Yep, I Could of Had a Mitt Romney!

The Republican debate before Super Tuesday should have been a wake-up call for Conservative Americans.  With ego in over-drive, John McCain sneered through the debate, looking down on the other candidates as European kings viewed their subjects; mere annoyances.  When confronted by a commentator about his widely acknowledged lie regarding Romney’s stance on the war, John continued to profess his “straight talk.” McCain’s decision to stick with the obvious misstatement brought discomfort to the audience and was reminiscent of a Michael Vick pit bull trained to fight to the death.

McCain, practicing his strangely odd grin, talked in circles and refused to answer questions. His fall back-line was repeated as if on an audio loop: “my friends, I was a foot soldier in the Reagan Revolution.”  An apt reply would be, “If John was a foot soldier in the Reagan Revolution, then he has certainly gone AWOL!”  McCain, plain and simple is a Democrat. He is known for, in his own words, reaching across the isle to work with the other side. McCain’s legislative co-sponsors are Democrats.  At this point, shouldn’t photos of McCain and Hillary gazing fondly at each other, cause conservatives to yell at the top of their lungs, “What are Republicans thinking?”  Have the Democrats cast a spell over the entire country putting conservatives into a deep sleep until the Primary Election is over?  Will Republicans be pleased when prince McCain kisses them awake?

If citizens should vote from facts and not emotions it might make sense to research the candidates. So, to compare the life and accomplishments of Mitt Romney to those of John McCain, let’s see, Mitt graduated with both a Law and Business doctorate from Harvard.  McCain graduated 5th from the bottom of his Naval military class.  McCain’s father and grandfather were senior officers in the military, both of whom must have wanted to hide under the bed, hearing the growing list of John’s demerits, fights and anti-establishment rants. Romney followed the family tradition of excellence and service to country, church and one’s fellowmen.  Always graduating at the top of his class, Mitt found success through the ability to bring people together to solve problems, using tenacity, charm, humor and just plain hard work. McCain served in Viet Nam and suffered years in a prison camp. After being released from Viet Nam, the publicity apparently went to his head. John cheated on his wife, who, while he was away, suffered major injuries from a car accident. John divorced her and went on to marry a wealthy women seventeen years his junior. McCain ran for the Senate where he was known as a rebel often at odds with his own party. McCain’s economic record includes his participation in the “Keating Five,” the result of which started the Savings and Loan bust of the 1980’s.

Mitt, after marrying his high school sweetheart continued his life of success and service often without salary.  Known as the “Turn-Around artist” for his ability to change the course of failing ventures, he has said that his worry isn’t about helping rich people; he wants to share what he has learned about becoming rich with the rest of us! (Hey, who on either side of the isle wouldn’t want a president with this populous goal?)  Romney’s economic success is documented, lesser known is the challenge Mitt faced after 9/11.  Many experts felt that the Olympic Games should be canceled due to fear of security breaches. With only four month to prepare, Mitt defied terrorist threats by ordering a ten story flag be placed on the side of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee office building,   Instead of fear and inaction, Romney immediately went about creating a security system safe enough to allow Heads of State and President Bush to attend the Games without fear.  His plan has become the model for many national and state security efforts.  The Olympics also provided opportunities for Romney to interact and gain respect in the international arena.  Oh yes, and Mitt governed a state and ran a business.

In fairness to John McCain, none of us is beyond repentance, but during an election in which religion has played such a strong role, there is confusion as to what Republicans want in a leader. Since Reagan was a divorced man, his run for the presidency was considered in jeopardy. Is the disappearing “Moral Majority” no longer concerned about a candidate’s character? McCain’s mid-life philandering is just another example of an ongoing pattern of self-centeredness. 

So, let’s see a smart, moral, successful, conservative, fearless, proven leader and economic genius Mormon is unacceptable.  But, a self-serving, previously unfaithful, rabble-rousing, truth-stretching, semi-Democrat who, in his own words, is “older than dirt” and whose only experience with on the job leadership was thirty years ago is being endorsed by Republican leaders anxious to be seen in his good graces.  (Oh, I forgot, it’s the “king” thing again.)

At what point did Republicans forget that they were calling for a true conservative this time around?  Can’t we see that the liberal press will praise McCain right up until the general election, when they will then switch tactics and portray McCain for what he honestly is: an old, angry man, with a legacy of trouble-making, and a lot of experience doing what senators do: “talk.”  McCain will have no chance of winning against either history-making Democratic candidate. 

In their rush to select a candidate by Super Tuesday, the Republicans may reject an optimistic candidate who believes as they do and could get things done. Instead they may decide to select another Bob Dole type guy, an American hero, but with no charisma, no governing experience and little respect among the electorate.  Unless the mental fog rises from the minds of conservative voters in the very near future, Republicans will stop, think, hit their forehead and say, “I could of have had a growing economy, a strong immigration policy, international respect, a safe America, a practical healthcare system, a Washington outsider, someone to fix America, hey, I could of had a Mitt Romney!”