Conservatives hammer Romney for skimping on policy details

[Lasher]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by REP (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: Reuters

(Reuters) - For months, Republican Mitt Romney's presidential campaign has been built on broad themes: cut taxes, repeal and replace Democratic President Barack Obama's healthcare overhaul, increase defense spending.

But when it comes to specifics - namely, how to pay for the tax cuts and extra spending, and what exactly a Romney healthcare plan would look like - Romney has been reluctant to give details, essentially gambling that Americans' frustration with high unemployment rates and a struggling economy will be enough to propel him to the White House.

Now, with polls showing that Obama has taken a slight lead in the race after the Republican and Democratic national conventions, increasingly anxious conservatives are calling on Romney to spell out more of his plans - even if it risks alienating some undecided voters.

The calls for a change in strategy have become particularly loud since Sunday, when Romney struggled during an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press" program to explain what income tax loopholes he might close to help offset the cost of his tax cuts, or whether he would keep portions of Obama's healthcare overhaul, including a requirement of insurance coverage for those with pre-existing medical conditions.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/12/us-usa-campaign-romney-strategy-idUSBRE88B06J20120912

[pinto]

1. Wall Street Journal -

"Mr. Romney's pre-existing political calculation seems to be that he can win the election without having to explain the economic moment or even his own policies," said an editorial published Tuesday in the Wall Street Journal, which often is a barometer of the thinking of leading conservatives.

[David__77]

2. That's very clear.

Romney's strategy is premised on the assumption that he can coast to victory. I can see why his circle would hope that this is true, so that he can avoid concretizing his message. He wants to be like Arnold Schwarzenegger is California in 2003, appealing to right-wingers and centrists simultaneously. That scenario won't play out. If he tries it, he will fade and not recover.

[pinto]

11. Yeah, and Arnold was very calculating about it. (nt)

[truthisfreedom]

12. Rmoney believes he's a celebrity.

You don't gain America's love by holding down a gay student and forcibly cutting his hair, nor by putting your dog on the roof of your car and driving until he poops himself, nor by playing policeman and pulling people over for fun.

He's no Ahh-nold.

[Kablooie]

3. He doesn't HAVE any policy details is the problem.

I really don't think he has a single plan in his head.
He just parrots whatever the people around him at the moment want to hear.

I have no idea what would happen if he became president.

[spin]

4. I agree. I have absolutely no idea of who Romney is or what he believes. ...

He is a shape shifter. He has been on every side of every issue at one time during his political career.

[NewJeffCT]

5. well, his real policies are so toxic

that he dare not reveal the truth.

[Ian62]

6. Are these ignorant fools unaware that Karl Rove has already advised

Ed Gillespie (Romney's campaign manager) to say as little as possible about policy and budget details because it would put voters off?

Romney seems to have been following Rove's advise.
He has said nothing of substance for months.

Romney is an empty shell.
Let's crack it.

[Ian62]

7. I would LOVE to be a fly on the wall when Rove & Kristol next meet

Rove to Kristol

"What the hell are you doing you blathering fool?
Our policies and budget are nothing but empty shells.
I already told Gillespie to say nothing on policy details, which they were following.
And then your ignorant ass butts in.
Keep your butt out of MY business."

[bucolic_frolic]

8. Their Only Strategy Left

at this late stage will be to ATTACK ATTACK ATTACK

It will be subliminal Willie Horton in some sense

Drive up those negatives, unleash the hounds

We've got the cash from Citizens United

We're in a WAR by God!

[KANTANA]

9. Romney's strategy: Americans are uninformed fools who care nothing about details!!

In my opinion, the strategy of Romney and his campaign is that of arrogance and total disrespect for every intelligent American. Romney and his advisors view Americans as children who are not paying attention and have no need for details on anything! Romney will not disclose any details on his policies and will not say what his plans are or what his position is on any issue.

To me, elections should be about the character of the candidates and their policies. Every American deserves to know the policies every candidate hopes to pursue if elected. The game Romney, his campaign and advisors are playing is childish, dishonest and dangerous.

For me, Romney has failed both tests; character and policy.


Dodging the draft, hiding money overseas to avoid paying taxes, hiding his tax returns, being secretive about his record, lying pathologically on everything, changing positions every second, etc, tells me this is a shady and dishonest person who is totally untrustworthy.
Refusing to present any policy details tells me that this is an empty head who should not be in a position of leadership.

[johnlucas]

10. Unfortunately his assessment isn't too far from the truth with a lot of Americans

That's why he maintains his 40% no matter what.
Hopefully those who pay just a little bit of attention will outnumber the dense ones come November.

He does what he does because it has worked time & time again over the years.
Some people are always easy to fool with these tactics.
John Lucas

[REP]

13. Locking - does not meet the SoP for LBN

Please consider reposting in Good Reads or Politics 2012.