Republican strategist Steve Schmidt predicted Thursday night that the bounce from Mitt Romney's convention speech will in the coming days give him a legitimate—if short-lived—lead in the polls.
Schmidt's comments came after MSNBC's Chuck Todd praised the effectiveness of the personal moments in Romney's speech. "I think the biggest thing he needed to accomplish tonight was to connect personally, and that shouldnt be underestimated," said Todd, host of The Daily Rundown. "When he was talking about his Mom and his Dad and his family, that's as good as I've ever seen Mitt Romney connect on a personal level. And I think that that in itself, if that's all they get out of this speech, they will say 'hey, this convention was a success.'"
Schmidt, who ran Sen. John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign, agreed and went further.
"I think the cartoon of the 'Mitt-bot' as he's been lampooned and caricatured really faded away over the course of this," Schmidt said. "He became a real three-dimensional human being, and I think he came across like a good guy, a decent person, and I think it's going to be hard to erase that from people's memories."
Schmidt continued with a polling prediction:
I think he got what he needed out of this convention. I'll be very surprised if Mitt Romney doesn't open up a lead outside the margin of error over the next couple of days. It'll be short-lived coming into the Democratic convention but I think they're going to get that lead for the first time in this race.
The Democratic convention starts Tuesday in Charlotte.
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Meanwhile, no one has figured out how to effectively "humanize" Mrs. Clinton.
Media outlets and people in general are asking why it has taken so long for us to see the human side of Mitt Romney. May I offer: "Given the history of their campaign, it's taken them this long to make it up!"
Not being a TV commentator. I can say things that may cause some discomfort, so here goes. The comments about the rose was great theater. At best it was likely an embellishment, and at worst a fabrication.
Romney senior was a CEO and a Governor of the state of Michigan. He was married for 64 years and left a rose on the night-stand. They call Cal Ripken an iron-man! CEO's and Governors have very busy schedules, and lots of high pressure situations. Then there are those out of town meetings and late into the night negotiations.
Mitt Romney said we could check with the florist. That means they didn't come out of any house-garden. I am assuming here, that he didn't live in big city row-house. So there had to be some distance to get to the nearest florist and back. It is possible that he had a standing delivery order with a florist. The florist faithfully delivered it everyday for 64 years, another iron-man. The florist must have opened very early to make the delivery while the mrs slept. I suppose Romney senior could have had it delivered the night before and kept it in the fridge, but that would mean getting up before the wife, going to the fridge, and returning to the bedroom, that is real dedication considering some difficult circumstances he must have faced over that 64 year period.
64 Years, most in the state of Michigan! Does the country realize the number of really bad snow storms Michigan has every year! Multiply that number by 40 to 64 years! The florist would have had to own a plow or mede some deliveries in a half-track.
I do not know the exact date, and time of Romney seniors death, but he clealy didn't die in bed. We know this because it was the absense of the rose and not the cold body that gave it away. It had to be before he left for work, other wise the rose would have been there. The time frame for his dying has been narrowed significantly and he had to have been home. This narrows the time-frame even more. If house staff had found his body, they wouldn't let the Mrs sleep and tell her about it when she awoke, would they. The rose story if total fiction, is a full-fleged abomination. It's exposure, in all likelyhood, end any chance at being elected president.
Michael, I'm not a Romney supporter and can be cynical at times with the best of them. The daily rose story is conceivable. You know they had a serving staff on hand, so when George was away, he could arrange for one of the staff to leave the flower on her nightstand. When he was home, he could leave it. I doubt the story is total fiction, hyperbole, maybe. For me out of the outright lies Romney has been caught telling and refusing to refrute, this story is nothing.
I agree that it must be, aleast, an imbellishment. The rose story would definitely qualify as a human interest story. Was it ever reported anywhere? Staff entering the room is a possibility. I wonder if any of their staff remain alive. The florist name might be helpful. If it is wholly fabricated, it gives creedence that some of his bizarre behavior has a sociopathic bent.
Now you have me curious! I hope someone follows up to fact-check. Oh, wait. The Romney campaign doesn't bother with facts, or let them get in the way of a good story, as they so eloquently pointed out this week.
Is it possible Romney is simply socio/psycho pathic? Or suffering from early onset dementia? Doesn't matter. As Grover Norquist points out, he can still use a pen and sign his name and Rubber Stamp is all the GOP wants from Mitt.
Michael--I never thought of even one of your points and bought the rose story hook, line, and sinker. But thankfully, that is the only thing Mitt (or any of the others) put out there during the convention that I did buy!!
Wikipedia says Romney's dad tried to give his wife a rose every day along with a love note and that he died at home while exercising at age 88 and his wife found him. So looks like the story is true for the most part (or maybe Wikipedia is not accurate).
Wikipedia is not fact checked and there are rooms of GOP trolls changing the "facts" on Wikipedia daily -- have been for years now.
Nobody said it better than John Oliver's bit on Daily Show Thurs. p.m.
Jack, sit on it, and rotate.