Peggy Noonan: Mitt Romney was the more Conservative Candidate
I came across this article by Peggy Noonan this morning and although it is dated Jan.2, 2009, it seems to be an article that was written some time ago, around the period following the 2008 primaries.
The article deals with some of the leading figures in the election, but I wanted to excerpt the part that deals with Gov. Romney. I know this can be categorized as “water under the bridge” but it is still encouraging to hear another opinion from the political right, other that the Mike Huckabee looneys who are forever decrying doctrinal deviations.
~~John Cronin~~
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL ONLINE
The Republican contest may well end on Tuesday, but I sense little relief and much unease. In terms of avowed programs, policies and approaches, Mitt Romney was the more conservative candidate, and his even-keeled air won many friends. He offered executive experience and business acumen. As for how he came across, here is Mike Deaver on Ronald Reagan: “This is a face that when the baby sees it, the baby smiles.”
His supporters tell me he will fight to the end. The conservative establishment still has hopes. But the great unruly base may be doing some redefining.
If you go by the Florida returns, maybe this year positions aren’t everything. Republicans on the ground think the conservative is the one who suffered 5½ years in the Hanoi Hilton. Republicans on the ground think the conservative is the one who has endured a lifetime in the rounds in Washington and survived as antispending, antiabortion and pro-military. Republicans on the ground think the conservative is the old fighter jock who’ll keep the country safe in a rocky time ahead. And maybe Republicans on the ground are saying: He earned it.
The conventional wisdom is Mr. Romney can’t win it while Mike Huckabee’s in it. If Mr. Huckabee dropped out, Mr. Romney might pick up his conservatives. But Mr. Huckabee seems very happy running, and perhaps happy thinking of his future as the Mitt slayer in the party of John.
Mr. McCain seems to me to have two immediate problems, both of which he might address. One is that he doesn’t seem to much like conservatives, and never has. They can’t help admire him, but they’ve disagreed with him on so many issues, and when they bring this up his demeanor tends to morph into the second problem: He radiates, he telegraphs, a certain indignation at being questioned by people who’ve never had to vote in Congress and make a deal. He’s like Moe Greene in “The Godfather,” when Michael Corleone tells him he’s going to buy him out. “Do you know who I am? I’m Moe Greene. I made my bones when you were going out with cheerleaders.” I’ve been on the firing line, punk. I am the voice of surviving conservatism.
This doesn’t always go over so well. Mr. Giuliani seems to know Mr. McCain is Moe Greene. Mr. Huckabee probably thought “The Godfather” was kinda violent. Mr. Romney may be thinking to himself, But Michael Corleone won in the end, and had better suits.
January 2nd, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Peggy Noonan was so very right, and when all the babies where handed to the candidates each and everyone cried or wiggled around, when Mitt held the babies he was totally relaxed and so were the babies……..Funny , I watch for those clues…..Mitt is real, he has many grandchildren and his love shows for children……Mitt was the best candidate, he should have won……we lost a great man, only for now, not forever……when he suspended, he said, I will have more time for the grandchildren…not even close did any other candidate say anything so meaningful………….all because it was John McCain’s turn…..well, it did not work!!!!!!!
January 2nd, 2009 at 5:15 pm
The US was very against the republicans in General, republicans in general will be better suited for 2012 and beyond. As long as Romney is the candidate next time, we will be very well off.
January 2nd, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Paulee, you are so right. My kids (ages 6, 8 and 10) had the honor of meeting and speaking with Mitt at several events and he was wonderful with them. They even got a tour of the Mittmobile and pictures taken sitting in the drivers’ seat. They adore him and get so excited whenever they see him on TV. He is such a good man.
Huckabee and McCain, on the other hand, have faces that make babies (and intelligent adults) scream in terror…
January 2nd, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Paulee…..Good insights, watching for the body language clues.
JA….Too Funny….I scream in terror and reach for the remote control when Huckabee’s show comes on.
January 2nd, 2009 at 10:50 pm
As for ‘Mitt slayer” Huckabee, he’s been given the honor of securing a place on Politico’s top 10 weirdest moments of 2008 list. At last, Huckabee is receiving an accolade he soundly deserves!
The top 10 weirdest moments of 2008
By Andy Barr Jan 1, 2009
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0109/16986.html
The 2008 political year will likely be remembered for its historic firsts, beginning with the election of Barack Obama as president.
But that doesn’t mean the past 12 months have been marked solely by high-minded drama and consequential events. In honor of the less lofty moments, the nutty or flat-out bizarre happenings in the political arena, Politico offers its 10 weirdest moments.
Mike Huckabee’s news conference to announce he wouldn’t show a negative ad that he then showed to everybody
Shortly before the Iowa caucuses, the former Arkansas governor held a news conference to inform reporters that he was taking a principled stand against negative campaigning.
Though Huckabee had an attack ad against Mitt Romney at the ready, he said he had decided to “do the right thing” and pull the plug on the negative spot.
But not before first showing it to the assembled media, surrounded by five placards on easels leveling the same attacks on Romney.
Ok, so it happened on Dec. 31. But since it was too late to make any 2007 lists and the derisive laughter lasted into 2008, we think it qualifies here.
January 4th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Getting Huckabee to see the light and bring evanglicals on board to Romney would be icing on the cake. This could be done somehow by appealing to Huck’s giant ego. If Huckabee’s ego and gameshow personality could be used to get him to realize he is more effective on his TV show than on the campaign trail, he could help Mitt win this thing.