Mitt Romney - Conservatives are wrong to claim 'flip-flop'
David M. Bresnahan
February 28, 2007
Critics say that Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has "flip-flopped" on the issues, but they should instead shout for joy and claim a victory.
Some conservatives have been quick to criticize Romney for his past comments regarding homosexuals and abortion in particular, and have pointed out that he has now taken a different point of view.
Most activists rejoice when they succeed in getting a politician to come around to their way of thinking. Winning a “convert” is a major victory, and usually brings celebration. When a politician not only declares a change of position, but also backs that up with legislative action based on the change there is even greater reason to rejoice.
Bill Clinton flip-flopped on the issues. His stated position changed depending on his audience, the day of the week, the weather, which donor was in the room, and so on.
One change does not constitute a "flip-flop." Romney genuinely changed his mind after careful consideration. He has not altered his statements from day to day, and he has backed up his change of position with the way he handled key issues in Massachusetts.
What is the point of rallying activists to write letters, send faxes, make phone calls, complain on talk shows, and make a lot of noise about an issue? Simple - to bring about change.
It is clear to me that Romney's change on some very important issues is a wonderful thing. It shows that there is hope, and that it is worth the time and effort of grass-roots activists to bring about change. In this case, the hard work and effort paid off. That is a good thing, not something that should bring about fear.
Some of his critics are using my past news stories and commentaries to support their claim that Romney is to be feared. There were times during the planning stages of the 2002 Olympics when Romney would not let the Boy Scouts participate in an official capacity. I wrote some news stories about the issue at the time. Later I also wrote a commentary about Romney that pointed to some of his political methods that I disagreed with.
In October of 2006 I wrote a commentary in which I countered the critics who are opposed to Romney simply because he is a Mormon. In that commentary I stated that Romney is the best choice for president.
Would I vote for any Mormon just because I am a Mormon? Never! Mormon or otherwise, the person I vote for has to win my support based on their stands on the issues and their personal values, not their religious affiliation.
I have known Mitt Romney since 1980. I have never heard or seen him say or do one thing with one group and then turn around and say or do something different when he is in a different setting. I have seen many, many politicians do that time and time again - but not Mitt Romney.
He is a man of integrity, high values, and has the knowledge and experience necessary to bring our country through the tough times that may await us in the years ahead. I trust him because he has earned that trust. I hope and pray that those who care so much about conservative issues will understand that the fact that Mitt Romney has changed his stands on some key issues is something to be celebrated, not feared.
As for the debate over whether a Mormon can be elected president, I am reminded of some lines from a poem by Phillips H. Lord that we might all consider:
You go to your church and I'll go to mine,
But let's walk along together.”
Some conservatives have been quick to criticize Romney for his past comments regarding homosexuals and abortion in particular, and have pointed out that he has now taken a different point of view.
Most activists rejoice when they succeed in getting a politician to come around to their way of thinking. Winning a “convert” is a major victory, and usually brings celebration. When a politician not only declares a change of position, but also backs that up with legislative action based on the change there is even greater reason to rejoice.
Bill Clinton flip-flopped on the issues. His stated position changed depending on his audience, the day of the week, the weather, which donor was in the room, and so on.
One change does not constitute a "flip-flop." Romney genuinely changed his mind after careful consideration. He has not altered his statements from day to day, and he has backed up his change of position with the way he handled key issues in Massachusetts.
What is the point of rallying activists to write letters, send faxes, make phone calls, complain on talk shows, and make a lot of noise about an issue? Simple - to bring about change.
It is clear to me that Romney's change on some very important issues is a wonderful thing. It shows that there is hope, and that it is worth the time and effort of grass-roots activists to bring about change. In this case, the hard work and effort paid off. That is a good thing, not something that should bring about fear.
Some of his critics are using my past news stories and commentaries to support their claim that Romney is to be feared. There were times during the planning stages of the 2002 Olympics when Romney would not let the Boy Scouts participate in an official capacity. I wrote some news stories about the issue at the time. Later I also wrote a commentary about Romney that pointed to some of his political methods that I disagreed with.
In October of 2006 I wrote a commentary in which I countered the critics who are opposed to Romney simply because he is a Mormon. In that commentary I stated that Romney is the best choice for president.
Would I vote for any Mormon just because I am a Mormon? Never! Mormon or otherwise, the person I vote for has to win my support based on their stands on the issues and their personal values, not their religious affiliation.
I have known Mitt Romney since 1980. I have never heard or seen him say or do one thing with one group and then turn around and say or do something different when he is in a different setting. I have seen many, many politicians do that time and time again - but not Mitt Romney.
He is a man of integrity, high values, and has the knowledge and experience necessary to bring our country through the tough times that may await us in the years ahead. I trust him because he has earned that trust. I hope and pray that those who care so much about conservative issues will understand that the fact that Mitt Romney has changed his stands on some key issues is something to be celebrated, not feared.
As for the debate over whether a Mormon can be elected president, I am reminded of some lines from a poem by Phillips H. Lord that we might all consider:
You go to your church and I'll go to mine,
But let's walk along together.”
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