Why DON'T they like Romney?

I guess I just don't get it. Why don't conservatives like Romney? It's almost like anyone but Romney. Why? It can't be because he is a flip flopper (which he is) but so is Newt, and Romney is a lot nicer than Newt. Newt is just mean and self serving. Even people in his own party will say that. Yet here he is, the newest golden boy.
The only thing I can think of is the religion thing. I know many conservatives think Mormons are a cult, and seeing the candidates they keep pushing to the front, Perry, Bachmann, Palin, tells me it's the ultra religious conservatives who are doing the pushing/polling. But maybe I'm wrong. I'd sure like to hear the conservatives here weigh in on this. And Huntsman too. Here are two very smart, capable people who aren't flame throwers, generally don't fall into nasty divisive rhetoric, and actually have a few grey cells to rub together. So what gives?

And Ron Paul? He seems to poll pretty high but is all but ignored by the right. What's that all about?

If forced to, I’ll hold my nose and vote for him the same way I did with McCain. however he strikes me as a slightly less objectionable version of Obama. His positions seem dispensable as circumstances dictate, and he strikes me as far too willing to adapt the statist approach to any given problem.

Right now the Left seems to be pullulating with reasons why conservatives don’t like him. He’s “too reasonable”, he’s contending with an imagined tide of religious bigotry, his haircut costs too much. I think they’re missing the point. Conservatives aren’t excited by him because he isn’t all that conservative.

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Originally Posted by LDAHL

Conservatives aren’t excited by him because he isn’t all that conservative.

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But isn't it so much more delightful to use his candidacy as an opportunity to smear conservatives with all sorts of fun labels? Can't let that pass by!

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Originally Posted by LDAHL

Conservatives aren’t excited by him because he isn’t all that conservative.

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I think its really just about that simple. A lot of conservatives seem to be on the fence waiting to see if someone with a platform a little farther to the right will move to the front of the pack. Mr. Romney manages to stay out front, usually in the #2 spot behind the flavor of the week, because he isn't objectionable beyond the MA healthcare plan. I don't think his religion has much to do with anything one way or the other. I do wish he would have kept his wager with Rick Perry to somewhat less than either spends on their hair.

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Conservatives aren’t excited by him because he isn’t all that conservative.

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Probably the same reason progressives don't like Obama, why oh why can't they get all excited voting for a complete corporate sell out, a man who is basically the George W Bush II administration, with all the wars and civil liberties violations to boot, no additional financial oversite, crummy environmental record, and only a few bones thrown to any of his contituency (really what has he accomplished: repealing don't ask don't tell, passing a health care bill almost noone really understands that doesn't even go into effect until years later, and continually passing unemployment extensions because noone can get a job, which are better than not passing the extensions but ...). *That* is the grand list of what he has done for his base. I just don't know, what's not to like, why isn't his base all riled up for him? It's a mystery .....

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Originally Posted by LDAHL

If forced to, I’ll hold my nose and vote for him the same way I did with McCain. however he strikes me as a slightly less objectionable version of Obama. His positions seem dispensable as circumstances dictate, and he strikes me as far too willing to adapt the statist approach to any given problem.

Right now the Left seems to be pullulating with reasons why conservatives don’t like him. He’s “too reasonable”, he’s contending with an imagined tide of religious bigotry, his haircut costs too much. I think they’re missing the point. Conservatives aren’t excited by him because he isn’t all that conservative.

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Well I can certainly appreciate the notion that you think he isn't 'right' enough, but that's where you lose me. Newt held all those positions too, before HE flip flopped. He was for health care mandates, he was for reproductive choice and i think he didn't give a hoot one way or the other about gay marriage. And he certainly isn't the 'value' vote! And he's just a nasty, mean person who doesn't really care about anyone except himself. This is a guy who really doesn't care which direction the country goes as long as he is on top. So why him over Romney?
Is it because Newt is a nasty bulldog? Is that why y'all like him? And by y'all I mean the collective y'all. I have to believe in my heart, to maintain my sanity, that conservatives wouldn't actually put a divisive, nasty person who would rather sell his grandmother than talk to/deal with a democrat (Newt) or someone who is wildly incompetent (Cain, Bachmann, Perry) in the most important position in the world just because of their dislike of Obama. Would conservatives really do that to our country?
Now before you start reading between the lines, which some posters here love to do in a huffy faux outrage, please note that I didn't say all the republican candidates are this. Granted I don't want any of them to win but if there is a small chance of a republican winning, well, this is my country too. I'd like to think that conservatives are actually thinking of the country and it's future in their choice. When people actually put forth a Herman Cain as a viable choice, this tells me they don't really appreciate the magnitude of the job.
So this is why I'm confused. I don't want any of them to win, but I can see one or two who are at least competent, and probably up to the task. And isn't that, really, the main thing? Electing someone who won't trash the country, at home or abroad?
So what's the deal with Ron Paul? Even the right don't seem to want to talk about him.

I'm a progressive and am quite pleased to support Obama again. He's implemented many things I support, especially in the current context & framework of an economic system I absolutely depise. There are many of us too.

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Originally Posted by peggy

Well I can certainly appreciate the notion that you think he isn't 'right' enough, but that's where you lose me. Newt held all those positions too, before HE flip flopped. He was for health care mandates, he was for reproductive choice and i think he didn't give a hoot one way or the other about gay marriage. And he certainly isn't the 'value' vote! And he's just a nasty, mean person who doesn't really care about anyone except himself. This is a guy who really doesn't care which direction the country goes as long as he is on top. So why him over Romney?
Is it because Newt is a nasty bulldog? Is that why y'all like him? And by y'all I mean the collective y'all. I have to believe in my heart, to maintain my sanity, that conservatives wouldn't actually put a divisive, nasty person who would rather sell his grandmother than talk to/deal with a democrat (Newt) or someone who is wildly incompetent (Cain, Bachmann, Perry) in the most important position in the world just because of their dislike of Obama. Would conservatives really do that to our country?
Now before you start reading between the lines, which some posters here love to do in a huffy faux outrage, please note that I didn't say all the republican candidates are this. Granted I don't want any of them to win but if there is a small chance of a republican winning, well, this is my country too. I'd like to think that conservatives are actually thinking of the country and it's future in their choice. When people actually put forth a Herman Cain as a viable choice, this tells me they don't really appreciate the magnitude of the job.
So this is why I'm confused. I don't want any of them to win, but I can see one or two who are at least competent, and probably up to the task. And isn't that, really, the main thing? Electing someone who won't trash the country, at home or abroad?
So what's the deal with Ron Paul? Even the right don't seem to want to talk about him.

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Newt wouldn't have been my first choice. He's smart and tough, but he's got some personal baggage and he seems more gaffe-prone than anyone except Joe Biden. That still makes him preferable to a bloodless chameleon like Romney or Obama. I would have liked to see Tim Pawlenty or Mitch Daniels, but they both seemed unwilling to participate in the ugly muckfest that 2012 is shaping up to be. Also, all things being equal, Romney's apparent status as every Democrat's choice for the Republican nomination is not the strongest recommendation I could think of. In any event, i'm starting to think that the composition of Congress may be more important to our future than the Presidency next time around.

Democrats probably fear Romney the most. He could attract independent voters like Obama did. The independent voters are the key to the election. Obama also fears Romney the most would would much rather run against him than Newt. Newt has a lot of baggage.

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Originally Posted by bae

But isn't it so much more delightful to use his candidacy as an opportunity to smear conservatives with all sorts of fun labels? Can't let that pass by!

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Funny, isn't it, how so many of the people who sneer at the idea of "values", are so quick to reflexively apply their own? Only polling second? Clear evidence of bigotry! Cheated on his wives? Run his bedsheets up the flagpole!

Worst of all is anyone with the temerity to object to the current march to collectivist Utopia. Divisive and nasty!