A New Hampshire newspaper, the Concord Monitor, printed an editorial on Sunday slamming Mitt Romney:

for flip-flopping on issues. It also criticized him for his central-casting appearance.
With “an athletic build, ramrod posture, Reaganesque hair, a
charismatic speaking style and a crisp dark suit” along with “a
beautiful wife and family, a wildly successful business career and just
enough executive government experience” Romney espouses “some old GOP
bromides — spending cuts and lower taxes — plus some new positions
for 2008: anti-immigrant rhetoric and a focus on faith,” the editorial
says.

But Romney’s record makes him “a disquieting figure who sure looks like the next president and most surely must be stopped,” the editorial added.
It compared Romney’s stances as governor of Massachusetts with those
taken as a presidential candidate and found glaring differences.

I think that I and many others just see Romney as a little too much of a “package”.  You feel like you are being sold something.  I think that is the biggest problem with him.  For most of his life he has been re-packaging something.  With Bain, he took businesses that were faltering, restructured them, re-packaged them, and re-sold them.

And, to a certain degree, I feel like that is what his candidacy is all about.  It is taking a guy, his family, his views, and trying to put them all in a pretty little package… and hope that the American people purchase what he is selling. 

To a vast degree, I tend to agree with this editorial.  How does someone carry out a liberal idealogy as Governor of a state, and then, do a complete 180 a few years later, as he is running for President?  The more this campaign wears on, the more Mitt Romney just feels seems like someone who should not be President.  Like him or not… George Bush has conviction in his beliefs.  And, I think that people respect that.  I just don’t know if we could respect Mitt Romney as a President.  As a business man, sure… but, as a politician… I am just not feeling it.

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Well, the Iowa Straw Poll is over.  I thought I would run down the winners and losers:

Winners

Mitt Romney - Frankly, he had to win.  With the ridiculous amount of money that he spent on this straw poll, it was inevitable.  With 31% of the vote, he had a strong showing.  A clear winner with good momentum that he will need in the early primaries.  Although - for anyone who knows about the Iowa straw poll, you know how ridiculous it really is.  Campaigns “bus” in their people from all over the country to participate.  Although - I understand that this year - there was actually an element of legitimacy in that people were supposed to produce IDs.  Nevertheless, typically, whichever campaigns spend the most $$$ are the ones that are victorious.  This was all part of the Romney strategy.  He needed this victory.

Mike Huckabee - A 2nd place finish.  Not bad.  Without a decent showing here, I felt that he would be unable to continue.  But, I really think the straw poll bolstered Huckabee’s chances of competing.  His persona appeals well to a forum like the Iowa Straw poll.  With a minister’s oratorical ability, he actually had more votes than he paid for… an amazing feat, indeed.

Losers

Sam Brownback - He spent a significant amount of money and time on this straw poll.  And, with his midwest-based campaign, he neeeded a decent showing, if not a win.  Third place behind Huckabee was not good enough.   I think it is a matter of time before he is out.

Giuliani - I know… he didn’t participate….But, this win solidified Romney’s position as a strong contender - if not the guy to beat.

Given, the Straw poll doesn’t mean too much.  But, with the shifting early primary schedule, it does mean that there will be some momentum that Romney’s campaign can capitalize on in the weeks ahead.

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