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Voters message to Romney: Presidency Not for Sale

The hardest job for a political writer this season has been defining the message of the failed Mitt Romney campaign. He started out one year ago touting his credentials as a highly successful business executive and one-term Governor of Massachusetts. When it became clear Republican insiders were dismayed at the field of candidates, the Romney campaign made a calculated effort to go right, a move which forced Romney to distance himself from much of his in Massachusetts.

Romney changed course on abortion, gay rights, gun control, campaign finance and immigration. The former Governor was such a good salesman; however, that none of the other Republicans could pin him down as a flip-flopper, despite sounding the alarm on John Kerry doomed presidential bid three years ago. There is irony in the fact that the only issue which hurt the Romney camp was Iraq, on which he has been remarkably consistent. All credit goes to McCain strategists, who used their candidate's strength to strike a blow to Governor Romney shortly before the Florida primary on Jan. 29.

Despite a massive personal fortune, presidential looks and slick performances in the debates, Romney was given the impossible task of starting off with Iowa and New Hampshire. The Iowa Republican caucuses were tailor-made for Mike Huckabee. His regular-guy image and shoestring campaign were a good match for Midwestern simplicity. For Romney to out-conservative a Baptist preacher and Arkansas governor was to do the impossible. But a man clever enough to amass over $200 million dollars is a man used to getting his way. Romney utilized every connection to big business, the Mormon community and veterans from the Bush-Cheney campaign to fundraise his way into front-runner status, eclipsing John McCain, Rudy Giuliani and Fred Thompson in the process. In the first half of 2007 alone, Romney raised over $44 million dollars. The biggest campaign contributor was Romney himself, who donated well over $30 million. NPR reported that for every vote received in the caucuses and primaries, Mitt Romney spent $10.

A victory for Romney over maverick Senator John McCain would spell disaster for American politics. Republicans in New Hampshire, South Carolina, Florida and California sent clear a clear message: the super-wealthy cannot buy the presidency. It was true for Ross Perot in 1992 and 1996, Steve Forbes in 2000 and it remains true for Governor Romney. Success depends more on popularity with the masses than the ability to fundraise massive sums. Romney outspent his rivals where he won and; more often, outspent them where he lost. It is no small irony that Mitt Romney touted his experience in the private sector in every Republican debate. He now has the privilege of returning to it.

Learn more about this author, Luiz Bravim.
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