To me, the most remarkable thing about Romney's debate performance last night, along with his statements of late, is the complete abandonment of the policies his base cares about. Certainly, it must raise doubts in many a Republican's mind about his conservative bona fides.
Consider the reactions of conservatives to the following leftward zags:
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No tax cut for the wealthy
From the debate: "I’m not going to reduce the share of taxes paid by high-income people. High-income people are doing just fine in this economy."
Wait. You WON'T cut my taxes? How am I supposed to create jobs?
Education, part 1: Allowing poor kids to cross district lines
From the debate: "I want the kids that are getting federal dollars from IDEA or -- or Title I -- these are disabled kids or -- or poor kids or -- or lower-income kids, rather. I want them to be able to go to the school of their choice. So all federal funds, instead of going to the -- to the state or to the school district, I’d have go -- if you will, follow the child and let the parent and the child decide where to send their -- their -- their student."
Dirty kids from the other side of the tracks can go to my kid's school?
Education, part 2: Not touching college grants
From the debate: "I don’t have any plan to cut education funding and grants that go to people going to college."
Why should I pay for that? College is wasted on most kids anyhow. Get a job.
Repealing Obamacare, but mandating coverage for pre-existing conditions
From the debate: "Let -- well, actually -- actually it’s -- it’s -- it’s a lengthy description, but number one, pre-existing conditions are covered under my plan."
So freeloaders can just wait till they get sick to buy insurance?
Abortion (not from debate)
Romney in CBS interview: "I'm in favor of abortion being legal in the case of rape and incest, and health and life of the mother."
Jane Romney on her brother's stance on abortion: "He's not going to be touching any of that."
Why do you want to kill babies?
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Of course, most Republicans know he is lying, so they'll still support him. But surely some of them are outraged at this late turn to the center. Well, one can hope, anyhow.