Romney Lost Because of . . .Himself

Rabbi Steven Pruzansky of Teaneck, New Jersey rolled out a cynical, uninspiring, and ultimately inaccurate evaluation of Romney’s defeat. Even “weeping prophet” Jeremiah the prophet declared that the mighty wrath of YHWH would give way from “mourning to morning”, for “his mercies are new every morning.”

Some of the Rabbi’s points are well-taken. Americans reelected” divided government”. More than a “facile explanation, “white voters” did not show up, a devastating statistic which Pruzanksy underestimates. Granted, Mother Nature did not tether Obama to a sudden, windfall win, nor did Romney surrogate “Fatman” Chris Christie sell out his nominee. No faux “improvement” in the economy give Obama a boost. Pruzansky charges that “Obama handouts” bought the election, that a tide of “gimme now, pay back never” has taken over America, never to be turned back. Minorities hunkered down on the Democratic platform because the President looks like them and paid their way.

Pruzansky is wrong all the way. Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal rightly went on the attack after Romney claimed that “Obama came bearing gifts” won him the Presidency.“47%” included retirees on Social Security and pensioned veterans (former US Senator John Sununu in Time Magazine had softened the blow of this harsh statistic, still alarming, yet not parasitic). No one can say with a straight face that they define the“Welfare kings and queens” who voted for Obama in droves. Such elitist, cynical pessimism is insulting.

Regarding bought minorities, immigrants who push their way through the line legally cannot be bought. Cuban-American US Senator-Elect Ted Cruz of Texas posed the glaring and glorious question: “Have you even seen a Hispanic panhandler?” Not George W. Bush, who won 44% of the Hispanic vote in 2004. Today,“W.” is teaching the GOP “Minority Outreach 101”. About low information voters, Linsday Lohan supported Romney (not the greatest example, but she represents the white “low information voter”). An African-American Latina who supported Romney, Hollywood actress Stacey Dash appeared on The View and got Hollywood Hell for her independence and integrity.

Then the Rabbi defended Romney by inferring that the Republicans could not have found a better candidate , that Romney ran his best campaign. Yes, they could have. No, he did not. Oy vey! These canards must be shot down, stuffed, and pilloried without avail.

Despite Romney’s seven years of campaigning, 2008 GOP candidate McCain had called Romney the “real candidate of change” for his many flip-flops. The moderate-to-RINO New York Times columnist David Brooks chuckled when Romney claimed the conservative helm at the 2008 Republican convention. From July 2011 to April 2012, Romney coasted (or roasted?) along at 22%, while one GOP contender after another hovered around rankings. The National GOP insisted on stringing out the primary process. Establishment and grassroots dueled over “Romney vs. Anyone But”.

Romney was “severely” unreal and out of place at the 2012 Conservatives PAC convention. Krauthammer called the 2012 candidates “a weak field.” Townhall.com blogger Brian Hawkins set up“NoRomney.com”.  Romney bet “$10,000” that he win, followed by “self-deportation”. RomneyCare (the blueprint for Obamacare) was tied to the former Massachusetts Governor’s neck like a dead, blue elephant. Seventh in the ranking for months, former Senator Rick Santorum bounced ahead (barely) in Iowa. The attorney General of Virginia switched his endorsement from Romney to Santorum midway during the primary season. Santorum’s sweater vests and etch-a-sketching lasted until the Great Lakes primaries. A Big Government, No Child Left Behind, Amtrak, Medicare Part B Senator (i.e, George W. Bush sans accent), Santorum held on for four months, but dropped out when the money ran out.

Romney sat out the summertime, while Obama burned up his record at Bain Capital.” Romney was a no-show in Ohio. The GOP Convention faithful got a bigger charge out of “Dirty Hairy” talking dirty to an empty chair. Obama editorialized Romney’s editorial as “Detroit go bankrupt”. Only “Late Show” David Letterman despised Obama’s depraved mendacity. Former New Hampshire Governor John Sununu did all the punching on MSNBC and CNN. Romney “French-kissed” Obama during the final debate.

After November 6^th, one party spokesman admitted to me: “Romney was not my first choice or my second choice.” I had concurred in press and by word of mouth. Ron Paul was first, followed by “the Republican reptile” Newt Gingrich.  Another South Bay Republican accommodated:  Romney was “best of show” out of “not so much”.

But the biggest reason why Romney lost was. . . Romney. His own son acknowledged that “Dad” did not want to be President. He only ran again out of obligation. Flip-flopping within before flip-flopping from Bay State governor to Nationwide challenger: Romney was, a mixed messenger who did not believe his message. Neither did we. From “47%” to “Binders full of women” to ducking questions with “Ask my church” on CNN, Romney played defense in a game that he did not want to win.

Romney’s mediocre loss is hope for the GOP. The messenger failed, not the message. 2012 was an aberration and a course correction. GOP Captivity can turn into restoration. “Mourning” will become “Morning” in 2014. A leader who wants to win will win in 2016.