Does Opposition to Restrictions on Political Speech Make One a "Social Conservative?"

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who has had his credibility questioned over his change of position on abortion, has evidently also had a change of heart on campaign finance reform. The Hill reports that recent remarks opposing measures such as McCain/Feingold are counter to comments he made while running for the U.S. Senate in 1994.

People -- even politicians -- can change their minds over a 15 year period. However, if Romney does much more of this without providing some big picture explanation of a fundamental change in political philosophy, he will end up being thought of as a candidate who will say anything to win.

One might also wish to note an odd statement made by the author of the report in The Hill. Alexander Bolton explains that campaign finance reform measures are "anathema to many social conservatives who believe such rules place unconstitutional limits on free speech."

There are many people with such concerns who will be surprised to hear that they are "social conservatives."