Don't Buy This Cease Fire For A Second

This may arguably be the most politically naive article I've seen out of the National Journal in some time, and you'll see why pretty quickly:  the notion that Romney is "declaring a cease fire" on health care reform is patently ridiculous.  Josh Kraushaar:

For an issue that's supposedly potent against Democrats, Romney's campaign is declaring a cease fire. This, even as the law polls unfavorably and it proved to be a motivating force for Republicans and disaffected independents in the 2010 midterms.

It's becoming clear that Romney has decided to focus on the economy at the expense of everything else, even issues that could play to his political benefit. He's avoided criticizing the administration's handling of the botched Fast and Furious operation, even as it threatens to become a serious vulnerability for the president. He's been silent in responding to Obama's immigration executive order, not wanting to offend receptive Hispanics or appear like a flip-flopper. He appears more likely to tap a safe, bland running mate like Ohio Sen. Rob Portman or former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty who won't do him any harm but won't benefit him much either. If the economy continues to sputter, that safe strategy might be enough. If not, his options are limited.

In football, there's a well-worn cliché about the prevent defense (a scheme utilized when a team holds a big lead over its opponent): It prevents teams from winning games. In politics, Mitt Romney is testing that proposition as far as he can. 

I don't use profanity much around here, but this calls for it.  Bullshit.

There are three main reasons to just laugh at the notion that Romney will walk away from healthcare:  One, his base will not let him.  Two, his propaganda outfit at Drudge and Breitbrat Land won't let him.  Third, Romney is a habitual liar. 

Romney himself may think he's above the fray, but I guarantee you by the end of this month at the absolute latest, he'll be at campaign stops spewing the same lies about the ACA that the Breitbrat crew tells him to until it becomes the "truth", just like President Obama was born in Kenya and Al Gore claimed he invented the Internet.

Nope, Romney's too far into the red meat Birther twilight zone now to recover into a "above the fray" campaign.  That's nonsense.  Romney will be in the mud, flinging feces, with the worst of them.