So, Mitt Romney defeated John McCain in Michigan by telling lies:
The economy and the troubles of the auto industry dominated the contest here from start to finish, with Mr. Romney seizing on Mr. McCain’s suggestions that the jobs lost “are not coming back.” Mr. Romney also capitalized on his business background and his father’s leadership in the auto industry to persuade voters that he was best equipped to deal with those problems.
The jobs are not coming back, Mr. Romney -- yet you still provided the people with false hope:
“Tonight marks the beginning of a comeback,” Mr. Romney said in declaring victory at a hotel rally in Southfield. “Tonight is a victory of optimism over Washington-style pessimism.”
Pessimism and realism are two different things. It is realistic to say that American manufacturing in general -- and the automobile industry specifically -- will not survive globalization, at least in their current forms.
Americans have always been an optimistic people -- but that characteristic can be extremely helpful or harmful. In the case of closing their eyes to the changing world around them, it is extremely harmful. Sen. McCain, however, is doing what he does best:
“We did what we always try to do: we went to Michigan and we told people the truth,” Mr. McCain said. “I am as committed now as I have ever been to making sure that no state, whether it’s Michigan or South Carolina or anywhere in this blessed country, is left behind in the global economy.”
He continued: “But that global economy is here to stay and it is, by its nature, constantly changing, as you all know. To compete more successfully in it we must better prepare American workers and students to seize its opportunities. That is how we will build a stronger and more prosperous America.”
In a democracy, the people always get what they deserve -- for better or worse. Michigan chose to bury its head in the sand by believing Romney.
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