The Adult in the Room

As I watch all things part of, and leading to, the 2012
presidential election cycle, I have pondered these age-long questions,
“Where did we come from? Why are we here?” And, “where do we go
after…2012?” (At least as it relates to politics and this nation)

I grew up in a Republican household, but even in high school I
debated the merits of abolishing the two-party system. My ideological view from
that age when I KNEW everything was that Americans could learn to vote based on
a candidate’s principles and values and not based merely upon a party
affiliation.

During the last presidential election, we were all faced with a
quandary. Here is my summation (for what it’s worth). From the left, voters had
weighed the option of having another Clinton White House or choosing to elect a
vibrant Chicago senator who was a great orator and spoke of change; they chose
change. From the right, there was the candidate many Republicans considered to
be a RINO anyway, John McCain. The election had already swayed to the left by
some conservatives’ standards. Many also felt excitement with the prospect of electing
our first African-American president. The possibility alone promoted the
feeling that America had grown up. Our nation was rising above racial
inequality, at least to a measure. I, for one, and even some staunch
conservative friends of mine were more open than ever before to consider the prospective
change.

A fair amount of this openness to a Democrat-led administration
was due to what was being experienced by the average moderate Republican. It
was impossible not to feel the downward turn in American morale and our lowered
standing in the world community. Our presidents’ Texas swagger and winking-eye
arrogance was not cutting it here or abroad. We were once again in a
controversial war and there was a lot of skepticism on how well it was all
being handled. To be fair, no one is ever prepared to leap into being a wartime
president; but if you apply to be Commander in Chief, it’s certainly got to be
in your wheelhouse. But, I’m not really here to expound on the job performance
of the Bush administration. Historians will continue to sort out the efficacy
of those eight years and the War on Terror. Mine is an observation of what I felt
were prevalent feelings of our nation and how those feelings may have brought
us to now.

Also, for our nations highest office, we all want for our
leadership to represent our feelings and us. But, as I observed President Bush
meeting with various countries Heads’ of State, I always felt like I wanted to
apologize to them. I didn’t want to apologize for America but I did want to
say, “Hey…he’s not us!” My Mother used to say the craziest thing
when I would look up at her during reprimands. She’d say, “Don’t you look
at me with that tone of voice!” Watching President Bush, I often wanted to
say, “Don’t you look at that Chancellor, Prime Minister, King, reporter,
Congress or anyone else with that tone of voice!” Anyway, I digress.

So, we elected our “Hope for Change”. We all hoped for
it. In fact, many who wouldn’t have swayed left did so in hope. Now, after
three years, we generally feel the same but for differing reasons…we
desperately hope for CHANGE! But, with this presidential election, a majority
wants a change in the executive office.

I’ve written about our nation growing up. I’ve briefly referred
to how I grew up. I’ve mentioned my Mother. Now, my thoughts go to my Father.
He’s not the most dynamic of guys. In fact, I remember wishing (at times) he
were as cool as other Fathers I knew. But, my Father has always been a man of
principle and quiet courage. He is a learned man, in fact he has a doctorate
degree, but you’d never know it. His humility has hurt and helped him. The
quiet, yet spot-on wisdom he offered his children filtered gradually into the
community. He had a political career; he served as our small towns’ Mayor and was
President of our states’ League of Cities and Towns. His Father, my Grandfather,
was also a principled and humble man, he rose up from being a small dairy
farmer from Swedish immigrants to serve under the Secretary of Agriculture in
the Eisenhower administration. Both examples in my life are men of honor and
integrity and not self-ambition. They both were truly called to serve despite
their lack of political savvy or charisma. Highly respected while seeking none.
I honor and respect my Father, his Father, respectable Fathers everywhere and
our Founding Fathers. When I think of the role of Father, I picture the ADULT
IN THE ROOM; the voice of reason.

ALL great men and women that I have ever been inspired to follow
or emulate have felt like the adult in a room of children. When I say children
it’s a metaphor to me for those driven by egos, agendas and self-interests to
varying degrees. My Father, Grandfather, and other great men and women I’m
thinking of, thought NOT of themselves but of others always and in all ways.

This brings me to my point. In my opinion, Mitt Romney continues
to be the “adult in the room”. Is he perfect? No, but I don’t see
anyone else more adult. In fact, I believe that because of his knowledge and
credentials, he is repeatedly held to a higher standard than others. It’s
almost as if, on some subconscious level, people scrutinize Romney as if to
say: “But look…he’s Mitt Romney, he’s supposed to know that, be that,
represent that, stand for that, not fall for that, never do that and always say
and do things like…well, like Mitt Romney should!” I feel that the curse
of rising to be the most adult in the room is that you are forever expected to
be the most adult.

Double standards always apply. Why? Perhaps double standards
exist because there are so few adults in our world. So few in the press are
adult. So few in the media are adult. So few pundits are adult. Human nature is
to criticize what we don’t relate to rather than try to grow our ability to
relate. And, it seems that despite Romney’s strengths, he always faces unrelate-ability
with his potential constituents.

Let’s look at what are considered Romney’s weaknesses. As with
all candidates for the presidency, he has views that are not popular with all
people. And, he has made some revisions from earlier positions over time. Without
a full-scale debate on ideological differences you or others may have with him,
ask yourself how many of Romney’s “perceived weaknesses” are just that. Whether
you agree with him or not, just consider how many times you have heard: “Romney
is perceived as unapproachable…” “Romney is perceived as disingenuous…” “Romney’s
religion is perceived as…” “Romney is perceived as being this or that…” The
problem Romney is continually dogged with is perceptions being reality to the
observer.

I will grant you, Romney is not the most comfortable in all
situations and at all times. In 2008, I believe he may have been naïve to what
the rigors and nuances of a presidential campaign are, relevant to RELATING.
Few could relate with Mitt Romney.

Now, Mr. Romney has learned that trying to be the most adult is
not enough. Romney has tried to retool his approach to be more relate-able. How
has it worked? The double-edged sword slices hard. If he stays on point for
more than one stump speech, he’s robotic and cardboard. If he tries to
personalize or regionalize his message, he’s pandering. If he slightly revises
his approach, he’s flip-flopping. And, the list goes on and on, as is part of
the whole political game. Is Romney singled out? Of course he is; but I’d like
to believe that, for the most part, it is unintentional. It is that unfortunate
aspect of human nature that feels uncomfortable when an adult is in the room
observing our childlike antics. The adult is not one of us children.

Is it hard to relate to Mitt Romney? Of course it is…he’s Mitt
Romney for hell’s sake!

Nice to see Republicans waking up to reality.  If the Republicans are serious about beating Obama, then Mitt Romney is the only option.  Polls prove it.

That was quite an interesting read.

It’s still too early in the race to point finger at the candidate, although in all honesty the field is probably narrower than the current one. 

Unless something spectacular happens in the debates, someone else jumps in or a piece of personal information comes to light, it’s still just a Two Horse Race. 

…Mitt Romney and Rick Perry.

Forget it Mitt! Perry is going to beat ya. Why? because the TP/GOP believe that the SS is a Ponzi scheme. 

Ann Romney?

So does Tingles.

Either one of them WILL be better than Ozero.

…That’s mean!

Looking at the activity on the account demonstrates the author is hyper familiar with Romney and his positions, supportive but almost lovingly aware of his faults.  Sounds like a wife or friend or employee to me.  

so does any thinking person.

You could be right. 

It’s a two horse race between him and Perry anyway.

All the “right” should join together  around “Perry”, he needs more support!

Hang in there, Mitt. Perry will defeat himself.  Remember, Perry was Algore’s campaign manager for POTUS.  He is a mugwomp.  He supports illegal aliens and will not close the borders.  Texas has over 8% unemployment.  I’m afraid he may be another teflon candidate.

Neither. The author lives in Utah and made the prediction to his wife after the Romney turnaround of the doomed 2002 Olympics that he should be President. The author has had a stake (abeit unpaid and unsolicited) ever since. I believe that qualifies him a somewhat objective. (in the authors own opinion)  

Funny.

Cheers!

Good boy, you picked the worst poll for Perry, completely ignored all the others, then tripped & drooled all over yourself to get here to spin like a whirling dervish…….gone wild. 
 
You’ve done your false hope & messiah Barack Hussein Obama ll, LOUD & PROUD.
 
Now sit Ubu sit…….goot boy.

Say good night, Perry!

You should talk to Bob Uda about it.

I bet the Paul/Cain voters will cause Parry to lose votes, but Mitt will have a tough time in the south.  

The fact that the Liberals know they need that kind of money to beat the challenger tells us they know their backing a looser and will need every dollar possible.
Perry’s own position tells us he’s willing to sell out sovereignty, and legal citizenship in his own state for the agricultural business support he receives. As in California, Texas has a huge agricultural base, and just like California, the farmers are demanding cheap illegal alien labor to fatten their wallets, and Perry is more than happy to comply as long as it keeps him in power.
As an Independent Conservative, I find it repugnant that any political leader would put the wants of illegal-employers ahead of the legal citizens of this country.  

It is the tortoise and the hare.  Romney’s quietly building his campaign while Perry has jumped in running, can’t talk and walk at the same time, unclear about which message he wants (his new book or his words on the campaign circuit), tripped up by his past at debates, media looking at his crony background, and Governor Palin saying no to him from a distance.  Perry’s 15 minutes are likely up before Bachmann, and that is a surprise burn-out.

Perry is a fake.  Nothing “right” about him any more than a used car salesman will give you the real scoop on a car they want to sale.  Perry is for open borders, lower tuition for illegals than for out-of-state Americans, and use of taxpayer funds for benefits for illegals.  He’s placed the state over family rights (okay, he apologized after his effort was rejected) on behalf of a financial benefactor and employer of his staff.  On what basis, seriously, is he a Tea Party conservative?!  None, beyond his saying so.  Heck, Romney offers more to the Tea Party than does Perry.

Anyway, I’ll save my vote for Governor Palin.

As a Tea-Party member, I will be voting for the candidate that gets the illegal alien parasite issue right.

I agree.  Of all the issues, this is probably the most important.  The rest, budget and so forth will work out in compromise with Congress.  But immigration is going to take serious leadership from the president.  None recently have had the guts to deal with it–at least not in the manner I suspect we both agree it should be dealt with.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry as a Presidential candidate seems to be a lot like a fart, all noise and very embarassing.

Rick Perry here today gone tomorrow!! As electable as Palin not!!

Yeah, it’s called being a RETARD!

In your dreams, Obama lover.