Reconsidering Romney (II)

Jim Fallows, man from Mars:

As soon as this evening's Florida debate ended, the MSNBC TV commentators were wondering how it would have looked to "someone who was seeing these candidates for the first time."

Why didn't they just ask me?

This is the first debate among the Republicans that I've seen at full length and in real time. So factoring in all the expectations I'd gathered from coverage (Romney too weaselly, McCain really the strongest one, Huckabee a charmer, etc), how did it look?

Romney by a mile. More precisely, the only candidate you could imagine putting up a plausible general-election fight. Again, I'm not handicapping the GOP race, which I know nothing about. I'm not saying how each candidate did relative to previous appearances. I am telling you how this one debate looked if you had never seen these guys on the same stage before.

Comments

Getting on the bandwagon a bit late, aren't you? The smart money's always been on Romney.

Posted by Rexus | January 25, 2008 1:49 PM

He didn't say anything about getting on the badwagon. This is a good commentary. Besides, this is a wagon we want people to jump on. Go Romney.

Posted by Paul | January 25, 2008 2:12 PM

I've reserved Ross a seat at the back.

Posted by Rexus | January 25, 2008 2:19 PM

Unlike Fallows, I've been watching this election since last summer and all along when I see Mitt Romney on stage among that field of many I think, ‘now there stands a President’.

He sometimes seems alone on that platform. He seemed unloved by his competitors and even obviously despised by one. But, among a collection of accomplished men there is one who commands attention and is clearly Presidential. One stands well above the rest and that’s Romney.

He’s the antithesis to Huckabee’s “common man” persona, he is the uncommon man.

He is the man with the pedigreed resume, experience, intellect, values, stamina, and class that put him well above all the others. They take shots at him and he responds with dignity. He points out how he is different and they whine of attack. They gang up and form alliances to take him out but he remains standing. The failed attempts to discredit him seem all the more pathetic. They seem small.

All along I’ve watched. All along, I’ve read the polls. All along, I’ve wondered. And, finally it seems the people are beginning to see what I see. As the smoke clears from the process called politics……as it dissipates, the people can clearly see emerging……a President.

Posted by Enline6 | January 25, 2008 2:53 PM

Romney is the real deal! Donate money before the weekend!!! I don't work for his campaign, but I gave him a whopping $25 last year. I just donated $100 this week. I feel that he has managed the $25 I already gave pretty well :)
At some point, I think, someone should point out that McCain couldn't even manage his own campaign (ditto for Rude-y). How in the heck can McCain run the country?
Oh, and though it's not popular to talk about, because nobody likes Mormons, Romney's own father was a religious refugee from Mexico! He lived in a refugee camp. That family worked its way to the top and the Romney name deserves respect.

Posted by Deseretian | January 25, 2008 3:04 PM

I'm Mormon and I was stationed for a brief period at Cecil Field Naval Air Station in Flordia. The people down there treated me so bad for being Mormon, I almost couldn't bear it. They'd tell me I was a devil worshipper and brainwashed, and try to convince me that they knew more about what I believed than I did. The wife of one guy I worked with wouldn't let me in their house for dinner on the 4th of July after he invited me over because she said I wasn't Christian, so I went and watched a move alone. It hurts to be a victim of discrimination -- and I bet Romney knows the feeling. I hope God forgives them, because it's hard for me to do it. It's these same "Christians" that killed my ancestors and ran them out of Illinois.

Posted by Steven Rinehart | January 25, 2008 4:37 PM

I just wanted to agree with the "uncommon man" comment. That really clarified it for me. Romney is an excellent candidate just because he is so unusual. Successful in business, in family life, exercises regularly, eats right, was in the top 10 percent at Harvard law and Harvard business schools SIMULTANEOUSLY! He is the epitome of the "uncommon man" and, although you never know, he could turn out to be a president the likes of which we haven't seen in a hundred years. He might be Lincoln material!

Posted by Jared Price | January 25, 2008 4:41 PM

Yes, I totally agree that Romney is the strongest GOP contender. It is hard to believe that he has won 3 states, taken second in 2, has the most votes and the largest number of delegates, but gets no PR. What is up with that?

I'm sure the other candidates don't like him. He is intelligent, polished, experienced, and successful. He is strong on the economic, defense and value areas. I could easily see him as our next president - one that can begin to tackle our major problems and those of the world.

Posted by Dave | January 25, 2008 5:02 PM

I am still not sure I am buying the idea that Mitt Romney is a strong candidate. Mike Huckabee beat him 2 to 1 in South Carolina, a state that is representative of the GOP's southern base. Romney outspent Huckabee by at least 10 to 1 in Iowa and maybe even 15 to 1 and still lost.

Romney does seem to have pivoted rather well in Michigan after his early state strategy collapsed. I never understood why he ran as a social conservative. It made him look silly. He should have ran as an ultra-intelligent manager type.

What will likely sink Romney in the end is his lack of personal connection with the voters. Did y'all see him at that MLK event? Besides quoting 1990s rap songs and admiring a kid's bling, he just looked so nervous.

The upshot? Really smart guy, really bad campaign.

Posted by Thomas | January 25, 2008 5:20 PM

White people always look out of place at a MLK event. As President, he'll only have to endure them once a year.

Bottom line is that white men are the key to victory for Republicans and Romney can deliver them.

Posted by Cedar | January 25, 2008 5:59 PM

Thomas,

Huckabee beat Romney in early contests because he is witty, funny and likable and at first blush he makes a lot of sense.

But Huckabee's humor and repertoire of one-liners are growing tiring and people are beginning to realize it takes more than a court jester routine to make a great President.

Once the harsh light of the media began to shine on Huckabee, we realized he is the kind of guy that becomes less impressive under close examination. He’s still likable but flawed and not nearly so impressive once one realizes there is little substance or knowledge behind his routine.

Romney on the other hand came off a bit automated at first. He wasn’t the natural speaker Huckabee was and didn’t shine on the stump. He hadn’t honed his oratory skills through years of time in the pulpit like Huckabee and he wasn’t selling his true self. To those who hadn’t studied his resume’ he didn’t impress.

But when that same harsh light that showed us Huckabee’s flaws is applied to Romney, we see something different. The light reveals a diamond within that begins to sparkle. He has a brilliance that is revealed only in light. An understanding of issues, a commanding presence and the intellect to forge solutions thought to be too complex to solve. He is as some have said he is “the real deal”.

If the Republicans nominate Romney, I believe he will win. The people don’t know him but when they do, they will see the makings of a great President.

Posted by enline6 | January 25, 2008 6:13 PM

I agree with Fallows. Romney is really stepping up his game. The only reason he doesn't do as well in General Election polls is because he's not as well known as McCain. But there are lots of things about McCain those Independents won't like about him once he gets in the General Election. He's winning the voters who don't like the way things are going in Iraq. Once they find out he was the strongest proponent of the war, they'll abandon him and the Democratic candidate (especially if its Obama or Edwards) will win easilly.

Posted by Mike | January 25, 2008 8:48 PM

This debate was a truly remarkable performance from Mitt Romney. He's clearly head and shoulders above the other candidates in my mind. Mitt stays on the topic, focuses on issues, and is even fair when he attacks his opponents by always contrasting them to his own record and stances. Some may not agree with the points he makes against his opponents, but they're always about the issues, never ad hominem.

I very much disagree with the argument that he's run a poor campaign. It hasn't been ideal, but it's been incredibly organized and efficient. I think it was either Chris Matthews or David Gregory on MSNBC's post-debate analysis coverage that pointed out that it's been a nearly perfect campaign. Yes, they've made some mistakes, but they've learned from them and immediately made the necessary corrections.

Mitt's comment about the prospect of running against Hillary was a classic: "I frankly can't wait, because the idea of Bill Clinton back in the White House with nothing to do is something I just can't imagine. I can't imagine the American people can imagine...." This was truly witty and I'm sure it really hit home with all true dyed-in-the-wool Republicans. It made me hearken back to Reagan's "There you go again" line directed at Jimmy Carter. Genius.

One thing I like very much about Mr. Romney is that he's been dignified and strong in the face of criticism. In watching these debates, I've seen him handle a number of potentially very difficult questions straight-on, with conviction and grace. I've been waiting for him to falter, but he's actually getting better.

As far as the other candidates go:

I just can't take Mike Huckabee seriously. I think he's a good man who is truly misguided in a number of ways. I'm a Christian, but I find him to be an embarrassment, a phony, and a pretender. The way he panders to the evangelical crowd is rather shameful, as are his often veiled sideswipes at Romney's religion. A lot of evangelical feel this way too; just go check out www.evangelicalsformitt.com.

McCain's appeal, in large part, I think comes from pure name recognition and familiarity. For example, seniors/veterans seem to love him, because, for many of them, it's the candidate with whom they most identify and relate. But as you listen to him talk about the issues, and contrast that to what Romney has to say, I see three things: 1) Mitt seems to be more competent in being able to handle a multitude of issues head-on, 2) he's definitely more classically conservative (and many say that McCain's actually more a liberal than not), and 3) I just get the sense that Mitt is more sincere about really making things happen. His track record reinforces that for me, as well.

I have great respect for McCain, and Guiliani, too, but I don't think Rudy can make it happen. He's an honorable man, and I think we could do worse than him in the White House, but Romney's momentum in Florida looks to deal the final blow to a Guiliani campaign that's in death throes.

Ron Paul has some good ideas, but some wacky ones, too; he's effectively a libertarian, and America's just not ready to have him lead. As a defender and champion of the Constitution, I do think he's performing a wonderful service with his efforts out there in this campaign, and I consider him a true American--but just because we don't strictly follow the Constitution does not mean we're headed down the tubes. I know that a lot of his supporters will say he's exactly what we need, but setting aside the sheep, there are a lot of people out there who don't consider his proposals realistically feasible, at least in the short team, and I'm one of them. For instance, I agree that withdrawing from Iraq would save us billions, but he doesn't believe that it would be a catastrophic move. Many Americans, I believe a majority, do feel that way.

Anyhow, for me: it's simply no contest. Mitt will turn 61 this year, so he's been around a while (i.e., he's got life experience), and he's in fantastic health. He's the smartest candidate, both in terms of academic achievement and real world application of smarts. He's shown political savvy to get lots done as a Republican in a Democratic stronghold. He's got real-world moral character, will compromise, but only when there's just no other option, and won't sacrifice his convictions. I feel pretty strongly that those who don't see otherwise just aren't willing to look at facts. Mitt will get the nomination and will take the next two general election. I think America will be back on its way to global economic strength, global military might, and international respectability. Go Mitt!

Posted by Rick | January 26, 2008 12:14 AM

You make a lot of good points, Rick. Romney is getting better. But do you think he will play strong in the South? How do you explain him losing to Huckabee in Iowa and getting half the number of votes of Huckabee in South Carolina?

The major issue may not even be with Romney. It may be with the GOP itself. They have painted themselves into a corner as to who would constitute a good candidate. They have to be a hard-core social conservative who also makes Wall Street happy. Can't be an elite from Massachusetts and Harvard. Can't be from a religion perceived to be heretical. Has to be charismatic like Reagan.

I just don't sense a groundswell behind Romney. He is not a historical candidate at all. I mean, Hillary Clinton, for all her faults, is a historic candidate. So too is Barack Obama. Mitt Romney is just another rich white guy. He doesn't even have the personality of a Bob Dole.

Posted by Thomas | January 26, 2008 12:54 AM

I've been thinking the same thing about Romney being the only candidate to plausibly put up the best fight during the national election ever since an elderly lady in Frank Luntz' focus group, after the GOP debate in N.H., said as much after watching his performance there. Insight often comes from the crowd in such moments. Another telling observation is the liberal snark towards Romney compared with the other candidates. I'm reminded of how liberals, very early in recognizing Reagan's threat, pooh-poohed him nervously. "Imagine, Californians electing an actor" I overhead in a McDonald's waiting line the day after Reagan won the governorship. "That man is going to go a long way" I suddenly said to myself after stumbling upon that comment.

Posted by Freedom Soar! | January 26, 2008 9:54 AM

Did a commenter to this post actually compare Mitt Romney to Abraham Lincoln?

How shameless can you get?

Posted by Doug | January 26, 2008 4:22 PM