comMITTed to Romney!

Kevin Anderson

No Defeat January 30th, 2008 | 11 Comments | Posted in Campaign Appearances, Campaign Trail, Character, Disappointment, Election Night, Family Values, Florida, Headlines, Hope, Integrity, John McCain, Leadership, Mitt Romney, Past Presidents, Patriotism, Politics, Primaries & Caucuses, Republican Nomination, Romney, Strategy, Turnaround Master

Many who read or write on this blog may feel disheartened by Romney’s “defeat” (actually a strong 2nd) in today’s Florida Primary. Certainly after much hard work by all of us it is only natural to sense some discouragement…somewhat like the wind being knocked out of your sails for a moment. We had expected a victory and we wouldn’t settle for less. As an avid lover of the sea I have noticed that the wind always returns and the sails fill again sending the ship to its intended destination.

Florida was one state out of fifty. Super Tuesday is coming. We cannot let the outcome of Florida betray our enthusiasm. Romney will win the Republican nomination for President of the United States.

Ann Romney brings immediate optimism with her statement, “This is just a send-off point; this is not an end.” I love the excitement she brings to the moment. What a great political partner to have in such a tight and contentious race!

One of the greatest Presidents in our history was an eternal optimist. After many political defeats (and one in particular), Lincoln told his friend Dr. Ray who continued to brood over Lincoln’s defeat, “You will soon feel better. Another blow up is coming; and we shall have fun again.” (Quoted from Team of Rivals)

Lincoln was not discouraged by his defeats…only his friends were. Like them, as we refocus our efforts towards Romney’s eventual nomination, we need to pull the bootstraps tight and start working the trenches just a bit harder. We are fighting for certain principles and for a better America. Each state individually is one stepping stone along the path to ultimate victory. The next contest is coming and it will be fun.

Just like Lincoln, Romney is winning the respect of others, earning their trust and even devotion as he moves along the campaign trail introducing himself to those who barely know him.

Read the following quotes about Lincoln’s strategy for the nomination. I think you will find them similar to Romney’s. These quotes are taken from A Team of Rivals.

As a dark horse, he knew it was important not to reveal his intentions too early, so as to minimize the possibility of opponents mobilizing against him.

It was important that any efforts on his behalf be squelched until the timing was right, and Lincoln, as would be evidenced throughout his presidency was a master of timing.

Not hindered by the hubris, delusions, and inconsistencies that plagued his three chief rivals, Lincoln gained steady ground through a combination of hard work, skill and luck. While his rivals felt compelled to reposition themselves toward the center of the party, Lincoln never changed his basic stance.

Though a successful bid for the nomination remained unlikely, a viable candidacy was no longer an impossible dream. Slowly and methodically, Lincoln set out to improve his long odds.

Most of his audiences had never laid eyes on him.

Once he began speaking he invariably forged an indelible impression, and left an impact on his listeners.

Though sensed by many to be an underdog candidate, Lincoln rose to the top and captured the nomination.

Romney is a master strategist. His focus for the nation is the right one. As we work “slowly and methodically” from state to state bringing the message of change, of fixing a broken Washington, and a re-commitment to time held American family values, I believe that America will listen, and the ‘long odds’ of success will be realized as we witness Romney place his hand on the Bible and swear and oath of duty as our next President.

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Kevin Anderson

A Democrat Conversion December 14th, 2007 | 3 Comments | Posted in Barack Obama, Campaign Appearances, Character, Common Sense Issues, Democrats, Faith in America, Family Values, Mike Huckabee, Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, Patriotism, Speeches

A long time friend and staunch democrat called me yesterday from Colorado. Ken told me that he was being pulled in many directions during this campaigning cycle.

“My loyalty to the democrat party that I’ve always had tells me that I should vote for Obama” he told me.

“However”,

he continued,

“No one in the democrat party seems to be concerned about the values that I want protected for my family, so for the longest time I’ve been thinking strongly about voting for Huckabee.”

And then Ken surprised me with this comment:

“Kevin, you’ve known me a long time, so I want you to be the first to know that I watched the speech given by Mitt Romney. During that speech something inside me changed and I realised that Romney is the man that we need as our President. He (Romney) seemed sincere and I believed him. He is different than all the rest and although I am a democrat, I am a family man first. I think he will be the best President in representing what the families in this country need. You can count on my vote.”

That was a shocker coming from Ken. But then again, I wasn’t too surprised. I honestly believe that when the average American sees the true difference of what Romney has to offer compared to the all too common message of the other candidates, they will find something much more appealing and inspiring. I’m beginning to discover that many individuals walk in lockstep with their “registered” party’s message, but in reality, deep inside, feel a greater need for something better than what is being offered. True patriotism and love of family demands something greater than the status quo, or a simple commonality of overlapping messages.

A good friend (Gary L.) wrote:

“Without contrast there is no education…there is no persuasion…there is no motivation…there is no growth…there is nothing.”

I believe that Governor Romney’s contrasting message of hope for families, hope for the security of our nation, hope for a strong and competitive economy and ambition to bring common sense back into government will ring loud in the inner hearts of many like my friend Ken. As Romney continues to contrast his message with those of his rivals, I think others will come to realize that what they silently and inwardly believe may be much closer to the message that Romney so eloquently evokes.

America is full of ‘Kens.’

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Kevin Anderson

“The Speech”, a Spiritual Moment December 8th, 2007 | 3 Comments | Posted in 2008, Ann Marie Curling, Campaign Trail, Character, Christians, David Brody, Debates, Evangelicals, Faith, Faith in America, Governor, Kevin Anderson, Mitt Romney, Religion, Values, Victor Lunquist

I was privileged and humbled to be in the Presidential Library’s assembly room with my good friend Vic. We were joined by Ann Marie and Rebecca who also writes on this blog. Like others we had anxiously awaited the coming of ‘the speech’.

The media were all in place and the audience was seated. Many in the room were discussing loudly amongst each other, others whispered excitedly. Some like me I imagine were even contemplating silently about what we were about to experience.

At 9:20 am a sudden unprompted hush came over the assembly and the room became silent. Secret service detail entered from the side door nearest the stage and took their positions. They stood straight -faced and erect… and they waited.

At 9:25am Mrs. Barbara Bush entered the room with the elegance and class that defines the image of a First Lady. In an instant, the silence was shattered as the crowd raised to their feet and gave her a thunderous applause of respect and admiration. She smiled to the group like only a grandmother could, and was seated.

At 9:30 am the door opened again. Emerging into the room with all the dignity and humility of his former office as the 41st President of the United States, President George Herbert Walker Bush was greeted to another eruption of applause from the audience as he escorted Governor Mitt Romney, his wife Ann, and his family into the room and up onto the stand.

The former President took to the podium and welcomed those in attendance and gave a warm and heartfelt introduction to Governor Mitt Romney. He related his friendship with the Romney family and his appreciation for others. But this was not to be his moment, so he turned the microphone over to the Governor.

By this writing most of you have probably heard the speech with its many commentaries and political dissections so I won’t go into that with this blog. But I want to share some personal observations, feelings and emotion unlike any that I have felt before.

This was more than an incredible speech. For me and so many others, it was a spiritual moment. If you had been in the room with us you would have felt an overwhelming spirit that encased and validated the very essence of Faith in America . It was bigger than Romney and bigger than any one or any combination of religions represented in that room. I sensed that I was witnessing divinely inspired history in the making that transcended any campaign or personal agenda. The spirit was overwhelming. Many commented on what they felt and the fact that we had all been touched by something greater than each of us.

As I bathed in this incredible feeling, my mind played images of other defining moments in our nation’s history including a time when the founding fathers met secretly to decide the fate and future our nation. I silently thought about other critical decision making moments in history that faced past great Presidents. It has been recorded by them that during those crucial times they felt they had been moved by something greater than them, something spiritual, helping to direct their cause. Not for them personally, but for the good of the nation and its people. As Romney gave his now historical speech, I think I felt that same feeling. Others did too.

This was one of those spiritual moments that was good for the nation.

I spoke with the Reverend Lou Sheldon afterwards in the lobby. Reverend Sheldon is head of the Traditional Values Coalition which claims to be the largest non-denominational grassroots church lobby in America. I asked him how he personally felt about the speech. He summed it up the way many felt. He told me “This is what we call in the Evangelical world ‘a God thing’. I felt it, I cried, Romney cried, who didn’t? It was a defining moment in American history. The content was so profound“.

Jewish leader and businessman, David Nierenberg who was dressed in his religious shawl and yarmulke to show respect and reverence for the occasion confessed to me that he too was touched and wept. He also told me, “It’s not how you worship or what you wear. I’ve come here dressed like this to signify that fact.”

Dr. Richard Land, head of the 20 million member Southern Baptist Convention said, “America needed this more than Romney did.” He continued, “This is a ringing reminder of what we really need to believe.”

During the speech was a man sitting in front of me who I watched with interest. His initial countenance seemed to reflect one of distrust. When the room erupted with applause during the first half of the speech, he remained motionless. His face showed some discomfort. During the last half of the speech he began to change little by little … giving a short applause with a half smile and sometimes an occasional nod of approval which he didn’t seem to want to display too openly. However, near the end he began to seem quite involved. He elbowed the woman next to him with a big grin and he applauded approvingly. His countenance had changed completely and he told the woman next to him, “now that was really good.” I don’t know anything about this man or the people sitting next to him. I don’t know if he came with an agenda, or was leery of the speech; he may have even been an ardent supporter of Romney who was just taking awhile to warm up. But nonetheless, I watched as his countenance changed and he was touched by the deeper message of the speech.

Just as Dr Richard Land implied by his comments, this speech was much bigger than Romney. It was bigger than any single religion or agenda in the room. All who listened seemed touched and inspired. I was. And I felt humbled and grateful to be there.

We all gathered into the lobby after the speech. Someone said it felt “electrified”. At the very least it was energized with activity and discussion about the speech. Beyond those that I mentioned above, here are a few other comments that I heard:

“It was very Presidential”, David Brody of CBN

“He has more than passed the test”, (overheard)

“He has hit this one out of the park” (overheard)

“Magnificent, it was a landmark speech”, Robert Millet

“He maximized it. It was an eloquent defense for a pluralistic religious society and was a wise thing for him (Romney) to do”… “He made some points”…. “This speech will give him (Romney) a 2nd or 3rd hearing by Evangelicals and social conservatives” … “Some things he said will be reassuring to Evangelicals.” Richard Land

“Just like Kennedy, he (Romney) did not use one sentence in defending Mormonism. You can open yourself up about your theological beliefs, but that belongs in the seminary, at church and the water cooler, but not in a Presidential debate” … “Judge me on how my faith impacts how I govern.” Richard Land

“I am not an endorser of candidates, never have, never will. But I am a supporter of religious freedom” … “It was an appropriate speech.” Richard Land

Vic Lundquist and I spoke with Glenn Beck who commented, “God is bigger than any one faith.”

All of these comments and many others that I heard that day harmonized with Governor Romney’s speech wherein he stated, “…we welcome a symphony of faiths.” Many were represented in that room.

I was not only inspired as I heard a Presidential quality speech that day, but humbled and moved to feel something greater than all of us who were there. For a moment we all seemed as one. I believe it was because of the unifying spirit of faith that prevailed. This is what America needs.

Thank you to all of those who allowed me the opportunity to witness this historical event. I only wish all of you who are reading this blog could have been in that room with the rest of us who were there. Whether Romney wins the nomination or not his inspired speech has left an indelible mark on my soul as one of life’s great spiritual experiences.

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Kevin Anderson

“High Trust” September 1st, 2007 | 10 Comments | Posted in Character, F. Thompson, Mitt Romney

One of the greatest leaders and patriots in our country’s history said this: “I have a zeal at my heart for my country and her friends which I cannot smother or conceal”. John Adams, who made that statement was surrounded by others who felt the same and would sacrifice much … who were not afraid to ‘put it all on the line’ to bring their dream of positive change and freedom to a people in conflict.

When it came to facing the opposition he said. “Tomorrow we reach the theater of action. God Almighty grant us wisdom and virtue sufficient for the high trust that is devolved upon us.”

And then, in his deep felt passion to do more he told his wife, “Oh, that I were a soldier.”

Those three statements tell much about the man and his character. His country and friends meant much more to him than his own personal comfort and safety. He had an open and resounding, infectious “zeal” for his country, a love for the people and their future welfare, and a courageous desire to meet the opposition at personal risk in order for others to benefit.

We have seen politicians over the years who have had a similar zeal, with grand dreams and ideals that went beyond personal need for recognition, to bring positive change that would strengthen our nation. They fought and debated to see those dreams come to fruition, sometimes at great personal cost.

I see some in both parties today who are not afraid to stand in the face of controversy, taking their impassioned ideas and agendas before the American people for consideration. I believe that most are genuine. I respect those who are. We live in perilous times with a nation divided. We need great leaders who will stand tall, debate, defend and inspire. That’s what makes this country great. Through the exchange of ideas, an outward showing of zeal for a cause, and the confident commitment of resolve to maintain the highest principles, we as a people will choose one of those to lead us. We must choose wisely.

However, there is one who in my mind does not share those qualities worthy to be the leader and President of this great nation. He is Fred Thompson. He has hidden in the shadows. He has shirked from commitment. He has no zeal, no dreams, no desire to ‘face the opposition’, nor has he inspired anyone by his silence and lack of ideas.

Fred Thompson is probably a good person. He is probably a good lawyer. He is a good actor. But I suspect his motivation is purely a selfish one or an ego boost. It must be fun and exciting for Fred to know that people might like him and would want him to run for President for no real reason. We live in a celebrity titillated world, and Fred Thompson is surely a celebrity in the eyes of many. But that does not make him worthy of the highest office in the land.

He evades the opportunity to debate. He avoids discussing controversial but important matters that will have lasting effects upon the people of this nation and the world. He does not take the leadership position, but is pushed into the race by those who are hoping that he will become a leader. He enjoys the hype and popularity because it boosts his ego.

But, chasing after popularity is meaningless and hollow. There is no substance to it. It will come and then it will go.

When it comes to voting for President of the United States, I want a person of character, who has a “zeal” and a passion to lead this great land. I want a person who is not afraid to face the “theater of action”, someone who will stand tall and debate his beliefs and dreams … not a coward who tries to find loopholes and excuses to avoid the confrontation. I want someone who will say to themselves, “Oh that I were a soldier” in fighting for the greatness of this country with integrity and high ideals.

When considering who we will vote for President, it is incumbent upon all Americans to to consider John Adam’s words when he said; “God Almighty grant us wisdom and virtue sufficient for the high trust that is devolved upon us.” There is certainly a high trust placed upon those who will lead us. But, equally, there is a high trust placed upon each of us to choose wisely who that leader will be. “God Almighty grant us wisdom and virtue sufficient” to choose wisely.

Fred Thompson is not that man.

However, there is one other candidate who is impassioned with a desire to serve for the sake of serving. He brings into the contest an energetic honesty, void of scandal, worthy and motivated by a zeal to create a better nation for his children…and our children. Like every man I am sure that he wishes to carve out a place in history that will be kind to his name, but his vision for the country is not about popularity. He is not bound by the cords of cronyism or stuck in the mire of the ‘doing it the way its always been done in Washington syndrome’, because he is not a career politician, nor need he be. His self worth extends beyond the superficial praise of those who would cheer him on. His ambition and conviction are focused only on what is best for his country.

Mitt Romney has neither ‘smothered nor concealed’ the love and passion he carries towards the nation he loves, and brings with that a fighting spirit, unhidden and open to debate, unafraid to stand in the face of controversy to bring positive change to a nation divided … to a people and world in conflict.

In stark contrast to Fred Thompson, Mitt Romney IS the ONLY candidate worthy of the ‘high trust’ of our worthy nation.

~ Kevin

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