Reply #17: Same For Me

[Mark D.]

I've always felt Mitt was the best of the bunch. The most pro-science / evolution of the true front runners (Huntsman doesn't count, he can't possibly win). I honestly don't think at his core he is a 'reformed moderate pro-choice republican'. I think he still is and flip/flopped like he always does to be 'pro-life' to get comfy with the general party. But Carter's intent may be deeper.

Deeper than not wanting a GOP lunatic against Obama. If the GOP had stronger candidates, or Obama had worse odds to win, he'd probably want the nut-cases since they're so easy to prove crazy and they'd help bring the GOP image down. Carter is playing the multi-level chess we've hoped that we would see Obama actually playing (that too often turned out to be far too much 'compromise').

Romney won't be barking about abortion or guns. He's never focused on those, even recently. He won't be bashing 'Obamacare' too heavily, since a wall of media will be waiting to pounce on it as hypocrisy. Let me tell you as someone who's been on the Mass plan, I'm damned glad Mitt passed it. Plus, I think he actually has a few 'morals', unlike hypocrites & liars in the remaining group.

Ultimately, Obama can play 'centrist' with a lunatic right winger and win. Carter isn't worried about Obama not winning. He's worried he'll beat a lunatic, use that to say 'glad it's me and not them' and continue to push center-right. A not so far right candidate unable to bash universal HC, will force Obama to be left of that, left of the centrist Mitt can easily play. Smart move Jimmy!