http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/03/25981.aspxBy Bob Shrum So Mitt Romney, who couldn’t have been reelected governor of Massachusetts, is running for president.  And that’s one reason he couldn’t have been reelected.  To cater to Republican primary voters nationally, he decided to geten-USCommunityServer 2.0 (Build: 60608.1)http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/03/25981.aspx#26131Wed, 03 Jan 2007 23:21:11 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:26131William Smith, Manchester, NHI find it interesting that Mr. Shrum says that Governor Romney "couldn't be reelected" in the Bay State. He *could* have been, he chose not to. Romney would have beaten Deval Patrick quite handily, I think.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/03/25981.aspx#26136Wed, 03 Jan 2007 23:46:57 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:26136Steve Sallis, San Diego, CARomney is a pandering joker, the original flip flop politician.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/03/25981.aspx#26138Wed, 03 Jan 2007 23:56:01 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:26138Garth Smith, CaliforniaAccording to your line of reasoning, Ronald Reagan would have been un-electable because he changed his mind on abortion. Romney is a decent, values-based conservative and a proven fiscal winner. The man is a winner...Try to be serious if you want to tell me there is a more conservative candidate out there. Romney has my vote. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/03/25981.aspx#26144Thu, 04 Jan 2007 00:22:13 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:26144Luke, Salt Lake City, UtahOne thing that should be known about members of the mormon faith is, they are mormons first and Americans 2nd. I grew up as one. While the great majority of them are marvelous people, they should not hold the highest office in the land.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/03/25981.aspx#26168Thu, 04 Jan 2007 01:46:41 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:26168Mike, Bolingbrook, Il"To cater to Republican primary voters nationally, he decided to get right with the right wing canon." How many times are we going to have to hear this tired old story without any logic to support it? re: "It recalls the comment of Ted Kennedy, who defeated him in the 1994 senate race, that Romney was “multiple choice.” Everything Ted Kennedy must be true. George Bush called John Kerry a flip floper, does that make it true? Are political apponents athorities on Romney's record? You paint with a very broad brush. Romney has changed his policy on one issue: abortion, so don't generalize. Things should be made as simple as possible, but not more simple. re: "He’s [McCain] not only a genuine career-long social conservative..." What? McCain has worked more with Ted Kennedy, whom you quote earlier, than almost anyone else in the senate. Romney is more conservative than him on Immigration, Gay Marriage, Stem Cell Research, and most importantly judges. Have you ever heard of the Gang of 13? That really made Republicans hate McCain... He loves ticking off his base, almost as much as he loves talking with his budies in the MSM. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/03/25981.aspx#26182Thu, 04 Jan 2007 02:29:30 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:26182Patricia A. Corcoran, Cambridge, MassachusettsOn Thursday, January 4, 2007 at 12:00 noon the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will say good bye to Governor What's His Name. I would suspect during his campaign for President he will change his strips so many times that the What's His Name of today will be different this time next year. At noon the citiznes of Massachusetts will be saying "don't let the door hit you on your way out." Of course, What's His Name hasn't spent too much time in Massachusetts, but will in the next few months -- we're next door to New Hampshire. They only thing one can count on What's His Name is that he'll tell you want to hear so you'll vote for him. That's all he cares about. He's about as much a Conservative as Senator Edward Kennedy. So, farewell Mr. What's His Name don't bother coming back. You couldn't be elected dog catcher in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/03/25981.aspx#26225Thu, 04 Jan 2007 05:14:58 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:26225Elizabeth ReeseAnd they called Kerry a "flip-flopper". It seems that Romney and McCain have to remember just what office they are running for so that they know which political face to show to their potential constituents.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/03/25981.aspx#26227Thu, 04 Jan 2007 05:29:30 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:26227nathan h, galt, caNot to be picky or anything, but I have a complaint about Mr. Shrum's writing. At the very end, he gives the random example that he was pro gay writes... but then just stops. It ends. He needs another sentence or 2 to back or follow up on it... I don't know... it just bothers me. hahahttp://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/03/25981.aspx#26232Thu, 04 Jan 2007 05:42:11 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:26232Mike McDonaldAs a Mormon it is not unusual for romney to be less than truthful. It is part of the Mormon culture and teaching that it is Ok to not be truthful to "gentiles' - non-Mormons-. I suppose this quality would make any Mormon a good political candidate as it is the primary quaification of a politician.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/03/25981.aspx#26260Thu, 04 Jan 2007 10:32:51 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:26260James Bishop, Baoding, ChinaIt doesn't matter. Abundantly, Americans feel as I do. We want no more religious fanatics in the White House. Certainly no Mormons. Have you ever REALLY checked out what they profess to believe? J.R.R.Tolkien could not do better. http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/03/25981.aspx#26358Thu, 04 Jan 2007 17:14:00 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:26358Rudy Bauer, Alpena, Mich.If Mitt Romney is anything like his dad, the former Governor George Romney of Michigan, he will be a great president or vice president. George Romney told us the truth about Vietnam when he said we were being brainwashed. His honesty cost him credibility. Several years later, former Defense Sec'y MacNamara wrote his book confirming Romney's honest statement.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/03/25981.aspx#26404Thu, 04 Jan 2007 17:58:58 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:26404Karen ,Sacramento CALuke, you may have grown up a 'Mormon' but you didn't learn your lessons well...God first, family second, country third. That's the order of our belief. There is simply nothing in the Mormon religion, or in Mitt Romney's deeply held beliefs that would be harmful to our nation. Doesn't Pelosi tout that her family comes first? I noted in another blog on this site, that Nancy Pelosi has long represented the rights of the gay and Aids Victims, before entering into politics...this is a small minority of people, and rather unifocal. There are many more interesting and important things to focus on in this world...thankfully Mitt is clearminded and not hung up on these issues as his solo mission. I no longer seek common ground, I am desperate for 'higher ground' Enough trashing this good person.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/03/25981.aspx#26428Thu, 04 Jan 2007 18:20:04 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:26428Joan M Waters, NYI don't understand why some of the commentators in this site are so antagonistic about the LDS faith. So called Mormons are Christians. I am sure they are nice, honest, patriotic people. That said, I wouldn't want to generalize either way because that would suggest I am an uneducated baffoon. Romney is a proven commercial and political success story with Harvard qualifications that would make your eyes water. Leave the religion alone - in the America I know and love, religion is not an issue so long as your pledge of allegience is true!http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/03/25981.aspx#26453Thu, 04 Jan 2007 18:47:27 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:26453Dennis E, Dallas, TexasTo Karen in Sacramento. There is no "higher ground" in the entire Republican party. if thats what you are waiting for I would suggest you start looking at other alternatives.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/03/25981.aspx#26523Thu, 04 Jan 2007 19:56:32 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:26523Walker Stevenson, WyomingAs a Mormon (and as one, I suppose I'm just beneath Communists and the mentally insane as far as credibility goes), I can say that this idea that Mormons are inherently unpatriotic is not only factually incorrect; it's a terribly hackneyed and insulting to those who know the first thing about Mormons. Our article faith says: "We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law." Talk of the Mormon conspiracy reeks of a century ago with the Reed Smoot hearings. Looks like we missed our chance. Better catch it the second round with Romney (rofl). The Mormon church fully mobilized in all of both World Wars (the latter of which Latter-Day Saints in both Germany and the US found themselves fighting each other--talk about "patriotism), the Korean War, the Vietnam War, etc (Of course, that was just so we could get an "in"; our boys' lives are only as important as fodder for conspiracy). I'm not necessarily voting for Romney (I need to be convinced about his solution for Iraq--sounds like a lot of the same). But like Ms. Waters said, let's not let the rantings of the disaffected overpower evidence-based intelligent discussion.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/03/25981.aspx#26526Thu, 04 Jan 2007 19:57:46 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:26526Walker Stevenson, WyomingDon't forget Harry Reid--he's a faithful Mormon too! No accusations of subversion there.http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/03/25981.aspx#26673Thu, 04 Jan 2007 22:42:44 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:26673Barbara Burdick, Layton, UtahSomeone said "If there were nothing to prayer, the impulse to pray would have died out long ago." I dare anyone out there to prove that the Mormon faith is not true...http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/03/25981.aspx#26692Thu, 04 Jan 2007 23:26:59 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:26692Lakewood, CAThe religious innuendo in this article by Mr. Shrum is entertaining, but that is about it. Really. Romney is not the remainder man either. He is an incredibly smart choice for the Republican Party. McCain is a maverick and quite unlikable as a person sometimes, and good ol' Rudy is too socially conservative for some folks. Romney has experience, moral character, leadership ability, and savvy political skills. Romney did not graduate from Republican boot camp or any other kind of boot camp. He is not a brainwashed conservative who panders to constituents. He honestly tries to make wise choices in an often complicated political world. Republicans can't go wrong with Mitt. America could use a handsome, charming man in the White House too. We'd make some more friends around the world because of it!