From the beginning of this race for President, conservatives have been looking for an alternative to the moderate flip flopper Romney. When former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin decided not to run, there was a stampede of support for Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann. After her star dimmed, Texas Governor Rick Perry became the "hot" candidate. Well, Perry bombed in numerous debates and conservatives abandoned him for businessman Herman Cain. Soon thereafter, the inadequacies of the Cain campaign became apparent. His team failed to respond effectively to accusations of sexual harassment from four women. The final blow came this week when an Atlanta woman, Ginger White, alleged a 13 year affair with Cain. While the candidate denies the accusation, he does admit to sending White money and not telling his wife about the arrangement. At this point, Cain is losing political and financial support in droves and will likely bow out of the race.

In the meantime, House Speaker Newt Gingrich keeps moving up in the polls, buoyed by his strong debate performances and the troubles of the other conservative candidates. He does have personal and political baggage, but his strong intellect and innovative ideas are starting to catch fire with the conservative base of the Republican Party.

In contrast, Mitt Romney is a tired old political opportunist, who has been continuously running for President for five years. He is on every side of almost every issue.

Conservatives want a candidate they can trust, one who has a proven track record promoting important principles such as limited government and lower taxes.

Unfortunately, Romney has a track record of liberalism in Massachusetts. As the Democratic national Committee exposed in a brilliant new on-line video, Mitt vs. Mitt, Romney has changed his position on the stimulus bill, abortion, Ronald Reagan, health care, unions, TARP, auto bailouts, immigration, global warming and assault weapons. Surely this is only the tip of the iceberg, for Romney is incapable of maintaining his position on any issue. In a 1994 U.S. Senate debate, the incumbent Ted Kennedy famously called Romney "not pro choice, but multiple choice." For once, Ted Kennedy was 100 percent correct and his characterization of Romney is truer today than ever.

With all of this bad news, Romney is now starting to lose his cool. This week, he complained to Brett Baier of Fox News for "overly aggressive" questions. Yet, Baier was just asking Romney to explain his ever shifting positions on issues.

With the Iowa caucus in only a month, Romney is finally getting asked about his new positions. Are we seeing the real Mitt Romney today or do we believe the guy who served as Governor of the most liberal state in the nation?

The last time a Massachusetts Governor was nominated for President it did not turn out too well. Democrat Michael Dukakis was destroyed by a rather unimpressive Republican nominee, George H. W. Bush.

In this election, the GOP needs to nominate a candidate who has a consistent track record of conservatism and can handle a debate against an accomplished television performer, Barack Obama.

The last thing the Republican Party needs is a candidate who gets flustered over tough questions.

By moving away from multiple choice Mitt, Republican voters are making the right choice for not only their party, but their country as well.

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Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and he is the host of a Louisiana based program, “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m.weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. For more information, visit his web site at www.ringsidepolitics.com. E-mail him at [email protected].

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