Romney does what he thinks is politically expedient. It's the general election now, and heading way to the right is no longer politically expedient.
In rough times even the appearance of an unsteady hand is not good for winning. Does anyone remember the little device of some cheap plastic beach shoes at the Republican National Convention in 2004?
President Obama is at the least consistent. The only issue on which he has changed his mind is on same-sex marriage, and then only when the majority position changed nationwide. Mitt Romney has been riding the Tea Party wave at a time in which the Republicans' majority in Congress has become highly unpopular.
Mitt Romney needs to be more of a political innovator than President Obama to win unless the American economy is to melt down, a scandal breaks, or some military or diplomatic disaster erupts.
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