The story of Mitt Romney’s inability to light a fire among the GOP base is well told. But it’s best summarized by looking at what endorsements for Romney’s candidacy actually sound like.
As Benjy Sarlin pointed out last night, Romney himself has trouble answering direct questions about his past positions (and how they’ve changed. And changed. And changed.) So maybe it’s not a surprise that Romney’s surrogates also seem to struggle with embracing their guy while staying as far away as they can from some of the things he’s stood for in the past.
Take for example South Carolina Nikki Haley (R), who endorsed Romney Friday. Asked to explain her support for Romney — who, it should be noted, she endorsed in 2008 before accepting tens of thousands in campaign case from Rommey’s PAC during her gubernatorial campaign — Haley made it clear she was not going to help Romney on the health care front.
“I have talked to him about the health care situation,” Haley told CNN’s Peter Hamby. “He is very aware that that is not something I want in South Carolina.”
That’s probably not going to be on the Romney bumper sticker in South Carolina. When former Florida Sen. Mel Martinez (R) endorsed Romney, it went a little better. He said he’s “not concerned about what may be some difference in nuances” between Romney and him when it comes to immigration policy. Martinez was an architect of comprehensive immigration reform that Romney was a fan of before he ran for president in 2007.
Christine O’Donnell, the former Republican Senate nominee from Delwware who endorsed Romney earlier in the week, offered her own version of the Martinez line.
“He’s been consistent since he changed his mind,” she said when asked to explain why she’s backing him.
Even Chris Christie, whose full-throated endorsement of Romney has been everywhere on the campaign trail, has been among those reminding Republican voters they’re going to have to settle when it comes to Romney.
“As Republicans, we know we love our party, but I will tell you if you’re looking for a candidate who agrees with you on everything, buy a mirror because that’s the only one you’re going to find that agrees with you on everything,” Christie said of Romney earlier this month.
Christie made it plain why Republicans need to rally around Romney anyway, warts and all. “He is the only person who I believe can legitimately take the fight to Barack Obama this November.”
