Mitt Romney is now officially running for President. Yipee. Cue the balloon drop. The excitement is palpable right? Maybe not.
Cue the glazed over looks by Tea Party members. Cue the skeptical eyes by many in the Evangelical community. Cue the “I Like Mitt Romney but don’t love him” bumper stickers from the Main Street GOP K Street crowd.
What’s the point? The point is Mitt Romney isn’t generating excitement and that’s not a good thing. He wins the award for ‘Biggest Flawed GOP Frontrunner.”
We learned from President Obama that you don’t need a great resume to be president so Mitt Romney’s spectacular resume won’t do the trick. We also have learned that just because you can raise the most money (Romney 2008), it doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed the nomination.
Look, Mitt Romney’s central challenge is not substance. He’s got the presidential pedigree. Romney’s main issue is one of image. He has to somehow be able to show off his acute businessman skills yet not come off as a traditional slick GOP establishment businessman.
Unfortunately for Romney he is who he is and if he tries to reinvent himself (yet again), it won’t work. So he has to go with the “Mr. Fix It” persona and let the rest of the chips fall where they may.
Despite all Romney’s flaws, he could easily be the last man standing. A win in New Hampshire (probable), plus victories in Michigan and Nevada, will keep him relevant.
But he needs to win Florida. Without Florida, he’s in trouble and he knows it. But if he wins that state, it very well could be sunshine ahead.