Republicans love a safe bet. Wealthy, telegenic, well-connected and persuasive behind closed doors. They invoke former president Ronald Reagan because he was a winner, not because of policy.
With former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, more than a few insiders have found the perfect candidate. No sticky personal issues. And he possesses the inhuman level of ambition it takes to win.
Romney attended Brigham Young University, then went on to earn his MBA from Harvard Business School and receive his law degree from Harvard Law School. The son of wealthy and influential George Romney, Mitt grew up not unlike Al Gore. George Romney was a lion. He was Chairman of the American Motors Corporation for nearly a decade, then the much beloved Governor of Michigan from 1963 to 1969.
In February 1968, George Romney conceded defeat in the Republican primary. Nixon was strong, and went on to win the general election. There can be little doubt that Mitt Romney keeps his father's mistake in mind, every time a question about the necessity of the war in Iraq comes up. George Romney's abortive campaign for the presidency was all but over after he uttered, "When I came back from Viet Nam [in November 1965], I'd just had the greatest brainwashing that anybody can get. I no longer believe that it was necessary for us to get involved in South Vietnam to stop Communist aggression in Southeast Asia..."
Moving out from underneath his father's shadow proved easier for Mitt than it ever was for Al Gore, whose father was a legendary US Senator. Mitt was comfortable in his own skin early. He went to college, grad school, law school, found the right wife, and set out for a life of substantial financial success and public service.
At Bain & Co., then Bain Capital, Romney demonstrated a great aptitude for the art of the deal. He absorbed data and metrics, then churned out successful venture after successful venture. In 1994, his political ambitions came to the fore. He won the Republican nomination for US Senate and challenged Democratic incumbent, Senator Ted Kennedy. Romney ran as a pragmatist, disavowed Reagan-Bush, declared his support for a woman's right to choose and lost. Big Time.
Article comments
1 - pearson
I don't agree with this article. The author assumes that we need a loveable unperfect celebrity as president so we wouldn't feel guilty for our many flaws. Whatever happened to striving for the best? If we've got a candidate with such a succesful track record, or as this article states: "He absorbed data and metrics, then churned out successful venture after successful venture." why wouldn't we use this as strong evidence that maybe this guy knows what he's doing? Then maybe we might also have a chance to get over our own imperfections and learn from the successes of others.
2 - AC
What's wrong with a leader who strives for excellence in everything that he does? In my book, that is leadership in it's highest form.
3 - Media Lizzy
The point, folks, is that it is all a little "too" perfect. His success, however impressive, is suited for managing - not leading. He might make the best Secretary of the Treasury.
He has the "Slick" moniker attached to him. Voters want to know that Romney is REAL - not going after the presidency to punch a hole in his dance card. The future of the Republic isn't a Rich Man's Toy.
4 - Taylor
Fascinating! This has got to be a first -- criticism over a lack of things to criticize.
Which is it -- do we want a president who doesn't try his best? Or whose best isn't that much better than the average "Joe"?
Let's see if I follow... Romney has made too many good choices. When faced with difficult decisions it would be better if he had made more of them that (publicly at least) hadn't turned out so well for him.
If only he were a bit uglier, or that his wife had a chip on her shoulder -- or that there was some dark part of his past that offered something juicy for reporters to delve into.
I guess the author thinks that the American voter prefers people who haven't showed consistency in good judgement. A little less discipline perhaps?
How about an article with a bit better topical judgement and editorial discipline?
5 - handyguy
All hair and smile and untrustworthiness. His exploitation of the gay marriage issue is just one example of his lack of character.
We've just seen how appalling two terms under an "MBA president" can be - does anyone still believe that's a qualification?
And even our current incompetent MBA in chief admits Guantanamo should be closed [easy to say!] - but Smilin' Mitt says he wants to double the size of the Cuban prison and put even more suspects in jail there indefinitely without charging or trying them.
An awful man.
6 - Baronius
This article seems to have a lot of petty attacks on The Romneys' good looks. But I think it missed the big struggle in his campaign. He does have a sticky personal issue: his religion. That could scare away more people than a divorce or a lesbian daughter.
7 - Media Lizzy
Baronius:
The attacks aren't petty - Romney and his campaign have marketed him as the good looking, athletic guy. They are driving that train. As evidenced by his TV ad where he's running in his shorts along a tree lined road.
I agree, the religion issue may be sticky - but it has yet to gain real traction. I will say this, if it proves out that his campaign or one of his advisers green-lighted the push polls in Iowa & New Hampshire --- what might have been a non-issue will quickly become the Only Issue.
I will be writing a follow up on the push poll story, with a lot of sources that indicate a coming storm. As of today though - the storm is still on a distant horizon and Team Romney is trying to run out the clock.
8 - frofreak
Media Lizzy,
It's sounds from that last comment that you are already convinced that he or his campaign is guilty of instigating the whole "push-polling" fiasco, and seem to imply that they are just hoping to have the nomination wrapped up before it come out. Do you have evidence that this evidence exists? In other words, on what basis do you form your conclusion that they were the culprits? If there is no evidence yet (though it is only a matter of time, right?), then aren't they assumed innocent until proven otherwise? Predictions based on nothing are called fantasies, simple as that. But that's just my opinion, I suppose.
9 - Media Lizzy
FroFreak -
I drew no conclusions about guilt or innocence. There has been a great deal of reporting on the push polls from reputable and very reliable sources.
Politics is rarely about fairness. And perceptions drive the day. Noting that there may be a coming political storm indicates nothing, other than - a storm is coming.
As I said, a follow up column with the best obtainable version of the truth is forthcoming. So stay tuned.
10 - Mary
You are incorrect when you say that Mitt Romney lost to Ted Kennedy "big time." The election was as close as Ted Kennedy ever came to losing his Senate seat, and featured some nasty last minute campaign dirty tricks by some Romney supporters. I remember walking down a street in the Boston suburb I was living in at the time and seeing a scurrilous caricature of Kennedy pasted onto the sides of every mail box I passed.
11 - Raymond Takashi Swenson
A lot of people are envious of perfection. Handsome, rich, smart, religious, a good dad, a good grandfather, a proven leader. How awful for all you imperfect people who covet what he has earned through his intelligence and hard work and faithfulness to his family and church.
Your column reminds me of the governor who was notified of the death of his state's senator. When the man he appointed to fill the seat was called a stupid jackass, the governor responded that the jackasses in his state deserved to be represented in Congress. Obviously, you are searching for a jackass to represent you in the White House.
12 - Media Lizzy
Au contraire. What I want is a real leader, with real depth. The next president needs more than an impressive CV and great looks. He/She must possess authentic gravitas, when it comes to matters of military affairs - national security - homeland security - working with the effectively - an understanding of how the process really works. Platitudes are not sufficient.
Financial success does not a president make. And purchasing success is far different than earning it.
Give me Joe Biden. John McCain. What does Mitt Romney know of human rights issues, other than his blind trust saw fit to invest in the Sudan? What does Mitt Romney know of the day to day struggles of the average Soldier/Sailor/Airman/Marine? Where was Mitt Romney when he received his deferment, while men like John McCain were doing real service to the cause of freedom? What does Mitt Romney know about life as a single mother, or more pointedly - a Gold Star Family?
Absolutely nothing. If you equate good looks and wealth with making the best candidate for president, you are certainly entitled to that opinion. But I want a president with real experience. And Mitt Romney is short on that.
13 - Baronius
See, Lizzy, that's what we were all digging for from you. It's not his strong style that bothers you; it's his weak substance. We can debate whether the man lacks gravitas. We were getting nowhere debating whether he looks good.
14 - Dave Nalle
I'm just against Romney because he's a Mormon. Bad enough I'll probably have to vote for a christian, but even that's better than a goofy cultist.
Dave
15 - Media Lizzy
Thanks, Baronius. Part of my style - occasionally - is to lay down the bait. I love to watch as people make assumptions and defend the absurd. For example, how Mitt Romney's looks and financial prowess are actually substantive reasons that qualify him to lead the United States - and become the most powerful man on earth.
If Mitt Romney can make a real argument about why he, more than any other, is qualified to handle Iran, Iraq, Syria, the creation of a Palestinian state, North Korea, the rise of China, OPEC, global warming, domestic spending, a fractured US House and Senate, nominate qualified federal judges, and handle Vladmir Putin, end the crisis in Darfur, and forcefully argue for meeting the Milennium Development Goals - then fine, he has a right to run. So far, he's been all veneer - and no teeth.
16 - Jon H.
Media Lizzy,
The very things you put forth as deficits in Mr. Romney are actually there in abundance--he has them. You just have not done your homework far and wide enough. Your accessments are off as well--they seem like wishful thinking on your part. You blew it!
Now go out and finish your research. Here's a hint...most of what you missed comes from people who are close to Mr. Romney or did some quality face-to-face with him. And guess what... some are even democrats.
17 - Caroline
I'm tired of all this Mormon talk, I just Love Mr. Mitt Romney, he is still my squeaky clean, moral, righteous US President the whole world will ever meet and know. Let us vote for him, he brings hope for a parent like me that there is a way to reach the goal of perfection in marriage and family.
18 - Dave Nalle
I'm about 900% sure that 'moral righteousness' is about the last thing I'm looking for in a President.
Dave
19 - Baronius
Dave, don't you think that bad personal character reflects a tendency toward bad professional character? It doesn't work the other way though. I don't assume that a person is honorable at their job if they appear to have a decent personal life. I guess I'm saying that Romney's seeming decency doesn't persuade me, but Giuliani's trainwreck of a personal life does concern me.