Mitt’s character; Huckabee supporters please read
A comment I read recently (perhaps even on this site) was that Republican voters making their mind up based on issues are overwhelmingly choosing Mitt (which is very encouraging), while those that are basing their decision solely on perceptions of character are choosing McCain. This surprises me quite a bit given what I know about Mitt, so I thought it was my duty to say what I know about Mitt’s character. To be clear, I’m not (yet) a personal friend, but I’ve been close enough on occasion to make an observation or two.
Character Counts
I’ve known members of the Romney family for a couple years now, principally one of Mitt’s sons, Matt, Matt’s wife and kids, and Ann’s younger brother who happens to live nearby. I’ve only exchanged words with Mitt once or twice, the most memorable for me being at church over a year ago when Matt introduced us. Mitt and his wife Ann at one point had to listen to my ramblings on the Old Testament as their assigned Sunday School teacher for the week. Since then, my in-person exposure has been seeing Mitt from afar at campaign events and shaking his hand at fundraisers. So I can’t lay any claim to a real personal relationship with him, and wasn’t sure he’d even recognize who I was. But at Thursday’s press event in San Diego, I happened to be in the crowd as Mitt passed my way. I put out my hand, he took it, looked at me and said, gratefully, “I can’t believe you’re still doing this.” This same person who was, the night before, on national television in a debate before tens of millions of people, who’s met hundreds of thousands of people through the campaign, took a brief moment to acknowledge my helping the cause. While I’m doing what I can, my effort obviously pales in comparison to his in terms of time, energy and financial commitment. With this little glimpse I was very impressed with his character; in this instance, his humility and his gratitude.
In all my interactions with Mitt’s family, from my limited exposure to Mitt and Ann, to Matt and Matt’s wife and children, to two of Ann’s brothers (with whom I was privileged to work while volunteering in Iowa), to Mitt’s other sons I’ve happened to meet in passing on the campaign (Tagg, Josh and Craig), to the company they all keep, a few character traits have consistently shown through: humility, integrity, and just plain goodness. These traits are not effectively taught without a strong example at home. It’s clear to me from what I’ve seen of Mitt and Ann’s own actions and those of their children that Mitt and Ann Romney truly are humble and good people. He’s no phony, he’s the real deal. He’s genuine. What looks to some to good to be true really is true.
It’s not about Power; It’s about Vision
Because of this humility I’ve witnessed, I don’t believe Mitt longs to be President of the United States for the power, and thus I don’t believe for a minute he “panders” for political favor. I believe, and he has communicated this, that he has a vision, based on principle, for what this country can be and what it should be. He has grandchildren for whom he wants to make a better future. He sees an economy in need not only of short-term repair, but long-term vision, and he knows he has the experience and tools to do something about it. He feels that, like the Olympics were in 2002, and in Massachusetts thereafter, Washington is broken and needs someone with principle and vision to lead it beyond its current problems. And he honestly feels that sending another Washington insider back as President will not be enough. Politicians have promised they’d fix problem after problem, and they haven’t delivered. Mitt’s experience has shown him he can.
My Testimonial
My testimonial therefore is that Mitt Romney is a man of character. Extraordinary character. You meet him even for a few moments and you feel it. I’ve hammered John McCain on this site before on any number of topics, but that’s because I want Mitt to win, not just for positions on issues I agree with, but because of his character. And what I mean by “character” isn’t just strength of character; I believe Mitt Romney is a good man.
To me, this race is not only about today’s problems, it’s about the tough ones that will come up in the future that no one can anticipate: no one saw 9/11 coming when George W. Bush first ran for president. No state had declared secession from the Union when Abraham Lincoln was first elected. This election is about how someone would deal with those issues we can’t foresee, when we’ll have to trust the qualities of our president. In that case we’ll want someone with intellect, self-control, judgment and a desire to do what’s right, even when no one is looking. I think this describes Mitt.
A Momentary Interjection of Faith
My personal belief is that this nation was founded by men inspired of God, and to fulfill its full potential, it needs to be led by good men and women who are humble enough, and good enough, to seek out His guidance. I don’t believe a president of a country as large and diverse as ours can effectively do his or her job without it. Mitt has compared the “old world” to a game of checkers with simple black and red sides, while our modern world is more like three dimensional chess, with complicated interrelationships, moves and countermoves. I respect the sacrifices Mr. McCain made for his country many years ago under the old regime, and in what he had to endure as a prisoner of war. But what he went through was forced upon him, and it is not forced sacrifice, but voluntary, self-sacrifice, and self-control, that to me more truly demonstrate a person’s character. And for our nation to merit the continued grace of a power greater than ourselves, which it is clear to me we will need, I believe our president will need to have these traits. While we’re told to “judge not, lest ye be judged,” we are in fact asked to judge between these two men for President, and I believe I see in Mitt Romney more leadership qualities and pure virtue than I do in John McCain.
Mike Huckabee Supporters
Mike Huckabee supporters, I believe we ultimately seek the same thing. We’re looking for a man of principle to lead this country and I’m hopeful what I’ve said above strikes a chord. I believe you know Mitt Romney supports the same causes you do, and always has personally. And now nearly all media outlets say the choice is down to Mitt and McCain. Mitt is not dropping out of the race; it’s only a matter of time before Huckabee does. So the question is whether you will support Mitt Romney or John McCain. In choosing, please remember that John McCain does not stand for the same principles you do. McCain is more like a Democrat than a Republican. For example he recently he expressed his lack of support for Justice Alito, because he “wore his conservativism on his sleeve.” As you know, one of the most critical functions of a president is to nominate Supreme Court justices that will hold the line on the expansion of rights not granted in the Constitution. Mitt is pro life and has pledged to appoint conservative justices. McCain supports embryonic research and does not fully support conservative justices. Also, in the general election we’ll need someone who can debate Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama or we will lose. McCain has not “won” any debate; Mitt Romney is usually considered the “winner.” On the issues, where Clinton and Obama are both articulate, McCain cannot hold his ground. In debates he’s chosen to level personal attacks rather than face issues. Romney meanwhile has focused on issues, knows the facts and can argue his position articulately. Huckabee supporters, you must realize we need to hang together or we will be separated as a voting bloc and we will all lose the very things we’re hoping to gain. Please join us in supporting Mitt.
