May 23, 2007
Romney's "Tough" New Ad
Here's the latest television ad run by Mitt Romney in Iowa and New Hampshire.
The script says Romney's "done the toughest things" in the "toughest place."
Let's back up a bit. Actually, move forward again -- this is a well-crafted, effective ad.
Now, backing up -- we had several thoughts simultaneously.
1. Mitt Romney worked with liberal Ted Kennedy on the state's innovative universal health care plan. (There is a still image of Kennedy -- graaaarwl -- in the ad).
2. There are plenty of Paul Tsongas Democrats in Massachusetts who think their former governor is, um, bashing
them in a television ad for political gain. Massachusetts residents: if you want to complain in person, the Romney
campaign headquarters is located in the North End.
3. Romney's opponents will bring up the argument that Romney raised fees and therefore he raised taxes. Are fees taxes? If so...
4. Romney cut the rate of spending but overall spending seems to have increased.
5. Enforcing immigration laws brings up the Guatemalan immigrant story....
Posted at 09:42 AM
Comments
What does Romney mean by he was governing a blue state? Does that mean its ok to govern a liberal state liberally? A politician true to his own beliefs does not change his policies based on what office he is running for.
So Romney was a liberal while running in MA.
Romney is running as a "conservative" now.
Will he run like a democrat in '12 if he gets elected in '08 since he will need their votes?
He sounds like Arnold.. a true RINO or a fox in sheep's clothing.
Mitty | 05.23.07 11:37 AM
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Mitty,
Did you not watch the ad?? In probably the most liberal state, Romney cut spending and balanced the budget w/out raising taxes, prevented the expansion of abortion rights, and stood up in defense of traditional marriage, despite the liberal state supreme court. In the midst of all the opposition he faced, anyone w/out firmly entrenched conservative principles would have caved.
llarsen | 05.23.07 01:34 PM
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"4. Romney cut the rate of spending but overall spending seems to have increased."
Of course overall spending increased. Show me a state where it hasn't. So long as there is a Medicaid program and K-12 and other entitlements, overall spending is going to increase. That's a silly criticism. If Romney succeeded in slowing the rate of growth, that's a notable achievement. Would we could say the same about the federal budget.
jsarcher | 05.23.07 09:56 PM
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Llarsen,
You mention cutting spending and balancing a budget as if those are conservative traits. Look at the last three Republican administrations as compared to Bill Clinton's, and think about whether or not actually balancing a budget is something that a Republican would do. A balanced budget has not been a part of the "conservative" agenda in the executive branch over the last three decades.
It seems to me that the word "conservative" is no longer meant to be taken literally when it is used to describe anything fiscal at the presidential level.
Craig | 05.24.07 12:31 AM
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