Psychoanalysis

Jonathan Cohn: Conservatives' Real Problem With Romney

Column after column has pondered why exactly conservatives aren’t ready to embrace Mitt Romney. But The New Republic’s Jonathan Cohn listens in on Rush Limbaugh and discovers the answer: it’s not that Romney instated universal health care in Massachusetts, it’s that he won’t apologize for the individual mandate requiring citizens buy health insurance. But would conservatives change their tune if Romney demonstrated his remorse about the individual mandate? Doubtful. “The primary reason Limbaugh and his listeners don't like universal health care is that they reject the basic concept. They simply don't believe in using government to make sure every American has access to affordable health care.”