Whether or not anyone prefers to acknowledge it, Mitt Romney is already the default, de facto Republican presidential nominee in 2012 – and, too, he is already the clear loser.
Health care, singularly, will guarantee Barack Obama a second term – even if he never actually achieves meaningful “reform,” or even if he manages reform but it ends up becoming a festering, hemorrhaging mess … like anything the government runs.
Sure, the health care issue appears to be a political landmine for Obama right now, but he just can’t lose for winning, and there’s no area in which that rings more true than health care reform.
Pitted against Romney (as ultimately will happen, because who else is there, really?), Obama will come out looking every bit the better man for the job.
You see, Romney and health care … he’s been there, he’s done that.
As governor of Massachusetts, Romney socialized the state’s health care system, insuring nearly every resident by forcing people to choose between purchasing coverage or paying a penalty for non-compliance. (Yes, Romney’s a Republican; yes, he’s a business wizard; no, those traits don’t at all jive with his stateside socialization of a major private sector).
The success of Romney’s health care reform has, on balance, been lukewarm.
It’s been bad for business start-ups and expansions, but pretty good for people (well, not entrepreneurial people, but still …)
There is, naturally, a funding problem for Massachusett’s program, the solution for which would surely be increased corporate taxation, except that, um, that well has too run dry at the hands of Romney’s grand plan.
So when you think about it, Romneycare really isn’t a success at all.
Anyway, the relative merits of Romney’s reform are not really the point. Even an entirely successful – fully-funded, business-friendly, quality-controlled, patient-primary – result would still leave Romney in the lurches come 2012.
Romney’s problem is, more to the point, that he’ll be running as a Democrat in disguise against a Democrat demagogue.
If there is to be one issue to set apart Republican from Democrat, it has to be health care. It’s one thing for a Republican politician to triangulate on the issue of health care reform – to mildly oppose it, then to begrudgingly admit its merits – but it’s a whole ‘nother thing for a Republican to endorse, initiate, and institute a socialized system of health coverage.
In 2012, two Democrats will be vying for the presidency, and one of those Democrats is Barack Obama. He just can’t lose.
By Mab October 6, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Mands…
Mmm…
Thanks for the MittFix!
Sorry — but El Incompetent One can and will *lose* in 2012.
And Mitt’s not he.
Where’s Marie?!
By PasserBy October 6, 2009 at 8:49 pm
I’m gonna classify this one as an “all opinion piece” except for Romneys’ Health care creation. Not sayin’ I don’t agree with it, just a lot of supposition/opinions – I think we haven’t seen how badly Barry can mess up yet.
Also, I thought it was long ago decided that all Mande articles should be accompanied by updated pics of the author…
By TJ October 6, 2009 at 8:54 pm
How long before the Rombots begin hating on Fits through the comments section? I say 2 hours.
By James the Foot Soldier October 6, 2009 at 9:28 pm
Don’t blame me – I voted for the liberal democrat last November: John McCain.
And the state that vaulted Johnny Mac to the top of the republican heap in last year’s primaries: SOUTH CAROLINA.
The last thing the republican party needs is Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina deciding who their nominee will be in 2012. This trifecta of fuked up states and their 15 electoral college votes has given us two bushies, bob dull, and johnny mac – yeah, the same johnny mac that ran an even more inept presidential campaign than Michael Dukakis.
Those in South Carolina complaining about the national republican party have only one person to blame – the man in the mirror.
By Edward October 6, 2009 at 9:40 pm
You think too much of Romney. Romney ran last time, all the bluster buster could do in the end is drop out, for the sake of not giving the ‘terrorist’ the upper hand. NOT only a dopey statement, but also showed all the reasons why Romney should hold no office.
Romney will not be tapped, no need playing into his ego.
By Paul Yarmo October 6, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Wishful thinking… Mande. The next election will be about the economy, competence and corruption. And Mitt is a winner on all thre and as time goes on Obama looks more and more out of his league. And in 2012, the “sympathy – it’s time a black man is president” vote will be spent. I am not even sure Barack wins in a primary battle against Hillary. I think Hillary would be more of threat to Mitt than Obama.
By Al October 6, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Your right Romney is a winner, only in the aspect of being involved when it come to corruption, he is entangled in huge corruption, and a when it comes to the economy, a winner as to the fact of knowing nothing, but how to send jobs out of America. Romney is the winning loser.
By Cooter Brown October 6, 2009 at 10:15 pm
Warshintun iz jest ’bout dun. Betta ‘lect us a gud gob-nah ’cause when da doller crashes, there aint no fed gob-mint. Wee wont even hab t’ shoot at Fort Sumta dis time– whoosh– it’ll be gone!
Wee needs t’ start thinkin’ an’ actin’ locallie, folks, o’ we’ll wish wee had!
By jason poyfair October 6, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Reality Check: Modern socialism normally entails state-controlled production, criticizing private ownership. Romney’s health plan mandated private ownership in the private sector, disallowing a public option (state-controlled production). None of us conservatives are particularly thrilled about the development except with the understanding that before the Dems got their hands on it, it was a good prototype for a more genuine capitalistic route to reform. Romney himself, while defending the plan, has also encouraged all states to experiment with their own programs, understanding that his plan was not perfect. It was compromise all the way in a liberal state. Let’s not forget that he out-balanced that little debit with a two billion dollar rainy day fund for the state when he left.
By Mormon says what? October 6, 2009 at 10:27 pm
That may be the worst introductory paragraph to EVA grace the pages of fitsnews.
What exactly makes you think that Romney is the “default, de facto” republican nominee three years before the election? Didn’t Sic teach you to back up your claims with facts like he always does? Besides, this country will never elect a mormon president.
By No Name October 6, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Borrowing a line from an earlier article in the Financial Times – it is OK for Romney to believe in a looney fraud called Mormonism….it is not OK for the leader of the free world to believe in a looney fraud.
Few ever actually ask if Bain Capital …..Romney’s Private Equity Platform …..did what the Mormons spin as another easy myth.
By the time that Hilary and the sad events of Baby Bush’s treason of Wall Street theivery …..convince Obama it is better to have one term….. I think it will be Hilary Biden against Thompson Huckabee
By Bill Turner October 6, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Mande, if things keep going the way they are now, Obama will morph into Carter and the one-term light will be at the end of his tunnel. Romney may have made health coverage mandatory in MA, but how many states made auto insurance mandatory 30 years ago! Was that socialism? Hardly. It has spread the risk around and rates have been relatively stable since the mid-90′s.
Romney would trounce Obama one-on-one. His only concern is getting past the early primary “Huckabee” states where religion bashing is popular.
By Mande Wilkes October 6, 2009 at 11:20 pm
“Mormon says what” -
You must be new to my column. I’d never let facts obstruct my opinions.
-Mande
By Bernie October 6, 2009 at 11:34 pm
Romney could not trounce McCain, who is Romney kidding.
Romney has tons of hedge funds which goes to a mail box overseas, Romney another Bernie in the making, same cookie cutter!
By Cooter Brown October 7, 2009 at 7:14 am
‘Case yew folks forgot, th’ ‘Publican primaries had mo dan one or two candidates– Ron Paul beated Da new youk Yankee mayor, th’ Huckster & Mista Hollywoodie Fred wuz in da mix too. Den ye add Romney an’ ‘Cain and ye gots a lot of ways t’ cut a cake. Wit dat manie horses in da race, winnin is da luck ov th’ draw. ‘Cain didn’t “win” nuttin’, hiz vot jest happened naught to be split az manie ways as de otha candidates. Naught much ov a mandate o’ endorsemint frum SC if’n ye ax me– course, nobodie eva does… alas!
By scarlettohello October 7, 2009 at 7:19 am
Touche` Cooter.
By Jed October 7, 2009 at 7:36 am
Mitt 2012!
Obama made history in 2008. Mitt will make sure Obama BECOMES history in 2012!
By Paulee October 7, 2009 at 7:43 am
Sad to say..Here is a man who proved the American Dream can be here for the taking. Proved his ability by putting His money on the line..Private sector self made businessman which equates to a leader.. We need a person who can see the bottom line, a trained, fair, thoughtful, mature individual.. For those of you that continue to spread false facts about Mitt, I feel badly for you and this country…Mitt is a moral, good man who loves this country. For the ones of us that have met him personally, we know his mind and heart and you are all so All Wet it isn’t even funny..He did not beat John McCain because he was railroaded…Open your eyes and do your homework..Lies of Omission by Huckabee, Crist, Martinez, Lieberman….and twisting words…be careful what you believe because of hear say…
By CL October 7, 2009 at 8:18 am
Your two main theses are that health care will be the defining issue for the 2012 election, and that Mitt Romney is far and away the leading contender for the Rep. nomination. However, these two ideas are hardly foregone conclusions, and to me seem contradictory. I think Obama’s continued fail on the economy and the war in Afghanistan are just as likely to be defining issues.
Moreover, if healthcare truly is the focus, that would make it less likely that Romney would win the nomination. Take Jindal, for instance. Take a look at his resume. He probably knows more about health care than any politician in the country. Just as expertise in business is seen as a major qualification for Romney given the sorry state of the economy, Jindal’s extensive healthcare expertise will push him to the front of the pack if healthcare becomes more important in 2012.
By John Steinberger October 7, 2009 at 9:37 am
Gov. Mike Huckabee has a popular weekly TV show, a syndicated radio commentary, a Political Action Committee and a powerful message. He has been clear for more than a year that bailing out banks is not a good idea, that our health insurance problems have free-market solutions and that our tax code punishes success and rewards failure and must be replaced. Gov. Huckabee is very aticulate, sincere and relates to regular people.
By dirtbogger October 7, 2009 at 10:03 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG2PUZoukfA
Huckabee is a war mongering self serving fraud, and so was every other media darling.
By Red October 7, 2009 at 10:23 am
Mitt is a Mormon. If he truly believes this hogwash, he doesn’t deserve a public office.
“The only men who become Gods, even the Sons of God, are those who enter into polygamy.” (Journal of Discourses 11:269)
Mormons believe Jesus will return to both Jerusalem and Independence, Missouri (which they consider Zion)
How can anyone take Mitt seriously?
By larry October 7, 2009 at 10:28 am
Petraeus/Rice seems like a good combo to me.
By Skidmarks October 7, 2009 at 10:31 am
- Jobs will be the big issue.
- The evangelicals will never accept Romney.
- It will be a Palin-Huckabee ticket.
- With predictable results.
By Darth October 7, 2009 at 10:53 am
Still wanna see that Brazilian wax job Wil was ranting about…
When are the Nimrods that are trying to count coup in advance, that annointed Mad Mc last time (oddly the same whining RINO impeachment crowd), gonna STFU and recognize that a populist with the spine of a Palin or Keyes is the only one wiht a chance of leading their ticket into 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, IF AND ONLY IF they can keep them in die partei (hat immer recht) (NEIN MEIN FURHER, I BURNERD MY PARTEI CARTE)
By CF October 7, 2009 at 10:59 am
I’d rather have a man who believes he may one day become a God over a man who thinks he is God now.
By stimulus guy October 7, 2009 at 11:09 am
blah blah blah blah blah
By fitsnews October 7, 2009 at 11:53 am
yo yo
By MKinVA October 7, 2009 at 2:07 pm
“Besides, this country will never elect a mormon president.” The truth is the Republican party will never nominate a mormon. You just can’t get passed that base. Which is the only reason McCain was nominated in the end. He was a washed up shrew 2 years before the general election, but the base would not stand for nominating someone who couldn’t pretend they were born again. It’s going to take more than a couple of years for the Republican party to change their base. And there is NO evidence that that is happening. And No Name, really, Thompson? Worse Campaigner Ever. Couldn’t get off his ass to run from a fire.
By No Name October 7, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Fred ran only here in SC…admittedly low key…to siphon off just enough of the SC voters to ensure McCain got through.
Now you can say this was not kosher …but it was what it was….national level political chicanery.
In doing so he got a “taste” of it …a rehearsal ….the Greenville event was electric …he does not ruin a friend’s dream…he was a loyal blocking back.
Romney is a non-starter.
Huckabee is not a main event guy and may just stay in the more lucrative media business.
Newt can not get permission from the wrath standing next to him in all those pictures.
Pawlenty not ready ….
Jindahl……ready for his State …..not ready for ours.
Palin will not destroy her children …which is what the media will do to her.
Ron Paul …the mere mention of his name and perfect record of calling every disaster for exactly what it is scares the Party Elders sh**less..and yet he will not flag a Third party.
All the Dwarfs in the US House are all too untested and need to take back the House in 2010.
The GOP Senate is the foundation of a new party called Security Republicrats for Bailing out our Biggest Donors.
So few Nationanal GOP figures still standing….Fred looks good to me for a tough fight against Hilary and Biden.
By Mab October 7, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Well-said, MKinVA.
“Thompson Huckabee” = “Foghorn Leghorn” in the minds of many Americans.
No matter how talented the candidate, perception is everything. The R’s can’t afford another “Bubba” as their nominee. That rules out anybody who is now, or ever was, from the South.
;)
By Mab October 7, 2009 at 3:26 pm
P.S. It is SOUTHERN REPUBLICANS that would never nominate a Mormon. In other parts of the country, people really aren’t this brainwashed. Really.
By James the Foot Soldier October 7, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Mab – GREAT POINT!
Logic and science could be used to debunk entire chapters of the Bible but Jewish and Christian religions aren’t considered “fringe”?
Tell me again the part about some dude climbing up a mountain and coming back down with two stone tablets written by the hand of God Himself? And then the Jews carry these tablets around for 1000s of years? Build a ginormous temple to house these where only one person on the planet has access? And then…poof….they go missing?
That’s why ALL religions are based on FAITH….
Frankly, southern republicans leaders remind me more of pharisees and sadducees more than followers of Christ…the track record of “christian” office-holders and their blessed marriages aren’t any better than the relationships Barney Frank has….but that’s getting off topic…
By Dick Tona October 7, 2009 at 4:31 pm
This is the free world and free country in the world,why so many people still talking about race,about religion or these people are still live in the 1500 BC? or it is time to America collapse? why most people are support only the inexperience,no resume,no track record,just good in talking,lying,and dancing in the street but can’t do what America need,just think about it,why Mr. Van Jone was in the white house? why Obama linked to Mr. Ayer,Mr. Wright? how these radical people can run this country? can fix the economy?no way.what happened to the country now? more unemployment,more debt,more spending, more deficit,more welfare,is it that the change America need?, America believe?and America hope? why American people still blame the experience leader, the best track recorder,the economy exporter? some one said McCain beat Mitt or Mitt is the loser,the true the loser is the republican people that selfish and closed their eyes nominee the wrong candidate and got their result by defeat last election and second result from Mr.Obama agenda to change America to communist Mr. Van Jone is the right answer that the democrats and Obama can’t say any thing and the liberal media ignored it,but they still never learn any thing and not enough for their defeat yet,look republican still want to try one more defeat,but Mitt is the winner and he is a rising star for American people and for the country,in 2012,the economy will be the #1 issue, homeland security and foreign policy will be #2,and health care reform can be reform at congress and senate,so Mitt will be the hope of America,because he love America more than himself,when he dropped out to help John unite the party proved that he is the kind of leadership that met the need of America dream,he is the smarter, the stronger,the most experience in the economy,and the most qualify for the presidency,he can beat Obama by landslide in 2012,because America can’t see the country go to hell and can’t wait until 2012 any more.The wealthy man can make a wealthy country,the inexperience can’t get the job done,Obama had proved that now by his last defeat and return home by empty hand from Copenhagen,that result shame on America,is not only Obama,sorry.
By Joseph Antley October 7, 2009 at 5:15 pm
This has to be one of the most idiotic pieces I’ve ever read. For one, the “de facto” nominees last time around were Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani, and oddly enough neither of them are president. For two, the idea that Mitt Romney is running as a “Democrat in disguise” has to be one of the most ignorant quips I’ve ever heard. He’s as much as a Republican as anyone (moreso than our last Republican nominee).
I’m left to conclude that Mande Wilkes really has no grasp on American politics, or she is taking early shots at Romney because she’s just that scared that he’ll win.
By Mande Wilkes October 7, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Joseph -
In this business, having “no grasp on Amerian politics” is an asset, no?
-Mande
By Susan October 7, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Health reform is needed in the United States….Massachuetts had a Republican govenor that kept them out of a public option. Still the democratic majority State congress held tight to some things and that is what is causing the budget problem. This is my honest opinion
By Joseph Antley October 7, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Mande–
The business of writing ignorant rubbish? I can see where not grasping key concepts, or even basic facts, of what you’re writing about would be an asset.
Romney drafted a plan for health care reform in Massachusetts. The Democratic legislature modified the plan in several key ways, but Romney — as a Republican governor with conservative principles – kept the state from having a public option. The fact that he compromised on other issues demonstrates his ability to work across the table, something Barack Obama claimed profusely while he was running but has yet to deliver on.
I hope that Romney gets the Republican nomination in 2012, and I desperately hope that he defeats Barack Obama. If Obama continues along his current path, I’m fairly confident that he will.
By dirtbogger October 8, 2009 at 10:59 am
Well I hope that Ron Paul or some one he hand picks gets the nomination in 2012.
By Jeremy October 14, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Hey Red,
Religion is religion, it all sounds funny as hell. Did you know Catholics believe they eat the body of christ??? Yummy. Sounds a little silly though right? No religious test for public office.
By valk October 17, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Well…..this story is about laughable if it wasnt so offbase and inaccurate……..incompetence and corruption will rule the outcome of 2012…………….just look where we are at now and picture a worse situation then………………..
By Alan Srout October 17, 2009 at 5:39 pm
Sarah Palin/John Bolton or Sarah Palin/Fred Thompson sounds about right to me. Myth Romney? Please!!