ORLANDO -- Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney descended upon the Republican National Convention in Tampa on a mission: to humanize himself and dispel caricatures portraying him as a corporate raiding automaton focused on profits and losses, not people.
If that was Romney’s aim, his forceful acceptance speech achieved solid footing for the 65-year-old successful businessman to capitalize on during the upcoming sprint to Nov. 6.
President Barack Obama finds himself in a difficult fight. The economy is not good for the average American, which is a crucial disadvantage for the president’s re-election efforts. Romney touched on that, but more so talked about American promise.
On policy, Romney lacked specifics. I don’t see this being problematic. Suffice to say, candidates have to address their weak points. Voters open to Romney’s pitch aren’t questioning his analytical skills—or his competency. They know he can govern.
Questions do abound about Romney’s personality—his ability to be empathetic to regular people.
Polls suggest Americans trust Romney with the economy slightly more than the President. Those same polls reveal the President Obama’s likability numbers better. That was where Romney aimed tonight. Much of Romney’s speech explained himself—the real Mitt Romney.
If there was a central success to the speech, it was Romney's warm explanation of his future life at one time was not certain prosperity. Like all people, he struggled and doubted. He asked whether he had made a big mistake with Bain Capital. Was the risk worth it?
Romney explained how his wife, Anne, and he struggled to raise their kids just like most American parents. He expressed his distant dreams to build his own life outside the protection of his father, George Romney, a former governor of Michigan.
In all this, I think Romney succeeded.
Obama campaign aides have talked about the necessity of framing candidate Mitt Romney as radioactive before the fall battle. Romney set that plan back, successfully.
Questions come to mind if Romney can maintain this and this is where the election will be won or lost. There is an effluvia of disconnect in the nation.
Polls suggest the American people are tempted to replace President Barack Obama. In these situations, the standard falls on the challenger to make the American people comfortable with making that change.
Romney took a step forward answering that question in the positive. Finally, it was not that Mitt Romney was especially superb in his speech. No, it was that Romney became large where he once appeared small. He was great where he often has been lousy.
Romney took a step forward answering that question in the positive. Finally, it was not that Mitt Romney was especially superb in his speech. No, it was that Romney became large where he once appeared small. He was great where he often has been lousy.
And the Republican Presidential nominee was personal where he once seemed distant. Mitt Romney connected emotionally. That is one thing the Obama campaign feared.
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