Comments on Farrer Commons: Endorsing Mitt Romney

Romney definitely has a solid track record on fisc...

2007-07-03T11:11:00.000-06:00

Romney definitely has a solid track record on fiscal issues, but I don't think I'd be able to endorse him just yet. (I'm still rooting for Ron Paul. As a Cubs fan, I'm used to cheering for the guy I know is going to lose.) For me, he's a "best option" but not an ideal option.

Tyler, I am very seriously trying to understand th...

2007-07-02T16:13:00.000-06:00

Tyler, I am very seriously trying to understand the neural pathways and behavior that makes you an R and others like me a Dem. Let me give you a couple of the dichotomies I perceive with Romney and now especially because of your endorsement of him. Honestly though, if he were a Democrat would your religious ties not overrule your party loyalty?

First of all, I don't understand how anti-abortion "right-to-life" floppers like Romney can favor the death penalty and oppose reducing infant morality through prenatal care programs. As George Lakoff has noted many of us do not understand why budget-cutting conservatives spare no public expense to build prison after prison to house even non-violent offenders. Did you know not Tyler, compared with other countries; the United States has the highest incarceration rates in the world. We are ahead of China and Russia. We have 5 percent of the world's population and 25 percent of the world's prison inmates. I believe this is a direct legacy or the Reagan years. Furthermore, I hear of the attacks on violence in the media, but our R state dominated legislature all want us to carry our machine guns to school in. Our local R Centerville voting district chair advocated carrying ‘heat’ to church. Trust me I heard it with my own ears.

I read that Mitt has been very successful raising money among the LDS faithful. I have a question for you in this regard. Do you think all of this money from Mormons passing to Mitt will reduce donations to better causes such as the PEF, Humanitarian Fund or just plain Fast Offerings?

There's no question that among the front runners, ...

2007-07-02T15:09:00.000-06:00

There's no question that among the front runners, Romney has the actual best track record in what he has actually done with respect to being pro life. The rhetoric of his senatorial and gubernatorial campaigns pales in comparison to his actions.

But Romney seems to be another big government compassionate conservative. His universal health care coverage plan in Massachusetts gives me significant pause. I'm also not sold that Romney would prosecute the war effort effectively. It's different than anything he's ever undertaken and he hasn't really given a solid story or perception of how he would deal with this major issue.

I'm not ready to commit to anyone at this point. Frankly I just don't see any electable small government, pro-life, military genius conservatives on the radar scope at the moment. Yeah, my expectations are too high. But I haven't figured out what deficiencies I am actually ready to live with yet.