Wizbang takes a look at the current 2008 Republican slate of Presidential candidates, and has some good things to say about Mitt Romney, after first dismissing McCain as just another United States Senator who can’t win at the Presidential level. He has a point, and lists several examples, including Senators Kerry, Dole, Dukakis, Mondale. As I recall, the last United States senator who actually landed in the Oval Office was JFK, and that was way back in the 1960’s.
Wizbang doesn’t think too much of Rudy from N.Y. either. He doesn’t have the staying power required for along national campaign. I also think Rudy’s personal life will likely be an issue during a Presidential campaign.
On Romney, Wizbang notes:
What about Romney? It’s wrong to think that folks are all that worried about a Mormon becoming President – I don’t see that it will matter if he can get past his real anchor – he’s from Massachusetts, but is a Republican. He’s everything the Democrats hate, so he may not even carry his home state, normally the kiss of death for a national contender, and Republicans are not all that excited by Romney, mostly because he has not been around the ‘Red Meat’ Republicans that usually do well in elections. I’d lock Romney in a room with a bunch of Reagan speeches, along with the ones which Dubs did well. I’d even throw in a few of the G.H.W. Bush speeches from his 1980 and 1988 campaigns – if “Poppy” Bush can sound manly by studying ‘Red Meat’ speechifying, then Romney could do well to learn it. As it is, he stands out kind of like Kerry at a NASCAR event. And it just makes sense to be as un-Kerry-like as possible.
So, Romney can use some Gipper training, and a more blue collar appeal–but, from what I’ve seen Romney’s a pretty quick study. One thing I like about Romney is that like Reagan he has that wholesome all American appeal–but unlike Reagan Romney has a great deal of substance. Though Reagan had substance (unlike George Bush who has absolutely none) Reagan just didn’t seem to have the intellectual fire power that Romney has at his command. Wizbang’s post again confirms my theory Romney is getting very serious consideration by mainstream media and blogs. So–how would he stack up against Hillary? 
August 2, 2006 at 10:34 am
I was surprised to see that Hillary did horribly in a straw poll of TNR (The New Republic) Online readers. Many hardcore democrats don’t want her to win the nomination because they don’t think she has a chance in the national election, and I think they’re probably right. I think Romney could definitely beat Clinton in a national election. Others just don’t like her politics, especially her semi-hawkishness.
The one thing I’m sure I like about Romney is something you mentioned: he seems really smart. He may not be any smarter than Giulianni or McCain, but he certainly exudes more smarts. Giulianni exudes skeeziness and McCain is a bit of a brick wall. And, on an even more superficial note, they both talk funny.
August 2, 2006 at 10:42 am
In a way, for me that is a scary thought. I don’t know the answer to your question.
I do think all kinds of politicians and others could learn a lot from Reagan. If the polls were against what Reagan wanted, he gave a speech. Next day the polls were in his favor. Very talented.
August 2, 2006 at 6:08 pm
Eric, Reagan had a skill very few had. Same with Clinton. And perhaps JFK. But you are right and that is something Republicans should have noticed with Bush prior to the nomination. (Although as many have noticed Bush’s speaking ability was actually reasonably good when he was governor)
August 3, 2006 at 4:19 am
Tom: I think that is true . . . many don’t think she is electable. I think she would actually be a pretty good president. She is as bright as Bill Clinton (which makes her light years ahead of George Bush). She’s also much more disciplined that Bill Clinton. But, she is a woman, and I just don’t know if in the deep dark recesses of the voting booth Americans in sufficient numbers will pull the lever for her. If Mitt gets the nomination, even though I like Hillary, I’m leaning toward Mitt; however, if my choice is between McCain and Hillary, I will definitely pull the lever for her.
Eric: Reagan was naturally talented . . . probably from all his show business days. He was governor out here in CA, as you know. I never cared for Reagan–though there was always something likeable about the guy. He is not at all like George Bush, who is extremly dislikable.
Clark: Ah JFK . . . those were the days my friend–we thought they’d never end (though of course they did–all too soon) I’m not sure we’ll see anyone quite like JFK in our respective lifetimes, ever again.
August 3, 2006 at 7:24 pm
Guy, it wasn’t just his show business days. He had a radio show where he made political editorials. He worked on it quite heavily. Writing and rewriting. Many of those editorials have been collected into a book. However this process, over many years, taught him how to distill points down to their core in a brief but memorable fashion. So it definitely wasn’t, as some of his political foes suggested, acting ability. The ability to speak well undoubtedly was a skill his acting helped with. But the key to his success was his ability to take his ideas and communicate them. And that is something acting, which is basically an “empty art” in the sense of content, didn’t help with.
As for Hilary. I think she’s electable but unfortunately as with the previous Clinton and Bush it would be yet an other four or eight years of a horribly polarized country right when we need unity. I truly fear for our nation if she is elected. (On many levels) I thought she didn’t have a chance of winning the nomination for a while. But she, much like McCain, has been pretty caging about working the system. At this stage unless there is an upset in the debates or some scandal, I think she has it wrapped up. But it will be a tumultuous campaign if she gets the nomination.
Regarding George W. Bush, I think he’s tremendously likable. Indeed I think that likability is key to his success. It’s just that he’s a horrible manager in a job where management is important. There were signs that this was true prior to his election. But Republicans downplayed them. (I should add this is a worry I have with McCain as well — at least with Guiliani and Romney that’s not really a worry)
People dislike George Bush primarily because of the close election with Gore that polarized things and then due to the natural political situation with a polarized electorate and a narrowly divided congress. I think had that election in 2000 given Bush more of a mandate he’d have had more success (although arguably his management errors would have been at least as bad) The final reasons people found Bush unlikable came because the Iraq war went bad, Katrina was mishandled and because the 2004 election was so close. Also he played politics too much with the war in 2002 and 2003 which, especially when the war turned bad, alienated people.
But had Iraq been not so badly bungled and Katrina didn’t happen I think you’d have had people still talking about how likable he was.
August 4, 2006 at 6:06 am
Clark: You are right that Reagan was involved in radio–but can’t one include that as show business? I think Reagan’s past in radio and televison paved the way for his political career. I otherwise agree with your Reagan analysis.
I am also in agreement with you on Hillary. I think she would be a good President. I believe she has the capacity to be a good leader–whether she would be is another story all together. Bush, the most divisive of leaders, for a short period of time after 9/11 did and said the right things and unified many Americans. Even I supported his Afghanistan war. If Romney does not get the republican nod, I will likely support her if she is the democratic nominee. (sounds a little inconsistent–yes, I know).
George Bush–well I don’t really know where to start. It appears we have a fundamental disagreement on him. I don’t find him likable in the least. Nor, do I think he as been successful as an American president or world leader.
We do agree on one thing: his management skills. He is an abysmal failure (or miserable failure). I don’t dislike him because he won a close election. I dislike him because of his omni present smug, arrogant demeanor. I dislike him because he apparently considers only a very limited range of input and ideas from those around him. He is politically dogmatic–almost an American version of a Shiite if you will.
The reasons the war in Iraq turned bad is that it was premised on a flawed and fatal policy from the beginning. It was further mishandled each step of the way. There will be no good ending in Iraq.
Anyway, I could drone on forever about Bush’s short comings, and this is supposed to be a post about Mitt Romney. I believe Mitt can help rescue the republican party in 2008. I don’t think McCain is capable of this. Mitt is a fresh face (one with charisma I might add). He is an excellent administrator, and also a true leader. While he may be more politically conservative than I would otherwise like–I would support him if he got the republican nod. He would bring something fresh to Washington–something we certainly need.
Thanks for your political insights–I enjoy reading them.
August 4, 2006 at 7:09 am
Guy,
“I believe Mitt can help rescue the republican party in 2008. I don’t think McCain is capable of this”
I agree. I think McCain has been bought by Rove and is no longer an independent thinker, as he used to be. He’s been capitulating to Bush policy too often. Romney has the outside factor. He has not been trapped in D.C. He also has a track record of reorganizing a mismanaged mess in the Salt Lake Olympics.
August 4, 2006 at 7:22 am
Dan: I’ve been terribly disappointed by McCain’s almost wholesale adoption of Bush’s war policy. It is just sickening. I no longer support John McCain for President. The once great free thinking straight talking express has derailed itself–and for all people–George Bush. How sad!
August 12, 2006 at 7:18 am
I find it interesting that Mitt Romney mentioned “Ike” as one of his favorite presidents…
September 14, 2006 at 10:25 pm
[...] Do We Really Want Romney??? By Jared E. There has been quite a bit of buzz around the bloggernackle about a Romney presidency. Over at The Messenger and Advocate and especially at The Millennial Star they seem fairly excited about the prospect. Mitt Romney is the conservative Mormon Massachusetts governor. I would just like to ask the question: is a Mormon president in the best interest of the Church? [...]