Face it, Mitt: It's over

It is possible to see — if one dares to dream — some authentic fiscal conservative emerging to take a shot at the presidency in 2012. Though Romney has the required drive, intellect and temperament, he is wrong on the fundamental ideological question of this time: health care…

Let’s concede momentarily that the GOP will win back enough seats in 2010 to make it thornier for Democrats to push through any other comprehensive assaults on the economy. Let’s concede also, then, that health care reform becomes the defining legislative accomplishment of Barack Obama’s first term.

By 2012, many of the hidden costs of this reform will have surfaced, while the bulk of the alleged benefits still will not have kicked in. Barring some earth-shattering geopolitical event, candidate Romney will be impelled to spend a noteworthy chunk of his time pointing out differences and/or defending comparisons between the two plans — effectively eliminating the issue that holds potentially the greatest impact for Republicans.