I just haven’t been particularly impressed with Mitt Romney thus far. Don’t get me wrong, I’d vote for him if he were nominated ... but I don’t care for his style, and I’m not sure I believe the substance of what he says.
First - he looks and sounds FAR too rehearsed. In the last debate, Thompson and Giuliani sounded as if they were speaking extemporaneously and from genuine beliefs. Romney sounded like he was reading off of a cue card. Stylistically, Romney reminds me a bit of John Kerry ... he’s an erudite, slick Massachussetts politician. He’s far too rehearsed, and overhandled ... and he sounds as if he’s been practicing since high school for the role of Presidential candidate.
He’s just got a “manchurian candidate” vibe to him ... as if he was sent from central casting for the role of “politician”. He’s too slick and too polished, and doesn’t come across as at all genuine.
Second - partially because he seems so rehearsed ... I’m not ever sure if he actually believes what he’s saying, or if he’s just telling me what I want to hear. His answer are usually pretty good (except the lawyers and line-item answers, which were atrocious). Giuliani and Thompson come across as genuine ... even when they’re wrong, you know where they stand. Romney comes across as somewhat pandering ... so I get the feeling he’s far more liberal than his answers would have us believe, but he’s got a Clintonesque instinct for feeding the listener what he wants to hear.
Just my two cents ... but I think Romney need a lot of work on his image before becoming a viable candidate. Thompson and Giuliani, whatever their faults, seem genuine in their beliefs ... Romney doesn’t.
H
The thing is, I, and apparently a whole lot of people both on FR and in my personal life, get the same vibe from the REPUBLICAN PARTY.
It's like "they," whoever "they" is in the republican party, have NO clue.
It's like they would have money to burn if they said what needs to be said, but they don't!
It's like they appear Soooo stupid it is either a furtively planned political arrangement, or a hopeless cause for individual dignity.
If one really really believes in conservatism then you can say it spontaneously from the heart. Debating is not a problem.
Although not a Rush Limbaugh regular, this IS his strength and brilliance.
Freedom is not government dependence! And all people, ALL people, even the selfish, myopic, lazy, AARP, can think, create, work, and prosper on their own God given abilities. It IS what made America!
“He’s just got a ‘manchurian candidate’ vibe to him”
In your humble opinion.
Mitt Romney is a fine man and I am proud to support him. He has a wonderful, strong, committed family life. He has a proven record of conservative leadership. He does not deserve all these cheap shots.