JUSIPER

 
Bush-Romney

Posted by Patrick

Mitt Romney told a Washington audience yesterday that John Kerry is "'too conflicted to be president of the United States" and that "Senator Kerry has been my senator for 20 years; I do not know what he stands for".

No doubt he was thinking of statements of Kerry's like what the senator said last week about abortion: he doesn't like it, but when it comes to policy making, he doesn't let his conscience get in the way.

It's a funny criticism to make, coming from someone who seems highly conflicted himself. Here's what Romney said two years ago:

"On a personal basis, I don't favor abortion," he said. "However, as governor of the commonwealth, I will protect a woman's right to choose under the laws of the country and the commonwealth. That's the same position I've had for many years."

The question is, is that stance vague enough to get Romney onto the GOP ticket if Bush dumps Cheney? Probably not. But Romney would add fresh blood, he's got an image as a reformer (just what the Bush ticket needs these days, but also to revive Bush's own claims of being a reformer from the 2000 election), and the addition of such a vicious attack dog in Kerry's own backyard would be heralded as singularly bold. And indeed it would be.

Maybe Romney's not auditioning for 2008, but for 2004.

7:34 PM |