Romney: the least worst Republican

Don't tell my liberal friends, but Mitt Romney is probably the one Republican I could vote for this year.  In his heart, I think he's really pretty much a moderate and a pragmatist.  If he could accomplish things as Governor of Massachusetts, dealing with a Democratic legislature, maybe he could help undo the gridlock in the nation's capital.  Having said that, I don't think, as the election finally nears, that he deserves our vote.  And there are several key reasons:

1.  We just can't reward such incredible flip-flopping.  Yes, all politicians talk out of both sides of their mouth to some extent, but Romney has brought this talent to new heights.

2.  Women's issues.  The idea that abortion could be criminalized ought to make us all shudder.  I don't think we want to go back there. 

3.  Gay issues.  Gosh--we've made a lot of progress on this front in the last few years.  I'd hate to see it come to a halt.  As it is, same-sex marriage is facing huge obstacles which can only become greater if Romney is elected.

4.  The Supreme Court.  Do we really want Mitt nominating people for what is arguably the most powerful office in the land?

5.  Foreign policy.  Hasn't America's international image taken a huge step forward in the last four years?  Obama has a more nuanced and sophisticated understanding of these things.

6.  Taxes.  Tax rates for the super-wealthy are at historic lows.  Do we really want to once again hear the Republican mantra that the wealthy should somehow be immune from paying their fair share, all in the name of "creating jobs"?

7.  The auto industry.  Does anyone doubt that Obama helped save it?  Would letting them go bankrupt have been in the best interests of our nation?

I predict that this is going to be a very close election.  Obama could actually lose.  But I think we are all better off if Barack has another four years to finish the job.  The reality is that the economy is going to get better in the next few years no matter what, because, frankly, Presidents don't control the economy and we're due for a continuing upward trend.  And as long as we can get the economy back on track, the other issues favor the President. 

But, there's been so much toxic crap out there on the airwaves that it's anybody's guess what will stick.  As in 2008, this election is a test of people's basic awareness and intelligence--and there's no reason to assume that people will pass the test.