Mitt Romney's S&P Flip

As governor of Massachusetts, Romney favored tax increases with spending cuts

A story by Politico's Ben Smith last night highlighted one way in which the Romney of 2004 is different from the Romney of today. Back in 2004, when Romney lobbied to have his state's credit rating raised by the S&P, part of his argument was that he had raised taxes during a downturn--a clear sign of fiscal responsibility. Does that sound like toeing the GOP line today? Not really, notes Smith: "it bears a far closer resemblance to the right-of-center grand compromise rejected by House Republicans this year--dismissed because it would include new taxes and end tax breaks President Barack Obama described as 'loopholes'--or the more modest compromise that passed, than to the Cut, Cap, and Balance plan Romney 'applauded.'"

Of course this isn't the first time Romney has veered from his policies as governor--remember Massachusetts health care reform?