There is really only one viable Republican candidate for President in the nation. It’s simply too late for any otherwise viable politician to enter the Republican primary race at this point, just as it is too late for any Democrat – other than Hilary Clinton – to mount a primary challenge to President Obama. The darlings of the Republican base couldn’t qualify for dog catcher. That Perry was ever elected governor of any state is mystifying to me but that aside, he has been so unserious as a Presidential candidate that, in my view, he has permanently terminated his entire political career. Aside from Romney, the only member of the Republican field that is qualified to be there is Governor/Ambassador Jon Huntsman but he is running for 2020 [or 2016 if Romney screws up].
Far too many otherwise intelligent people – left and right – have fallen for the purity nonsense on offer from folks who should be seen as the fringe radicals they are. We were fools to elect a community organizer to the office of President of the United States of America – ditto the Bible thumping, x-drunk frat boy. Important national problems can only be solved with national consensus. Whatever it is that we hate about the other side, the fact is that some of their ideas are correct, some of our side’s are wrong and no important progress can be made without consensus. We are not trying to win; we're trying to get it right.
Thus we need the likes of Presidents Clinton or Reagan and not Presidents Carter, W, or Obama. Romney is the next guy; he has experience and nerdy competence. People say that JFK would never been able to handle the Cuban missile crisis had he not failed so miserably over the Bay of Pigs. America’s greatest single fiscal problem is healthcare and Romneycare is likely to be the single best preparation exercise a leader could have for tackling the problem nationally.
Mitt Romney has not just been running for President for many years, he has been preparing for the office. Compare his preparation, desire and tireless effort to that of the others – except for Huntsman, the others aren’t even capable of this kind of commitment.
After the Bush and Obama disasters sensible folks have to be concerned about whether Romney will be any better – not that we have any alternative at this point. So, I found these remarks from David Brooks incredibly reassuring. This is worth a read.
The Serious One
By DAVID BROOKS
NYT, November 7, 2011
Don’t forget: if you care about our kids and grandkids, every one of us must vote in the Republican primaries. It’s not just that Romney must be nominated, it’s also necessary to marginalize the Republican base to the fullest extent possible. Even if you plan to vote for President Obama in the general election, I hope you will vote in the Republican primaries and not as a spoiler but as a citizen that wants to help force our political Parties back toward true public service.
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