Coming to grips with Romney as GOP nominee

I fought the nomination of Mitt Romney through various outlets (mainly Twitter and yelling at my radio) for several months. I could not stand the thought of this Massachusetts moderate being the representative of the proudly enthusiastic and recently recharged conservative movement of the past four years.

This primary season, in regards to the evolution of my political comprehension, has been one of great learning and expanded understanding of how things work. In the fall of ’11, when things began heating up and the debates revealed the candidates’ principles, policies, and campaign competency, I navigated through my primary virginity (I was 18 just in time to vote for John McCain in the ’08 general election, but was mostly politically unaware at the time of the primaries). By gobbling up all the articles, video clips, and commentary that could be had on each of the 8 serious candidates, I started forming opinions and mindsets about what I liked in a candidate, and balancing that with the practical issues such as ability to raise funds, organize, etc.

Around the time of the third or fourth debate, I became a fan of Herman Cain. I liked his apolitical, private sector career success and his no-nonsense approach to addressing the major issues of this election cycle. My enthusiasm for Cain sizzled after just a couple of weeks (and much before the alleged sexual harassment scandal), however, after his many misstatements and gaffes (on things that really matter), and some major problems with his 9-9-9 tax plan that were presented to me by economic people I trust.

After my fortnight of support for the Cain, Rick Perry declared to run and I had found “my candidate”. Here was a conservative Governor of a thriving state with an excellent record and the economic values and plan to tackle the evident disaster that Barack Obama and Democrats are currently forcing upon America. What was truly unfortunate was that Rick Perry’s greatest campaign achievement was the remarkable accuracy in which he shot himself in the foot. Numerous flubs, poor showing at debates where he failed to articulate conservatism ideals and his plan for implementing them, and a growing fear that a Rick Perry presidential candidacy wouldn’t have the organization nor competency in the public eye to beat incumbent Obama and his vast media machine. The worry that I held, and shared with many others, was that if Perry performed so poorly when even favorable cameras were on him amongst his Republican peers, he would likely crumble in a general election that will be perhaps the nastiest display of political and personal attacks in electoral history. I believed that Perry would make the best governing President out of this field of candidates, if only we could get him to the White House. I still believe that to be the case, actually.

At the conclusion of Perry’s candidacy I was left without a candidate I really liked. In fact, of the four remaining candidates (Paul, Romney, Gingrich, and Santorum), I was utterly unenthused and virtually disheartened by the choices with which we were left. Even in my short time of being politically aware, I felt this GOP field to be weak. Certainly not what conservatives wished for when beating the sitting President is thought to be more vital than ever before.

I thought, debated, argued, read, listened, rolled my eyes, gritted my teeth, and concluded that, of the remaining candidates, Newt Gingrich was the least bad choice. This blog post nearly perfectly summarizes my thoughts on supporting Newt.

I appreciated his attack-dog style, his refusal to accept the premise behind liberal arguments, and his passion to fight a corrupt and dishonest media that so desperately wants to reelect President Obama to a second term. There were many things I didn’t like about him, as well. His more-than checkered past. His inability to hold his tongue when digging a losing hole deeper and deeper. His deceitful video attacks on his fellow candidates. That spine-tingling global warming ad he did with Nancy Pelosi. He did, however, bring positives to the table. An understanding of historical precedent and what things happened and why, a fairly conservative record, a leadership record that includes balanced budgets and spending reductions even with a Democratic President. Trust me, my conclusion to side with Newt was both measured and balanced, and I was about as disenchanted as a supporter could be.

There were only two times in this primary season that I could accurately describe myself as “excited” about our prospects against Obama: the day Rick Perry declared his candidacy, and the night Newt won South Carolina. Both of those events gave me hope that we might have a chance of avoiding the Romney nomination that I so dreaded. They proved, however, to be but miniature ripples amongst Romney’s steady and sizeable primary wave.

Not for one minute in the last 8 months have I wished Mitt Romney to represent Republicans against Obama. In fact, I still don’t. But conservatives, among other things of course, are realists. We see the world as it is, and accept reality as a bases on which to make necessary decisions. The math is undeniable and, barring some sort of scandal that changes things dramatically, Romney’s nomination is now truly just a matter of time.

And so, as I firmly believe that defeating Barack Obama is imperative not just to the hope of returning the Founding Father’s conservative ideals to the governance of our nation, but perhaps saving our country from Greece-like financial devastation and an international plummet in economic rank and fast-dwindling respect.

Obama is molding America, purposefully, into a worldwide embarrassment.

Many conservatives have voiced their intentions to stay home on election day if Mitt Romney is their only choice against Obama. This worries me greatly.  I would never ask you, if you aren’t doing so already, to vote for Romney in the primaries. I certainly didn’t. I implore you, however, to cast your vote for him in the general election.

Worst case scenario: He’s a middle-centrist squish who governs as a moderate, like he did in Massachusetts. That’s the worst case scenario. We already know Barack Obama to be a radical leftist who will enrage even his own base to force his dangerous agenda.

It is more important for the future of our great nation to defeat Barack Obama than any other incumbent President in our history.

Vote for Mitt Romney because his Vice President won’t be Joe Biden.

Vote for Mitt Romney, because his economic plan and experience is the succulent grapes to Obama’s dried raisins. He has the business experience that our nation needs to undo the problems created by those with largely no business experience.

Vote for Mitt Romney. He won’t alienate America’s friends and cater to her enemies. America will be a safer, more secure place with him in the White House.

Vote for Mitt Romney because, assuming he follows through on his word (and he surely will with a Republican House/potentially Republican Senate, as he has no chance of being reelected if he reneges), he will repeal Obamacare. Even if you are unsure about Mitt’s desire to repeal, it’s still more logical to elect the guy who might over the guy who surely will not.

Vote for Mitt Romney, if for no other reason than his love for America is apparent and his obvious patriotism is refreshing and appropriate for the office of the President of the United States, and is so lacking in our current President.

It would be nice to elect a President that actually likes America and her citizens. Mitt Romney does.

Vote for Mitt Romney in order to help beat Barack Obama. For those paying any attention at all, that’s the only reason needed.

It will be a hard pill to swallow for some conservatives, myself included, to vote for a Republican who hasn’t acted as such in several cases. Beating this incumbent, in this election, is more important than staunch ideological principle. Usually it’s not. This time it is.

If we desire the chance to further conservatism in America and revert her back to her traditional principles, there is no other choice than supporting whoever opposes the “fundamental change” of Barack Obama. This year, it will be Mitt Romney. He therefore necessarily deserves and desperately needs our support.

I, for one, will give it.

Follow the author on Twitter: @brady_cremeens

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