Mitt Romney is known for flip-flops and backflips. The man backflips so much he should give up his Senate seat and apply for a spot on the US Gymnastics Team. So when I read his remarks about Donald Trump’s failed presidency earlier today, I was not moved one way or the other.
But I could not avoid mentioning Romney and his op-ed, partly because I cannot stand what Trump is doing to this nation. And although he is a flip-flopper and capable of blaming momentary insanity for his on-point op-ed, Mitt Romney’s words were a welcome departure from the cowards in the Republican party.
At the beginning of his piece, Romney spoke about his optimism about the Trump presidency, though he admitted that Trump was not his first choice for president.
It is well known that Donald Trump was not my choice for the Republican presidential nomination. After he became the nominee, I hoped his campaign would refrain from resentment and name-calling. It did not. When he won the election, I hoped he would rise to the occasion. His early appointments of Rex Tillerson, Jeff Sessions, Nikki Haley, Gary Cohn, H.R. McMaster, Kelly Mattis were encouraging. But, on balance, his conduct over the past two years, particularly his actions last month, is evidence that the president has not risen to the mantle of the office.
His next paragraph attempted to praise Trump for his “policies” since becoming president, but the praise was short-lived as Romney continued slamming Trump and his lack of moral leadership.
To a great degree, a presidency shapes the public character of the nation. A president should unite us and inspire us to follow “our better angels.” A president should demonstrate the essential qualities of honesty and integrity, and elevate the national discourse with comity and mutual respect. As a nation, we have been blessed with presidents who have called on the greatness of the American spirit. With the nation so divided, resentful and angry, presidential leadership in qualities of character is indispensable. And it is in this province where the incumbent’s shortfall has been most glaring.
” Trump’s words and actions have caused dismay around the world,” Romney wrote, as he explained America’s fall from grace during these first two years of Trump’s presidency. “In a 2016 Pew Research Center poll, 84 percent of people in Germany, Britain, France, Canada and Sweden believed the American president would “do the right thing in world affairs.” One year later, that number had fallen to 16 percent. “
Romney’s many points in the Op-Ed were well made, accurate and welcomed. But how long will Romney’s voice be heard? Will he assume his seat in the Senate and continue being a voice of morals and reason in a muted Republican party, or will he flip-flop and toe the line as most expect?
As for Trump, he is calling on Romney to shut up and fall in line… or as he puts it, be a ‘TEAM’ player!
In a tweet, Trump wrote; “Would much prefer that Mitt focus on Border Security and so many other things where he can be helpful. I won big, and he didn’t. He should be happy for all Republicans. Be a TEAM player & WIN!”
WIN! Are we winning yet?
Stand your ground Romney. You’re the Republican’s only hope…
