The Romney campaign is better at dismantling than mantling. They’re better at taking opponents apart than building a compelling candidate of their own. They do not seem capable of deepening his meaning, making his stands and statements more textured and interesting. He comes across like a businessman who studied the data and came up with the formula that will make the deal.
A particular problem is that he betrays little indignation at any of our problems and their causes. He’s always sunny, pleasant, untouched by anger. This leaves people thinking, “Excuse me, but we are in crisis. Financially and culturally we fear our country is going down the drain. This guy doesn’t seem to be feeling it. So why’s he running? Maybe he thinks it’s his personal destiny to be president. But if the animating passion of his candidacy is about him, not us, who needs him?”
Mitt Romney’s aides are making the classic mistake of thinking the voters want maturity, serenity and a jolly spirit. What they want is a man who knows what time it is, who has a passion to reform our country, and who yet holds these qualities within a temperament that is mature, serene and jolly. Newt Gingrich has half the package: He has a passion to reform, but it exists inside a crazy suit. Mitt has no particular passion within an obviously sane suit.
Which leads to Rick Santorum. Nobody in the conservative base hates Rick. Newt is hated by many and Mitt by some. Mr. Santorum is liked. He has real indignation about what’s happened to America, and he brings passion to his ideas about reform. He’s got little money, little organization—there’s no broad assumption he can pull it off. And by the time the Romney campaign is done dismantling him, he may have some people who hate him. But this will only underscore the Romney campaign’s reputation for destroying, not creating. And nobody loves a Death Star.
Newt’s not done and could rise again. I keep thinking of what a sage old pol, a veteran former GOP governor, said two weeks ago. He turned to me in conversation and said, “By the way, don’t call it a brokered convention. That’s what the media and the Democrats will call it because it implies there are brokers. Call it a contested convention because that’s what it will be, contested.” Could it really come to that? The odds, he said, are still way against it. “But they’re probably the best in my lifetime.”
Read More at The Wall Street Journal By Peggy Noonan, The Wall Street Journal
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Barbara J Struble says,
I believe that Gingrich and Santorum have records for anti constitution / one world government that will remove them from candidacy.
Romney has none and he is a Republican moderate – he is still the one we constitutional conservative Americans must take on. There is a way – Dr. Ronald Paul. Please check his consistent record and consider joining the liberty love/revolution.
Peace,
on 10 February 2012 / 6:49 PM
brenda ward says,
Barb, Senator Santorum carries his pocket copy of the constitution. He understands what is happening to our country. He is pro-business and pro-people. Don’t buy into the ugly rumors that Ron Paul spreads. Check out Rick Santorum.com and then go listen to his speech at Oral Roberts University. He is the only true conservative in this race who doesn’t want to win by tearing down the other candidates with lies and half truths.
on 11 February 2012 / 8:45 AM
siteunseen says,
If Rick Santorum carries a Pocket Constitution, maybe he should read it once in awhile. He doesn’t seem to mind about Government Bailouts, or Planned Barrenhood contributions coming from our tax dollars. He also has a record of restrictions on gun rights. He also voted against the “Right to Work” act. He’s for big Labor, big Government. He’s not the people’s candidate which you think he is. Check his record.
on 12 February 2012 / 2:38 PM
Skycamsnonna says,
This was the year Huckabee should have been in. He is liked by most. He has the passion and the personality to be out there.
I loved Cain. The left and right destroyed him out of fear. Cain is the one I would most enjoy having my cup of coffee with and discussing politics. I did not believe the sexual allegations. I do believe he helped someone out in a financial bind.
I really like Newt but he tends to shoot himself in the foot. I am leaning toward Santorum and asking God to guide us. We need God back in this Country. I believe this is our last ditch effort to restore God which will restore America.
on 11 February 2012 / 5:29 AM
Kevin Kobayashi says,
RP and MR will lose again.
We The People aren’t that stupid.
on 11 February 2012 / 5:58 AM