The Washington Monthly

October 12, 2009

ANOTHER ONE FOR THE LIST.... Guess who's decided he doesn't like cap and trade anymore.

Mitt Romney took a shot at the Democrats' climate bill [this week] in a web video launched by his Free and Strong America PAC, Romney's political fundraising and action group.
"President Obama has asked Congress to pass a cap and trade program. It would have a devastating impact on the families of America and on the economy," Romney says. [...]

Romney's PAC sent the video out to supporters via email; the page that hosts it contains prominently placed forms to donate and sign up for alerts from Romney.

This wouldn't be especially interesting, if it weren't for the fact that Romney, up until fairly recently, thought cap and trade was a fine idea. In fact, in 2005, while Romney was serving his only term in public office, he called cap and trade "a great thing" for his state. Romney added that with a cap and trade policy, ''We can effectively create incentives to help stimulate a sector of the economy and at the same time not kill jobs..... I'm convinced [cap and trade] is good business."

Now, for those who know anything about Romney, this shouldn't be surprising. No modern politician has completed more 180-degree turns on more issues than this guy. Andrew Sullivan recently noted, "There's something quite refreshing about his open refusal to have any principles, or even to worry about the slightest consistency between one statement and the next."

So, here's my question: are there any major issues in which Mitt Romney hasn't flip-flopped? It probably sounds flippant, but I don't (necessarily) mean it to be. I'm genuinely curious -- I'm looking for a single, high-profile policy matter in which Romney has been consistent throughout his limited political career.

Is there literally anything?

—Steve Benen 4:05 PM Permalink | Trackbacks | Comments (15)

Comments

Well, he's always been an asshole.

Posted by: Chocolate Thunder on October 12, 2009 at 4:09 PM | PERMALINK

Mitt Romney consistently believes that Mitt Romney should be elected to whatever political office he is running for. That's about it.

Posted by: MattF on October 12, 2009 at 4:11 PM | PERMALINK

The truth is it probably is disadvantageous for Americans to support cap-n-trade. Why? Because we can afford to mitigate the damage, or take over the remaining resources. But those living at or near sea level, some entire nations, too bad.

Posted by: tomj on October 12, 2009 at 4:15 PM | PERMALINK

"Well, he's always been an asshole"

How very true and well said !

Posted by: rbe1 on October 12, 2009 at 4:23 PM | PERMALINK

He probably still thinks it's a good idea to tie your dog to the roof of the car while traveling on the interstates.

Posted by: G.Kerby on October 12, 2009 at 4:23 PM | PERMALINK

I'm sure Mitt still thinks his hair is awesome.

Reed Richards for President!

Posted by: JJC on October 12, 2009 at 4:27 PM | PERMALINK

Steve, I have one word for you: Hair.

Ol' Mittens has been VERY consistent on grooming perfection. He has the kind of hair that all politicians aspire to. I mean, does it ever move?

Posted by: Mitch on October 12, 2009 at 4:28 PM | PERMALINK

He has always been consistent on his perfect hair policy. He's never had bed hair or motorcycle hair.
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Tomj you have the mind of a 1st grader and a total ahole, who care about entire nations so long as you can do what you want.

The redistribution of agricultural lands will effect every human on the planet. Plus droughts, increased storms, water table displacement and a million other effects of changing climate will leave no man/woman unaffected.

The cost to avoid all this, next to nothing. God damn you are an ahole.

Posted by: ScottW on October 12, 2009 at 4:32 PM | PERMALINK

ScottW, I'm pretty sure tomj agrees with you. I took his comment to be a reflection on why dealing with the problem is such a tough sell politically in this country, not a sincere indifference to those most affected by climate change.

Posted by: BP in MN on October 12, 2009 at 4:45 PM | PERMALINK

well, Steve, since McCain isn't using it anymore, maybe you could get a head start on 2012 by bringing back the ol' weathervane and starting to compile the Official Mitt Romney Flip-Flop List!

Posted by: zeitgeist on October 12, 2009 at 4:59 PM | PERMALINK

But Romney was such a "mavericky, centrist, reasonable, moderate" with an extra special mainstream topping. How can this be?

Posted by: ckelly on October 12, 2009 at 5:06 PM | PERMALINK

Does he still flip-flop at the beach and to the shower? At least that would be consistent flip-flopping. Maybe he could use this claim to build a case for his election. A weak case, but at least it's a case.

Posted by: anomaly on October 12, 2009 at 5:13 PM | PERMALINK

Free and Strong. What was his campaign theme last time? I don't recall. I bet my pres. is stronger than him.

Posted by: cat on October 12, 2009 at 10:17 PM | PERMALINK

hmmm.... mittens. asshole?check.....good hair? check.....will say anything to get elected? check.......anything anyone's forgetting?....oh yeah, mormonism. (checkmate)....he's always been a mormon and that's why the base will never accept him. too radical. good luck mittens! (it's the democrats that have the big tent!)silly mittens, lost your kittens!

Posted by: jeannette +3 on October 13, 2009 at 12:58 AM | PERMALINK

Reading jeanette+3 above reminded me how much grief I caught 2 years ago by arguing that Romney had a much better shot at being president by keeping his Mass. governor days policy positions and switching to the democratic party. Democrats are such suckers for "moderation" and "centrism" and "bipartisanship" and afraid of taking a stand. Mitt could be pres now and David Broder would be in heaven.

Posted by: Th on October 13, 2009 at 9:50 AM | PERMALINK