February 2, 2012

THE ONE FATE YOU WANT TO AVOID...:

Romney, Gingrich and the Power of Ideas: The front-runner is tilted too heavily toward biography and not nearly enough toward policy. (KARL ROVE, 2/02/12, WSJ)

While traditional news organizations have been balanced or slightly favorable in their coverage of Mr. Romney, the GOP blogosphere has been decidedly negative on him all January, pointing to continuing unease among conservatives. [...]

The Romney campaign is tilted too heavily toward biography and not nearly enough toward ideas. It should make its mantra a line from President Ronald Reagan's final address to the nation: "I never thought it was my style or the words I used that made a difference: It was the content. I wasn't a great communicator, but I communicated great things."

Mr. Romney showed he knows how to take an opponent down; now he needs to show the ability to build himself and the rationale for his candidacy up. He should become bolder in his prescriptions, presenting a confident agenda for economic growth and renewed prosperity through reforms of tax, regulatory and energy policies.

There's no reason he can't, or shouldn't do so. While Mr. Gingrich called Congressman Paul Ryan's entitlement reforms "right-wing social engineering," Mr. Romney complimented them last November. He can refresh that speech and give it again. He can also build on his best moments in recent debates, when he unapologetically and passionately defended free enterprise. Far better to best Mr. Gingrich in the weeks ahead by taking the fight to President Obama, challenging the incumbent's unpleasant attempt to appeal to envy and resentment.

...is ending up like Mr. Obama, elected but with nothing you want to do with your presidency.  His comments yesterday about helping the middle class--rather than the upper and lower, which don't need it--were a good start, provided he explains what that help is--accounts for Health, Retirement, unemployment, etc.

Posted by at February 2, 2012 6:15 AM
  

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