"Has There Ever Been A Candidate Like Mitt Romney" by Andrew Sullivan at the Daily Beast

[applegrove]

Has There Ever Been A Candidate Like Mitt Romney

by Andrew Sullivan at the Daily Beast

http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/2012/10/has-there-ever-been-a-candidate-like-mitt-romney.html

"SNIP................................................

Waldman asks:


As the end of this election approaches, it's worth taking a step back and asking this question: In the entire history of the United States of America, from George Washington's election in 1789 on down, has there been a single candidate as unmoored from ideological principle or belief as Mitt Romney? I'm not just throwing an insult here, I ask this question sincerely. Because I can't think of any.

I can't myself. Politicians change - but not so completely and back again without even a hair out of place. I find it chilling. And how, as president, in those inevitable moments of crisis will anyone be able to believe you? Because you could simply etch-a-sketch into another argument just as swiftly. I think the strategy to pull the Etch-A-Sketch just as vast numbers of low information voters tune in to the first debate was a stroke of cynical genius. But because it's so obviously pure cynicism, the great initial taste begins to have a bit of a bitter after-taste. Who on earth is this man, and what would he do in office? I thought he had effectively remade himself into the leader of the Tea Party GOP. But since October 3, I'm just bewildered. And alarmed.


.................................................SNIP"

[politicaljunkie41910]

1. Finally, the media is starting to speak out against him for this very fact.

It certainly took long enough, but several newspaper editorial endorsements have been highly critical towards Romney, in their endorsement of President Obama for just this fact in the last couple of days. I think the rest of the mainstream media sat on the sidelines for too long watching this man etch-a-sketching himself and simply kind of rolled their eyes, but said nothing. The office of the Presidency is too important for someone with no convictions to buy his way into office.

Had the media been more skeptical in the run up to the war, maybe we could have avoided the tremendous damage done to our nation's reputation and our coffers, not to mentions the lives lost of our service men and women, and the wounded with over 30,000 suffering from tramatic brain injuries from a prolonged war in Iraq. We should never ever again allow anyone near the Oval Office who has demonstrated such a blatant disregard for the truth while still running for office.

[courseofhistory]

2. This sums up how I feel about him! He can't be TRUSTED!!! n/t

[Florida Dem]

3. He's The Worst Presidential Candidate of the Modern Era

I researched Romney and finally decided to write a book that summarized his flip-flops, lies, strange behavior etc. There is no doubt in my mind that he is the worst Presidential candidate of the modern era.

E-Book:
Unqualified! Mitt Romney: The Worst Presidential Candidate Ever?

[gravity]

6. I disagree

His strategy is genius.

Don't worry about principles, logic and facts and just say whatever the people want to hear while being vague. I never seen someone so cynical in my life.

[Alekei_Firebird]

4. Romney is the anti-Obama: The candidate of fear

Obama wasn't a flip-flopper, but for many, he was a kind of idealized blank slate for many voters to project their hopes.

Romney is similar, which is why his rabid flip-flopping isn't damaging him as much as it should. He's a blank slate too, but for people who are projecting their fear and hatred of Obama.

[Mz Pip]

5. I think you are right

Romney has taken enough positions on just about everything that there is something for every Obama hater to grab onto.

There's a Mitt for everyone regardless of who you are or what your ideological preferences are.

[Maximumnegro]

7. McKinley I believe

Frankly there have been a couple. The first Gilded Age didn't just create itself. They had help.