Mitt Romney is an accomplished businessman who has experienced widespread success. His conservative instincts serve him well and I regard him as an intelligent and competent man. Everywhere he goes, good things seem to happen. However, with all due respect, winning one election (on a socially liberal platform in a socially liberal state) in a year that his party did very well nationally is not evidence of a high degree of political skill. On the stump, he seems overly careful, as if speaking in code, self-conscious about his appearance. Romney’s speech on his Mormon faith, coming not (as a preemptive measure) at the kick-off of his campaign nor at the climax of winning the GOP nomination, but rather as an obvious reaction to Huckabee’s rise in the polls, seems ill-advised. Though parts of it resonated (the idea that doctrinal differences ought to matter less in the public sphere, the sense of obligation to the common good imparted by religion, and the error of overweening secularism), other parts went too far. His volunteering an assessment on the identity of Jesus Christ seemed to imply that a President ought to have such a belief. But then what will he say (as he will surely be asked in days to come) about the “peculiarities” of Mormon faith regarding Jesus Christ?
Romney lacks the authenticity and warmth of Huckabee. If conservatives embrace Huckabee, Romney’s campaign would soon collapse (his strategy depends heavily upon victory in the early states), decisively advancing Huckabee ahead of Giuliani en route to the nomination. Huckabee’s compassion for the needy and nuanced positions will resonate–are resonating–with a diverse populace. Although some in the media may remain recalcitrant, Huckabee’s charisma, down-to-earth style, and compelling personal story can win even them over. (Remember, the man won several elections as a Republican in Arkansas, carrying 48% of the African American vote.)
Though I am a political nobody, I say Huckabee carries Iowa, competes vigorously in New Hampshire, does well in the South, and forces an end to Romney’s campaign sometime around Super Tuesday (Feb 5). We shall see.
Yes, I will return to blogging about non-political topics….