Lots of folks are picking through the MTP interview but one exchange stands out. He was asked about running as a moderate against Kennedy. The
sequence is long but you can read it for yourself. He repeatedly rejects the “premise” that he ran in 1994 or in 2002 as anything other than a rock ribbed conservative. If you have spent any time studying those races, watching the debates or reading press accounts you know that’s just hooey. Not even Romney claimed at the time to be a conservative. The quotes are now familiar– and all from him:
“I Am A Fiscal Conservative And A Social Moderate.” (2002)
“I Was An Independent During The Time Of Reagan-Bush. I’m Not Trying To Return To Reagan-Bush.” (1994)
“I don’t know that the world is pining for a progressive-on-social-issues governor of Massachusetts.” (2002)
After some badgering by Russert today on the issue of his change in position on federal employment legislation to ban discrimination against gays Romney finally said this: “If you’re looking for someone who’s never changed any positions on any policies, than I’m not your guy.” Given the voluminous public record nicely preserved for all of us via Google and YouTube, it’s unclear why he hasn’t been more candid on all of this and just come right out and said: “I was trying to get elected in Massachusetts for goodness sakes” or “I really have changed on a bunch of issues in the last few years.” It is the pretense of consistency that is so unsettling. Does he not remember or he thinks we’re too dim to “look it up”?
