In announcing that he wouldn’t go along with the crowd of Republican partisans in his impeachment vote against the President, US Senator, Mitt Romney (R-UT) might have used words popularized by rock singer, Meatloaf, “I’d do anything for love, but I won’t do that“ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X_ViIPA-Gc , but he didn’t.

Still,pulling no punches, Romney, in view of the facts, his beliefs, and as a matterof conscience, with a simple “aye” vote disavowed an otherwise unanimousRepublican position. It wasn’t quite the splash evoked by John McCain’s latenight, wordless thumbs down vote on legislation that would have killed the ACA,but it was close. Theatrical defiance doesn’t seem to be Romney’s style.

Forthose eager to draw a red on blue conclusion, don’t. Had the shoe been on theother foot, the result likely wouldn’t have been appreciably different. Sowhat, you might ask.

Here’swhat. Knowing all the while that his vote would have absolutely no impact onthe outcome of the matter, Romney still invited all manner of personal andprofessional grief in order to stay true to his own constitution, oath ofoffice, and perhaps set an example for about two dozen Romney grandchildren.Real leaders, as opposed to those who play one in government or elsewhere,don’t shirk from tough calls or knuckle under to pressure. To them, facing aconscience-based decision is no time to get strategic or cute by nibblingaround the edges with word games. As real golfers do, you play them as theylie, put an honest number on the score card, and move on to the next hole. Weneed more Mitt Romneys in business, government, and elsewhere.