How Mitt Romney Changed My Mind

And How the GOP Blew it by Letting Him Go

Until recent weeks, I did not like Mitt Romney. It wasn't about issues; rather it had to do with personality. From his immaculate hair to his business manner, he seemed a little too perfect, too unreal, and too inaccessible. At debates, Romney sometimes came across as arrogant, especially in his mocking behavior towards Ron Paul. But my perspective has changed in recent weeks. My opinion of Romney has increased while my opinion of John McCain has decreased.

Realistically, Mitt Romney was (and still is) the best choice for the Republican ticket. Besides Ron Paul, Romney is the only one truly committed to cutting massive spending, lowering taxes, and reviving the economy. As governor of Massachusetts, he successfully balanced the budget without having to raise taxes. As for foreign policy, I'm not thrilled about the interventionist direction the party has taken. But at least Romney has the business sense and pragmatism to manage the costs of the Iraq war. Since we're stuck in Iraq, we might as well find a way to regroup and to finish the job. Romney would have found a way to defend our borders without running us into bankruptcy.

Romney's image problems came from that fact that people perceived him as insincere. Throughout his campaign, Romney was accused of flip-flopping. Critics pointed to his moderate platform in Massachusetts, his ambiguous stances on same-sex marriage, and his healthcare measures in Massachusetts. I don't hold his record against him. People should be free to grow and to learn from experience, even if it means changing your mind occasionally (like I changed my mind about Romney). From Giuliani's ambiguous positions on abortion, to Huckabee's liberal tax record in Arkansas, to McCain's positions on immigration, Romney was no more inconsistent than his rivals. Sometimes you just have to pick your battles. As governor of the bluest state in the nation, Romney had to make adjustments to the current political climate.