I am in the:
“It was great—it did what it had to do.” camp.
Not the best speech ever, but the best I’ve heard from Romney. And the folks not liking Romney personally for whatever reason, well ... you are wrong. What came out tonight in the testimonials was the truth about what a decent, hard-working, caring and loving man Romney is. Putting politics aside, he’s a great individual.
Agree with:
“His cleverest device was to contrast Obama’s 2008 pledge to “heal the planet and stem the rise of the oceans” with a simple and believable “I promise to help you and your family.” “
It was great he mentioned freedom. including religious freedom, which for MSNBC was a ‘dog whistle’ about Obama’s attack on the catholic church and its liberty.
I would fault him a bit for softpedaling on Obama, talking more about people disappointed instead of just flat out “This man has failed you.” but he made up for it with “YOu deserve better! America deserves better!” and really nailing him on the better-off question... anyway, its not his job to be attack dog.
it was his job to lay out his vision, and he did his 5 point plan thing. That’s good like the energy independence and tax reform, etc. but it grates that Obamacare repeal is a subbullet on #5 - “repeal and replace Obamacare”. Repeal Obamacare should be its own item and Priority One. But that’s me.
So 8.5/10. Not a fire-and-brimstone burn-down-the-house oration, but a great wake-up-call and warm speech that hit it out of the park in terms of why Romney is way better than the failed Obama for the next 4 years.
They said Ann needed to “humanize” Mitt, but I think tonight did that all on its own. I was moved by the tragic story of the elderly couple who lost a son and Mitt was there for them. I am passionate about getting this guy elected now. For all Romney’s faults, Obama could NEVER present a story like that because his past is a who’s who of Chicago criminals, Hawaii potheads, and card-carrying communists. This year, I will not cast my vote begrudgingly.
“I would fault him a bit for softpedaling on Obama, talking more about people disappointed instead of just flat out “This man has failed you.” but he made up for it with “YOu deserve better! America deserves better!” and really nailing him on the better-off question... anyway, its not his job to be attack dog.”
I agree that I would have liked to hear him rip Obama a new one, but honestly I think it was a good idea to give the ‘soft sell’ on that point. The focus needed to be on a positive message and vision of the American future, not on how much Obama’s screwed up. Give us something and someone to vote FOR, not just to vote AGAINST.