Romney and Obama: Ready to Rumble

Mitt Romney will be the Republican Presidential nominee. That is not news as it has been likely for some period of time. Last night, however with a primary win in Texas, it more or less ends the race as Mr. Romney has won enough delegates to secure the nomination. Now the ugliness begins in earnest and ugly and nasty it will be.

At this point the Presidential election looks close. However, it is all about the Electoral College and the map would seem to favor the President. He intends to retain office by putting together his supporters from Black and Hispanic Americans, younger voters, white urban and suburban liberals and union members. National polls show Mr. Romney has pulled almost even with the President but it is, of course, the state-by state voting that is crucial.

The campaigns attack; vilifying the opponent and criticizing every move are out there. Each candidate is responsible for something he did when he was three years old.  Mr. Romney keeps bringing up the economy. Mr. Obama keeps bring up Bain Capital and for some reason certain portions of the press seemed obsessed with Mormonism. (To their shame I might add)

I do not know how this will all be played out. One pundit predicted the other day that either Mr. Obama wins narrowly or Mr. Romney wins convincingly. I can paint scenarios for both outcomes.

                        Mr. Obama seems to be made for campaigning as much as he seems loath actually governing.

For the President, he seems to base his strategy on the “other guy is worse than me”. Of course, he does have a record to run on. On many issues that record is dismal and unsavory--Perceived failed stimulus, record deficits, unemployment, massive government growth, unpopular government take-over of the health care system, expansion of government regulation and an apologetic foreign policy saddled with a bogged down war in Afghanistan and allowing a nuclear-determined Iran to proceed.  Given his propensity to divide and pit groups against each other, it is clear why he has chosen this particular way to run his re-election operation. Mr. Obama seems to be made for campaigning as much as he seems unsuited to actually governing.

Romney is also in an attacking mode. Conservatives have been critical of Mr. Obama since almost day one. They have worked-mostly unsuccessfully-to block his agenda. Their strategy seems to be “this guy is awful, we can do better” That mode seems sound but Mr. Romney is not the perfect candidate and carries some real and some imagined baggage. Indeed, Mr. Romney does have his flaws but he is qualified to assume the office but unfortunately, he is like the uncle who stays too long after Thanksgiving dinner.

It, of course is a disservice to the country and an insult to the voters to have to endure all of these campaign diversions, issues that are not important, distractions. It is politics but with the situation facing the country, it is important the electorate make sound choices of the direction forward.

It would be better if each candidate would plainly state the policies-and I mean specific policies and ideas-they would pursue beginning is January 2013. Voters can judge the record of each of them and make a character assessment but the direction of this campaign will lead voters to hold their nose and chose the least of the worst.

            Indeed, Mr. Romney does have his flaws but he is qualified to assume the office  but unfortunately, he is like the uncle who stays too long after Thanksgiving dinner.

I suspect most voters have already made up their minds. Democrats and certain groups believe the President has done a great job and any problems are caused either specifically by former President Bush or just Republicans in general. Republicans will overwhelmingly support their nominee and blame Mr. Obama for everything. Therefore, it is a small group of voters who will decide our fate.

 What we have is a Texas death match in the chicken wire with no holds barred.

The other issue, which will face the next President, is can he lead? Can he get anything done? And can he work with others on the other side to bring us together? If not, then this has all been a waste of time and expect more of the same.