SHOW TIME IN TAMPA---STARRING MITT ROMNEY ( AND HURRICANE ISAAC)

If I were Mitt Romney this weekend, I would be raising my hands to the sky and pleading, "What   next??!!"

The Republican convention in Tampa, Florida is what. It was scheduled to begin Monday night---right about the time Hurricane Isaac is poised to hit close to Tampa.  Is this another  cruel irony for the Republicans?? Talk about your parade being rained upon. At this point in time, the convention has now been delayed until Tuesday, with plans to compact and shorten  appearances and speeches,  but it's not looking so good for Florida or the Republicans. The latter is still trying to clean up  the verbal mess left  by the congressman from Missouri last week, who at best, misspoke about his views on abortion. Never mind that Joe Biden "misspeaks" every other week, most recently casting Romney as a racial chain master.  The man is a loose cannon, a slick pol of the worst kind, posing as a blue collar sympathizer, guffawing and grinning his way through lies and innuendos----and for the most part getting away with it, because he's just old Joe at it again. Whether Americans are buying his schtick of the avuncular, jocular, means- no- harm sidekick to Obama, or see him as the slick politician with a careless tongue stuck on stupid, is anyone's guess at this point, but it's curious that Obama keeps him around.  Maybe it's because Biden makes Obama look good----dumb cop, smart cop.

But regardless, Obama and company seem to be on a roll, and may once again run away with the prize. Amazing really. Here you have a man, the president, who has virtually done nothing to help us get out of this recession, and many argue that he has done great damage, not only domestically, but internationally. But he remains extremely popular because of his personality which seems to speak to the common man in a hip, cool, they versus us, Robin Hood sort of way. Which is odd, because Obama isn't common at all, but is more of an elitist, academia kind of persona in reality, not known to be warm, affable, or approachable. Just the other day, he had the temerity to suggest that he is usually the 5th or 6th most interesting man in the room, but not that particular occasion. How very humble.  He is not humble. Arrogance shows in the slight skyward lift of his head, and the words he uses to disparage anyone who disagrees with him. But still, he charms with his winning smile and a swagger borne from an enviable inner confidence. He knows how to win, even if he plays dirty, while whining that others do---because he has that "it" factor, otherwise known as panache or charisma---he's the homecoming king, even if he doesn't deserve to be.

Enter Mitt Romney, the man who would be president if only he had more-----uh, what do we want him to have??  Look at him----really look at him, beyond his rather reserved, unshowy personality.  He is handsome in a clean cut, wholesome kind of way.  He is  smart, articulate, successful, and a good family man. He's not cool, he doesn't swagger, and one gets the feeling that it's almost painful for him to indulge in the underbelly of politics. He's a gentleman with manners and morals. He may be just what we need now---a good money manager, a proven commodity in the business world, an x-governor, and a man obviously capable of great leadership. What more could we ask? Our problem, the one that's sinking us, keeping us awake at night, is economics, pure and simple. And Romney has much better credentials and experience in that regard. than Obama. Slam dunk.

 So, what's the problem??  Is it simply that the media has once again done a number on this Republican that isn't even known to be a right leaning conservative, but is, regardless, not one of their own?  Or is it the Dems who have painted Romney's success as somehow undeserving and even underhanded?? Never mind that he saved many a company from bankruptcy and did what it took to do so, salvaging many jobs in the process. Unable to find any personal baggage with which to smear him, the Dems have savagely attacked his business accomplishments , resorted to name calling, and even accused him of indirect murder!  Incredible, really, and proof that there is no accounting for taste, opinion, or how we vote these days----it's not even all about image, but more about connectability. Obama connects, he clicks, he's the king of popularity. Romney is the  straight man to Obama's star quality dazzle. At least that's what we're being told by the media---it's more important to "connect", the new media buzz word,  than to actually fill  the need, more important for the suit to look good, than to fit properly.

Well, what can Romney do to change this, to connect with the American people? The media has the answer, as always--- he cannot change his personality, become what he's  not, but he can get very clear about who and what he is. Tell us his vision and how it will make us better.  Then tell us how he plans to get there. This is what we're told---Romney just doesn't have "it".

 But here's the kicker--- hello??  He's  already done that, in his own quiet way.  The media, and perhaps we as well, just aren't paying enough attention to a mild mannered man, who may very well have the answers to our problems, but isn't oozing "connectability". He has told us clearly that he plans to repeal Obamacare, begin to restore our budget,  and stop our bleeding Medicare and Medicaid programs. He is a man who  believes  in the "American Dream", the old fashioned way---with a government  that is there to help, not hinder progress.  He is the polar opposite of Obama in terms of ideology, but he is not radical within his own party, given to extreme partisanship. I believe he will put country before faith, but that his faith will inform his charity to others.  He is a straight man, not a rock star.  But can he shine at least enough to win?  The polls show the two men in almost a dead heat.

 And now perhaps there will be the perfectly timed storm to deny Romney and the Republicans the bright lights and bounce they need.  But maybe it will supply the electricity the Romney campaign needs ---Mother Nature will do what Romney can't---CONNECT!  In any case,  it ain't over till the fat lady sings, and there's still the simmering pots of Syria,  Israel threatening war against Iran, and the economy. There's still time for the American people to mull, compare, consider their choice. There is, however, no time to get sidetracked by silly sideshows and issues blown out of proportion for political expediency.

 Is it a horse race, or a popularity contest?  No,  it's much more--- the biggest election in years. Buckle your seat belts and get ready for the last laps around the arena of  media hype, vicious ads, public perception, and the winds of war and weather.  Keep an eye out for the winner---he'll be coming around the mountain soon.  Let's hope he's wearing the serious mantle of a leader, not the sparkly crown of a king.