Candidates take the greatest risk when they issue blanket statements asserting their superiority over their opponents. It unites the field against them, for one thing. It attracts scrutiny of the claim, for another, as Mitt Romney is finding over his claim to a "true" form of Republicanism. New Hampshire blogger GraniteGrok opines:
Senator McCain effectively shredded fellow Republican wannabee Mit Romney in the speech (which is quite excellent all around) discussing what it means to be a real Republican. Citing Ronald Reagan as the epitome of what a Republican president ought to emulate here in our times, McCain reminds us of Romney's famous denial of Reagan and his legacy during a debate with Ted Kennedy.
Read the full post at the link above, which includes the entire McCain speech. Here's the key zinger:
One of the other Republican candidates made an extraordinary statement yesterday. Former Governor Romney yesterday proclaimed himself the only real Republican in this race. As we all know, when he ran for office in Massachusetts being a Republican wasn't much of a priority for him.In fact, when he ran against Ted Kennedy, he said he didn't want to return to the days of Reagan-Bush. I always thought Ronald Reagan was a real Republican.
When Governor Romney donated money to a Democratic candidate in New Hampshire, I don't think he was speaking for Republicans. When he voted for a Democratic candidate for President, Paul Tsongas, I don't think he was speaking for Republicans. When he refused to endorse the Contract with America, I don't think he was speaking for Republicans. And when he was embracing the Democratic position on many major issues of the day, I don't think he was speaking for Republicans.
With these few words, McCain reopens the wound that is Romney's fatal weakness in seeking the nomination. Changing one's positions on life issues or moving "right" on other issues important to the Republican base can be easily forgiven, because we want to see people moving in our direction on these fronts. However, distancing oneself from Ronald Reagan makes conservatives think, "What the heck is wrong with this guy?"
Remember, the race against Ted Kennedy came AFTER the great successes of the Reagan Administration. The economy had fully recovered from crisis - the ballyhooed "Massachusetts Miracle" was due to Reaganomics, not Dukakisatrics - and the Soviet Union effectively defeated and Eastern Europe and the Captive Nations freed, all without firing a shot. To disclaim affinity for Reagan in the wake of his achievements is to repudiate conservative Republicans.
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Filed under:
2008 Presidential Race, McCain, Primaries, Republican, Romney
Tags: McCain, presidential campaign, primaries, Reagan, Republicans, Romney
Comments (16)
It seems to me that having ... (Below threshold)1. Posted by kim | October 15, 2007 4:00 PM | Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
It seems to me that having the ability to be elected governor of Massachusetts, and still have the sort of fiscal rigour he has, would be a plus the Republicans would appreciate. McCain's tent is shrink to fit.
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1. Posted by kim | October 15, 2007 4:00 PM |
Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 15, 2007 16:00
2. Posted by kim | October 15, 2007 4:01 PM | Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Which reminds me. Where is today's Paul Tsongas?
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2. Posted by kim | October 15, 2007 4:01 PM |
Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 15, 2007 16:01
3. Posted by bryanD | October 15, 2007 5:13 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
"It seems to me that having the ability to be elected governor of Massachusetts, and still have the sort of fiscal rigour he has, would be a plus the Republicans would appreciate.-KIM"
Massachusetts...fiscal rigour....Republicans...appreciate....
That's what we call a "circle jerk of dissonance", Little Lady!
"McCain's tent is shrink to fit.=kim"
True! On C-SPAN McC had a Thompson Applause Begging Moment of his own in Hopkinton. His applause line ended "...Border Security!"
[crickets]
But instead of Asking, McC Pretended:
"Thankyouthankyou"[still crickets]...
"thankyouthankyou"[one clap]...
"thankyouthankyou"[pity applause]
I see RP taking 1st place in NH.
3. Posted by bryanD | October 15, 2007 5:13 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 15, 2007 17:13
4. Posted by kim | October 15, 2007 10:26 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Imagine Ron Paul being elected Governor of Massachusetts.
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4. Posted by kim | October 15, 2007 10:26 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 15, 2007 22:26
5. Posted by Jim Addison | October 16, 2007 3:57 AM | Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Certainly, Romney has the executive experience to be an effective President. I don't think McCain or anyone else questions his fiscal conservatism.
But Romney brought up the subject of being the only candidate to represent the "Republican wing of the Republican Party." If he wishes to pretend to that title, his record of disrespect for the Reagan-Bush Administration is surely fair game.
I may do a "how McCain might still win" post in the next couple of days. Obviously, he must depend on his rivals showing their own weaknesses. Giuliani still has serious problems with social conservatives, Romney appears too canned and prone to expediency, Thompson isn't willing to work hard for the nomination. McCain's chance is to be the last man left standing.
The only "1st Place" Ron Paul might win in New Hampshire would be if he entered the state's "Miss Gold Bug" Pageant . . .
5. Posted by Jim Addison | October 16, 2007 3:57 AM |
Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 03:57
6. Posted by kim | October 16, 2007 6:53 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Imagine Ron Paul administering Massachusetts.
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6. Posted by kim | October 16, 2007 6:53 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 06:53
7. Posted by kim | October 16, 2007 6:54 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
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7. Posted by kim | October 16, 2007 6:54 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 06:54
8. Posted by Glenn Koons | October 16, 2007 3:06 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Oh puleeze stop the nonsense of Ron Paul. He is not going to be the Pub nominee. Please get serious because this upcoming election is just that, serious. As to the Reagan connection, the fact is only Rudy has had any connection with the Reagan years being at Justice for some time and being one of Ronnie's fave prosecutors. It seems nowadays that members of the GOP tent find more pleasure in attacking GOPers than the socialism of Hil and if she wins, think a generation of being out of power. Please, get serious and stop the fantasies.
8. Posted by Glenn Koons | October 16, 2007 3:06 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 15:06
9. Posted by bryanD | October 16, 2007 4:24 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Glenn,
The fact is Giuliani (aka The Ghoul) is the most vulnerable opponent to Hillary the Rs can present. Why?
He matches her hook by crook on the downside.
Gang bangs in the Emergency Response Center, the same ERC that the Ghoul placed in AlQaeda's avowed target (WTC), even stocking the love nest with monogrammed towels and fantasy NYPD and NYFD costumery? aND A private elevator!
8 years w/o getting the gremlins out of the comm system the ERC depended on?
Using influence in the RC Church to have his marriage annulled under the sub-head "incest"?
Recommended Kerik as Homeland Czar though Kerik is "mobbed up"?
(So much for The Ghoul's "reform" reputation. He just took sides in a mob rivalry, so subsequent events show.)
I'll not mention Judy's dog sacrifices to the surgical stapler industry. Or the Ghoul's dancing like a slave girl for the Mannhattan Melvin Club.
So: a short, bald, Catholic lisper vs. Charlesette II Navarre.
Please slap yourself! Weird Catholic (see John Paul II in the fire at Drudge!) vs celeb "Methodist".
And remember, NYC IS ARCH-PAROCHIAL.
("The Others", nationally. Coconut heads with mismatched eye sockets)
9. Posted by bryanD | October 16, 2007 4:24 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 16:24
10. Posted by bryanD | October 16, 2007 4:31 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
PS: Ron Paul is tacitly acknowledged as more popular than "top tier" McCain today (via "adjusted" numbers on quarterly "contributions"). Not explicitly, but Money Do Tawk! And Romney's is increasingly obviously a vanity campaign. BUT HE'S RICH, so...
Thus the Ghoul bar Mitzvah circuit.
10. Posted by bryanD | October 16, 2007 4:31 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 16:31
11. Posted by bryanD | October 16, 2007 4:35 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Glenn: and the issues? Hil and The Ghoul?
The Same!
11. Posted by bryanD | October 16, 2007 4:35 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 16:35
12. Posted by kim | October 16, 2007 6:49 PM | Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Mismatched eye sockets. I love it. Someone will have spikes coming out of his head next.
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12. Posted by kim | October 16, 2007 6:49 PM |
Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 18:49
13. Posted by bryanD | October 16, 2007 7:36 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
"Mismatched eye sockets."
I know whereof I speak. UGLY PEEPS-R-US. And don;t get me wrong: I have connections there. And some of the most achingly beautiful women I've ever seen were spotted there (of course, they weren;t FROM there (Manhattan), but nevermind...)
And hidden gem ethnic restaurants? Queens.
Mexico prices on leather goods? Brooklyn. (mafia?)
A cool town. Huge. But less intimidating than Houston. THAT place will swallow you whole! Double beltway! Bring GPS!
ps: You didn't dissect my Charles of Navarre allusion. So disappointed! Charles II is a great Hillary archetype. Well placed, well set, and 100% capable of repeatedly overturning the game board.
13. Posted by bryanD | October 16, 2007 7:36 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 16, 2007 19:36
14. Posted by OhioVoter | October 17, 2007 8:51 AM | Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
I have to confess. While I have serious reservations about Romney, I am tempted to vote for him just for the "tick people off" factor.
People have every right to like or dislike his policies and decisions, but when they spout religous bigotry while claiming to be the tolerant ones, they should be called on it. If they are unwilling to addresses their bias, then fine - let's elect him and let them find out how much of what they said is truth and how much is really just a hysterical hissy fit.
What I would TRULY like to see is a rational review of why people should vote FOR candidates - petty "doody-head" level insults of candidates and jack booted squelching of even the mildest of disagreement with opinions is not going to convince me of any candidate's - or party's - worth.
I am willing to read a rational (+ and -) review of any candidate regardless of their party affiliation. I don't want to hear if they are "good" Republicans or Democrats - if the candidate wins the election he/she will be EVERYONE's president. So, if you want my attention, tell me about issues and the candidates stand on those issues.
I was one of the disenfranchised voters in Ohio in 2006 (Yes, 2006, not 2004. The stories in 2004 were complete BS.) I want my vote in 2008 to count (first of all) and most of all to count for something.
14. Posted by OhioVoter | October 17, 2007 8:51 AM |
Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 17, 2007 08:51
15. Posted by kim | October 17, 2007 11:25 AM | Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Well, she certainly feels entitled and she can certainly be Mello.
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15. Posted by kim | October 17, 2007 11:25 AM |
Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 17, 2007 11:25
16. Posted by kim | October 18, 2007 7:30 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Competent and clean is going to beat Bergered and crooked. Just watch.
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16. Posted by kim | October 18, 2007 7:30 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 18, 2007 07:30