Romney is proficient but unloved

Columbia Daily Tribune ^ | October 27, 2011 | RICH LOWRY

[Cincinatus' Wife]

It might have been Mitt Romney’s most revealing moment in all the Republican debates. Badgered by Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who was continually interrupting him, Romney appealed to CNN moderator Anderson Cooper to reassert the rules of the debate: “Anderson?”

That one-word plaint could stand for all of Romney’s straight-arrowness. It is a virtue and a curse. “Scandal” and “Romney” are two words you expect never to have to see in a sentence together. He’s every bit as upstanding as you would expect from a former Mormon bishop, a father of five and grandfather of 16.

Romney is a familiar type. We’ve all known the guy who sits in the front of the classroom and raises his hand to answer every question. We might admire him or envy him, but we probably don’t like him. In 2008, the other Republican candidates hated Romney, and you got the feeling it was partly because he was richer and better-looking than they were. He has the same problem that the British statesman Benjamin Disraeli identified in his counterpart William Gladstone — “He had not a single redeeming defect.”

It is almost impossible to exaggerate the technical proficiency Romney has exhibited during the debates. There is no question for which he doesn’t have a ready, sometimes sophisticated answer. Whenever challenged — especially by Perry — he almost always bests his opponent. He’s like a boxer with a couple of extra inches on his reach compared with everyone else. Even when another candidate is talking, he has perfected a look of patient, benign attentiveness.

What’s missing, as usual with Romney, is a sense of warmth and heartfelt conviction. When Bill Clinton was confronted by someone with a sympathetic story, his reflex was to go in for a hug. Romney’s reflex is to go in for a crisp explanation of whatever is his relevant policy position, delivered smoothly and cogently, if distantly. It’s as if he sees people as inputs into his hard drive from which he reliably downloads the most appropriate intellectual output.

Romney talks of how he loves data, and his ability to master it is one of his foremost strengths. Data don’t move people, though.

The difference between Herman Cain, who has generated spontaneous excitement, and Mitt Romney is captured in their economic plans. Cain’s depends on three simple numbers, 999, that have captured the imagination of a slice of the Republican electorate. In what he admits is almost a self-parody, Romney has a 59-point plan that hasn’t made an impression on anyone. Cain’s fearlessly bold plan is badly flawed and would almost certainly blow up in a general election. Romney’s plan is carefully crafted for maximum survivability.

Then again, everything feels carefully crafted in the Romney campaign. He has spent five years honing his positions down to what’s appetizing enough for Republicans yet inoffensive to persuadable general-election voters. The exception is his Massachusetts health care reform, his signature initiative that is structurally indistinguishable from Obamacare and clangingly crosswise with the philosophical center of gravity of the GOP. Although Romney can cite differences between his plan and Obama’s, they don’t always bear close examination. Sure, to cite one, Romney didn’t cut Medicare to pay for his reform — but governors can’t cut Medicare!

Romney has a likability and trust gap. It’s one reason he has been near the top of the field all year yet has never opened up the kind of lead traditionally associated with front-runners.

If Republican voters conclude there’s no one else in the field who is plausible as president or a general-election candidate, Romney will win, but it will be an act of calculation rather than passion. A former management consultant who couldn’t rabble-rouse if he wanted to, Romney would be a most unusual vessel for a party overflowing with populist enthusiasms.

Romney can impress, but he doesn’t naturally inspire or connect. That leaves an opening for others, even as he executes nearly flawlessly.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Few will crawl over broken glass to vote for this man.

TURN OUT is going to be critical. Anywhere a race is close, the Dems will engage in voter fraud and win.

I say the reason Gov. Rick Perry has been so vilified is because he outshines Romney on likability, conservatism and substance.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Whenever challenged — especially by Perry — he almost always bests his opponent. He’s like a boxer with a couple of extra inches on his reach compared with everyone else. Even when another candidate is talking, he has perfected a look of patient, benign attentiveness.

That's -- I'm running for office, for Pete's sake, I can't have illegals. [video clip] -- Mitt Romney, GOP presidential debate - October 18, 2011 - Las Vegas, NV

Rudy Giuliani asked Mitt Romney the same question in the 2008 CNN debate that Rick Perry asked him during the CNN 2011 debate -- Mitt lost it both times.

Nov 28, 2008 CNN-YouTube Debate: Sound familiar? [LOOK who interrupts whom!!]

Funny Accent Mitt Romney, discussing reports illegal immigrants did landscaping at his home: It would "not be American" to check workers' papers simply because they have a "funny accent."

[TexasFreeper2009]

Romney would be very proficient at implementing his liberal agenda, which is why he can't poll higher than 20% usually.

[9YearLurker]

How can anyone say he is “proficient” in the context of a presidential candidate, when his one term in public office, as MA guv, was just short of disaster?

And given his poor gubernatorial record, how can anyone argue that his record as a businessman demonstrates that he’d be effective in political office?

Then there’s the whole question of what exactly he’d be proficient in accomplishing if he were prez, given his propensity to spin and twist and turn in and out of any stated political agenda?

[Jack Hammer]

“That one-word plaint could stand for all of Romney’s straight-arrowness.”

He’s only a straight arrow on the surface; go beneath the outer polish and the glib expressiveness, and he’s got more twists and turns than a pit of snakes.

Too bad so many fall for his act’ as he proved as governor of Massachusetts, he’ll say and/or do anything to get elected, then revert to Liberal form.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

[Grunthor]

“outshines Romney on likability”

A rabid wolf with explosive diarrhea is more likable than Mitt Romney. Not a high standard.

Perry beats Romney on both substance and conservatism as well. Again, beating Romney on either of those things....not setting the bar real high.

Grunthors list (in order) of candidates he would support (in the primary) Cain, Gingrich, Santorum, Perry, Bachmann. That is all.

[Lady Lucky]

“That one-word plaint could stand for all of Romney’s straight-arrowness.”

Enough to model Arrow shirts maybe. To be POTUS, not.

[Psalm 144]

“Few will crawl over broken glass to vote for this man.”

More will crawl over broken glass to vote against him.

[dead]

[sergeantdave]

Whenever I see Romney, he reminds of how my cat looks before he coughs up a hairball.

[livius]

Proficient in what? Also, to me, Romney looks and speaks like an android.

[onyx]

Everyone here is smarter than that one.


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Everyone here is smarter than that one.


Please Donate Today!

[2ndDivisionVet]

Proficient at what? Setting up expensive state-run boondoggles and cozying up to Islam? We already have a guy doing that for us.

[smoothsailing]

This is where Perry excels....

http://conhomeusa.typepad.com/video/2011/10/rick-perry-first-ad.html

Targetted TV ads!

[ConservativeDude]

At this point, I would consider myself quite worried about the “inevitable” Romney nomination, and his loss to Obama.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Perry's ads are GOOD!

President ZERO 2,027,000 views

Obama/RomneyCare Romney's Remedy 199,000 views

Carbon Copies Romney: "That plant kills people!" 20,000 views

Perry on Obama 3:47 Oct 2011

Perry's CPAC speech was GREAT -- he starts out slow, winds up and then hits it out of the park!

The LINK

[Cincinatus' Wife]

You are a broken record of lies:

David Stein: Debunking the Rick Perry “Pro-Shraria” School Curriculum Myth

Amil Imani Governor Perry's Islam Connection ………”No matter how I tried, I couldn't reach the conclusion that this inclusion promotes Islam or is pro-Sharia. It seems that the mere fact that Islam is included in the curriculum represents supporting it. And with regard to the concern that the education curriculum Perry promoted is pro-Arab and against Israel, the evidence is exactly the opposite. The lesson on Israel reads: …”

[shield]

Perry Ping....

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