Download Download (h/t David, PoliticsTV)
While seeing Tim Russert embarrass Mitt Romney by waving flip flops in his face is satisfying on a true schadenfreude level, Mitt's response to the flip flop charge should be looked at more closely as well...because he never really disputes it.
Well, you know, Tim, I was always personally opposed to abortion, as I think almost everyone in this nation is and the question for me is the role of government. And it was quite theoretical and philosophical to consider what the role of government should be in this regard and I felt the Supreme Court had spoken and government shouldn't be involved and let people make their own decisions. And that all made a lot of sense to me, And then I became Governor, and the theoretical became reality, if you will.
So, let me see if I have this right...when you were thinking about it, you respected the existing laws and the role government should play. It was logical to you. But then when the reality of respecting the rule of law came up for you, you just couldn't quite do it, opting to place higher value on your personal beliefs. Hmm..is there any other way to consider this but flip-flopping?
Romney is very careful to not bring his faith into the discussion of his change of heart, but I think the question must be asked in light of his "Freedom = Religion" speech: how many other established laws will you ignore because your faith or personal beliefs tell you otherwise?