On Mitt Romney

Throughout this perpetual presidential campaign of ‘08 Mitt Romney has struck me as that good guy in high school who portrays himself to be something he is not in an effort to convince the hot girl in school to go out with him. Every intimate account I have read of the governor has painted the picture of a decent and intelligent man whose greatest talent is his executive competence. His record of accomplishment in the private business sector is undoubtedly impressive, and to a certain extent so to is his record as governor of Massachusetts.

What’s more, as profiles have demonstrated in the Wall Street Journal and the Weekly Standard, his approach to politics and the individual issues that present themselves in government is refreshingly non-ideological, based instead in assessing objective data and the various options available.

This is Governor Romney’s greatest asset, and should therefore be the theme of his campaign. Logically he should be running as an accomplished executive who will bring and utilize that prowess as the nation’s chief-executive, enabling him to resolve the various challenges that face this nation, notably deficit, debt, health-care, and Social Security.

But this has not been the message what I and I think many other Republicans have taken from his campaign. He has tried to present himself—in a field noted for its lack of a standard, consensus conservative—as the pro-life candidate in the race, the ideological representative of the culturally conservative base of the Republican Party.

The problem is that until very recently this was not reflected in his record in Massachusetts. He was, by his own admission, "operationally pro-choice" as a candidate for U.S. Senate in ‘94 and again as a candidate for governor in ‘02. At those times he presented himself in the terms I outlined above.

Running now for president, he has done an about face. I do not intend to question the personal validity of Governor Romney’s conversion in matters of life, and in fact welcome it1, but merely point out that this has understandably created concerns among the Republican electorate about the veracity of his principles. His evolving positions—on life and other issues—has given some cause to believe that he is willing to say what is necessary to get him elected, the consummate paragon of the stereotypical politician.

My advice to Governor Romney would be to stop trying to be something you are not—the tribune of the pro-life right—and run on your strengths; as the candidate with the best executive accomplishment and competence. That is a compelling message in an election where competence is of such salience.


1. As the editors of National Review have written on multiple occasions in this campaign, social conservatives should embrace and celebrate those who convert to their cause, not shun and question their motives. For the cause to succeed it needs to compel people to convert, in the exact manner Governor Romney has.