Mitt Romney, My Candidate

The following video of Mitt Romney was secretly and unscrupulously taped by a Des Moines, Iowa radio host named Jan Mickelson (or, by someone associated with him) as he interviewed Governor Romney on the air. The whole thing smells like a set-up, and yet, as you can see, it clearly backfired. Simply put, Mitt dominated.

This incident reminds me of a run-in Ronald Reagan had early in his 1980 campaign when he was filmed growling at a newspaper editor who was trying to silence him by having his microphone turned off: "I'm paying for this microphone, Mr. Breen!"

For some reason, Reagan's gut level reaction hit a chord with many Americans. It was real. The people loved it. I suspect this video will do the same thing for Mitt that the Gipper's comment did for him. I could not be more pleased.

I love this video. (The truth is, I needed it.) Far better than the debates have even come close to approaching, it reveals Mitt Romney's true quality. From it, we can see that the man is clearly up to the task of being President of the United States -- he is brilliant, he is honorable, and he can kick your butt if you are an obnoxious jerk. Note to Sam Brownback: Be afraid . . . be very afraid.

Give 'em heck Mitt!



P.S. After watching the video yet another time, I find that my heart is softening somewhat for Jan Mickelson. I need to remember that sometimes sincere people make mistakes. I now choose to give him the benefit of the doubt.

It's just that the first couple times I viewed the clip, I was so irritated by Jan's constant interruptions. He was asking tough questions. If he really wanted an honest answer (as I am sure he did) then he needed to be quiet long enough for it to be given.

I am a faithful, active, practicing Mormon. Everything Mitt Romney said to both Jan Mickelson and George Stephanopoulos was accurate. But, they were both so suspicious, and so convinced they knew better, that they rudely implied he was misrepresenting his faith.

That just drives me up the wall! Do they really believe they know more about his faith than he does? Do they really believe that he would ever attempt, or that he could ever get away with, publicly misrepresenting Church doctrine? That is nuts!

All the other candidates get to talk about their campaigns in a traditional fashion, addressing policy positions, etc. But, Governor Romney is repeatedly forced into talking primarily about the doctrines of his church. You can see how he might come to feel that he must now put his foot down, give short answers, and turn the subject back to traditional politics.

If you want to know about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there are numerous official outlets for obtaining that information. Mitt Romney is not one of them. It is not fair to single out Romney among all the candidates, and force him into being the one who only gets to talk about religion -- all the time, every time.

Is it fair to ask some questions? Sure. He has said that he is a believing Mormon. All the evidence would indicate as much. Okay, let's move on. But, if you think Mormons are freaks and you want to do an expose on them, then do it on your own time. Don't waste his limited time in front of the public, trying to tell him what he does and does not believe. That is not your right.

Realistically, a candidate only has a few seconds of air-time in order to portray himself to the voters. Apparently, certain folks in the media think Mitt Romney's time must be spent trying to explain complicated religious beliefs in mere sound bites. That is wrong.

He, understandably, wants to run as a candidate who also happens to be a Mormon. But, these people are insistent on portraying him as the Mormon who also happens to be a candidate. That is not right.

But, now that we know that is the way the game is going to be played, then, perhaps, Governor Romney should take a few more opportunities to let loose with some more unscripted and emotionally charged outbursts. These, unlike all the over polished statements one typically hears on the campaign trail, have the unmistakable ring of truth to them. That is why I loved this video.

Because of that, instead of being irritated with Jan Mickelson for repeatedly talking over the top of his guest, I really should thank him for producing the most credible portrayal of Governor Romney to date. Without him, we would not have this treasure.

Thanks, Jan. Please forgive me for being irritated.