Fearing Romney the RINO

The tea party conservative in me fears the possibility that Mitt Romney could become the Republican nominee.

He’s slick. He’s polished. He’s well-funded and he has a motivated base. He could very well be the last candidate standing when the Republican primary slugfest concludes next year.

I don’t trust Mitt. He’s already been on both sides of every issue.  He claims he wants to appeal ObamaCare yet Mitt was the governor who ushered socialized medicine into Massachusetts.

If Mitt wins the GOP flag, he would lose the general election because he would cause conservatives to stay home or vote for an independent. Admittedly, he does appeal to Reagan Democrats and independents, but I doubt in enough numbers to overcome the liberal Kool-Aide drinkers who would eat glass to keep socialism alive and Obama in the White House.

Mitt could get me to campaign for him if he picks a genuine tea party conservative as a running mate, such as Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal or Florida Rep. Allen West.  I’d even settle for US House speaker Newt Gingrich. That way, I could have a bumper sticker saying, “I’m voting for Mitt’s mate!” Something like that.

Mitt’s Mormon religion is a non-issue. In some ways, it’s sort of a plus. I’ve known hundreds of Mormons in my three decades in the Army, and nothing would make me happier than having a platoon of Mormons under my command. They’re patriotic, motivated, honorable and smart. They don’t get into trouble. Heck, they don’t even swear.

One my favorite reads is the “Houses of Worship” column in the Friday edition of The Wall Street Journal.  On Oct. 21, two professors detailed how Mitt’s Mormon religion would be a sore point for non-churchgoers and minorities – two groups inclined to vote against him anyway.

The media will turn on Romney as soon as he wins the nomination, so liberal attacks on his religion will suddenly become politically correct and fashionable. This is similar to what happened to John McCain after an Obama-fawning media did their best to make him the Republican nominee in 2008.

I’m worried about Mitt. 2012 is the Republican’s election to lose because Obama and his socialist policies are responsible for everything from 9 percent unemployment and $4 gas to a double-dip recession and a degraded credit rating. According to Gallup, Obama’s public approval rating plunged to 41 percent this month. I’m surprised it’s even that high.

If Mitt the RINO -- as in "Republican In Name Only" -- actually wins, I’ll vote for him because Obama is a genuine "SIN," as in "Socialist In Name." I’ll vote for Mitt enthusiastically if he picks a tea-party conservative as a running mate. But if he picks a fellow RINO, I’ll vote for Mitt only because Obama is worse.