The New Mitt Romney: De-Emphasizing Abortion, Gay Marriage, Tea Party

The Boston Phoenix:

Scott Brown's unexpected victory in last month's special US Senate election captured the attention of the country -- and particularly of core Republican voters, who huddled eagerly before their TV screens to watch their hero du jour give his acceptance speech. But even in the midst of his moment in the sun, Brown made sure to thank the other handsome, well-coifed man on the stage, Mitt Romney -- who, as it happens, would very much like the votes of that national Republican audience in the 2012 Republican presidential primaries.

Granted, it's very early in the 2012 presidential cycle, and if you ask the Romney camp, they'll profess him to be focused exclusively on helping GOP candidates this November. But make no mistake: Romney is in the process of re-launching himself for 2012.

Read the whole story: The Boston Phoenix

Comments

[Jed Merrill]

12:34 AM on 03/05/2010

Mitt has great things to say about the Tea Party, and fully understands that they (we) are just as angry at Republicans in many ways as at Democrats. He hasn't backed off being prolife or traditional marriage. I do think it is fair to say that his #1 emphasis is where Obama is weakest: the economy and foreign policy.

[ecomitch]

04:37 PM on 02/15/2010

He was easily the best GOP Candidate last time. Which, of course, is why he didn't get the nomination.
Why would a Tea Party type vote for someone with a JD/MBA from Harvard when you've got Sarah Palin?

[AGP]

07:28 PM on 02/14/2010

As a Republican conservative I have long had great respect for Mitt Romney. A great father and family man, a caring governor with compassion he would bring stability both to his party and the nation. I worked with an American Motors dealer in Arkansas years ago, Mr. Mays England of Fort Smith was a fantastic human being with concern and compassion for the community in which we all lived. He served on the American Motors advisory council under Mitt's father George Romney and often talked with him on trips. Mays, like me, an evangelical Protestant had the utmost admiration for Mitt's dad. He often told me that the Romney's were a great American family. He included Mitt along with his father George in that group.

Mitt Romney is a public servant who listens to the people. Committed to the nation yet compassionate toward the voters. I am one who was disappointed he was overlooked by the party in 2008. He's a great man.

Dr. Alan Phillips
Bloomington, IL

[donbrown]

11:19 PM on 02/12/2010

Fortunately, the core members of the Republican base, the evangelicals are far too biased to ever consider a Mormon for president. They consider the religion a cult and not legitimate.

It will also keep the only person I consider a credible Republican contender, John Huntsman, from the presidency.

[pascaljim]

04:04 PM on 02/11/2010

HIS NAMES IS ...W.I.L.L.I.A.R.D..!!!!

[Countess]

02:10 PM on 02/11/2010

Scratch most politicians and you will find an opportunist however Mitt Romney is so obviously without conviction or principle that even people voting for him must realize this. When he is up against a principled but not too bright born again in the primaries his opportunism will turn people off.

[Hoosierbrad]

01:53 PM on 02/11/2010

If only he could de-emphasize that Mormon thing. The evangelicals will never elect him.

[LittleMittens]

01:42 PM on 02/11/2010

No Mormon will ever be president. Not as long as church and state are entwined

[LMPE]

01:40 PM on 02/11/2010

De-emphasizing gay marriage, abortion and Tea Party, but still a blown-dry white man.

[TomInJax]

01:34 PM on 02/11/2010

He and Harold Ford Jr. are living proof that shape shifters do exist.

[cloverfield11]

01:25 PM on 02/11/2010

This guy went from being on the center to the far right and now he is moving from the far right to the center. This guys is seriously the Republican version of Harold Ford Jr.

[neurologymatters]

01:08 PM on 02/11/2010

Romney's loyalty to his party? He did nothing to help his then Lt. Governor get elected. Mitt Romney stands for nothing.

[bluntobject]

12:59 PM on 02/11/2010

This guy is such a back room dealing trickster, he changes himself almost on que. Thankfully, the Bible thumpers in the South will have none of this Mormon stuff. There is no way for Romney to win the nomination of the newly reinvented republican/tea bag party without conversion to Christianity. They will have a mental meltdown if he somehow gets in.

Sorry there Mitt. Better change something else.

[CoronaDischarge]

12:42 PM on 02/11/2010

The biggest thing that he has to de-emphasize is his being Mormon. That hymnal doesn't play well in the Bible belt South.

Of course walking around waist deep in his flip flops isn't going to impress much either.

[desertdweller]

12:38 PM on 02/11/2010

Head-fake to the center!