NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Republicans worried that former Gov. Mitt Romney might not be up to the task of presenting himself favorably to the convention attendees and viewing audience on Thursday night went to bed believing that they’d heard the words of the next president of the United States.
This was no wooden speech delivered by the man that some have labeled robotic. It was warm, humble, inspiring and sometimes fiery. It was a clear expression of a true leader, a man grounded in faith, family, community and belief in the power of the American spirit, the American idea and the American people.
He looked and sounded presidential.
As Romney made his way to the podium, shaking hands and greeting individuals thrilled to see him, I considered what he had to deliver in the speech to be successful. He needed to clearly introduce the man he is and explain his beliefs. He needed to explain what he’d done in his life that would lead him to be a successful president of the country.
He needed to take the fight to the current president in a way that was forceful but respectful. He needed to spell out what he and a Romney administration could and would deliver that is an improvement over the record and policies of the current administration. He needed to convince the country that he is a man of vision, ideas and action with a plan for success.
Romney achieved all of this and more.
He spoke as a man who throughout his life has delivered on promises and exceeded expectations. He spoke as a man who cares about the lives of real people, is not in the race for himself but for us and is worthy of our trust. He was very human. There was nothing grandiose, self-involved, condescending or out of touch, the very characteristics his opponents have tried to paint on him.
Romney introduced listeners to his boyhood, growing up in a warm and supportive family with loving parents who’d built a successful life from scratch and who were happily married for 63 years. He spoke of his love for his own wife and children, stating that he thought his wife, Ann, who was largely responsible for raising their five sons while he was on the road building a career, had a much harder job than he.
Romney also spoke of the many accomplished women he’d worked with in business and as governor of Massachusetts, including his lieutenant governor and half of his cabinet. He recalled his mother’s stating, when she herself decided to run for public office, that she didn’t believe that women had anything less important to say than men about running the country.
He spoke a great deal about success as something to be proud of working for and achieving, not something of which to be ashamed.
“The centerpiece of President Obama’s reelection campaign is attacking success,” Romney said. “Is it any wonder that someone who attacks success has led the worst economic recovery since the Great Depression? In America we celebrate success; we don’t apologize for success.”
“The centerpiece of President Obama’s reelection campaign is attacking success,” Romney said. “Is it any wonder that someone who attacks success has led the worst economic recovery since the Great Depression? In America we celebrate success; we don’t apologize for success.”
Romney also addressed two elements of his life that some had guessed he might skip over as his opponents have used them as avenues of attack: his Mormon faith and the ups and downs of Bain Capital, the business through which he built his substantial fortune.
He spoke very specifically of his goal to create 12 million new jobs through five major initiatives:
• Use our nation’s vast natural resources to achieve energy independence;
• Improve our nation’s education and schools to ensure that everyone has the skills and knowledge to succeed;
• Create trade agreements that benefit our people;xxx • Cut the deficit and get the country on track to a balanced budget;
• Champion small businesses by cutting taxes, reducing regulation and reduce healthcare costs, including repealing Obamacare.
Romney was occasionally a bit stiff when talking about himself and what he has accomplished in life, but that was OK. We were listening to a man who was humbly grateful for the opportunities he’d had in life to succeed and to use that success helping others. When Romney spoke about his belief in our country and we the people, when he spoke about what he intended to do if elected, no trace of awkwardness was apparent. He was strong and emotional.
Romney's words certainly appealed to the convention participants, who cheered, applauded, chanted and were brought to their feet time after time. Many tears were wiped from their eyes and cheeks, tears brought on by his moving stories, ideas, promises and strong beliefs.
Romney's candidacy was not about oceans receding and the planet healing, he stated. It was about us, our families and building a brighter future. He vowed to restore the promise of America. He delivered a heartfelt speech in a winning performance.
Romney's candidacy was not about oceans receding and the planet healing, he stated. It was about us, our families and building a brighter future. He vowed to restore the promise of America. He delivered a heartfelt speech in a winning performance.
To win in November, he has to convince the voters who have not yet tuned in or made up their minds that he has the right stuff. If the convention speech is any indicator, Romney's got a good shot at becoming the next president of the United States.
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