A Rare Test of Character

During Mitt Romney's years as the president of Bain Capital, he undoubtedly had many tests of his character, but one particular time his reaction to a rare situation spoke volumes about the type of person he really is.

***

In 1996, Mitt Romney's business partner at Bain Capital, Robert Gay, became extremely distraught when his 14-year-old daughter went missing after attending a party in New York City.  It had been three days and no one had heard from her--truly a family's worst nightmare.

Upon hearing the news, Mitt Romney saw his friend suddenly a panic-stricken, helpless and desperate father and rather than simply offer support and condolences, he did more.  He immediately shut down the Boston office and called all 30 Bain partners and employees into action and arranged for them to fly to New York City in order to facilitate a massive search.

Romney set up a command center in the heart of Manhattan, hired private detectives, established a toll free tip line number and successfully distributed thousands of "Missing" fliers throughout the heavily populated city.  He even rallied his company's NYC law firm and accounting firm Pricewaterhousecooper's to help with the massive undertaking.

Word was getting out.  Business executives were seen combing the streets.  It caught the attention of local media stations.  They tirelessly worked through the night and their efforts were not in vain.  The next day a young teenage boy called to ask if there was a reward for information about the girl.  He immediately hung up, but the police were able to trace the call to a home in New Jersey where the 14-year-old girl was found in a basement suffering from a life threatening dose of ecstasy.

***

A Super PAC supporting Romney released this video depicting these events. (Click here for link).

Defining moments.  Character matters.

As I have mentioned before here, it has long been said that "Character is what defines us when no one is looking."  Character is an indicator for how we will act under difficult circumstances.  Character is who we really are.

When no one was watching, Mitt Romney was different.  He instinctively acted.  He was instinctively compassionate.  He instinctively offered his time to help a desperate friend rescue a helpless girl and this instinctive leadership probably saved her life.

I have no doubt that this is who Mitt Romney really is and that these same instincts will guide his presidency.

Evidence of the "Real" Mitt?

As I mentioned here, the media loves to talk about Mitt Romney and his "image problem."  Reporters are constantly describing him as stiff, awkward, reserved, out-of-touch and "not real."

Okay, I'll give it to them.  Mitt Romney isn't the most laid back guy around, but who cares?  I am not looking for a buddy.  I am looking for a leader, a professional and I am looking for something different.

Although I have never met the man, I have always thought these media depictions could not be completely accurate.  I can't imagine that someone who has been as successful as Mitt Romney would have a personality problem.  He would never be where he is today if he was "that" guy.

Well today, buzz feed.com released a collection of pictures from the blog of one of the Romney daughters-in-law.  The 25 photo collection shows Mitt Romney in real life. These pictures capture Mitt as a normal, likable, and sweet grandpa who adores his grand kids and family.

Click here to see the photos and enjoy taking a peek at the real Mitt Romney.

Photo from buzz feed.com

Once again, Mitt Romney doesn't have an image problem, the media has a problem with how they choose to portray him.  Big difference.

But truth be said, Mitt does have a problem--a problem with the way he is perceived.  He needs to address it or voters will continue to find reasons to vote for a more "likable candidate" even if that candidate isn't qualified to be president.

Mitt and his team have something they can learn from these photos.  Show this side of Mitt!  Because America needs Mitt...even this version of him.

But, let's be honest, these pictures are his political critics' worst nightmare....

Sorry Santorum--No Such Thing As A Do-Over

I think Rick Santorum woke up this morning wishing he could have a do-over, but in politics, there is no such thing.  And worse yet, soundbites and media frenzy will continue to extend the life of last night's nightmare debate performance.

Photo from The New Yorker

For Santorum, last night was a disaster.  By all accounts, he was the clear loser.  He came into the debate with a huge advantage--namely surging poll numbers and the coveted media buzz highlighting the excitement surrounding his candidacy.  Advantages that for two weeks, Santorum effectively drained away from his rivals.

But in politics, everything can change in a day...

***

Today, Rick Santorum's popular message of being the "only true conservative" is no longer effective.  This message got muddied up last night and oddly enough, Santorum did it to himself.

Santorum walked on stage with the advantage and yet, he wasn't able to profit from any of it.   His rivals were able to effectively portray him as a product of Washington DC--an overspending politician who over and over puts party before principle.  Santorum spent most of the night rambling on about why voted for bills he opposed.  It wasn't good.  He left the stage a bruised and weakened candidate.

Photo from Politico.com

When questioned about some of his votes, Santorum said, "I have to admit, I voted for that (No Child Left Behind).  It was against the principles I believed in, but you know, when you're part of a team, sometimes you take one for the team, for the leader, and I made a mistake."

Hmm.  This didn't exactly help his war cry of being an individual that is "consistently" and "courageously" conservative.

His weakest moment came when he tried to defend his position on earmarks.  He once again defended the practice of earmarks and said that "Congress has a role of allocating resources." He defended his $1 billion earmark record, but not very well.

He became so tangled in his explanation that he actually ended up helping Mitt Romney.  He tried to point out that Romney had secured earmarks for security measures for the Salt Lake Olympics.  His tangled attack however, made Romney's Olympic earmarks seem valiant and a justified federal expense.  The nail in the coffin came when Romney pointed out that Santorum had actually supported Mitt Romney's earmark effort when he voted to approve federal funds for the Olympics.

Oops.  Santorum must have forgotten that conservatives view earmarks as corrupt practices which allow wasteful government spending.  By defending it, he portrayed himself as anything but a true fiscal conservative.

To make matters worse, CNN reported today that during the debate, Google searches for the word "earmark" spiked 2300%.  (click to read CNN article).  Yeah, I am pretty sure that Santorum is not thrilled that an increase of 2300% means more people are better educated on the controversial spending habits of our politicians.

Some of the strongest zingers of the night came from Representative Ron Paul.  The moderator John King asked Paul about his new campaign ad depicting Senator Santorum as a "fake fiscal conservative." When asked why he depicts Santorum as a "fake," Ron Paul responded, "Because he's a fake." He portrayed Santorum as a typical candidate--one who overspends as a politician, but as a candidate, claims to be fiscally conservative, one who suddenly advocates to repeal all the expensive bills he had voted to approve.

Ron Paul made Santorum look like a hypocrite.  Unfortunately Santorum's record compared with his campaign message shows that he is.

***

We are now five days from the pivotal Michigan and Arizona primaries.  Mitt Romney, the clear winner of last night's debate is campaigning today with a swing in his step.  On the other hand, Rick Santorum is campaigning, but will undoubtedly be stuck in his now muddied message.  Will it resonate?  Has his turn at the top expired?

Santorum is desperate for some big name endorsers to spin attention away from his damaging remarks, but as I mentioned here, Rick Santorum doesn't have any big endorsements.  No colleagues, no senators, no representatives, no governors have endorsed him.  No one, but Santorum can rally to his defense.  Is it going to be enough?  

(On a day like today, it is clear that endorsements matter).

This process has been a volatile roller coaster ride, but one thing has remained constant and that constant is Mitt Romney.  Despite the resistance to his candidacy, attacks from all sides, and rejection from the ultra conservative base, Mitt Romney continues to survive.  He continues to rise to the top.

Getty Images

***

The purists continue to reject him and even if Romney wins on Tuesday, the purists will still resist and continue seeking the anti-Mitt candidate.  However, I would be willing to bet that Mitt Romney will survive...again.

Why?  Mitt Romney survives not because he is clever or because he has a better organization, he survives because Mitt Romney is a remarkable candidate.  A remarkable leader whose experience makes him unique.  A candidate whose successes make him different, whose skills make him valuable.  Mitt Romney will be a weapon for our party.  He will be an invaluable asset to our country.

I think it is time to rally.  Time to rally behind the candidate with the best chances of beating Barack Obama.  Time to rally behind the candidate whose conservative principles won't alienate independents, whose statements won't fuel a social ideological war. It is time to rally behind the candidate who has been prepared for the fight to save America and has the skills to actually be successful.

Photo from planetromney.com

Purists, it is time.  It is time to rally behind Mitt Romney.

Extreme is Not Good For Democracy

Extreme--a word that is now a part of the every conservative's vocabulary.

Why?  Extreme is they way most conservatives describe our current president.  Extreme policies.  Extreme changes.  Extremely polarizing.  Extremely divisive. Extremely expensive. Extreme.

Under President Obama (and I would also partially include President George W. Bush), our country has been introduced to some of the most extreme policy changes in our country's history.  Most would argue that this extremeness has literally changed the culture of our government.

Has extreme been good for America?  Are we a better people?  Are we stronger? Is America still an indivisible nation?   Can we say with conviction, "We, the people?"

The answer is unequivocally, no.

Extremism is not democracy at work.  Extremism polarizes.  Extremism is not representative of a diverse culture.  Extremism is not in the constitution of the United States.  Extreme leadership has divided us.

Image from newsjunkiepost.com

The presidential election is 259 days away.  Our country will have the opportunity to bring an end to extremism in our national government.  Will we be successful?

Everything seems to be in the conservatives' odds to end Obama's extremism.  Namely, a struggling economy, high unemployment, staggering deficit levels, a drop in the US's credit rating (first time in history), an inept legislature, an angry electorate and an unpopular president.

One would think that this is the perfect recipe for a Republican victory, but obviously it is not.  Things do not look optimistic for our cause.  We are losing and President Obama continues to widen his chances of victory.

Yet, there was a time in the past few months when the Republican party held a solid lead over President Obama.  A time when it appeared that President Obama's chance for reelection was extremely vulnerable.  The only time this has happened was when Mitt Romney was leading in the polls.

Image from Zimbio.com

Why?   Mitt Romney's years of experience in fixing broken systems, repairing bankrupt companies, balancing budgets, record of bipartisanship, and his gift of analysis and careful decision making abilities made Mitt Romney different.  His skills made him unique.  His leadership made him remarkable.

Many Independents and even some moderate Democrats recognized it.

For several months, our country was given pause to consider what it would be like to have a true Washington outsider leading our country.  What it would be like to have someone actually have the skills to know how to repair our broken government.  What it would be like to have someone getting bipartisan bills passed without back room deals and bribes. What it would be like to have someone with a track record of being accountable with other people's money.

It appeared that most people liked what they saw in Mitt Romney.  Why?  Because Mitt Romney is NOT extreme.

***

But this primary season changed everything.  Extremism has once again been given a voice.

Extreme conservatives rejected Mitt Romney's experience and only focused on a few of Romney's past moderate political stances--stances he has long rejected.  These extreme conservatives rejected him and then did whatever they could to discredit his record--to vilify his financial successes--to dishonor his accomplishments as governor--to disfavor his character and personality.  It worked.

Instead they became hellbent on finding the "purist" conservative candidate.  Well, it looks like they have found him--Rick Santorum--an extreme social conservative politician who spent 16 years in government, raised the debt limit 5 times, and who personally racked up $1 billion (yes, Billion) of federal debt for just his home state of Pennsylvania.  This individual is now leading in the polls.

Biggest problem?  Rick Santorum is very extreme.  His statements over the years and even some things have said over the past few days in relation to women's health issues, birth control, derogatory statements about homosexuality, comparing Obama to Hitler and his intertwining of religion and political ideology have demonstrated that Santorum--although conservative--will lead with extremeness.  Rick Santorum will continue to widen the vast canyon that exists between the two political ideologies in our country.

Under Rick Santorum, America will remain like the Grand Canyon--a deeply divided people--a vast chasm of ideology.

Photo from bugamerica.com

Aren't we tired of this kind of leadership?  Extreme is not democracy at its finest.  Extreme is not good for America.  Extreme leaders will never make us an indivisible nation.

America deserves more.  America needs Mitt.

When Silence Speaks a Thousand Words...Again

Rick Santorum's surge continues.  In national polls, he now holds an 8-point lead over Mitt Romney.  In Michigan, Santorum remains 5 points ahead of Romney.

Despite his surge and ability to hold onto it for nearly 14 days, one thing is worth mentioning--Santorum's colleagues from DC remain silent about his candidacy.  Where are the endorsements from those who know him best?

AP Photo

Rick Santorum served in the senate for 12 years.  Before that, he served 4 years in the House of Representatives.  Rick Santorum spent a total of 16 years in Washington DC yet, it is noteworthy that only three sitting representatives have endorsed his presidential bid.  Furthermore, NOT ONE sitting senator has thrown their support behind him.  NOT ONE.

What does this say about Rick Santorum?

As I mentioned here in regards to Newt Gingrich...silence speaks a thousand words.  It speaks volumes if those who served with Santorum--those who worked with him in the trenches--those who sat shoulder-to-shoulder with him--those who know how he leads--those who watched him in action--are silent.

CNN Photo

An overwhelming number of Santorum's colleagues don't believe that he has the right skills to lead our country.  They don't think he is ready.

Last week, Dana Bash of CNN wrote a fascinating article about this interesting phenomenon.  (click for full CNN article).  She asks, "Where is the support for Santorum?"

In her article, many of Santorum's former colleagues were asked about his candidacy.  Despite his surge in the polls, none of the colleagues Bash interviewed were ready to endorse him.  But two comments were consistent with nearly every one of their responses:  1) Santorum is a nice guy  2) Santorum cannot win a general election.

Silence.  It speaks a thousand words.

***

Interesting fact?  Mitt Romney has 77 representatives actively endorsing his candidacy.  He also has endorsements from 12 sitting senators.   89 individuals who have never served a day with Mitt Romney recognize that his talent is rare and his leadership is invaluable.

These 89 individuals are people who personally know Rick Santorum.  Individuals who are his friends.  Individuals who know what kind of person it will take to lead our party.  Individuals who understand what kind of leadership is required to lead a country.

Time and again, the colleagues of Rick Santorum believe Mitt Romney is that leader.  (It is worth mentioning that Rick Santorum also recognized it when back in 2008, he endorsed Mitt Romney's candidacy).

Getty Images

When asked why these 89 individuals are supporting Mitt Romney, the answer to this question has also been remarkably consistent: 1) Mitt Romney's experience is unparalleled.  2) Mitt Romney can win the general election.

This too, speaks a thousand words.

Mitt Romney is a remarkable candidate.  His experience and skill set are unmatched.  He is the right leader who has emerged at the right time.

This election has to be about more than personalities--more than rewarding a candidate for being a "nice guy."  It is about finding a leader with the right skills.  It is about finding a leader with the right experience.  It is about finding a leader who has a proven track record of an ability to dissect problems and identify lasting solutions.  It is about finding a leader with an innate ability to lead.

Without reservation, I believe that Mitt Romney is that candidate.


 

The Fight for Michigan

Mitt Romney is facing a real fight in Michigan.  Michigan, the state where he was born.  The state where his father, George Romney, served three terms as governor.  But Michigan is also the state where Mitt Romney denounced the federal bailout for the auto industry--the heart and soul of that state.

Mitt Romney is feeling heat for his 2008 Op-Ed that he wrote for the New York Times called, "Let Detroit go Bankrupt."  (Click to read Op-Ed).  Many voters are abandoning their native son for what appears to be his "heartless" stance for their economic welfare.

I would be willing to bet that many of these voters have never read the Op-Ed and have no idea what Romney advocated in the "Detroit Bankruptcy."

Mitt Romney's Op-Ed shows that he actually offered several prescriptions to save Detroit's automakers.

Namely, he made specific suggestions for 1) Improving cash flow by cutting costs.  He gave specific suggestions on how to alleviate the "per auto" financial burden so that the industry can better compete with foreign car makers. 2) Romney suggested ways to improve management and address the expensive relationship with big labor unions.  3) Romney made specific suggestions for improving innovation and creativity in the auto industry.

Never once did Mitt Romney advocate the total collapse of the Detroit's auto industry.  In fact, at a closer look, it is clear that Mitt Romney wanted them to succeed and thrive like never before by going through a "managed bankruptcy."

What is a managed bankruptcy?

In a typical "managed bankruptcy" banks or private equity firms loan money to failing companies so that these companies can stay afloat while they restructure, shed unnecessary costs to eventually become stronger.  As the New York Times points out, "In 2008 / 2009, Wall Street and private equity firms were in no position to loan that kind of money to GM and Chrysler." (click to read NYT article).  So, the federal government stepped in and granted GM & Chrysler $80 billion of tax payer money to "manage" the bankruptcy.

This bailout money did exactly what Mitt Romney proposed.  It "managed" the bankruptcy process.  It worked.  GM and Chrysler survived and are now reporting record profits.

So why does Mitt Romney continue to say that he is against the auto-industry federal bailout?

Romney is against the bailout because it left room for political favors and corruption.  Romney argues the government should never have played the role it did.  A private equity firm would have done a better job cutting costs--especially in regards to the cost of big unions--relationships which make it difficult for American automakers to truly compete with foreign automakers.

Romney believes the bailout money allowed Obama to bailout his influential big labor union friends.  He slams President Obama for the political favors that were granted to big labor unions.  Favors paid with tax payer dollars--political favors that could have been eliminated if an independent firm could have managed the bankruptcy with a government backed loan.

(It is important to mention that these big labor unions are now contributing millions of dollars to Obama's re-election campaign).

***

Mitt Romney's well-thought out approach to rescue the auto industry--the heart and soul of Michigan--is now misinterpreted as heartless and disingenuous.

People in Michigan are hurt and feel that Mitt Romney turned his back on them in their time of need.  But a closer look, shows that Mitt Romney's approach was right.

Michigan--Mitt Romney always had your back.

The irony is that voters are now flocking to Rick Santorum--Santorum who was and continues to be vehemently against an auto-industry bailout of any kind.  Where would GM and Chrysler be today if nothing had been done?

Is anyone going to tell Michigan that Rick Santorum has never had their back?

One More Pair of Shoes...

In November, Mitt Romney led among independents.  He held a 51-41percent lead over Barrack Obama among independents.  It is worth mentioning that Romney is the only GOP candidate this cycle that has had any success with this crucial voter base.  By all accounts, the independent vote was the most influential in the 2008 presidential election.  Many argue it was the young independent vote that made it happen for Obama.

Photo from Independent Voters Network

Well, months into this primary cycle, independents are now flocking back to Obama.  They have abandoned the one GOP candidate who made sense to them.  They did not gravitate to Santorum or Gingrich--they returned their allegiance to Obama.  Obama is now leading Romney among independents 51-42 percent.

***

This switch is extremely pivotal to this election cycle.  The reality is that if the conservative base ignores this migration, then a November victory will never be a reality.  Without independents, our party is in real trouble.

Our party is now gravitating to the last-but-not-least "Not Mitt" candidate Rick Santorum.  I can't help but ask, have conservatives tried on every "pair of shoes" this cycle?  Doesn't it say anything at all that Rick Santorum was the very last choice?  We are now betting on "last-the-best-of-all-the-game?"

Rick Santorum might speak the language of the conservative base, but he doesn't speak the language of independents / moderate voters.  His social stances are extremely polarizing.  His record is that of a career politician.  He has a deep history of overspending tax payer money.  He didn't do anything to change the culture in Washington.  He appears to be like all the rest of them, he didn't feel a hint of accountability for the debt he helped create.

AP Photo

Mitt Romney offers a different perspective.  He has spent years being accountable for other people's money.  He had to report for every dollar he ever spent and defend every cost.  I love it when Romney says, "In business, if there isn't a balanced budget, the company shuts down."  It would be so refreshing to have politicians with that moral compass.

***

For the past three years, the chances of replacing President Obama seemed all but inevitable, truth is, the likelihood is decreasing every day. The most recent CBS / New York Times poll shows that President Obama's approval rating increased from 47 percent in January to 50 percent this month.  Unemployment is dropping and the overall economic mood is improving with 34 percent of Americans saying that the country is "headed in the right direction."

The GOP is in real trouble.  It is going to be harder and harder to to remind Americans of the bad taste that Obama left in our mouths over and over again.  Obama's lead in the general election polls continues to increase.

Although Rick Santorum is now leading Romney in the national polls, it is important to remember that Mitt Romney still has the best chance of winning against Obama.  The most recent Rasmussen Tracking Poll shows Obama vs. Romney 47-43 percent and Obama vs. Santorum at 47-41 percent.  This poll was taken without the support of independents.  If Mitt Romney can attract them back, Obama might be in real trouble.

***

We need independents.  Mitt Romney is the only conservative candidate to demonstrate that he can attract them.

I suggest that the conservative base try on one more "pair of shoes."  Mitt Romney is the only "shoe" that the base has not been willing to try on.  They have always resisted him.  I have no doubt that he will fit.  And I would be willing to bet that we will be amazed at what we can actually accomplish in those shoes...

Otherwise we will have another four years of doing what the GOP seems to do best...complain about Barrack Obama.