The Ghost of Republicans Past

Though his name is rarely invoked these days, George Bush hovers over our politics and over our presidential campaign like a flitting Halloween ghost.  One of the questioners in last night's debate noted W's absence and posed a telling question to Mitt Romney: How are you different from our last Republican president?  Romney's answer rambled on--the times are different, he'd crack down on China, he'd balance the budget (how?)--but it was President Obama's response that brought the ghost to life.

Mitt Romney and George Bush peddle the same failed economic policies, Obama indicated, but they differ in social policy: "George Bush didn't propose turning Medicare into a voucher," Obama said.  "George Bush embraced comprehensive immigration reform.  He didn't call for self-deportation.  George Bush never suggested that we eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood."

Social policy often gets lost in this campaign's rhetoric, but it ought not to.  The current Republican party headed by Mitt Romney is so extreme that George Bush looks reasonable.  If undecided voters can't figure out which candidate is going to move the economy forward, then they should look at social policy.

The backward movement of Mitt Romney is clear. . . and scary.  It's not a place most of us want to go.