By Brian Bickmore
web editor-in-chief
Throughout the almost year-old Republican primary presidential race, current frontrunner and presumptive nominee Mitt Romney has mysteriously failed to “catch” support from members of his own party, who are completely ignorant to the fact he is the best choice.
While I concede Romney is not a perfect candidate, no politician is. However, he is far and away the most-qualified GOPer to tackle the United States’ current predicaments. Nobody else running this political season is more prepared to deal with economic issues or unemployment, both topics at the forefront of American voters’ minds.
Boasting an impressive record in the private sector consisting of time as a CEO of successful Bain Capital, along with organizing the Salt Lake City Olympic Games and a whole host of business experience, Romney has undeniable credibility in areas where people desire it. Anybody who seriously believes alternate options from the right like Rick Santorum or Newt Gingrich are better suited for them are either delusional or uneducated. Additionally, he is unmistakably the likeliest person to beat Barack Obama, who conservatives despise, because of his broader appeal among independents. Current theoretical polls from Gallup indicate about a five percent advantage for Obama. Nobody else running would stand anywhere near that much of a chance against the incumbent.
He does have faults, yet they are blown out of proportion or irrelevant. Admittedly, Romney has “flip-flopped” on a few subjects, but that is something every politician does. Although politicians’ intentions usually include standing for their convictions, their “beliefs” often need to be amended so they can get into office to achieve anything they consider positive change at all. It is an unfortunate reality of American politics to be sure. Regardless, almost all candidates partake in a similar strategy. That doesn’t excuse Romney, he is just no worse than others, yet he receives disproportionate criticism. Right now, the situation is blown way out of proportion. Other candidates have modified stances on significantly more important things and manage to avoid obtaining that label. Other criticisms thrown at him are equally invalid. A large contingent even doesn’t want to see him in the White House simply because he’s extremely rich.
Valued at well over $200 million dollars, he would easily surpass all prior presidents in terms of wealth. Nevertheless, how much money an individual owns or doesn’t own has zero impact on how they go about they are able to conduct business as the President of the United States. In fact, if anything, it should be viewed as evidence backing up his assertions that he is knowledgeable on how the economy works, having earned all his money on his own by working hard. America is supposed to believe the idea that anybody can be a success if they try hard enough. So why do people take issue with somebody doing just that? Going along with this, and another myth to debunk, is his reputation for being out of touch. Again, this is a characteristic all politicians–and definitely presidents–embody. Tasked with controlling the greatest country in the world, they are inevitably going to be in a different social status than the rest of us, who don’t ride around in limos, travel on Air Force One, be constantly surrounded with Secret Service agents or meet with powerful heads of state. Besides, a president shouldn’t be the intellectual equivalent of an average Joe, anyway. I prefer the leader of the Free World have special capabilities, not personalist abilities. Lastly, voters who don’t like him due to his perceived lack of charisma, as quite a few pro-other candidate individuals do need to reevaluate their criteria, remembering this person is not attempting to assume the position of commander-in-chief, not friend-in-chief. Endearing charm shouldn’t be a factor at all in such a vital decision.
As an Obama supporter, I can’t say I hope Romney wins the general election come November, but he is a good candidate who could do a passable job in the White House. He wouldn’t be the next Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, or George Washington, but he is a solid all-around candidate that Republicans should embrace. It’s time the party stops being nitpicky regarding minute imperfections, recognizes his array of positive traits and grants him the proper respect he deserves.
