Mitt Romney, the most transparent candidate - By MICHAEL KINSLEY

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0311/50786.html

Until I see someone that can realistically challenge him, Romney is my bet for the nominee in 2012. Kinsley makes a rash of good points here, not least among them is the fact that Romney's phoniness is simply accepted, even by his supporters, but also that the business wing of the Republican party has found itself without a home. Too moderate for the Angle/Beck/Palin wing of the party, but adamantly opposed to the socialism-lite they find in Obama's Democrats, they revolve around in a sort of limbo, still part of the party but a bit freaked out by those getting admitted to the club these days.

Romney's voluminous flip flops would be enough to kill an ordinary politician. But this is not any normal politician and this is no ordinary election. Unlike when Bob Dole was hoisted up as the party elder to serve as the sacrifice on his own political funeral pyre in an attempt to unseat Bill Clinton, this crop of Republican voters wants a WINNER. Bad. Romney's phoniness and his flip flops are issues for another time. Here is a man who will say anything to win and can run against the ObamaSatan and conceivably win. Those voters that are only clapping out of politeness at Sarah Palin long for someone who can beat Obama...whether he means what he says or not is totally secondary.

When John Kerry was chosen to run against George Bush, primary voters were asked why they voted for John Kerry. The most common answer was "he can win".

I introduce you to the Republican John Kerry.