Why Economic Concepts Are Difficult To Use In Politics

Mitt Romney has two highly regarded conservative economists as his advisors. One of them wrote an op-ed in the NYT that he has to ignore. He suggested a tax on gasoline because it would help to mitigate global warming. Romney lost the election in South Carolina because the GOP does not believe that he is a real conservative. If he followed the recommendations of his economic advisors he would lose all hope of winning the GOP nomination. The GOP leadership has a real conundrum. They cannot possibly give their base what it wants and govern in the national interest.