I know I've been to the left of most political arguments on WSO these days, due to the absurdity of Trump and the enormous rightward shift and subsequent decline of the Republican party, but I campaigned for Romney back in 2012. Things like this remind me why I did and both make me happy that I supported him and sad for how far the party has fallen.
He already got uninvited to CPAC simply for wanting witnesses in a trial, and I'm sure after this he is going to get savaged by Trump, Fox News, and most of the right, but it is nice to know that there are still Republicans who have a backbone, take their oaths seriously, and put logic ahead of party loyalty.
Just like Donald Trump can never shed the eternal stain of impeachment, he will never be able to claim that his opposition was purely partisan. Democrats, Independents, and now Republicans will have all voted for his removal.
That was a hell of speech. I would have voted for Romney back in 2012 if I could have. Extremely brilliant guy with some policies that I still align with. Really respect his decision on this, considering he will essentially be expelled from the party for not falling in-line.
I'm sure he is not looking forward to the next year or so of Fox News and crowd calling him a far-left liberal RINO.
I didn't pay attention to the impeachment trial, I don't know the facts, so I'm not approaching this from the standpoint of "did he vote correctly?"
I love that Romney had the chutzpah to go against the party, makes me proud I voted for him in 2012.
One could claim that the shift to the left has been much greater than the shift we have seen from the Republican Party. The fact that the left is starting to label themselves as democratic socialists (whatever that means) is a much more significant shift. It also seems unfair to make the claim that the Republican Party has sunk since Mitt Romney. Mitt Romney ran and lost back then, now Republicans control the Senate and Presidential office. Objectively, seems as though the Republican Party has risen.
CRE I thought Romney gave a very powerful speech. I did not vote for him in 2012, but I would have been fine/happy with him as President.
i didn't like romney much when he ran back in 2012, but, as with mccain, i grew to see him as a consist voice of reason in a republican party that is increasing staffed with trump shills. it will be a shame watching the ordeal he is about to be put through.
The lingering question is: did this entire process reinforce support within his base? As well as his own confidence? He seemingly will win 2020 barring a miracle, so what was the net effect of the impeachment and all the other hoopla?
Trump "winning 2020 barring a miracle" is incredibly far from certain. Every single Democratic frontrunner beats him in the polls. I personally think that nominating Bernie Sanders would be a very poor ticket, but Trump is very far from a lock.
His base is always going to support him no matter what. The question is will independents appreciate a trial without witnesses? Will the people who gave Trump a chance because "how bad can he really be?" keep the faith after 4 years of absurdity and dysfunction? Will the "economically disadvantaged" still pull for him, even though he did nothing for them that he promised?
I mostly agree with what you're saying, and I'm not advocating for Trump 2020 anyway. He made false promises, never truly supported his base fans except for semantics, and is probably the most un-hinged president we've seen in a long time.
However, I have a feeling that those who are in the middle, politically speaking, will see this impeachment process as nothing but the democrats trying to oust Trump from office, the goal they have had since day one. They vilified him since the beginning of his presidency and have legally found nothing wrong. I don't think people will appreciate that treatment, but people will also feel the same way you laid out. Four years of absurdity and dysfunction, and four years of doing nothing for the economically disadvantaged. Time will tell for sure, but with echo chambers like this, reddit, Facebook/Instagram, all you have to do is read the comments of a political post and all the republicans are screaming socialism or communism if a democrat is involved.
I admittedly know next to nothing about politics, so I don't wanna go too far into it. But it certainly will be interesting to see November's results and if Trump's core will seriously stick with him, through (very) thick and thin.
Trump could hypothetically brag about wanting to go out with his daughter, spread misinformation, blame the people for not understanding alternative facts, post a video about him shooting news networks in the wake of horrific mass shootings, show no empathy towards victims of some of the worst mass shootings this country has seen, blatantly manipulate people to create a divide in politics, make fun of the disabled, disrespect the military, abandon our allies, commemorate some of the most vicious and vile leaders of the new millennium, and RAISE TAXES and right wingers would still applaud him about how he's personally improved their lives on a day to day basis..
... oh wait, I misused hypothetically.
CRE I'm mostly right in political arguments, but I also respect Romney for this. I've heard a lot (but not a majority) of people come out against him saying he's bitter since he lost in 2012, but putting oneself through this level of political pressure just out of bitterness? I don't see the argument.
I respect him for it.
I never knew Romney had such an insane resume wtf. I wish he was a dem instead of Elizabeth Warren
"Today, Mitt Romney gave a powerful and emotional speech"
All politicans are bullshit. I used to follow politics but I honestly have no idea how people still have any motivation to do so. It's literally the equivalent of watching WWE and thinking it's real. Complete waste of energy.
Oh save it. The guy is just butthurt because Trump did what he could not and the former keeps shoving it in the latter's face.
Petty personal fights are not putting your country first.
I would also like to point out that if impeachment is all about staining Trump's reputation, then it's an abuse of power by Congress. Then again, that's all liberals do these days: try to slander people and ruin their lives. Even more revolting is that you picked CNN as source, basically a subversive organization dedicated to spread falsehood to destabilize the country. All liars, all racists, all evil.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/feb/6/arizona-state-universit…
Your side. College educated, wealth inheriting white liberals.
I'm convinced you're a TNA alt account
You are a liberal. Of cource you are convinced about crazy shit. The guy is like twice my age and from another country
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