have a chance at becoming president”???? …hahahhaaa Think Again!
Consider the truth in this thought!
Romney, even after dropping out, still has a better chance at being President than some of those still in the race now! …even McCain and Huckabee. Think hard about it!
If you’re a McCain supporter, consider McCain losing the General elections, and will not have a chance again to run – why? – He’s OLD!!..ask Chuch Norris! And Romney has a good chance of being the standard bearer for the GOP in 2012! ….son watch out, cause you might end up eating your own words!
Sadly, I think that Tim is right. Romney is now trying to make himself look like Reagan in 1976. Glenn Beck has been saying that for some time.
Romney will be back.
TRUTH:
DNC attacked Romney more than any other GOP candidate! Therefore, I am not surprised at the exhilaration, excitement and celebration by the Democrats (evidenced by this blog) that Romney has opted out. Of all the GOP candidates, Romney was the most feared one not only because of his competence, experience, intelligence, etc., Romney would have killed Obama and/or Clinton in the debates. Executive experience would have been hard to defend; now it’s easier since Obama, McCain and Clinton are ALL senators and Washington poltiticians, they all don’t have any executive experience. Obama and/or Clinton are happy to face McCain since he is essentially a democrat, only that Obama and Clinton are more liberal. So DEMS’, rest easy now, relax and be grateful you are now assured the White House; your number one hurdle has just decided to wait until 2012!
Um, I don’t know if you’re aware, but I wrote a post earlier in the year (or it may have been last year) entitled “Mitt Romney is probably a decent guy.” And if you were in the position to talk to anyone who knows me, they’d tell you that I was hoping for Romney to win the nomination.
He’d be the easiest to beat
I’m glad he dropped out because another round of Republicans impugning the patriotism and motives of their fellow Americans doesn’t sound like a fun time.
Jamelle:
…again Romney would have been the Dems’ nightmare! …now, sleep tight and sweet dreams!
Actually, I don’t think that Romney would have done well against Obama. Both charismatic, but Obama comes across as sincere, Romney as rehearsed and polished.
That’s one of the reasons that Romney hasn’t done well in the South. A Republican would have had a very hard time winning without the South, executive experience or not. He comes across as the multi-gazillionaire governor of a Northeastern state, rather than as an ordinary guy.
It’s interesting to contemplate Dan’s alternate universe. I’ve seen polls where Romney lost to any democratic candidate by 30 points. A random google search turned up double digit leads for Obama on the first hit. In contrast, McCain is a really strong candidate. I’m genuinely worried that we could be looking at President McCain.
You might also note that Matthew Yglesias, that raging conservative, nominated Romney as the best of the Republicans.