Romney Should Resign: Boston Phoenix

Romney should resign
If the governor is going to campaign for president by trashing Massachusetts, then he ought to get out — now

http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/news_features/editorial/documents/04509217.asp

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"MITT ROMNEY OBVIOUSLY doesn’t like the state he purportedly governs. And he cares more about his political future than the economic well-being of Massachusetts — as he has made eminently clear with his opposition to embryonic-stem-cell research, a stance that could have devastating effects on the state’s biotechnology industry. After just two unremarkable years in the corner office, Romney is restless and bored, turning his attention increasingly to the 2008 presidential campaign.

He ought to resign."

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"Even by the standards of politics, Romney has proved to be unusually expedient over the years. His stand on gay rights is a good example. Though he has never supported same-sex marriage or civil unions, following the landmark Goodridge decision, Romney made it clear that he would accept — with some reluctance — an amendment to the state constitution that would allow for civil unions with all the rights and responsibilities of marriage. And in fact, the legislature last year gave preliminary approval to a constitutional amendment that would accomplish just that. Now, on his traveling road show, Romney makes it sound as if he is as horrified by the idea of civil unions as he is by gay marriage. Fortunately, Massachusetts appears to be growing increasingly comfortable with the idea of marriage equality, whether Romney likes it or not."

Man, is he ever a hypocrite. His popularity sagging, he makes a few public appearances in Mass. where he seems almost like a decent guy. Then that back stabbing moron goes down south and starts badmouthing everything that the state he governs stands for. What???? Get the FUCK out of our state NOW if you're gonna run for president of Jesusland. Leave us normal tolerant people alone.

No Democrat since Michael Dukakis, in fact. I think it could be similar to the California situation. Many voters may feel uncomfortable giving Democrats control of everything, and that as long as Democrats control everything else, a Republican governor can only do so much damage to the state. It's a containment policy in a way.

They elect opposing parties to the congress and Governorship because they think the one keeps the other from going overboard. Especially with regard to taxes, which is the achilles heal of Democrats in this state (they just don't want to admit, secure in their party dominance, that the vast majority want the government to stop expanding at a rate higher than the state GDP.)

Of course, I think there may be some regret in Romney's case. Weld was actually fairly decent, so their expectations were for more moderate behavior. Romney is a talking-point Republican ass, not what most that voted for him bargained for.

It would also help a whole lot if we didn't have our fair share of unsavory Democrats in this state. There's plenty of entrenchment, blatant patronage, and even corruption which make the Dems look bad as a party, and it is partially to blame for the way voters behave with regard to the executive branch.

Given the bad experience with Romney, the general ass that the Republican party as a whole has made of themselves in our eyes, and the fact that it will be the second time in a row that a Republican Governor essentially abandons their office and uses this state as a national springboard, there's a good chance for a Democratic victory in 2008. But unless the Dems get out of the mindset that owning the political machine lock stock and barrel gives them the leeway to ignore the will of the average voter (which, by the way, is a registered Independent, not a registered Democrat) they will face problems again after that.

On another track, if Ellen Story gets her way and instant runoffs are phased in, they will be able to face those problems from a group on the left, rather than from the Republicans, which would be a refreshing change of pace IMO.

(edited to add, if you are gay, and economically able, please move here. We could use some upscale immigration as well as a dose of exposure for my fellow, less tolerant, straight folks. Plus you'll have two important opportunities coming up at the ballot box to fight to keep MA's current legal arrangement intact. Yes, taxes are a bitch, but so are Republican neighbors.)

... the "we need a repub gov" mindset may change.

And I agree, a lot of people had a basically good opinion of Weld, and thought they were getting a repeat. Oopsie! Weld was a social liberal, in many ways -- Romney is just barely able to suppress his Inner Fundie these days.

Blech.

wasn't that how we ended up with Celucci and then Swift ???

seems like it's the GOP's modus operandi in Massachusetts ...

now if we can just get all the insider Dems to annoint a nominee, we can lose again ... it's amazing to me that there's been no call for reform of the Massachusetts Democratic Party ... more of the same will produce nothing but more of the same ...

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In the meantime, Governor . . .

Given Romney’s almost nonexistent record of accomplishment, it’s mind-boggling that he’s now turned his attention to the White House. So be it. Three years from now, Republican voters in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina will determine his fate. In the meantime, Governor, please accept our invitation to leave. And don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

(last paragraph) http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/news_features/editorial/documents/04509217.asp

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I was wondering if we could impeach him for treason to this state. When I heard about the comments he made in the south, I couldn't believe it! A governor is supposed to be an 'ambassador' for his state, working to interest businesses to move to/invest in the state. He's supposed to be a 'representative' of the state, of all that is good about it. And there he is, dissing and criticizing the state whose citizens gave him his job.

Weld resigned
Cellucci resigned
Mittens should resign.

before he gets lynched--he's a VERY unpopular fellow here.