Patrick Brennan argues that Romney’s substantive argument for an increase makes no sense, and might be making the political judgment that opposition to an increase is not a sustainable position for Republicans. While I do not share that view, it is a reasonable one, and if I held it I would certainly say it. I am not, however, the last Republican presidential nominee and thus a leader of the party. If he holds this view, the right thing for him to do would be to share his advice privately–not to add to Republicans’ troubles the way his public statement just has.