Romney advisers reflect on campaign, candidate
Jillian Melchior
Issue date: 1/24/08 Section: Opinion
Republican Mitt Romney's staff and friends campaigning for him spoke to The Collegian, showing two sides of the candidate: one, a smart man who forms his own opinions and, the other, a value-oriented family man.
This understanding may be key to fathoming why the man won the Michigan primaries, a race all about the Republicans because Hillary Clinton was the only Democratic candidate on the ballot here.
"What you'll find with Romney is, he has an very strong baseline understanding of everything, and he knows what he wants to do," said Jim Talent, a former Missouri senator. He said Romney educated himself about issues from the campaign advisers and from information from think tanks and experts. Romney listens, but decides his opinions for himself, Talent said. "We have the confidence of knowing the top guy is making the decisions."
Jay Sekulow, chief council for the American Center for Law and Justice, also attested to Romney's ability to make up his own mind on issues after examining the data.
The campaign aims to play up Romney's strengths, Sekulow said. Advisers gruelingly drill Romney on these "finesse points" just about everywhere - in the car, on the plane, on the trail. One of the strengths he punched was his stance on the economy, which contributed to his Michigan win, Sekulow said.
Romney has been able to keep up with the stress of the campaign trail, Sekulow said.
"You don't see this guy sweat," he said.
But beyond finesse points, the intensity of the campaign and the independent decisions, Romney is a relatable man, those who know him explained.
Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey, on the trail for Romney, said the human side of Romney was evident at the Michigan primaries.
Romney was giving his closing argument, and his 20-month-old grandson, whose middle name is also Mitt, ran out onto the stage. Instead of turning away and keeping the pace of his speech, Romney picked the boy up and then continued talking. That's because, Healey explained, family is at Romney's core.
Religion also gives a glimpse into Romney's human side. Healey said Romney's religion is important because voters must realize their candidate has strong values, which, in Romney's case, are rooted in his religious beliefs.
This understanding may be key to fathoming why the man won the Michigan primaries, a race all about the Republicans because Hillary Clinton was the only Democratic candidate on the ballot here.
"What you'll find with Romney is, he has an very strong baseline understanding of everything, and he knows what he wants to do," said Jim Talent, a former Missouri senator. He said Romney educated himself about issues from the campaign advisers and from information from think tanks and experts. Romney listens, but decides his opinions for himself, Talent said. "We have the confidence of knowing the top guy is making the decisions."
Jay Sekulow, chief council for the American Center for Law and Justice, also attested to Romney's ability to make up his own mind on issues after examining the data.
The campaign aims to play up Romney's strengths, Sekulow said. Advisers gruelingly drill Romney on these "finesse points" just about everywhere - in the car, on the plane, on the trail. One of the strengths he punched was his stance on the economy, which contributed to his Michigan win, Sekulow said.
Romney has been able to keep up with the stress of the campaign trail, Sekulow said.
"You don't see this guy sweat," he said.
But beyond finesse points, the intensity of the campaign and the independent decisions, Romney is a relatable man, those who know him explained.
Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey, on the trail for Romney, said the human side of Romney was evident at the Michigan primaries.
Romney was giving his closing argument, and his 20-month-old grandson, whose middle name is also Mitt, ran out onto the stage. Instead of turning away and keeping the pace of his speech, Romney picked the boy up and then continued talking. That's because, Healey explained, family is at Romney's core.
Religion also gives a glimpse into Romney's human side. Healey said Romney's religion is important because voters must realize their candidate has strong values, which, in Romney's case, are rooted in his religious beliefs.
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