Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Romney: Running to the Right

Mitt Romney has been playing up his "conservative-ness":

In an interview with The Examiner, Romney described himself as more conservative than Republican rivals McCain, R-Ariz., and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani on a variety of issues. “We’re in a different place on immigration; we’re in a different place on campaign reform; we’re in a different place on same–sex marriage; we’re in a different place on the president’s policy on interrogation of detainees,” Romney said.

“I’m a conservative Republican, there’s no question about that,” he said. “I’m at a different place than the other two.”

I'm always a bit skeptical when Republicans feel the need to declare themselves the most "conservative." I remember Steve Forbes doing something like this, and it rang a bit hollow. It seems to me that if you're the most conservative, people will recognize it without you needing to say it. Romney probably is one of the more conservative candidates, but I'm not sure it really helps him to keep saying it.

3 comments:

News is Good said...

I am failing to see the rigorous application of logic in your statements. Rather than the unbendable iron of deduction from established first principles, you offer a soft soup of opinion.

The Emperor said...

You make a valid point. The problem is, a "rigorous application of logic" might be a little dull and I was hoping to have a broad appeal. Perhaps it is a "soft soup of logic" that I'm really going for. "Empire of Logic" was supposed to be a bit tongue-in-cheek and over the top, but maybe I should try to make that more obvious. (Actually, I kind of like the "soft soup of opinion" as a title.)

Anyway, thanks for your comment, which is the first I've received after doing this for a few days.

The Emperor said...

OK, you've inspired me. I'm going to change the name to "Empire of Logic and Opinion." I'll have to tweak the description, too.