Mitt Romney was met with an enthusiastic audience at the Conservative Political Action Conference today. As if to make sure the press and conference-goers noted it, he marveled “what a great reception!” before beginning his speech.
The address was a good one, and illustrated how much Romney’s speaking has improved over the past few years. But there was a tinge of self-consciousness in it that belied his confident tone. “We conservatives aren’t just proud to cling to our guns and to our religion,” said Romney. “As conservatives, we are united by a set of core commitments.” The speech said, without actually saying it: “I promise I’m a conservative just like all of you!” The two standing ovations from the audience seemed to indicate that they were convinced, or at the very least, doing a very good job of politely pretending.
The address was heavier on values vote issues than typical Romney speeches, indicating that social conservatism has successfully pushed its way to the forefront of the race for the first time this season. On gay marriage, Romney promised a national defense of marriage act. On abortion, he reiterated his opposition. On religious freedom, he promised to repeal any regulations Obama put into place. The audience cheered him on, but if social issues remain a prominent part of the primary, it’s hard to see how Romney can win this battle against Santorum.
“I was a severely conservative Republican governor,” Romney offered at one point. It was a success – the audience didn’t laugh. As much as the media talks about Romney’s problem connecting with the conservative base, the conservative base seems to have made its peace with his potential nomination. True, he doesn’t rally them the way a more red-blooded conservative might. But they like him, respect him, and if he becomes the Republican nominee they’ll line up behind him.
That's good, because Santorum can't win a general election, IMHO. Romney can, perhaps.
No Alana, I am not so sure we will. n nHe thought that would happen with Healey in '06 and it didn't. nWe stayed home and Deval Patrick won. n nIt is not will I vote for Obama – I won't, it is will I bother to vote at all. nNot will I oppose Romney, but will I bother to support him. n nTHAT is Romey's greatest Achilles heel, he will try to win this in an air war and you can't. n nI think Romney will wind up buying the re-election of Obama. nCry the beloved country….
We conservatives have to rally behind Mitt Romney if he is the nominee; but let us not kid ourselves. He introduced Obama-care lite while governor of MA. That is a bad sign.
No, don't expect us to line up behind him. n nIt didn't happen with Gerry Ford, and it won't happen with Romney. nNot if he is shoved down our throats like Ford was, we just won't vote. n nNever forget that a lot of the college kids at CPAC were brought down there by Romney — he paid for them to get there, but that doesn't mean that people would support him otherwise. n nAn hour before his speech, the head of CPAC was talking about Jeb Bush being the nominee. n nConservatives have an independent and somewhat self destructive streak. I would almost have a second term of Obama (with a Tea Party Congress to neuter him) than Romney selling out my Tea Party Congress….