Is Mitt Romney the new John McCain? (Or only the next Jeff Flake?)

It seems like almost a ridiculous possibility but ...

Could the newly elected senator from Utah, Mitt Romney, become the new John McCain?

Could he be the Republican in the Senate who speaks to the better angels in the Republican Party and speaks against the tribalism of President Donald Trump?

He’s not even been sworn in yet and Romney already is doing so.

The new senator comes out swinging

In an op-ed for The Washington Post, Romney, who was critical of Trump all through his campaign and has continued to be critical of him, came out swinging, writing of Trump, “After he became the nominee, I hoped his campaign would refrain from resentment and name-calling. It did not. When he won the election, I hoped he would rise to the occasion … But, on balance, his conduct over the past two years, particularly his actions this month, is evidence that the president has not risen to the mantle of the office.”

Romney sounds a little like both Jeff Flake and John McCain in his criticism.

With any luck, he’ll be as articulate as Flake but as willing to act as McCain.

He said in his essay the he’ll go along with the policy decisions he and other Republicans agree with, but added, “I do not intend to comment on every tweet or fault. But I will speak out against significant statements or actions that are divisive, racist, sexist, anti-immigrant, dishonest or destructive to democratic institutions.”

Pointing out Trump's biggest 'shortfall'

Romney stood up for the press, for the courts, even for unions.

And he stuck it to Trump, writing, “To a great degree, a presidency shapes the public character of the nation. A president should unite us and inspire us to follow ‘our better angels.’ A president should demonstrate the essential qualities of honesty and integrity, and elevate the national discourse with comity and mutual respect … With the nation so divided, resentful and angry, presidential leadership in qualities of character is indispensable. And it is in this province where the incumbent’s shortfall has been most glaring.”

Now Romney is the incumbent.

Tough talk only goes so far

He’s off to a good start, as least on “national discourse” part.

But then, so was Flake.

It won’t mean anything, however, unless Romney backs it up with action.

That’s where McCain comes in.

Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com.

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