Since candidate Mitt Romney enacted a similar healthcare law at the state level while governor of Massachusetts, many Republicans were skeptical about his candidacy despite his ability to raise money, be an effective campaigner, etc. But as time went on, GOP voters felt the "non-Romney" candidates were either not ready for prime time (e.g. Michele Bachmann, Rick Santorum, Herman Cain) or had too much baggage (e.g. Rick Perry, Newt Gingrich).
Apparently conservatives' concerns were assuaged enough to make Romney the nominee, in large part because he had gone on the record saying he would repeal Obamacare on "day one" of his presidency. Obviously that turned out to be a moot point given that Obama was reelected.
So when Romney on Friday reacted to the death of Staples founder Thomas Stemberg, questions were once again raised as to how serious he was about actually repealing Obamacare.
Romney recalled that shortly after he was elected, Mr. Stemberg asked him why he ran for governor. Romney said he wanted to help people, and Mr. Stemberg replied that if he really wanted to help, he should give everyone access to health care, which Romney said he hadn’t really considered before.
“Without Tom pushing it, I don’t think we would have had Romneycare,” Romney said. “Without Romneycare, I don’t think we would have Obamacare. So without Tom, a lot of people wouldn’t have health insurance.”
Even though Romney insisted he would repeal Obamacare "day one," his appearance on Meet The Press two months before the 2012 election once again cast some doubts.
Look, I'm not going to sit here and pretend that I'm outraged over what seems to be another classic Romney "flip-flop." He decided earlier this year not to make a third attempt to run for President, so it's quite obvious he's done in politics. But it's situations like this which make it difficult for voters to ever believe politicians truly "evolve" on issues.
Repealing Obamacare certainly seemed to be the politically expedient thing for a GOP nominee to tout in 2012. It seems painfully obvious now that Romney never really sold himself on the idea.
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1 comment:
I think it might have been more the case that Romney believed such a program could actually work. That doesn't speak too well for his conservative principles or common sense, but I don't think he was dissembling. In fact, one could hold both views, that we needed more people to have health care and that Obamacare was the wrong way to do it and should be repealed.
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