Ravi
Diamond Member
One example: He tried to force Rep. Todd Akin from the critical race for the Missouri Senate seat and failed. Akin seems to feel perfectly comfortable defying him, even after receiving a personal plea from Rep. Paul Ryan, Romneys vice presidential pick.
Thats no small matter. Republicans have a shot at winning control of the Senate and Akin is messing with that plan. His 10-point lead evaporated after his bizarre ranting about rape and pregnancy. It also hurt Romney by turning attention to the partys extreme position on abortion and its troubled relationship with science.
Another problem: The new party platform defies Romney on abortion. Romney opposes abortion, but makes an exception for cases of rape and incest; the platform does not. Thats a blow to Romneys efforts to close the yawning gender gap in this race, but the partys conservative base, like Akin, openly defied him.
By choosing Ryan, Romney showed that he still feels the need to feed the conservative base. If this ticket wins, Ryan could become president at any moment and will at least be a hand on the steering wheel when it comes to Romneys budget policies.
It is another disturbing signal that Romney is not likely to heave his party toward the middle, as Bill Clinton did with the Democrats in 1992. Romney is not challenging the Sister Souljahs of his party; he is placating them at nearly every turn.
Editorial: Romney doesn't lead Republicans, he follows them | NJ.com