Philocrites

The talented Mr Romney.

by Philocrites

Who knew reforming Massachusetts government was so easy? Why, with a bright smile, a golly or two, and an occasional day in the office, a good-looking opportunist can do it in less than three years! Gov. Mitt Romney announced Wednesday that he won't need to run for reelection — "I've got the job done I set out to do" — and that he plans to become a Taoist. "[O]ther things may develop in the future," he said. "I don't know what will happen. The future is open."

That makes three elected Republican governors in a row who clearly wanted to be someone else. William Weld wanted to be ambassador to Mexico because he really, really hated New England winters. His lieutenant Paul Celucci managed to win an election, then resigned to become ambassador to Canada because they don't have a Big Dig. And now Romney wants to be president. I really wanted a governor.

Now because I'm gullible, I actually thought Romney might shake things up when he was first elected. (Unlike many of my relentlessly lefty friends, I wasn't especially upset when he beat Shannon O'Brien. I wasn't hopeful, but then O'Brien didn't give me much to hope for, either.) The Globe recalls that Romney ran for office "on a promise to reform a government dominated by Democratic patronage" — and, having grown up in Utah, another one-party state, I thought maybe, just maybe Romney would focus on reform. Instead he put on quite an act.

Incidentally, the Globe's Scott S. Greenberger debunks Romney's list of proud accomplishments. Good for the Globe.

("It's 1 Term for Romney; He Says the Future Is Open," Frank Phillips and Scott Helman, Boston Globe 12.15.05, reg req'd; "A Closer Look at Governor's Boasts," Scott S. Greenberger, Boston Globe 12.15.05, reg req'd)

Copyright © 2005 by Philocrites | Posted 16 December 2005 at 7:33 AM

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