RNC 2012: For Romney, voters’ love would be nice — but their respect may suffice
TAMPA — Giving a glimpse at Mitt the man was Ann Romney’s job Tuesday night, and she framed her story as one about love: hers for him and his for her, their family and his fellow man.
Defining the choice between the Romney Republicans and Barack Obama’s Democrats was Chris Christie’s job immediately afterward, and he framed his story as one about respect: the kind, as he said his mother taught him, a person sometimes has to seek instead of love. The kind that leads one to make tough decisions, to say “no” when it’s right, even if “yes” would be easier.
“Look into your hearts,” Ann Romney implored.
“I believe we have become paralyzed by our desire to be loved,” Christie intoned, not so many minutes later.
And any number of people watching the first full night of the 2012 Republican National Convention must have thought, Um, THAT’S awkward.
But the two messages were not as incongruent as they appeared at first blush. Christie explained why early in his speech: “love without respect [is] always fleeting,” but “respect [can] grow into real, lasting love.”
“I think,” he continued, “that advice applies to America today more than ever.” Certainly, he and Ann and the entire GOP hope it applies to Mitt Romney.
Unloved by much of his own party, Mitt Romney won its presidential nomination almost bloodlessly mechanically: with superior organization, discipline and resources. He was unloved, but he came to be respected. And to judge by a night when, for long stretches of time, the only full-throated cheers came when the speakers on the stage invoked his name, his party’s faithful have developed something like the respect-driven love Mama Christie told her son about.
Now the task is to repeat the trick with the broader electorate, against an opponent with whom voters fell into something more akin to infatuation four years ago.
It was to that end that Ann Romney spoke about respect as much as Christie did, and as deeply, if not explicitly, as she spoke about love.
There was the respect for parents — and especially for mothers, without whom, she said, “there would not be an America.”
“It’s the moms who always have to work a little harder to make everything right,” she said. (This dad knows that’s true.)
“We don’t want easy. But,” and here she distinguished between women’s usual burden and the heavier one they’ve felt during an administration that likes to talk about a War on Women, “these last few years have been harder than they needed to be.”
It’s not just “the little things that pile up,” like the cost of gas and groceries, but “the big things — the good jobs, the chance at college, that home you want to buy, just get harder. Everything has become harder.”
Then this applause line, one of the night’s best: “We’re too smart to know there aren’t easy answers. But we’re not dumb enough to accept that there aren’t better answers.”
There was also the respect for individual success. Here, she made one of the best cases yet offered for respecting, not demonizing, her husband’s business career.
“It amazes me to see his history of success actually being attacked,” she said. “Are those really the values that made our country great? As a mom of five boys, do we want to raise our children to be afraid of success? Do we send our children out in the world with the advice, ‘Try to do [just] OK?’ “
Then another kicker, again bringing it back to the decision at hand: “Let’s be honest. If the last four years had been more successful, do we really think there would be this attack on Mitt Romney’s success?”
Of course not, she — and any intellectually honest person watching her — said.
Mitt Romney and his partners created success for themselves, success “beyond their dreams,” she said. But it didn’t stop there. “The jobs that grew from the risks they took have become college educations, first homes. That success has helped fund scholarships, pensions, and retirement funds.
“This is the genius of America: dreams fulfilled help others launch new dreams.”
The many, many Americans who understand that truth may or may not love Mitt Romney now. But in the end, he’s not asking them to love him. Nor, really, is his wife.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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121 comments Add your comment
independent thinker
August 29th, 2012
8:38 pm
Trust Anne’s husband? Sure just show me the tax returns first . . Don’t give me that “you people got all you need ” garbage. Then we got – I won’t give it to you because it has too much ammunition in it. And then we get –it is a secret because of our donations which both of us previously bragged about in an interview. Trust and verify a serious conservative knows that one. Time to quit the games.
Sorry Anne he has already let me down.
td
August 29th, 2012
8:39 pm
JamVet
August 29th, 2012
8:31 pm
Talk about gambling. Let you and I make a bet. No money and nothing privately but something publicly. I will bet that Romeny wins the election and you bet that Obama wins. Loser comes on this board, within two days of the election, and states the other is smarter and wiser where it comes to politics. Now if one welches on the bet then we both agree to a lifetime ban by Kyle on his blog.
Will you put your pride and honor where you mouth is?
Jeff
August 29th, 2012
8:42 pm
Fact, the economy started to crash after the dems took the house and senate in 2006, Fact, Bush warned the congress in 2003 about Fannie Mae and Freddy. Fact, the US was attacked on 2001 and he rallied the country in a great way and we have not been attacked since. Fact, the tactics used to get information to kill Bin Ladin was put in place by Bush, Obama has eliminated those tactics and intelligence gathering is much harder now. Fact, Obama and the dems spent so much money in his first two years that we are near a fiscal collapse.. Mitt Romney will make a great president and he will repair all the damage that Obama and dems have caused.
JamVet
August 29th, 2012
8:49 pm
Clean up on Aisle Number Jeff.
Are you another free speech hater, Jeff?
td, I really do hate that you are going to embarrass yourself on a public forum yet again, but what the hey.
You seem hellbent on it, so let the games begin…
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
August 29th, 2012
8:49 pm
Fact: Tax revenues went UP after the Bush tax cuts were implemented.
They BOTH suck
August 29th, 2012
8:52 pm
Jeff
You do not run this blog. Regardless of political affiliation as long as one plays by Kyle’s rules they are free to post here.
If you do not like that, I suggest you or whomever run wherever your heart desires
Have a great evening
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
August 29th, 2012
8:53 pm
We need a name for the whack jobs whining about President Romney’s tax returns from three-plus years ago. I first thought “taxers”, but Obozo’s got that one locked up.
JDW
August 29th, 2012
8:55 pm
Problem with Romney is he neither loves nor respects 90 percent of the electorate. They understand this and in the long run more than 50 percent of them will vote for the other guy.
td
August 29th, 2012
8:55 pm
Kyle,
Please note that JamVet took my bet and now you need to be willing to be the third party enforcer if the bet is not paid off after the election.
JDW
August 29th, 2012
8:58 pm
@LBB…”We need a name for the whack jobs whining about President Romney’s tax returns from three-plus years ago. I first thought “taxers”, but Obozo’s got that one locked up”
How about prudent or savvy? Smart is also a good fit along with perceptive.
JamVet
August 29th, 2012
8:59 pm
Jeez, td, are you always such a crybaby?
LOL!!!
You’d think you had 10 large on the line instead of your impending petty little declaration of defeat…
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
August 29th, 2012
8:59 pm
Enviers
Jeff
August 29th, 2012
8:59 pm
They Both suck, Your right, I do believe in the freedom of speech and I stand corrected.
The libs can act stupid on this blog just as well as on the other!
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
August 29th, 2012
9:00 pm
How about prudent or savvy?
———
How about “tools” or “useful idiots”
They BOTH suck
August 29th, 2012
9:02 pm
Jeff
You are doing it now and have not been banned
Carry on
mmax459
August 29th, 2012
9:03 pm
STOP EMBARRASSING WHITE PEOPLE!
NOT ALL WHITE MEN ARE INSECURE, SPOILED BRATS WHO DEFINE THEMSELVES BY HIDING BEHIND DADDY’S MONEY!
NOT ALL WHITE PEOPLE ARE DECEITFUL, IGNORANT, AND RACIST!
NOT ALL WHITE PEOPLE ARE AT WAR WITH KNOWLEDGE!
STOP EMBARASSING WHITE PEOPLE!
STOP EMBARASSING WHITE PEOPLE!
STOP EMBARASSING WHITE PEOPLE!
STOP EMBARASSING WHITE PEOPLE!
STOP EMBARASSING WHITE PEOPLE!
HOW WILL OUR WHITE CHILDREN – ESPECIALLY THE BOYS – EVER BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY GIVEN THIS DEFECATION ON THEIR DEMOGRAPHIC?
STOP EMBARRASSING WHITE PEOPLE!
They BOTH suck
August 29th, 2012
9:04 pm
Jam
You can bet td was touting that same tripe in 08.
He likes to post Dick Morris polls as if he has the real poll numbers. One would think after Dick’s declaration of a McCain walk away in 08, he would have learned
JDW
August 29th, 2012
9:05 pm
@LBB…”How about “tools” or “useful idiots”
That’s what I call the 30 odd percent that don’t want him to release more information.
td
August 29th, 2012
9:07 pm
JamVet
August 29th, 2012
8:59 pm
Jeez, td, are you always such a crybaby?
LOL!!!
You’d think you had 10 large on the line instead of your impending petty little declaration of defeat…
Nope, just making sure you get banned because I know your huge ego is not going to allow you to come on and publicly state that I am smarter and wiser about politics then you are.
They BOTH suck
August 29th, 2012
9:09 pm
td
If that were so, you would know that Morris is a hack. He was a hack for Clinton and a hack now
Granted a wealthy hack, but still a hack
td
August 29th, 2012
9:11 pm
They BOTH suck
August 29th, 2012
9:04 pm
Jam
You can bet td was touting that same tripe in 08.
He likes to post Dick Morris polls as if he has the real poll numbers. One would think after Dick’s declaration of a McCain walk away in 08, he would have learned
Would you like to make the same bet I made with JamVet?
They BOTH suck
August 29th, 2012
9:15 pm
td
I will acknowledge that you were correct about the outcome, but I have read your posts numerous times.
So I will not say what is far far from the truth. You may not like my politics but I am not a liar today nor will I be one for you any day
JamVet
August 29th, 2012
9:15 pm
td, even if I were ever banned it would not make a tinker’s damn difference to me.
I am smart enough not to not get canned, much less repeatedly, like several of your pals here. Especially for being a loutish brat who makes incessant unprovoked personal insults.
And you know who they are as well as I, don’t you?
I don’t keep score, but I would venture that it is something like Jamvet -11, cons – 0.
And unlike you cons whose whole social life is apparently defined by “winning ” (LOL!) on these forums, I would not lose a step.
Not even a half of a step.
And good luck in your childish/fascistic fantasies to silence me!
You are going to need it!
Lil' Barry Bailout - Vote American
August 29th, 2012
9:16 pm
Whining about tax returns won’t reduce Obozo’s un-American budget deficits, or reduce unemployment, or move folks off welfare. Maybe you should be whining about things that actually affect people’s lives.
Of course, that would be blasphemy against your messiah, eh?
getalife
August 29th, 2012
9:18 pm
jeff,
No.
JamVet
August 29th, 2012
9:21 pm
And just to show you how silly your game is td, if it were not such horrible news for the nation, I would not mind telling the blog how brilliant you really are. At all!
It would actually be great fun.
But you?
You take yourself and your opinions so seriously that you would have an aneurism just working up the courage to say those words!
I guess we will get the chance soon enough to see how you handle the pressure!
TW
August 29th, 2012
9:25 pm
We had a Republican Moron for president from 2000-2008 and he invaded the wrong country and crashed the market. ‘w’ might not have been the polygamist Romney is, but he was definitely a Moron.
No more Morons in the White House!
jconservative
August 29th, 2012
9:26 pm
Both Romney and Obama have asked me to vote for them. I asked both of them several questions. My decision on whom to vote for will depend on the answers.
Clue: neither candidate is answering questions. Not good.
Bob Loblaw
August 29th, 2012
9:31 pm
Kyle:
I read it before commenting. I get your angle. Multiple Choice Mitt is tough to swallow for die-hard conservatives. He’s taken every side on every issue and that is impossible to respect.
td
August 29th, 2012
9:32 pm
JamVet
August 29th, 2012
9:15 pm
I have also been around for a while and have never been banned and have always posted under the same screen name. It is not about winning just against you (that would be fun) but you are well respected among other the lib bloggers on here would have to take notice if you lost and had to admit you were wrong.
getalife
August 29th, 2012
9:34 pm
Good point Bob.
You have to earn respect and think the cons should show our President some respect after he is reelected.
Dusty
August 29th, 2012
9:34 pm
Ann Romney made a fine speech. Romney is gaining the respect he deserves.
There ’s a light at the end of the tunnel.. Finally!. After four years!
.
They BOTH suck
August 29th, 2012
9:36 pm
Jam
Td actually thinks he is some political Einstein, but when you read his posts and what he links, it goes down hill fast.
Isn’t because he is a conservative, but it is because he will read every hack out there and sallow it hook, line and sinker.
As you now there are plenty of lefties doing the same
Tom(Independent Viet Vet,USAF)
August 29th, 2012
9:36 pm
As much as I hate to say it, Obama will win. But it is not because he is the best person to run this country. It is because his federal govt gives out freebies to 48% of the population. Be real Libs, admit it and move on. In 4 more yrs our National Debt will be 22 trillion and counting. Libs just do not care about the futures of our children and grand-children! They just believe in LIVE FOR NOW and ME ME ME!!!~
Buzzy
August 29th, 2012
9:38 pm
You can’t pin Romney down. He changes his positions all the time. How can you really respect a guy like this.
It’s obvious the people at the convention want anyone but Romney. Romney might as well be the doorman.
I hope Ryan treats Romney better in his speech than Christie did.
Dusty
August 29th, 2012
9:43 pm
Well, JamVet says he would not give a tinker’s damn if he were banned here
.Could we give that a try and see what happens?
TW
August 29th, 2012
9:45 pm
“Ann Romney made a fine speech. Romney is gaining the respect he deserves.
There ’s a light at the end of the tunnel.. Finally!. After four years!”
Buy your weed elsewhere, young lass – Biff and his boy-wonder (ewwwwww) actually looked better in Vegas before the sitcom in Tampa began this week…
Gonna take more than one election to fan the stench of that ‘w’ turd across the border.
Support the Troops!
Tom(Independent Viet Vet,USAF)
August 29th, 2012
9:47 pm
My probable last thought of this evening. I hope you fine Southern gentlemen on this blog will be as gracious and kind to Michelle Obama as you have been to Ann Romney at the upcoming DNC convention!
Lynnie Gal
August 29th, 2012
9:53 pm
What does Ann Romney know about worrying about the cost of gas and groceries? About struggling at a low paid job and then coming home to nothing but worry? What does Ann Romney know about not having health insurance or having insurance that won’t pay for much, and having breast cancer? MS? Ann Romney tried to portray herself as the poor little rich girl. Sorry–I don’t have too much sympathy ro the Uber-rich. Try having cancer while being poor and lacking insurance. For that, I feel sympathy.
They BOTH suck
August 29th, 2012
9:54 pm
Tom
You mean like all the MOOCHELLE comments?
Those derogatory comments and bs have already been said numerous times by the right, here and elsewhere.
And I would have to agree that stupid people on the left will say stupid crap about Ann Romney
Sad, but the nature of the beast in big boy politics
Neither side has clean hands nor have they ever had them.
JamVet
August 29th, 2012
9:56 pm
If you have the britches big enough to make it happen, go for it dusty.
Otherwise you are just tinkling in the wind!
Perhaps you do, but I do not blog to earn anyone’s respect, td.
Not do I do so, to “win”. My arguments either persuade or they do not. They are either compelling or they are not. I use as amny facts as I can find to make my points and I always challenge others here to disprove.countermand them if they can.
I blog because I am passionate about and crazy in love with the United States of America and Uncle Sam/we the people. Always have been and am not ashamed to admit it.
Also to learn from others here, who have taught me a great deal.
If I can share some valuable/important information along the way, so be it.
getalife
August 29th, 2012
9:59 pm
Dusty,
Where is that Southern hospitality?
Tom,
The Obama’s are role models and our country is blessed to have them.
Good enough?
Dusty
August 29th, 2012
10:00 pm
TW 9:45
Do you have an excuse for your obnoxious behavior?
Try to keep it home, ol’ man,, ’cause we don’t need it here.
finn mccool
August 29th, 2012
10:01 pm
Condi says “support the tropps”
republicans say”cut their benefits”
finn mccool
August 29th, 2012
10:02 pm
Dusty, go to be. you can’t take another person’s point of view…..I guess that makes you a true Republican!
finn mccool
August 29th, 2012
10:04 pm
I blog because I am passionate about and crazy in love with the United States of America and Uncle Sam/we the people. Always have been and am not ashamed to admit it.
a true american
Dusty
August 29th, 2012
10:05 pm
JamVet,
When are you going to start sharing that valuable/important information?
I haven’t seen any here.
Dusty
August 29th, 2012
10:08 pm
Finn’s here!
I thought you had finished your shift. DNC shut down?
finn mccool
August 29th, 2012
10:08 pm
Condi:
“Ours hs been a struggle of opportunity”
Yeah, those white folks have had to sruggle against the oppression from them black people.
td
August 29th, 2012
10:08 pm
Condi speaks the truth. The Dems are going to crush our society if they keep up this entitlement society mentality.