I think that Romney is demonstrating a genuine executive approach. And by that I mean, he is doing things that have a prolonged, persistent effect. Contrast that to the 0bama/Axelrod “nyah-nyah” type of playground name-calling idiocy that seems like it has this big denting effect when it is sounded, but mere days later, has turned into a nothingburger and indeed, now seems to prove disingenuousness and a ready willingness to mislead on their part. And what’s nice is that the media and blogosphere appear to be able to dismantle these oblique connections in record time. Witness what happened with the “Romney killed the steelworker’s wife with cancer” deal. And I also contrast Romney’s approach with the “Julia” website that went up, clearly without what I call adult supervision within the 0bama camp. This is what they do not have. They have buzz, they have impulse, but once any given item extends past their attention span, they’re onto something else to destroy or otherwise muck around with.
So, my point is, 0bama is hit and run, throw anything up on the wall and see if (or hope) it sticks. Romney is deliberate, strategic. I believe as a good businessman, he will insist his efforts be *cumulative*: His story on Wednesday should not belie his story from Monday. Yeah, yeah, flip flops.
Romney is taking his time. He exudes confidence. I believe Ryan will be a highly approved pick, at first blush, and a month and 2 months from now. I believe Romney thinks he can convince and educate voters. Lest you think I am using the words “I believe” and “Romney” too many times in the same post, I’m in no way a Romney zealot. I don’t have the slightest doubt whom I’ll vote for, though. I think the confidence he is putting on will work, will manifest itself. Ryan is a powerful communicator for the direct purpose of defusing the “granny over the cliff” chant, as well. Romney knows, there is a 20% chance 0bama will completely destroy himself with this flailing. He also knows that if he cannot get through to Jews in Florida, he’s toast anyway there. I think he is taking intensely well-considered moves....some of which may be perceived as gambles, but I think he’s weighed and measured his chances with a good deal of savvy.
Remarkably astute analysis!
I’ll add one thing to your analysis and that’s IF Obama has any actual campaign strategy, it’s to increase the intensity of his smears about every two weeks, as that’s how long it takes the reverberations from the previous lies to die down.
Smearing is the ONLY possible tactic the Obammunists have, so they’ll double-down every two weeks or so. However, it’s very possible the smears will become so nasty and so obvious that there’s a significant risk of a backlash.
Already it’s not possible for them to attract a single vote based on idealism, which was a significant factor 4 years ago. Additionally, their lying may become so blatant that even a portion of the press will be unable to sit silent, since after all, such complacency will destroy any last shreds of any remaining credibility and perhaps thoughts of self-preservation in the face of not-to-distant bankruptcy might have a bit of an impact.
And there’s still a sizable portion of the American population that would come to realize just how odious the Obammunist tactics really are and be influenced to finally conclude that enough is enough.
However, the Obammunists certainly must know all of this, which means they must know that what they are doing is a huge gamble. Which also means that they must know their doom rests solely on the roll of the dice they’re throwing.
Excellent analysis. I have been telling people that Romney would not take a “political” approach to picking a VP (i.e., who would help win this or that state), but would make a “business decision” and pick someone to be VP like he’d pick a VP as CEO. I think he’s done exactly that. I wasn’t really honed in on Ryan before the pick, but I know see it as a brilliant choice. I’m no Romneybot, either.