Romney: Talking The Talk

I don't know much about Romney, but he's certainly talking the talk of a conservative contender for President in 08.

We have two factions of media in Boston. On the one hand, we have the Hillary-loving, Ted Kennedy apologists. And on the other, we have the liberals.

And now he seems to be starting to walk the walk by hiring a high profile GOP ad man.

Governor Mitt Romney, who continues to sign up big-name political consultants for a probable presidential run, has hired bare-knuckles GOP ad man Alex Castellanos, a veteran of presidential campaigns known for his tough ads against Democratic candidates.

Widely considered one of the country's more influential Republican image-makers, Castellanos has produced television spots for President Bush, presidential candidate Bob Dole, and former senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina. Romney's move to recruit him sends a strong signal that the governor plans to mount a serious national campaign for 2008, political observers say.

What I believe is that all this Congressional nonsense is going to mean less, not more in 08 - due to the Presidential election. And the GOP needs a serious conservative at the top of the ticket to have a prayer of winning.

I suspect Rudi is playing for the Veep slot, or perhaps a Homeland Security role in any new Republican administration. That must at least be part of the equation given the odds of his making it through a GOP primary.

And McCain is just dreaming. He should save his time and money. There's just too much animosity there between McCain and grass roots conservatives. Romney's a governor, another plus. POTUS is an executive slot, as opposed to what McCain has been doing over the years. And a Mayor like Rudi, no matter how big the liberal swamp, is after all just a mayor.

Whether Romney has the ability to endure the next two years and remain viable is an open question. But given the current roster, I look for him to emerge as the front runner as we move into next year.

Comments

[WWU]

He made the Human Events Magazine list of 10 most liberal Republicans. In Massachusetts he probably has to govern from closer to the center than he'd like. Still, though, any candidate, including McCain with a MUCH more conservative voting record, can hang that on him pretty quickly.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republican_In_Name_Only

[micah]

Mit Romney is a Mormon, which might raise questions...
But he is reputed to be a respectable, intelligent person. He's gotten things done in MA, which is a herculean feat when surrounded by Dems. But he knows how to work with Dems. I will be watching him closely.

[Sara (Squiggler)]

I have been campaigning for Mitt Romney for the past nine months. The more people get to see and hear him, the more they will like him. He is the right man for the job. I even went out on a limb over 2 months ago and predicted he'll get the nomination and end up winning in a landslide. You really need to hear him to become a real believer. And it doesn't hurt that he's good looking and has a great sense of humor too.

[Sara (Squiggler)]

PS: So he's a Mormon, so what? I chose the Mormon church to raise my kids in because they have the finest youth program of any group, religious or not, in the country. I was raised in a mainline protestant church and I've never been sorry I chose the Mormon church for my children. Besides, the Mormons stand for all the conservative values held so dear by the base. I don't get the beef. Senator Hatch is a Mormon, so is Harry Reid. Polar opposites. Mitt Romney is not one to wear his religion on his sleeve.

[micah]

No offense was intended Sara, but many believe that LDS' practices and beliefs run contrary to Christ-centered Christianity: denying the deity of Jesus Christ, elevating the teachings of Joseph Smith above The Bible, posthumous baptism, and plural marriage, are a few examples... People, however, admire the strident work ethic encouraged among its members, and the high regard for family life and conservative political views.
A particularly challenging misperception about LDS that Romney will have to contend with is that many consider LDS sort-of "white-supremist lite". But I'm sure LDS is addressing this by embracing more diversity among its members than in previous generations.

[Phoenix]

"I chose the Mormon church to raise my kids in because they have the finest youth program of any group, religious or not, in the country."

Sara,

Can you defend this statement?

"Under the Banner of Heaven" by Jon Krakauer is excellent. If you haven't read it, you might read it and you'll understand Micah's points.....which will become the points of many if Romney runs. This is not a testament against Romney but just one of the sticking points he will face in a campaign.

[Columbo]

he has a hidden ace up his sleeve, and more serious than most know:

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/04/04/mass_bill_requires_health_insurance/