Damn.  Mitt Romney suspended his campaign today and with it eliminated my chance to actually vote FOR someone instead of against someone, or, as usual, the lesser of two evils.  Damn.



In the end I think his campaign sputtered because people have an innate distrust of someone who seems too good to be true.  I can't count the number of times I read comments like too perfect, or buttoned down, or together, or polished, self confident, well spoken, exceedingly well informed etc. etc.  He's a Brooks Brothers candidate in a Wall Mart culture. 

Perhaps his early strategy to grab the conservative mantle backfired because he seemed much more at ease when discussing policy.  A lesson missed then is, after eight years of W, the initial strategy should have been to stress competence over conservatism.  He is no slouch in either regard but competence is clearly his strong suit and also where his authenticity shines through.  

I wasn't one, like some, to call Romney Reagan reincarnate but then I am one, of very few it seems, that thinks the canonization of St Ronald is more than a little overblown.  One wonders if by today's standards of conservative purity the Gipper himself could measure up. 

He's young enough to try again.  We would be foolish to let a man of this caliber slip away again.  Guys this good don't come along very often, and when they do they are rarely selfless enough to run for President. 

So long citizen Romney.  Keep your chin up, your powder dry, and thank you for a valiant effort.  And please,  please, keep that hat handy to throw into the ring next time.  Maybe by then a critical mass of voters disaffected by politics as usual will be clamoring for a man of your integrity intelligence and class.