A gentleman knows how to lose and do so with dignity.
He knows what is important and what is not. He lives for a cause bigger than self.
Nothing so proved the point that Mitt Romney is a gentleman and a statesman as his withdrawing from the race.
He could have continued and built up delegates for himself. He could not win. Most important, he loves this nation and this nation is at war. If the Democrats win, then all the sacrifice made will be for nothing. He withdrew when he did not have to do so to attempt to help the bipartisan coalition that wants to win.
Mitt Romney knows that in a war mistakes happen. From Lincoln picking bad generals in the Civil War to the stunning surprise of the Battle of the Bulge, war is an unpredictable and difficult test of national character. Romney knows that failing in this War will lead to a blood bath of thousands of Middle East people who have supported democracy and freedom. Romney knows that failing in this War will end any hope of a functioning modern republic in the Middle East.
It will encourage Turkey to slide further backwards and develop “greater Turkey” delusions of empire.
It will encourage Iran to attempt the annihilation of Israel and a caliphate across the Middle East.
The War can be won, but it cannot be won if those who support it bicker amongst themselves.
If Romney cared only for self, he would have postured as the leader of the angry right, but Romney is not an angry man. He is a gentleman and a gentleman knows when to fight and when fighting is just self-indulgent reaction. The race for the nomination was effectively over and Romney knew it.
Instead of winning chips in the “movement” by giving voice to our anger to cash in later (literally), Romney acted for the good of the country. Romney changed his mind, thank God, on some important issues. He came back to positions consistent with his deeply held faith. He faced some bigots who challenged his right to serve our nation and defeated them with the force of his rhetoric. What never changed was his deep love for the nation that gave him so much and to whom he gave great public service.
He was the rich, young-looking, ruler willing to sell all he had if it would help the nation.
Thank you, Mr. Romney. It has been a privilege supporting you for the past year. Even my children were crushed when you failed, but your reaction to that failure was becoming to you and taught them a keen lesson in life.
We hope you will write, speak, and go into the wilderness like other leaders who have found greatness to prepare to fight again. You will not go alone. Some of us will wait and watch for what you will say and do. You have made friends . . . including conservative and traditional Christian friends and we hope you do not forget it or us.