Having already criticized some of the apologies offered for Sen. John McCain today, I note the following (via Dan) from the Boston Globe:
The subsidized insurance program at the heart of the state’s healthcare initiative is expected to roughly double in size and expense over the next three years – an unexpected level of growth that could cost state taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars or force the state to scale back its ambitions.
***
Even with federal backing, the state may not be able to afford the insurance initiative as designed, because the law did not make any attempt to trim wasteful health spending, said Alan Sager, a Boston University professor who specializes in healthcare costs.
Key elements of Sen. Hillary Clinton’s healthcare proposal are strikingly similar to the tenets of the health overhaul that Mitt Romney signed into law in Massachusetts. But now Romney’s plan is all about federalism, which is a nice way to not take a position.
Romney was not above proposing industrial policy in Michigan, where he desperately needed a win after his Iowa-New Hampshire strategy flamed out. And his general pattern of flip-flopping to the right is so well-documented that I won’t bother detailing it here, except to note that Romney distanced himself from the Reagan-Bush era as recently as his 1994 Senate run.
Mike Huckabee probably put it best in claiming that Romney is “a recent convert and now he shouts ‘hallelujah’ louder than the rest of us.â€Â And Romney doesn’t always do that.
However, as I have previously argued:
Mitt Romney has shifted his positions on various issues… to positions that are more conservative and in line with those of the GOP since Reagan was nominated in 1980. Republicans  shockingly  are likely to be forgiving of those who agree to join them. There is some history on this point. Reagan shifted his position on abortion. George H.W. Bush shifted his positions on abortion and taxes.
However, that acceptance has to be accompanied by a certain level of trust in the candidate. McCain has shifted position on issues like abortion, yet is rarely called on it, primarily because those positions have been conservative and he has since had a track record of sticking with them. Where McCain insists on being a Maverick, his stubborn temperament (exceeding even that of Pres. Bush) leaves many convinced that much of what McCain says now is simply an expediency.
That should be a key issue for GOP voters tommorow. If the past exit polls are any guide, in many instances, it will not be. McCain has a long-cultivated image as a straight-talker. He can feign positions on issues like immigration, and more casual voters who disagree with his actual position will buy it. The media rarely calls him on it, in no small part because Romney rarely calls him on it — which may be Romney’s biggest flaw as a candidate.
Is Huckabee still running? At least the Dems like Kucinich and Edwards had the graciousness to go away, eventually.
Huckabee must be hoping if he can keep Romney from winning some Super Tuesday states, maybe he’ll be considered for McCain’s running mate.
Wouldn’t that be a kick in the teeth?
If it was a McCain/Huckabee ticket, I would have to vote for Lyndon LaRouche.
McCain has a long-cultivated image as a straight-talker…
To the point of WLS-AM (ABC-Chicago) local news reports informing, “John McCain’s Straight Talk Express rolls into town today.”
McGehee,
I think that’s what Hucka bee thinks, and McCain has treated Huck with kid gloves. But I think McCain if nominated, would not offer the VP slot to Huck. McCain already does well with evangelicals; his positions on global warming, etc. appeal to them. And his record on social issues is pretty good, though he can’t help saying he doesn’t care about them. I would think he would go for someone to shore him up on immigration and other issues where he has irked ideological conservatives.
guinsPen,
I heard that too. Gotta maintain the brand, y’know.
McCain / LaRouche in ’08. That has a nice ring to it.
Amplification.
As the headline of a three sentence report.
global warming
Saaaaaaaay!
Any of you folks interested in starting a boys band?
Romney’s job is to make douchebag very aware that he’s very vulnerable to a primary challenge in four years if he can’t behave like a well-adjusted human being. If he sends the douchebag back to the Senate that would be ok but don’t expect a thank you note from me. It’s classic lose-lose really. The takeaway is that you should never elect douchebags.
Well, paying taxes is one of our obligations for countries growth, progress and development. But, I’m hoping the fund will be used for any legal purpose not for personal interest. I think no matter how much expensive the insurance is, as time passing the state can afford it.
NPR has the Romney pre-mortem. Thanks for playing Mitt. We pay taxes for this too, Luck.
Conservatives are hammering McCain to what end? Ann Coulters spouting such idiocy that she will campaign for Hillary. Rush going bonkers . While I am not thrilled with many positions that McCain holds he is still far more conservative than the Dems. We are facing another 2006. When a Dem President has a super majority in Senate and larger House majorities conservatives will be whining.
Wouldn’t it be great if this were a resurgence of the Eisenhower Republicans? Talk about someone who can win a war!
Rush is not going “bonkers” on McCain. He is simply pointing out that McCain has made a career of screwing over conservatives in the Senate. Which is true. He has not absolutely said that he won’t support McCain. He said he “may” not support the GOP nominee this time around.
I loathe and detest McCain myself. The 2 reasons I will vote for him if he is the nominee are: Stevens and Ginsburg will soon be pushing up daisies.
That’s real straight talk.
Well, paying taxes is one of our obligations for countries growth, progress and development. But, I’m hoping the fund will be used for any legal purpose not for personal interest. I think no matter how much expensive the insurance is, as time passing the state can afford it.
No. it’s something you do, because to not do it will land you in jail. If you think you pay taxes now, wait for universal healthcare.