Romney: Proficient Yet Unloved

I would trust Romney with my money, but I would never let him hold my future child. Romney is a smart man who has proven that he can hold his own against his rivals in the Republican primary. At the October Republican primary presidential debate, he was quick and effective against Herman Cain on the state-tax issue, Rick Perry on several issues, and Newt Gingrich on the issue of the health-care mandate’s origins. Overall, it was a relatively stellar performance.

In a political climate where rhetoric and personality is held as a substitute for experience and political skill, I almost find Romney refreshing. Born and raised in Massachusetts, I have never heard someone criticize what Romney did for our state. What I have heard, reiterated over and over again, is people’s disappointment at his shifty denial of his liberal roots and his accomplishments as Governor. He is opportunist to the point that he is a chameleon. He is Governor of a typically blue state one day, and a conservative Mormon the next.

An article in the New York Times yesterday nailed Romney’s inaptitude to warmth.

The article describes Ms. McClanahan’s reaction to sitting next to Romney on a plane. Trying to be “one of the people,” Romney flew coach. However, just buying a coach ticket does not make you personable. About an hour into the flight, which Mr. Romney mostly spent reading USA Today and using an iPad while wearing headphones, McClanahan, a physician who heads a financial planning company and prides herself on having read every page of President Obama’s health care reform bill, told Romney her idea for improving the American health care system: slashing overhead costs by
switching to an electronic billing system. “He looked at me blankly and said, ‘I understand,’ then put his iPad headphones in and kept reading,” she said.

Typically, the American people choose a presidential candidate based on the “I want to have a beer with him” factor. Well, history has proven this to be ill-advised. Yes, I am referencing former President George W. Bush.

I am torn as far as Romney goes. On one hand, I have little patience for bumbling politicians who do not know what they are talking about. I believe Romney could actually do great things for our country, especially when we are in need of a president that will tackle the persistent financial crisis. However, I wish it were only “warmth” that Romney lacked. He lacks the courage of his own convictions. He lacks consistency. He, along with Michelle Bachmann, seems incapable of answering direct questions when they call into question the issues he’s supported in the past, but no longer does.

To be a great politician you need to be able to play the game. The public scorns this aspect of politics, but it is one that must not be overlooked. In the partisan climate of the Hill, you need to have friends, you need to play golf every now and then and be able to call in a favor for a favor. A little political bargaining and banter never hurt anyone. However, if Romney is only armed with his checkbook: that could just get illegal.

By: Leslie Horwitz

(Photo by Gage Skidmore under a Creative Commons license)