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The media still dislikes Mitt Romney. He could probably save a drowning child from the Potomac and he would still be criticized by the media for swimming the child back to the wrong bank of the river.
WXZY in Detroit; Romney: ‘Let Detroit Go Bankrupt’
Boston Globe; Et tu, Mitt?
MLive; Mitt Romney to Detroit: Drop Dead
Not only are these headlines misleading, but how much would you like to bet they (and the editorials) were written before the NY Times piece was fully published?
Governor Romney is being savaged for his apparent ‘flip-flop’ on auto industry relief, but let us examine exactly what Governor Romney said during the primary and what he said today in his NYT opt-ed:
Michigan Primary-
1) “I will roll up my sleeves in the first 100 days I’m in office, and I will personally bring together industry, labor, congressional, and state leaders and together we will develop a plan to rebuild America’s automotive leadership,”
2) (Romney) declared that he would not let the “one-state recession” continue.
3) “What I’m critical of is the absence of a federal policy designed to strengthen the U.S. automotive sector and manufacturing general,”
4) Increase investments into automotive research by $16 billion per year.
Today-
“The American auto industry is vital to our national interest as an employer and as a hub for manufacturing,” he writes. “A managed bankruptcy may be the only path to the fundamental restructuring the industry needs. It would permit the companies to shed excess labor, pension and real estate costs. The federal government should provide guarantees for post-bankruptcy financing and assure car buyers that their warranties are not at risk.
“In a managed bankruptcy, the federal government would propel newly competitive and viable automakers, rather than seal their fate with a bailout check.”
The actual headline for his Opt-ed piece is ”Romney Says Detroit’s Bailout Won’t Work“. I read it and I agree with his thoughts and proposals 100%.
I also cannot find the flip-flop? Are the proposed bail-out packages and his proposals during the primary campaign not completely different? I was against the Romney proposal during the campaign, as I am not a big fan of corporate welfare, but I really cannot find the story that the media is playing out today?
I have been very skeptical of Romney’s adherence to fiscal conservatism (his record as Governor of MA), but today he sounded like a Marshall Sanford and Sarah Palin Republican. I am not supporting him, but at least let us give Governor Romney credit for taking a principled stance. We might also want to listen to what he has to say, not only because Romney is a successful business owner, but because his father was a pretty effective auto industry CEO.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Wow, Kristofer, I’m astonished that you wrote this! Thanks for allowing your ‘intellectual honesty’ leaking through.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Surely you jest!
Here’s the tactic that you used:
1) Note some newspapers saying bad things about Mitt
2) Say that Mitt’s being savaged for flip-flopping without noting what it is he’s being accused of flip-flopping on
3) Name something similar that he has not flip-flopped on, implying that Mitt’s accusers are saying that he flip-flopped on that, specifically
4) Voila! Alex Knepper’s a fool
5) Mark Sanford and Sarah Palin? Sarah Palin supported the bailout!
November 19th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
So tell me, Kristofer. Does this article make you a “former” Palin supporter now?
(I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist.
)
Good article. And spot on.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Wow, Kristofer, I’m astonished that you wrote this! Thanks for allowing your ‘intellectual honesty’ leaking through.
:gag:
Intellectual honesty, to you, is anything that boosts Mittens.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Well said Kristopher, although Mr. Romney is not quite as Fically Conservative as Mrs. Palin, we must give Mr. Romney credit for his efforts.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Can someone please tell me how Sarah Palin is a true fiscal conservative?
November 19th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
soon the media will start printing stories when Mitt DOESN’T flip flip
November 19th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
I think in the long term Romney is saying the only way to “fight for every job” is to make every job profitable. If that could be done without restructure (bankruptcy) I think he would would not call for restructure.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
#6,“Can someone please tell me how Sarah Palin is a true fiscal conservative?”
Can you please tell me a single person who has been a Governor or a President (you know, someone who actually has to make things work) who is?
November 19th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
#4 – NOPE
#7 – just so they keep his name out there!
November 19th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
BTW, what exactly is a “true” fiscal conservative?
November 19th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
I’ll let others write the book Alex, but as far as I know, taxes and spending are rather low in Alaska. She is also a promoter of Free Markets and Energy Inpedence. She also refrains from promoting welfare and Socialized medicine. I suppose we could find something economically liberal about Mrs. Palin, but she is good enough for those that are serious.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
#1, I spent 45 minutes reading Mitt’s statement during the campaign and it has nothing to do with his article today. That is why I posted it.
Mitt and Sarah seem to be on the same page, as Palin came out agsinst the econimic bail-out last week.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/13/palin.rga/index.html
November 19th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
What the hell, man?
November 19th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
OHIO JOE, Alaksa is the most tax-friendly State in the nation. Alaska is growing while the rest of the country is sliding.
http://www.bankrate.com/yho/itax/edit/state/profiles/state_tax_Aka.asp
November 19th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Palin owns the bailout as much as McCain. She was on the ticket. She just can’t divorce herself from that.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
#16, if that is your feeling, then Mitt cannot run from his issues, right?
November 19th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Come on. Taxes were really low in Mass. and really high in Alaska for decades. Like, before both Romney and Palin.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Mitt’s record is Mitt’s record. But Palin isn’t as pure as the wind-driven snow. She kind of was on the other side of this thing, you know, like only two weeks ago. By the same token I guess that means that going forward, the Palin people forfeit any criticism on Mitt’s changing positions out of convenience. Right?
November 19th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
What the hell, man?
You can’t argue with hackery.
Come on. Taxes were really low in Mass. and really high in Alaska for decades. Like, before both Romney and Palin.
Don’t use facts!
Alaska is the only state that does not collect state sales tax or levy an individual income tax on any type of personal income, either earned or unearned. To finance state operations, Alaska depends primarily on petroleum revenues. Some of its cities and other local jurisdictions, however, do collect sales tax revenue. More on Alaska taxes can be found in the tabbed pages below.
THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SARAH PALIN. She did not implement that policy.
Maybe you could explain why she supported the Bridge to Nowhere.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Kristofer- Though I don’t agree with some of your final statements, the fairness of your post does a lot for your cred.
BTW- Alex is still a childish, bid-headed idiot. He is God in his own mind.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
#19, 75% chance Mitt does not run, so we will see. But do not expect a wink and a nod. It will be nasty.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
BTW- Alex is still a childish, bid-headed idiot. He is God in his own mind.
Apparently disagreeing with you qualifies one as a childish, big-headed idiot. Funny how I turn into a breath of fresh air once I post something that you agree with.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
#21, thank you, but I do not need to build my cred., I was just surprised to see that so many in the media and so many bloggers got it wrong.
Plus, I wanted to give him credit for taking this stance. It was the correct thing to do.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Nate G.
I am actually getting very excited for the party. Those of us pro-growth Republicans seem to be winning the battle. Yes, Crist and others are still getting it wrong, but Sanford, Palin, Romney and others seem to be pushing a non-populist, pro-growth agenda.
We might be able to turn this around in 2 years!
November 19th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Sanford, Palin, Romney and others seem to be pushing a non-populist, pro-growth agenda.
???????????HOW IS PALIN NOT A POPULIST???????????
November 19th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Boy this is rich, Fical Conservatives have always claimed that we should keep taxes low. Now that we find out that taxes are lower in Alaska than MA, the FiCon are changing their tune. While I have in the past stated that I have disagreements with Mr. Romney, I do not believe that I have called him a flip flopper. However, for the FiCons to all of a sudden suggest that Mrs. Palin is an economic liberal because her state has low taxes makes my head spin. I fear that the FiCons will never be satisfied.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
You can give Mrs. Palin the Populist label if you want, but she is not an economic liberal.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
“Calling all Joe and Jane Six-Packs”
“We believe that the best of America is in these small towns that we get to visit, and in these wonderful little pockets of what I call the real America, being here with all of you hard working very patriotic, um, very, um, pro-America areas of this great nation”
November 19th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Boy this is rich, Fical Conservatives have always claimed that we should keep taxes low. Now that we find out that taxes are lower in Alaska than MA, the FiCon are changing their tune.
It
has
nothing
to
do
with
the
policies
of
Romney
or
Palin.
They did not make those policies from scratch. It’s not Romney’s fault that taxes in MA were high or Palin’s success that taxes in AK are low.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Please. We voted for a Christian socialist. Twice.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
No no, Adam, the e-mail was “Calling All Average Joes and Janes!”
November 19th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Ha. Even better.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
The question I asked in #11 bears repeating.
Just what IS a Fiscal Conservative?
November 19th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
#31, exactly. TWICE! It is now our turn.
Tale of two felame Governors:
Michigan decided to elected a liberal, who raised taxes and pushed business away. Alaska elected a pro-growth Governor, who cut wasteful spending, refused to implement a state income or sales tax and reformed the tax code to encourage investment and development (and the economy is now booming).
If you ever need a reason to support Reaganomics, compare both of those states.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
From wikipedia,
Fiscal conservatism is a political phrase term used in North America to describe a fiscal policy that advocates a significant reduction in government spending. Fiscal conservatives often consider deficit and national debt reduction as well as balancing the federal budget of paramount importance. Free trade, deregulation of the economy, lower taxes, and other neoliberal policies are also often affiliated with fiscal conservatism.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
female*
November 19th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
They may not have started these policies from scratch, but they remain what they remain.
I see, vote for a Cristian Socialist twice, but don’t vote for a Christian Capitalist. Oh well.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
#36.
Thank-you.
Alex, you were the first to use the phrase “true” fiscal conservative. Does that mean in order to be a “true” fi-con, one must be 100% behind each and everyone of those points; and never, ever deviate from them?
November 19th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Huh?
November 19th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Alex, when I say you are childish I refer to your tactics. It’s not that you disagree, it’s the way that you disagree. You don’t allow for differences of opinion. When proven wrong you don’t retract or apologize. You are combative and delight in destroying other’s opinions, whereas using more tact would certainly get you a lot further in trying to persuade others and do much for your cred. You are very intelligent and a fierce debater, but I think that has gone to your head. If you had an ounce of humility people would find you much more tolerable.
Nevertheless, I do not recall anything that I have agreed with you on, therefore I don’t recall ever calling you a “breath of fresh air”.
Actually I’m quite glad that you are not pro-Romney because I would not want someone as combative and single-minded promoting someone who I feel most qualified to represent our party. Your insolence would only detract from a quality candidate.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Look, I am not telling anyone to vote for a Christian, but yes I do not see why one complains about voting for a Christian Socialist (whoever that maybe) and turn around and refuse to support Mrs. Palin (a Christian Capitalist, if you will.)
November 19th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
No doubt Romney will have to do a little bit of explaining once he gets in the race for 2012 – but the headlines of some of those papers are shameful, and the Romney supporters should probably begin some kind of campaign to get an appology for the misleading titles (in my opinion, clearly designed to harm his chances in four years).
Romney did not say that the companies should be allowed to go out of business, in fact, he said just the opposite, arguing that a no-strings-attached bailout would lead to the collapse of the American auto industry. Mitt even repeated his call for more funding to help the automakers with the development of new technology.
Never did Romney say the companies should be allowed to go out of business, he simply said that chapter 11 bankruptcy PROTECTION may be the only way for the companies to become healthy again.
But of course, the liberal media will do anything it can to damage any conservative who could be a strong candidate in four years.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
#42-
ohio i think that it is the underlying premise that nationally we cant win with a Palin(as currently defined) on the ticket.
Palin needs to redefine her image some how. She needs a good PR person to help her in her speeches and demeanour. In short she needs to polish herself a bit then try a comeback.
can she do that by 2011 i dont know.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
To be honest, all of our candidates need to polish their image by 2011 and I do not know if Mrs. Palin will be able to do so. Look, if I were a betting man, I would bet that Mr. Romney, not Mrs. Palin will be our candidate in 2012. In the meantime, I will try to defend her. I realize that the other candidates have their good qualities, but if there is one that makes me sick is that people suggest among other things that Mrs. Palin is a Liberal. I’ll admit that she is not perfect, but a Liberal?
November 19th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
I agree, she certainly is not a liberal. She has potential, but she has considerable learning ahead of her. If she can do so, she’ll probably be pretty electable someday. I would doubt if its as soon as 2012, but wouldn’t rule it out.
November 19th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Kristofer,
I have to say that you just earned some of my respect. I am suprised that you didnt jump all over an opporunity to trash Mitt.
November 19th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
#47,
1 – I agreed with everything Governor Romney said today.
2 – The media that is trashing him (minus the BG) are the same folks that have gone after Palin (all trash, no facts).
As I looked in to this, I just did not see anything that could conclude that Romney flip-flopped?
November 19th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Memio is extending this conversation on a new post. Please visit.
http://race42008.com/2008/11/19/romney-on-energy-detroit-and-the-automotive-industry/
November 20th, 2008 at 3:16 am
The left will continue to attack one of the republicans best voices right now. That is a given. I trust Mitt, the business executive that grew up around the industry, more about the auto industry then I do the politicians.
As far as Alex goes, I stopped caring about what he types and just skip over his rants. That is just my opinion. And I am not a Mittbot.