Opinion
Romney vs Obama: Why the Pot Should Never Call the Kettle Black
It is quite interesting Romney fails to point out how his popularity had plummeted severely during his term as Governor. Then again, it is easier to point out the faults of others while failing to see your own.
And while Romney and his supporters are quick to question Obama’s leadership ability, how can they be blind to the fact that Romney is a fly by night leader? He did not even try to run or defend his term as governor, but rather decided to throw himself into the 2008 Presidential arena and that begs the question: why does Romney want to be president so bad?
My personal opinion and belief is that Romney is trying to follow in his father’s footsteps and then do what his father could not; become President of the United States? Now for Americans, that should be a cause for concern because they have been through this game before with George W. Bush and his war in Iraq. Bush’s desire to outdo his father, by getting rid of Saddam Hussein, not only led to the country wasting US$87 billion on a war that had nothing to do with 9-11, but also a tragic loss of life for those brave men and women who answered the call of duty.
While I am not saying that Romney might turn out to be as bad as George W. Bush, I do believe that there are similarities. You see, like Bush, Romney learned from the mistakes of his father and seemed determined to rectify those mistakes. Most people may not know that Romney’s father, George W. Romney, ran for the presidency of the United States, as a Republican, back in 1968. However, the elder Romney’s campaign fell apart because he appeared too liberal and sealed his fate when he retracted his support for the Vietnam War claiming that he was brain washed back in 1967.
There can be no doubt that the elder Romney’s failed campaign had a profound effect on Mitt Romney which explains why Romney has been the ultimate chameleon, in terms of his policies, in order to get votes. In fact, Romney’s bid for the Republican ticket reminds me of the student who tries to pad his resume with numerous volunteering and community service activities in order to get into an Ivy League college even though he does not believe in half the things he is volunteering for. Thus it is no surprise his “declaration” of the standard tenets of the Republican Party, which included membership into the National Rifle Association (NRA), not only seemed contrived but also reveals the desperation of a man eager to do what his father could not in order to make his mark.
But Romney’s willingness to do whatever it takes to become president and his lack of having a consistent plan and policy reveals his character flaw. For even though his father did not achieve the presidency, he was a man who stood by what he believed in and also demonstrated his convictions regardless of what his party affiliations were. So even though Romney’s father did not win the presidency, he achieved something greater; the maintenance of his dignity, character and honor – a feat few politicians could ever achieve.
So while Romney paints himself as the Messiah and economic turn-around artist who can set America on the right path, I will have to disagree because although he may have the look of a president – according to white republicans, he has neither the heart nor the will. Yes he has turned around a few failing businesses and rescued the Salt Lake City Olympic Games from oblivion. However, such accomplishments are drops in the buckets because they required short term planning and strategies.
