January 16, 2008

The Elephant In The Room

Printer Friendly

By: Ann Coulter

Unluckily for McCain, snowstorms in Michigan suppressed the turnout among Democratic "Independents" who planned to screw up the Republican primary by voting for our worst candidate. Democrats are notoriously unreliable voters in bad weather. Instead of putting on galoshes and going to the polls, they sit on their porches waiting for FEMA to rescue them.

In contrast to Michigan's foul weather, New Hampshire was balmy on primary day, allowing McCain's base -- Democrats -- to come out and vote for him.

Assuming any actual Republicans are voting for McCain -- or for liberals' new favorite candidate for us, Mike Huckabee -- this column is for you.

I've been casually taking swipes at Mitt Romney for the past year based on the assumption that, in the end, Republicans would choose him as our nominee. My thinking was that Romney would be our nominee because he is manifestly the best candidate.

I had no idea that Republican voters in Iowa and New Hampshire planned to do absolutely zero research on the candidates and vote on the basis of random impulses.

Dear Republicans: Please do one-tenth as much research before casting a vote in a presidential election as you do before buying a new car.

One clue that Romney is our strongest candidate is the fact that Democrats keep viciously attacking him while expressing their deep respect for Mike Huckabee and John McCain.

This point was already extensively covered in Chapter 1 of "How To Talk to a Liberal (If You Must)": Never take advice from your political enemies.

Turn on any cable news show right now, and you will see Democratic pundits attacking Romney, calling him a "flip-flopper," and heaping praise on McCain and Huckleberry -- almost as if they were reading some sort of "talking points."

Doesn't that raise the tiniest suspicions in any of you? Are you too busy boning up on Consumer Reports' reviews of microwave ovens to spend one day thinking about who should be the next leader of the free world? Are you familiar with our "no exchange/no return" policy on presidential candidates? Voting for McCain because he was a POW a quarter-century ago or Huckabee because he was a Baptist preacher is like buying a new car because you like the color.

The candidate Republicans should be clamoring for is the one liberals are feverishly denouncing. That is Mitt Romney by a landslide.

New York Times columnist Frank Rich says Romney "is trying to sell himself as a leader," but he "is actually a follower and a panderer, as confirmed by his flip-flops on nearly every issue."

But Rich is in a swoon over Huckabee. I haven't seen Rich this excited since they announced "Hairspray" was coming to Broadway.

Rich has continued to hyperventilate over "populist" charmer Huckabee even after it came to light that Huckabee had called homosexuality an "abomination." Normally, any aspersions on sodomy or any favorable mentions of Christianity would lead to at least a dozen hysterical columns by Frank Rich.

Rich treated Mel Gibson's movie "The Passion of the Christ" as if it were a Leni Riefenstahl Nazi propaganda film. (On a whim, I checked to see if Rich had actually compared Gibson to Riefenstahl in one of his many "Passion" reviews and yes, of course he had.)

Curiously, however, Huckabee's Christianity doesn't bother Rich. In column after column, Rich hails Huckabee as the only legitimate leader of the Republican Party. This is like a girl in high school who hates you telling you your hair looks great.

Liberals claim to be enraged at Romney for being a "flip-flopper." I've looked and looked, and the only issue I can find that Romney has "flipped" on is abortion. When running for office in Massachusetts -- or, for short, "the Soviet Union" -- Romney said that Massachusetts was a pro-choice state and that he would not seek to change laws on abortion.

Romney's first race was against Sen. Teddy Kennedy -- whom he came closer to beating than any Republican ever had. If Romney needed to quote "The Communist Manifesto" to take out that corpulent drunk, all men of good will would owe him a debt of gratitude.

Even when Romney was claiming to support Roe v. Wade, he won the endorsement of Massachusetts Citizens for Life -- a group I trust more than the editorial board of The New York Times. Romney's Democratic opponents always won the endorsements of the very same pro-choice groups now attacking him as a "flip-flopper."

After his term as governor, NARAL Pro-Choice America assailed Romney, saying: "(A)s governor he initially expressed pro-choice beliefs but had a generally anti-choice record. His position on choice has changed. His position is now anti-choice."

Pro-abortion groups like the Republican Majority for Choice -- the evil doppelganger to my own group, Democratic Majority for Life -- are now running videos attacking Romney for "flip-flopping" on abortion.

Of all the Republican candidates for president, Romney and Rudy Giuliani are the only ones who had to be elected in pro-choice districts. Romney governed as a pro-lifer and has been viciously attacked by pro-abortion groups.

By contrast, Giuliani cleverly avoids the heinous "flip-flopper" label by continuing to embrace baby-killing. (Rudy flip-flops only on trivial matters like illegal immigration and his own marital vows.)

And, of course, Romney is a Mormon. Even a loser Mormon like Sen. Harry Reid claims to be pro-life. So having a candidate with a wacky religion isn't all bad.

At worst, Romney will turn out to be a moderate Republican -- a high-IQ, articulate, moral, wildly successful, moderate Republican. Of the top five Republican candidates for president, Romney is the only one who hasn't dumped his first wife (as well as the second, in the case of Giuliani) -- except Huckabee. And unlike Huckabee, Romney doesn't have a son who hanged a dog at summer camp. So there won't be any intern issues and there won't be any Billy Carter issues.

It's also possible that Romney will turn out to be a conservative Republican -- at least more conservative than he was as governor of Massachusetts. Whatever problems Romney's Mormonism gives voters, remember: Bill Clinton came in third in heavily Mormon Utah in 1992.

Posted by redguy at January 16, 2008 09:17 PM

Trackback Pings

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.redstatesusa.com/mt/mt-tb.cgi/867

Comments

oh COME ON ANN!
take your own advice and do some RESEARCH. How long will you keep up this bizzare attack on Christian Republicans?

It would be one thing if you simply liked Romney more. but NO! you and some others are hysterically trying to bash McCain and Huck in ways only liberals tend to do.

So Romney is the better candidate, according to you, because liberals seem to maybe dislike him, and therefore reading tea leaves, its definitely maybe Romney who is probably uhh okay, therefore SHOULD be president? what kind of rambling nonsense is this?

Please wake up Ann, youre embarassing yourself and conservatives in America when you write articles like this.

If you had some FACTS? that would be different, its all about how you HATE Huckabee and you HATE McCain, and how Huckabee is NOT a Christian, (when actually he is)

Clearly if Reagan were in his prime right now, you would be calling him a liberal, not a Christian, not worthy of being in elected office, an open borders panderer for Mexican votes, and lots of other nouns just to insult him.

I support McCain as a Christian Republican because Im familiar with the issues and paid my dues researching the facts. I also am supportive of Huckabee and Rudy.

There is NO CHANCE if, God forbid, Romney somehow got the nomination? that I would ever vote for him.

Romney is the liberals best hope, because like many others? there is no chance I would vote for him. If it came to that? Id write in McCain.

Ann youre one of those BAC's who helped get Nancy Pelosi the gavel by telling people not to vote GOP in 2006. pity.

Posted by: BradleyTS [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 16, 2008 10:35 PM

I will accept your assessment of Romney, but Ann, if we are looking to elect a conservative, why not Fred Thompson? I will certainly vote for ANY Republican we put forward because the democrat alternatives will destroy this country's basic freedoms, and God help this planet if they are put in power, but we have one chance to elect a person as close to a true Reagan conservative in 2008, lets not blow it now. We love you Ann, keep up the good fight!

Posted by: whosebone [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 16, 2008 11:13 PM

never in the history of our republic had congress filibustered a judge to be. mccain stood with the dembulbs. over.
i'm going to the auto show this saturday here in detroit. your gearhead alliterations got me all hot already. of all the candidates the enemy would fear the most its Fred, so make him Veep to the smooth operator and lets get on with it. fred can be the new dark force like my man cheney and the ceo dude can get this stock back up, otherwise we're going to take it hard when the red they send up gets the button. our plan for using Obama to split them dems is working perfectly with John diverting all the attention away from the real manchurian. the biggest story out of mi primary was her melting away as we all watch. my pretty!!

Posted by: playertwo [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 17, 2008 06:11 AM

Ann--

I think the main reason you support Romney is because he's handsome and charismatic and also because you don't have a Mormon representing you in Government! I do, and I can tell you right now, mine votes at least half the time or more in support of the Socialist political agenda of the Democratic Party instead of the political agenda of Republicans, despite his claims--like Romney's claims--he supposedly is a "Republican".

It should be obvious to you by now that the Republican Party has been integrated by Socialist Democrats who figured out doing so was the only way they could ensure Socialists gained control over all three branches of our Federal Government, including State, County, and City levels of Government.

I suggest you finally educate yourself to the fact Mormonism is a Religious Cult, not a genuine Christian faith. Several decades back, the Mormon Church deliberately changed the name of their Cult to "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" to deliberately deceive people into thinking it was instead a Christian faith, and gain the confidence of real Christians. The Cult's leaders knew if they could draw Christians away from their own Church into their Religious Cult, their new Christian converts would help them integrate the Republican Party so they could run for, and get elected to offices and push their Cult's politicial agenda, with the ultimate goal of winning the Presidency, and all the power that goes along with that. I don't want my American Government under the control of the Mormon Cult!

Mitt has so much money behind him thanks to naive Christians like yourself who aren't aware Mormonism isn't a genuine Christian faith. In fact, most Mormons aren't even aware because the name "Jesus Christ" is now embedded in the title of their Cult. But the bulk of the money that is behind Romney comes from the Cult, itself, which owns financial institutions, corporations, hotels, restaurants, and other institutions and business enterprises all around the World! In fact, about 15 yrs. ago when my Ex-Husband and I were staying at a hotel in TX, I looked in the nightstand for a Bible, but all I could find was the Book of Mormon. When I called the front desk to ask why, I was told the Mormon Church owned the hotel, but they would bring up a Bible if I also wanted to read that!

You're smart about many things, Ann, but you need to educate yourself and help educate others about Mormonism. In fact, most of our fellow Christians aren't educated thanks to all of these
politically correct Churches who aren't educating people to the truth. Inside of every Christian Bookstore, there is a "Religious Cult" section. Next to all the books that say, "How Christians Can Witness to Jehovah Witnesses", are books with identical titles, which cover people involved in other Religious Cults, like Scientologists, Wiccans, etc. Next to them are the books that say, "How Christians Can Witness to Mormons". I learned a lot about the Mormon Cult thanks to my Ex-Husband's former Pastor, a former Missionary to Mormons, in Utah. Contact Dr. Charles Stanley, Atlanta, GA, and he will be more than glad to educate you about Mormonism. I got additional info about the Mormon Cult as well as the Jehovah Witness Cult from his Ministry when I moved here to OR and came across a whole slew of Religious Cults in my City.

Furthermore, Mitt's voting history shows he supported abortion and homosexuality! Just because Mitt now claims he's against these things he voted for--to fool Christians who don't know any better into voting for him--the fact is, his own voting history proves otherwise. Since the Mormon Cult is so deliberately deceitful as has been my own Mormon Senator, it indicates to me what Mitt is also likely to do once he is secure in the knowledge he's President. I don't know his past or present stance on polygamy, but I suggest one of you investigative reporters try to find out his history on that as well. He may support it, for all we know. I'm aware McCain and Guliani both also have voting histories showing they supported abortion and homosexuality, and like Romney, they are now also claiming they are against abortion and homosexuality so people will vote for them. I don't trust any of them, because like my Daddy used to say, "The proof is in the pudding!"

The truth is, the only genuine Republican on the Republican Party ticket is Duncan Hunter, but for some bizarre reason no reporters will explain to us--even you conservative reporters--you all act like Duncan doesn't even exist! Duncan not only is a Viet Nam Vet like McCain, meaning he's qualified to be America's Commander-In-Chief (to my knowledge, Romney hasn't served our military), but Duncan's Son has served in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Duncan also is the one who initiated the fence to help protect our southern border!

Duncan also is a genuine Christian; he is not merely pretending to be one like most of the candidates running on both political parties. I have seen Paul Crouch interview you twice now, Ann, and he also interviewed Duncan Hunter and I was very impressed with him because he did not display any nervousness at all about sharing his faith. I guess you missed the interview? Paul, Jr. also interviewed John McCain. I was not a bit impressed with his first interview: he was not making much eye contact and seemed nervous about sharing his faith.

Duncan is the only one on the Republican Party ticket who embraces the Republican Party's historical political platform! So why are most of you reporters--even you conservative ones I normally admire--boycotting coverage of Duncan Hunter? He could possibly win this race if only you folks would get behind him, for a change. If you have any valid reasons why you don't support Hunter, would you please provide them?

Posted by: BJ1949 [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 17, 2008 06:11 AM

P.S. By the way...after delving into Huckabee's history, I agree wholeheartedly with you: he's not a genuine Republican. I honestly don't think it's a good idea to elect a former Pastor as our President; however.

McCain not only has a bad history of continually flip-flopping, first lending his support to John Kerry, and then to President Bush, but he scares me because he spent too many years in that POW camp in Viet Nam, and I heard he really has a hair-trigger temper because of it! What bothers me most about him besides that, is he's against torture. I'm sorry folks, but let's be honest, shall we? If our US Homeland Security obtained info about a terrorist plot to set off a nuclear bomb here in America, would you not want to them to use torture, if necessary, to prevent it from happening, to prevent the deaths of millions of innocents? THINK about it! If NOT, then please LEAVE America because YOU are a TRAITOR like ALL the Socialist Democrats running for office! I heard McCain is against torture because the Viet Cong used torture to break him down when he was a POW, and he shared classified info, as a result. That concerns me, also.

If I was absolutely forced to pick between McCain and Guliani, I would have to choose Guliani as he did a great job after the terrorist attack on NYC. However, the fact Pat Robertson endorses Guliani really worries me! I think Guliani did a grave disservice to himself when he sought out a political endorsement from Pat Robertson!

I know Ron Paul because he was my former Rep in TX. If you will listen to him, he's a cross between a Libertarian and a Socialist, not a real Republican. I have personally met him, and he's a nutcase like Democratic Candidate Kucinich.

Fred Thompson, bless his heart, seems to be a nice man, but for a man only a few years older than myself, he looks and acts more like he's closer to 80 yrs. old. I wonder if he would be able to physically stand the stress of being our President? However, I understand his younger Wife is a brillant woman and I think she might be a great asset to have in the White House. I don't know what his chances are after the MI Primary, as unfortunately, I didn't hear the results, although I assume Romney must have come out on top with all the coverage he's been getting from the media and press. The more I see of Romney; however, the less sincere I find him to be! Sorry, Ann! I will not vote for your Mormon friend!

Things are even worse on the Democratic side! I again say this: Duncan Hunter is the only one I believe should be President of the United States of America! I know that man is a real Patriot!

Posted by: BJ1949 [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 17, 2008 07:04 AM

Congrats Ann, this makes you a "Mitten". That is a name coined by Rush Limbaugh yesterday to describe women enamored by Mitt. I agree. The man is acomplished and in regard to foreign policy experience saving the Olympics should count for something.

McCaine is a fine man but he has been on the wrong side of too many issues and too often on the right side of Ted Kennedy. I also have deep doubts that he has the proper temperment to be a good leader.

Rudy is a good leader but remember Bernard Kerick? How many skeletons will Clinton Inc be able to find in Rudy's closet if he becomes the canidate. Also, he let us all down when he didn't defeat Hillary in the New York Senate race. A race I believe he dropped out of not because of medical reasons but because of his messy marital status at the time.

MITTENS FOR AMERICA!!!!

Posted by: Leslie [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 17, 2008 08:20 AM

BJ1949, I agree with your assessmnets. But I'd prefer a Thompson/Hunter ticket. I, too, am upset that these two cadidates are not getting the coverage that the others are getting. Is it because the media darlings don't like them, are afraid of them, or is it simply that these two guys don't have the cash?

What is it that makes the current top three the top choices? Obviosuly, true conservatives don't have a say in picking them, otherwise Thompson and Hunter would be 2 of them.

Posted by: you are right [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 17, 2008 10:07 AM

Ann, now that you have written an article supporting a Mormon, all the good Christians who were not denouncing you before are now posting against your recommendation. One might ask which Christian Denomination and disciples actually try to emulate Christ to the best of their capability. Which Christian Denomination was first on the scene helping all who needed help after the Florida Hurricane and other disasters here in the United States and abroad. Most Christian Denominations call them Mormons. Is it insanity or just a psychosis which prevails among Mormons to help those that despise them? Wait, the answer could be that Mormons are trying to emulate Jesus Christ. I guess that the secular world could call that insanity or psychosis. Furthermore, wasn't Jesus despised by the controlling religious leaders in his days. His followers were considered a (here is that word again) c_c_cult. Are not all religions based on faith to include Al Gore's global warming. Some people need to preach their faith instead of bashing the faith of others. By the way Ann, Have a Great Life.

Posted by: InsanePsychotic [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 17, 2008 01:41 PM

I think that a Romney-Thompson ticket would be a good conservative one that true conservatives and light minded Repubs could/should get behind. It is about time that we elected a man to the office of President of the United States that has some real experience at running a business from the ground up and making the hard decisions that are necessary to make it a success. Mitt has also shown how to take a bad situation economically and turn it around into a profitable one. Both men have a value system that is really needed today and aren't afraid to say what needs to be said. Both men have a high level of honesty - a quality that is lacking in Washington today. I am a bit tired of the people that get to Washington by saying one thing and then doing another or giving in to pressure or compromise and/or just plain selling us out. Enough lying and misrepresenting. By the way as a side note to Bj1949 - The 'Mormon' Church was named The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from its very beginning in 1830 and was only called "Mormon Church' by those who either didn't know any better or who didn't want to know any better. Ignorance and prejudice takes many faces in our world today. It's o.k.to have an opinion but not to be opinionated.

Posted by: Grundy [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 17, 2008 04:45 PM

B"H Well, Ann, thanks for clearing up the whole flip-flop issue, or in this case the non-flip-flop issue, regarding Romney.

I'm a bit concerned about the questionable associations Thompson, Huckabee, and now Romney (http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives/2008/01/this_is_detroit.html) MAY have had with individuals who may have some connections to Islamic organizations. The addiction to oil (President Bush's own words) seems to be too powerful for my comfort. It seems to have the power to blind someone enough (or at least someone's Sec. of State) from understanding Biblical injuctions against taking land from Jewish and giving it away, even more so to those who would like to hammer a nail in Israel's coffin (after the Israeli gov't finishes its own part in Israel's self destruction).

Any connection to the "Religion of Peace" (Yeah right) concerns me greatly.

Personally I wouldn't mind a George Allen/Duncan Hunter ticket, but that seems highly unlikely at this point.

Posted by: Ben-Yehudah [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 17, 2008 07:48 PM

There are any one of a number of good reasons to vote for Mitt Romney. And most of them come down to the fact that he is the most intelligent and experienced of the Republican candidates.

Ann is also quite correct that both the Democrats and the lefty-leaning members of the media recognize that fact as well. That is why they're out to bury him, folks.

The Associated Press has had their most blatantly partisan reporter, Glen Johnson, on the case, writing stories in the late fall about Christian suspicions about Mitt's Mormon faith, stories that amounted to soft-core bigotry.

And having tried but failed to "get" Mitt in Michigan, Johnson has now taken to actually picking fights with Mitt at press availabilities!

Oh, you'll remember Johnson -- he's the shameless butt-kisser who wrote the "regal-looking" and "Presidential" Hillary story on December 1st, right after the "incident" at her Rochester HQ, where the guy claimed he had a "device" of some sort, and demanded to speak to Hillary. He turned out to be a known local nut case. The very fact that he demanded to speak to her about medical coverage should have been the tip-off that the guy was a complete kook.

Here, read for yourself! (BARF ALERT!) http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8T8P3BG0&show_article=1

Part of the reason Mitt should be taken very seriously by Republicans is that, like Rudy in New York, he has proven his ability to run and win in what would normally be a deep blue territory -- i.e., Massachusetts.

And Mitt has also just proven his ability to run and win in a batteground state, Michigan, which, incidentally, the Democrats just established that they don't care a hoot about Michigan by stripping the state of delegates based on what the voters there actually want.

How stupid was that? I'd say that wasn't just stupid; it was Democrat stupid, the stupidest of all stupids!

Take a look at Mitt's business world success, his executive experience in being a Governor, and what he did with the Olympics. In other words, folks, "We have a winner!"

Posted by: Trochilus [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 18, 2008 05:31 PM

BJ & You Are Right - I agree with you both! I am saddened that the media is determining who will be our candidate, not the voters. I read where Fred was really fired up at one of CNN's reporters re: lack of coverage. Personally I think they are more afraid of a true conservative and will do NOTHING to help them in any way! I guess it will be up to the voters to ignore the media...I know I will! Please Fred stay in so I can vote for you on Feb 5!!!!

Posted by: CapeConservative [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 19, 2008 08:24 PM

Right on Ann! You may need to be a contrarian investor to fully understand your point, but McCain is too well liked by the liberal establishment to get my vote. I don't trust anyone who has had so many photo ops with Teddy "go get em boy" Kennedy. McCain so misread the sentiments of the Conservative base on immigration reform because of his fundamental arrogance. Now he may get the point that we did not trust the Feds to enforce the law (read border security) not withstanding his tortured logic. Hence, I do not trust McCain. He is clueless on the economy as well.

Huckabee is a Republican version of Jimmy Carter; clueless on foreign affairs and the economy.

Romney is a successful leader in Business, Government, and Non-profit sectors. As an Executive Recruiter, he is the top of my list.

Posted by: Cour [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 24, 2008 10:18 AM

Post a comment

Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (sign out)

(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)


Remember me?


Regular Columnists

Ann Coulter
David Limbaugh
Debbie Schlussel
Rachel Marsden
Chris Adamo

Interesting Reads