Romney Rising

This piece here by Jim Geraghty over at NRO details how the Romney camp has been so quick to respond to the distractions that the President's campaign has been trying to drum up. This is in reference to the charge about how the Romney's transported their dog on top of the car back in 1983, and then also all the uproar over how Ann Romney supposedly never worked a day in her life.

Romney has been very, very impressive the last several weeks. And I'm really pleased with how the GOP has been lining up behind him recently as well. This week he picked up Rick Perry's endorsement, and Santorum has been said to be following suit soon as well. In spite of however much vitriol was spewed from these other candidates, they realize that there is a lot at stake with this Presidential election and they have been getting on board with what needs to happen if there will be any hope of unseating the incumbent.

That Geraghty piece is interesting because it goes into some of the tactics employed by the McCain campaign back in 2008 and how they utterly refused to engage in any of the back and forth with the Obama campaign.

2008 was just a bad year. There was a very unpopular president, with an economy on the decline, and an up-and-comer, and even if the perfect candidate had been nominated, I don't think it would have amounted to much against the tide that had been formed at that time. This year, however, the tide seems to be ebbing and I think this a great opportunity to get someone who can be really good as the next President.

I know that I have been really hesitant about Romney, but I think he has just been shining lately. His wife is a star, and he seems so much more polished and capable now. 2008 sharpened him, but so has the primary season. I'm excited about him and think he has a real chance at winning this thing.

Anyway, here's another post about Romney, following his sweep this past Tuesday.  This excerpt comes from his speech:

We launched this campaign not far from here on a beautiful June day. It has been long and extraordinarily rewarding.

Americans have always been eternal optimists. But over the last three and a half years, we have seen hopes and dreams diminished by false promises and weak leadership. Everywhere I go, Americans are tired of being tired, and many of those who are fortunate enough to have a job are working harder for less.

For every single mom who feels heartbroken when she has to explain to her kids that she needs to take a second job … for every grandparent who can’t afford the gas to visit his or her grandchildren … for the mom and dad who never thought they’d be on food stamps … for the small business owner desperately cutting back just to keep the doors open one more month – to all of the thousands of good and decent Americans I’ve met who want nothing more than a better chance, a fighting chance, to all of you, I have a simple message: Hold on a little longer. A better America begins tonight.
…
Four years ago Barack Obama dazzled us in front of Greek columns with sweeping promises of hope and change. But after we came down to earth, after the celebration and parades, what do we have to show for three and a half years of President Obama?

Is it easier to make ends meet? Is it easier to sell your home or buy a new one? Have you saved what you needed for retirement? Are you making more in your job? Do you have a better chance to get a better job? Do you pay less at the pump?

If the answer were “yes” to those questions, then President Obama would be running for re-election based on his achievements–and rightly so. But because he has failed, he will run a campaign of diversions, distractions, and distortions. That kind of campaign may have worked at another place and in a different time. But not here and not now. It’s still about the economy…and we’re not stupid.

And then an excerpt from the post I linked to:

As I watch Mitt Romney, this thought also occurs to me: Romney is sometimes criticized as “inauthentic,” but this is radically incorrect. As a politician, he has had to tack with the winds from time to time, like anyone else. But as a person, Romney is hugely authentic. His persona is no mystery: he is a Dad. We have all known men like Mitt Romney. We may think they are square and out of date; we may roll our eyes if they are occasionally goofy. But when times are tough, in moments of crisis, everyone knows where to turn: we look to leaders of character, competence and decency, like Mitt Romney. I am increasingly confident that in November, Americans will see Mitt Romney as just what we need after four years of Barack Obama’s incompetence.