Mitt's Integrity on Trial

Fred was the consistent conservative. Now, what about Mitt? Is it fair to label him as a flip-flopper? Here is my take:

I am aware of one instance in which Mitt was a little too much like a slimy politician for my taste. He said that he was a life-long hunter while trying to gain the NRA's support. Turns out, he hunted once as a little kid and once as an adult. That doesn't seem like a life-long hunter to me. When I heard this, I cringed- I was almost as embarrassed for him then as I was yesterday when I saw him say the "who let the dogs out" thing. Ouch.

But, I have found Mitt to be an otherwise straightforward, honest man. I have no problem with his abortion record. The Massachusetts GOP asked him to run for Governor. His options were to run as a typical Republican and have no sniff at winning- or he could position himself as moderate Republican who could save the financial crisis while not pushing to hard against the social liberals who dominate the region. So he did that and he won. He stated over and over again that he was not in favor with the abortion laws as they were- but that he promised the people he would keep them in place.

Then, while he was Governor, he did fix the financial crisis and he did respect the abortion laws in the state. But, the state legislature tried to push the state further to the left, attempting to further liberalize abortion by way of cutting age restrictions, morning after pill, etc. Mitt vetoed every one. He defended life every chance he had while keeping his promise to the people who elected him.

Then, a new life issue came up which he had not made any promises about. Embryonic stem cell research. Everyone in Massachusetts expected this to pass, but Mitt could not sign a bill that would lead to creating life to destroy it. He vetoed it and came out publicly that he could no longer support any legislation that did not protect human life.

Personally, Romney had always been opposed to abortion, and as a clergyman had counseled against abortion consistently for many years. The only complication came while deciding how to win in Massachusetts.

I don't know what other flip-flop charges you all want to talk about. I would love to hear.

The one point where I don't think Mitt gets enough credit on his integrity is in his personal life. He has been married to the same woman for 38 years. No affairs- just kind, faithful marriage. He has done more business deals than almost anyone, but we don't hear of any scandals. He has worked hard at his career but has devoted enough time and attention to his family so that they are still in tact. He served in local churches for many hours each week without pay. He donated his salary as Governor and as CEO of the Olympics.

What is the verdict? 100% Consistent and Perfectly Honest? Spineless Flip -Flopper? Somewhere in the middle?