Mitt Romney hopes this is the flip-flop that finally wins over the GOP
(Original photo, on right, by Scott Audette/Reuters)
Mitt Romney hopes this is the flip-flop that finally wins over the GOP
(Original photo, on right, by Scott Audette/Reuters)
Mitt Romney on Romneycare,
four years ago:
I think it's a good model for other states. Maybe not every state, but most. [...] I think you're going to find, when it's all said and done, after all these states that are laboratories of democracy get their chance to try their own plans, that those who follow the path that we pursued will find it's the best path, and we'll end up with a nation that's taken a mandate approach.
Mitt Romney today:
When Romney visited the Washington Examiner offices Wednesday morning, I asked what states would benefit by adopting the system he created in Massachusetts.
"In its entirety, not very many," Romney answered. "Because it's not even perfect for Massachusetts. At the time we created it, I vetoed several measures and said these, I think, are mistakes, and you in Massachusetts will find you have to correct them over time. But that's the nature of a piece of legislation of this nature. You'll see what works, what doesn't, and you'll make the changes. But they have not made those changes, and in some cases they made things worse. So I wouldn't encourage any state to adopt it in toto."
So four years ago Romneycare was a good model for most states ... but today it isn't? No wonder a majority of Iowa Republican caucus-goers say they don't believe Mitt Romney says what he believes. Clearly, Mitt Romney doesn't.
Romney might try to claim this isn't a flip-flop, hiding behind his legalistic phrasing ("in its entirety" and "in toto") to make the claim that he was talking about two different things, but if he does that it will only make him look even more inauthentic and calculating. But whether he owns up to it or not, this is a major flip-flop. And, conveniently enough, it comes just days before the most important debate yet of the GOP primary season: this Saturday in Iowa.
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