For It Before He Was Against It

Today Ruth Marcus puts the smackdown on Romney for his pandering ways. On all the hot-botton social issues, the old Mitt "I'm running for Governor of a liberal state" Romney was much the self-proclaimed moderate, while the new Mitt "I'm running for the GOP Presidential nomination" Romney looks like he's trying to outflank Tony Perkins on the right. Oh, and that vote for Paul Tsongas in the 1992 Democratic primary?

To give this explanation the credit it doesn't deserve, Romney's rationale boils down to arguing that he didn't really mean his vote; he was just trying to game the political process. Those considering Romney in 2008 have reason to wonder what a politician who admits so freely to that kind of manipulation is willing to do to win their votes.

Actually, I don't think we have to wonder much at all.