Romney and Obama: Brothers in Stature

     Mitt Romney and Barack Obama are alike as moderates, burdened to accommodate extremist positions within their respective parties, and in Obama's case, perhaps also in the opposing party! For Romney, this manifests as "flip-flopping;" for our president, it simply cripples him. Where these great men substantively differ—and where Obama has the electoral advantage—is their path to greatness. Barack, for the most part, earned his status, earned his skills through hard work, earned every dime of his wealth. Mitt, in contrast, inherited much status, inherited skills and knowledge from his father, and inherited great wealth.
     Voters totally get these facts. And they know that the path taken matters as much as the end achieved in making a man. They know that Obama identifies with average Americans, especially minority Americans, because he's been one of us most of his life. He has emerged a powerful, principled man from circumstances that often produce teen fathers, convicts, dealers, and dead men, blossoming instead into a historical president.  

     And Romney is more the alien to most. 

     A "different" religion: check.  Privileged upbringing: check. Privileged education: check. Immaculate personal life: check. Tall, dark, and handsome: check.Yeah, he's not much like any citizen under the sun. Voters get that.

     It's well documented that elections are more about popularity and charisma than policy. Certainly candidates often ride waves of discontent into victory over unpopular incumbents, and many suspect that is what Romney will do. But when Obama is gaining in the polls and seemingly beating the GOP at Washington's Frame-the-Issue game, the elections will likely reduce to a contest over which candidate is more liked and more trusted.

     Republicans don't trust Mitt Romney, even though he's been courting them for years. If Romney can't put a wedding ring on Miss GOP, how can he woo moderates who know he's betrayed them? Uneasy liberals will flirt with Ron Paul before they so much as wink at Romney. 

     Obama will beat Romney if it comes to that. 

Interroga omnia.