How Mitt Romney Changed My Mind

Until recent weeks, I did not like Mitt Romney. It wasn't about issues; rather it had to do with personality. From his immaculate hair to his business manner, he seemed a little too perfect, too unreal, and too inaccessible. At debates, Romney sometimes came across as arrogant, especially in his mocking behavior towards Ron Paul. But my perspective has changed in recent weeks. My opinion of Romney has increased while my opinion of John McCain has decreased.

Realistically, Mitt Romney was (and still is) the best choice for the Republican ticket. Besides Ron Paul, Romney is the only one truly committed to cutting massive spending, lowering taxes, and reviving the economy. As governor of Massachusetts, he successfully balanced the budget without having to raise taxes. As for foreign policy, I'm not thrilled about the interventionist direction the party has taken. But at least Romney has the business sense and pragmatism to manage the costs of the Iraq war. Since we're stuck in Iraq, we might as well find a way to regroup and to finish the job. Romney would have found a way to defend our borders without running us into bankruptcy.

Romney's image problems came from that fact that people perceived him as insincere. Throughout his campaign, Romney was accused of flip-flopping. Critics pointed to his moderate platform in Massachusetts, his ambiguous stances on same-sex marriage, and his healthcare measures in Massachusetts. I don't hold his record against him. People should be free to grow and to learn from experience, even if it means changing your mind occasionally (like I changed my mind about Romney). From Giuliani's ambiguous positions on abortion, to Huckabee's liberal tax record in Arkansas, to McCain's positions on immigration, Romney was no more inconsistent than his rivals. Sometimes you just have to pick your battles. As governor of the bluest state in the nation, Romney had to make adjustments to the current political climate.

In recent weeks I also began to have reservations about John McCain. McCain is Joe Lieberman 2.0-the worst of both worlds. He combines big-government liberal domestic policies with spendthrift hawkish foreign policies. Start a war in Iran, run us into more debt, then borrow money so we can bankroll every illegal who crosses our borders? I fear that a McCain presidency will run our economy to the ground. McCain is impressive in many ways, a patriotic war hero with passion and drive. But the hot-tempered McCain lacks the business sense and fiscal prudence of Mitt Romney.

The GOP shot itself in the foot by handing the nomination to McCain. McCain's support in the Republican Party is half-hearted at best. Many people only support him because a) they really wanted Rudy Giuliani b) they are independents voting in the spirit of bi-partisanship c) they are only sticking with him for the sake of party unity, or d) they are voting against Hillary/Barack rather than for McCain.

The circumstances surrounding Mitt Romney's departure are suspect. One day Romney vows to fight on. The next day he quits? From Giuliani's disappointing early exit, to his high-profile endorsement of McCain, to Huckabee's decision to stay in the race (effectively "spoiling" Romney chances), to McCain and Huckabee's backroom deal securing West Virginia for Huckabee, I think the GOP pressured Romney to quit. Romney's rhetoric about party unity sounded contrived-ironic because this was the first time I truly connected with him. Romney was putting on a brave face to hide his disappointment. He clearly didn't want to leave-and I think the GOP blew it by letting him go.

McCain's nomination is a step in the wrong direction for the GOP. The Republican Party used to represent small government, laissez-faire capitalism, and minimal foreign intervention (except in extreme cases). Unfortunately, the younger Bush has turned the party into one of spendthrift policies and heedless interventionism.

Come November, if McCain is the nominee, I may vote for Romney or Ron Paul as a write in.