Great Achievements in Douchebaggery II

Today's GAID is brought to you by the right honorable Willard Mitt Romney, former Governor of Taxachusetts, defender of the Tabernacle, General in Joseph Smith's Army, Maker of Money, and Savior of the Olympics. Since he officially announced his candidacy for President -- in Michigan, hmmm, why not Massachusetts where he lives and, oh, served as Governor? -- I thought I would share with you what I consider one of his greatest achievements.

Here's a primer. Mitt is a douchebag. To save time, I'll only focus on his position on abortion because it best demonstrates that he is a) spineless, b) a panderer, c) without conviction, and d) a demagogue.

Mitt was that rare Mormon "conservative" who was pro-choice. Apparently, he formed his position in 1970, when his own mother -- wife of the Governor of Michigan (Mitt's daddy) -- ran for the United States Senate. We learned this at a debate in 1994 when he challenged Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy. (Do people really think they'll ever beat him?)

One of the great things about our nation, Sally, is that we are each entitled to have strong personal beliefs and we encourage other people to do the same. But as a nation, we recognize the right of all people to believe what they want and not to impose our beliefs on other people. I believe abortion should be safe and legal in this country...

Then Senator Kennedy responds, bragging about his support "of the Roe v. Wade." I don't think I've ever heard the Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade, which guarenteed a constitutional right to privacy and access to abortion, as "the Roe v. Wade." Like "the gays," "the AIDS," or "the drugs." It makes me smile. He goes on to use a great line, "I am pro-choice, my opponent (Mitt Romney) is multiple choice."

Romney feels compelled to defend his position and comes back with a very personal, compelling story:

On the idea of multiple choice, I have to respond. I have my own beliefs, and those are very dear to me. One of them is that I do not impose my beliefs on other people. Many, many years ago, I had a dear close family relative that was very close to me who passed away due to an illegal abortion. It is since that time that my mother and my family have been committed to the belief that we can believe as we want, but we will not force our beliefs on others on that matter. And you will not see me wavering on that.

Mitt Romney confirmed that he would support a woman's right to choose when he successfully ran for governor in 2002. Through most of his tenure, he did so. Until he decided that he wanted the Republican nomination for president.



Today, Mitt Romney is 100% "Pro-Life" (sic). He is running for the Republican nomination as an opponent of abortion and "the Roe v. Wade." He has said that he does not support a Federally guarenteed right to privacy and the decision of a woman and her doctor. In stepping up for a national campaign, he let his pandering to "life issues" interfere with justice, vetoing a Massachusetts law that would provide emergency contraception for the victims of rape.

While I find a poll-tested flip-flop one of the most disgusting moves in modern American politics, I think you will find Mitt's one of the most egregious ever.

This is why:

• In 1994, and again 2002, he said that despite his personal feelings on abortion and his Mormon faith, he would support a woman's right to choose and the Roe v. Wade decision.
• Despite running as a "conservative" Republican in heavily Democratic and very progressive Massachusetts, he took this "brave" position in defiance of his party because of a personally held belief system.
• This belief system was informed by the tragic death of a close family member.
• But after 4 years as governor, and with presidential ambitions, his position has shifted.

Maybe he was full of shit in 1994 and he was pandering to moderates and liberals to defeat a liberal Democrat. Maybe he brought out the sob story of a lost loved one to help deflect the obvious questions pro-choice voters would have when voting for a conservative Republican Mormon. Maybe he was willing to do whatever it took, including using his dead relative, to try to paint himself as Pro-Choice.

Or, maybe he's full of shit today. Maybe he still mourns for his lost relative and fears that others will have to endur the pain of a back-alley abortion gone bad, but he's willing to look the other way to win higher office. Maybe he really is Pro-Choice but is willing to bend over (but not in a gay, sodomy-like way) for the Religious Right. Maybe he has no values -- either liberal or conservative.

One thing is clear, Mitt Romney is a douchebag!

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