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From his business acumen to his personal success to his dogged determination and discipline, Mitt Romney may be the only candidate to honestly focus on the big picture and chronic dysfunction in Washington that appeals to voters seeking real solutions. While the headline below from the WSJ reads that Romney is trying to show voters he gets it is reasonable it may be more accurate to say voters are being attracted to his common sense approach. Fans of opposing candidates cling to earlier criticism that Romney changes positions on the issues. That may simply be a case of sour grapes that their preferred candidate is unwilling or incapable of listening to the voters and acting on it.

Romney Tries to Show Voters He ‘Gets It’
By MARY JACOBY
September 24, 2007; Page A6

That is what makes Mr. Romney interesting; his unique blend of issues seems to most closely reflect, of all the Republican presidential candidates, the economic disquiet among voters.

His conclusion — “It’s going to have to be done by Republicans and Democrats together” — caused one of the initially combative AARP members to shout: “Amen!”

Giuliani is often characterized as America’s mayor and relying on his legacy in NY related to 9/11. His stand on social issues is a concern for some and the campaign season is raising more questions and concerns over his days as mayor and what is real or imagined. Fred Thompson finally entered the race recently and after an expected initial bump in the numbers he seems to be placing much faith in surviving the early states and taking the South. John McCain has been all over the charts but the military and Washington veteran is enjoying some increased popularity lately.

So how is it for Romney? Still holding leads in the early states, increasing support in state’s where others lead and while some ‘diss’ the value of straw polls he just won another in the state of Michigan. The results have Romney first, McCain second, Ron Paul slightly edging out Giuliani for third, leaving Giuliani in fourth with Thompson fifth.

Romney wins Michigan straw poll
Published: 24, 2007 at 5:37 PM
MACKINAC ISLAND, Mich., 24 (UPI) — Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney won 39 percent of a presidential poll of registrants to the Michigan Republican Party’s island conference Monday.

Here are some more references from a press release from the Romney campaign on the opinions of others on Mitt Romney. In the interest of fair disclosure it should be mentioned that this blog favors Mitt Romney for President. That said, whether that was the case or not the press release from the Romney campaign is a valid reference since the sources are easy to check. And it saves others the work of gathering the information in a duplication of effort.

What They’re Really Saying About Governor Romney’s Message Of “Change Begins With Us”

Monday, Sep 24, 2007 Governor Romney Takes On The Republican Party’s Problems “Head On”:

The New York Times‘ David Brooks: “Thank God. Listen, Republicans need to show it’s a new Republican Party. George Bush did in 1999. They’ve been marching to disaster without promising any change, and he’s got to fill that in with some substance. But, finally some Republican candidate is going to answer that.” (ABC’s “This Week,” 9/23/07)

- Watch David Brooks Here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdeOMhZ_cac

Conservative Activist Richard Viguerie: “‘At last, a top-tier presidential candidate is paying attention to the discouraged, disheartened and disillusioned base of the Republican Party,’ Viguerie said, pointing to a Romney TV ad criticizing the party’s ‘excessive spending, immigration amnesty and ethical slackness.’ Viguerie, a powerful voice in the party’s conservative base, said Romney ‘has taken a small but significant step toward reclaiming the GOP for the grassroots conservatives who are its backbone.’” (Jill Zuckman, “Romney Declares ‘Republican Party Got Lost’,” Chicago Tribune, 9/22/07)

The Politico’s Jonathan Martin: “If there was any doubt before now, Mitt Romney made plain today his intent to run as a change agent against a political establishment that he argues is failing the country.” (Jonathan Martin, “Romney Makes Strongest Case Yet For Change,” The Politico, 9/22/07)

National Review Online’s Jim Geraghty: “I think the ad Romney unveiled today is, far and away, his best ad and message yet…” (Jim Geraghty, “I’m A Fan Of Romney’s New Message, ‘Change Begins With Us’,” National Review Online’s “The Campaign Spot,” http://campaignspot.nationalreview.com, 9/19/07)

- Geraghty: “Kudos to Romney for taking on the GOP’s image problems head on. I think an electorate that is tired of finger-pointing, excuses, and evading responsibility will appreciate a candidate who says, ‘our side screwed up.’” (Jim Geraghty, “I’m A Fan Of Romney’s New Message, ‘Change Begins With Us’,” National Review Online’s “The Campaign Spot,” http://campaignspot.nationalreview.com, 9/19/07)

Captain’s Quarters’ Ed Morrissey: “[W]hile it may not be what Republicans want to hear, it may also be what Republicans need to hear.” (Ed Morrissey, “Will Criticizing Republicans Help Romney?” Captain’s Quarters, www.captainsquartersblog.com, 9/22/07)

Matt C At Race 4 2008: “This ad is music to my ears - finally, somebody saying exactly what I’m feeling.” (Matt C, “New Romney Ad: ‘Change Begins With Us,’” Race42008, 9/19/07)

CNN’s Joe Johns: “Well, it’s a good message. Hate the mistakes but love the principles.” (CNN’s “Late Edition,” 9/23/07)

The Hill’s Klaus Marre: “Presidential hopeful and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) Wednesday called on Republicans to get their house in order and return to the party’s core values.” (Klaus Marre, “Romney Calls On GOP To Shape Up,” The Hill, 9/19/07)

Arizona Republic’s Dan Nowicki: “Romney was hailed as a native son and won a standing ovation at the end of his speech [at Mackinac].” (Dan Nowicki, “In Michigan, Romney Slams D.C.’s GOP,” Arizona Republic’s “McCain Central,” 9/22/07)

- The Politico’s Jonathan Martin: “An ovation came a moment later when he implored his party to ’start acting like Republicans – not earmarking Republicans, not big spending Republicans, not big government Republicans, but like Reagan Republicans and Roosevelt Republicans.’” (Jonathan Martin, “Romney Makes Strongest Case Yet For Change,” The Politico, 9/22/07)

American Spectator’s Jennifer Rubin: “He looks a bit more relaxed (no jogging shorts this time but a non-dress shirt) than usual and sets out an effective theme that works for his pitch: we need to change Washington and not imitate the Democrats on spending, immigration and ethics.” (Jennifer Rubin, “Romney’s New Ad,” American Spectator Blog, www.spectator.org, 9/19/07)

In The Headlines:

ABC News: “Romney Tells Republicans To Reform.”
(Matt Stuart, “Romney Tells Republicans To Reform,” ABC News, 9/22/07)

The Associated Press: “Romney Issues Challenge To GOP.”
(Liz Sidoti, “Romney Issues Challenge To GOP,” The Associated Press, 9/22/07)

The Boston Globe: “Romney Issues Challenge To GOP.”
(Foon Rhee, “Romney Issues Challenge To GOP,” The Boston Globe’s “Political Intelligence, 9/21/07)

Chicago Tribune: “Romney Declares ‘Republican Party Got Lost.’”
(Jill Zuckman, “Romney Declares ‘Republican Party Got Lost’,” Chicago Tribune, 9/22/07)

CNN: “Romney To Republicans: Get ‘House In Order.’”
(Alexander Mooney, “Romney To Republicans: Get ‘House In Order’,” CNN, 9/21/07)

Detroit News: “Put House In Order, Romney Tells GOP.”
(Gordon Trowbridge, “Put House In Order, Romney Tells GOP,” Detroit News, 9/22/07)

The Hill: “Romney Calls On GOP To Shape Up.”
(Klaus Marre, “Romney Calls On GOP To Shape Up,” The Hill, 9/19/07)

The Politico: “Romney Makes Strongest Case Yet For Change.”
(Jonathan Martin, “Romney Makes Strongest Case Yet For Change,” The Politico, 9/22/07)

Reuters: “Romney To Fellow Republicans: Put House In Order.”
(”Romney To Fellow Republicans: Put House In Order,” Reuters, 9/19/07)

There are many clean up the GOP references above and many Romney related posts on this blog and one of the most recent may have been the most compelling and on point to mention here. Mitt Romney submitted an open letter the GOP and voiced the need for the party to clean up their act and that much of what needs to be done will take both parties. Although most people, candidates or voters, may have had this thought also it has been largely missing in action during the 2008 campaign. Mostly the state of GOP politics has been the favorite weapon of everyone on the left for criticizing the GOP and deflecting criticism from the Democratic party. With Congressional ratings where they are, the deflection part has been a failure. And even with recent victories for the GOP minority in Congress the status quo needs work. Remember that Mitt Romney was the first or only one to engage that issue in the campaign for 2008 and it just may have staying power. Meaning the idea is long overdue and been mentioned before but can-do Romney may be the only one to see it through.

That’s enough of the ad lib campaigning for now. But it was about time for a post that speaks about a candidate who just may have the answers for most of you, left or right, if you can take an objective look.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

Trackposted to Outside the Beltway, Diary of the Mad Pigeon, Perri Nelson’s Website, Faultline USA, DeMediacratic Nation, Big Dog’s Weblog, Blue Star Chronicles, Pirate’s Cove, The Pink Flamingo, Right Voices, and Gone Hollywood, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.

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