Thanks for one of the most balanced, fair tributes to Romney that I have read in the wake of his retirement announcement, that neither memory holes his past issues regarding conservative ideological purity (or lack thereof), or engages in whataboutism or claims his rejection of Trump wasn't principled, but merely a way to cozy up to Democrats, MSM reporters, the cocktail party set, etc. (Quite tiresome accusations lodged at pretty much any Republican who dares to criticize Trump.)
I get the impression that although, obviously, many of his critics are just carrying water for Trump, others are just reluctant to praise him, because that would mean admitting they were wrong about him way back when.
I do wonder if Romney's frequent comments in favor of political truth telling and principle, that losing an election isn't the worst thing in the world, "that I would know", isn't just him being self-deprecating. But rather, that his loss in 2012, actually did make him realize that missing out on his highest political ambition at the time, really wasn't the worst thing in the world.
The part of the excerpt from the upcoming Coppins biography that I actually found the most interesting, weren't the reveals about the cowardice of Mitch McConnell and other Republicans. None of that was surprising, sadly.
Rather, it was the part that dealt with Romney admitting that he had at one point seriously considered running for President as an Independent in 2024. (And perhaps, not quite shutting the door on a No Labels run, although he didn't mention that particular group, he did mention having third party discussions with Joe Manchin).
The way he described how he would have gone about this final campaign, made it obvious that he'd relished the prospect. But I also got the impression that what he said about giving up on it because he realized that it would actually help Trump, was sincere.
I don't agree with the cynical view expressed by some political pundits/ operatives that anyone who runs for president is a narcissistic sociopath. Certainly, Romney isn't one. But I don't think your original impression of Romney being a bit full of himself (which I had as well), was necessarily wrong.
It's just that at this point, Romney's realized that there are more important things than his personal ambition, ego, or wish to "own" Trump. I think in a way, that's more admirable, than him not having these less noble impulses in the first place.
Thank you, and thanks for recognizing the nuance. Most people who commented on this piece on social media didn't seem to have actually read it. Lol. Not surprising, I guess.
I agree with everything you wrote here, including your takes from the Atlantic piece, and the idea that my original assessment of Romney may have been right, and that has character has grown stronger since then. That was sort of the subtle thought behind the line, "I figured out who Romney really is, or at least who he’s become."
Thanks for commenting. I really enjoyed reading your thoughts.
A thoughtful, beautifully written tribute to a decent man. A rarity these days. Nice going JD
Thanks!
Thanks for one of the most balanced, fair tributes to Romney that I have read in the wake of his retirement announcement, that neither memory holes his past issues regarding conservative ideological purity (or lack thereof), or engages in whataboutism or claims his rejection of Trump wasn't principled, but merely a way to cozy up to Democrats, MSM reporters, the cocktail party set, etc. (Quite tiresome accusations lodged at pretty much any Republican who dares to criticize Trump.)
I get the impression that although, obviously, many of his critics are just carrying water for Trump, others are just reluctant to praise him, because that would mean admitting they were wrong about him way back when.
I do wonder if Romney's frequent comments in favor of political truth telling and principle, that losing an election isn't the worst thing in the world, "that I would know", isn't just him being self-deprecating. But rather, that his loss in 2012, actually did make him realize that missing out on his highest political ambition at the time, really wasn't the worst thing in the world.
The part of the excerpt from the upcoming Coppins biography that I actually found the most interesting, weren't the reveals about the cowardice of Mitch McConnell and other Republicans. None of that was surprising, sadly.
Rather, it was the part that dealt with Romney admitting that he had at one point seriously considered running for President as an Independent in 2024. (And perhaps, not quite shutting the door on a No Labels run, although he didn't mention that particular group, he did mention having third party discussions with Joe Manchin).
The way he described how he would have gone about this final campaign, made it obvious that he'd relished the prospect. But I also got the impression that what he said about giving up on it because he realized that it would actually help Trump, was sincere.
I don't agree with the cynical view expressed by some political pundits/ operatives that anyone who runs for president is a narcissistic sociopath. Certainly, Romney isn't one. But I don't think your original impression of Romney being a bit full of himself (which I had as well), was necessarily wrong.
It's just that at this point, Romney's realized that there are more important things than his personal ambition, ego, or wish to "own" Trump. I think in a way, that's more admirable, than him not having these less noble impulses in the first place.
Thank you, and thanks for recognizing the nuance. Most people who commented on this piece on social media didn't seem to have actually read it. Lol. Not surprising, I guess.
I agree with everything you wrote here, including your takes from the Atlantic piece, and the idea that my original assessment of Romney may have been right, and that has character has grown stronger since then. That was sort of the subtle thought behind the line, "I figured out who Romney really is, or at least who he’s become."
Thanks for commenting. I really enjoyed reading your thoughts.