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Campaign Crawlers
Mitt’s Simon Cowell Moment
Stumble over Rubio vetting highlights opportunity in VP selection process.
(Page 3 of 4)
….great things… [that] came from the heart of a great nation — from our experience, our wisdom, and our belief in the principles that have guided us for two centuries…. the great rediscovery, a rediscovery of our values and our common sense.”
Like Romney or any sensible presidential nominee in waiting, Carter kept his innermost thoughts on the men he was considering for vice president to himself and the Beth Myerses of the Carter inner circle.
But unlike Romney, Carter realized that there was a seemingly contradictory goal that had to be achieved. While maintaining secrecy, Carter had to bring the American people in on his vice-presidential deliberations. In the summer of 1976, the secrecy of the Nixon-era cast a long shadow. Carter had won his nomination by pledging a new era of openness and transparency. His vice-presidential selection process had to become the most open in American history.
Jimmy Carter used that process to communicate transparency and a great “rediscovery” (to use Reagan’s words) of American values and common sense.
How did he accomplish this? Jimmy Carter became a 1976 political version of Simon Cowell, hosting his own political version of what would decades later become famous as the reality show called American Idol. The only difference was that instead of potential superstar singers these were potential American vice presidents.
One by one by one, those who emerged as finalists on Carter’s list as prospective vice presidents were flown to Plains, Georgia, for this political reality show. The press was there, the television cameras acquainting Americans not only with the potential vice president but with Carter himself. Beginning in June of that year Americans became pleasantly accustomed to learning about the Jimmy Carter of small town America.
The prospective vice presidential nominee — always a man of prominence — would land at the tiny Plains airport. There the public watched as famous senators Edmund Muskie, John Glenn, and Walter Mondale arrived one-by-one for face time with the soon-to-be nominee. Americans not only were charmed by Carter’s modest Plains home, where each man would come out and talk to the press with their gracious host at his side after a lengthy meeting. Particularly striking was the openness of it all — with Carter following the press conference by giving some of the interviewees of the moment — and the press — a folksy walkthrough of tiny Plains and the charms of small town America. Muskie, charmingly, got his loafer stuck in a rail of the local railroad tracks as they walked, leaning on the much shorter Carter as he hopped on one foot and retrieved his shoe.
There were cynics, of course. Republicans grumbled that Carter was milking the selection process for publicity. Doubtless true.
But using the selection process as a way to introduce Carter to the American public as a potential president was a decided hit. Not all the candidates came to Plains. The four others on Carter’s list — Senators Frank Church of Idaho, Adlai Stevenson of Illinois, and Henry Jackson of Washington, along with New Jersey Congressman Peter Rodino — met with Carter when the candidate arrived in New York for the party convention. By the time Carter took to the podium of a New York hotel to announce Minnesota Senator Walter F. Mondale as his choice — the selection process was seen as a political ten-strike for Carter.
The contrast with Romney is thus far stark.
So far, to the extent the American public knows anything about a potential Romney vice president it is that Romney has some staff person in charge (Ms. Myers) and, according to ABC, isn’t vetting the one guy conservatives have repeatedly demonstrated so much enthusiasm for — Senator Rubio.
Oops… that’s wrong. Actually he is vetting Rubio and had to say so to correct a false news report. But that’s all Americans know.
Not good.
Now is exactly the moment Americans should be getting to know not only the policy details and decision-making process of a prospective President Romney — but the personal side as well. And something about the people he is considering as a potential vice president as well.
As gleaned thus far, Romney is the rich guy from that mean old Bain Company, he’s got several houses, and his wife is into all the horse business that only the rich have time for. In communication terms — everything wrong is being communicated.
About the Author
Jeffrey Lord is a former Reagan White House political director and author. He writes from Pennsylvania at jlpa1@aol.com.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (45) | Leave a comment
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Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 6.21.12 @ 6:47AM
A dog and pony show like you describe would be a political disaster.
It is far better to leave the economy as the main show and keep everything else moving behind the scenes.
Perhaps when they are down to several candidates they could parade them around and hope for some publicity.
However, no matter who is revealed they will be vetted to the nth degree while much about Obama remains unknown.
Also, referring to any reporter from ABC, CBC or NBC as credible is ridiculous. You couldn't possibly work at any of those stations if you were a real reporter.
mike 3/505| 6.21.12 @ 9:35AM
Mr Lord fails to acknowledge on key factor, the media. During Governor Carter's "American Idol," process, the media was a willing partner. Should Governor Romney try this, the media would turn "American Idol" into "America's Most Wanted," heaping abuse on every potential candidate. The most egregious abuse being reserved for biggest threat to the Obama team.
Brooksifier | 6.21.12 @ 8:00PM
I'm going to vote for Obama no matter what, because I sense you wasted 12 years with the Sununu-Rove dynasty;
and because if Mitt loses, you will have to run a far better candidate in '16.
Truth to Power| 6.21.12 @ 8:47PM
Brooksy is going for the big O, oh my. How can we win when the gay 1 percenters are going for the big O? Watch in November and find out.
jppcanton| 6.21.12 @ 6:53AM
Rubio is too young and too inexperienced to be VP. Plus, the Beltway idiots have the arithmetic incorrect.
Latinos are about 14% of the general population but they are only about 7% of the voting electorate because so many are not US citizens.
Native born White Americans make up almost 75% of the voting electorate, therefore a smart politician should concentrate on winning an extra percentage point or two of the White American vote because a percentage point means a much large raw number of voters.
But no, instead we get endless slobbering over Rubio. Same old Beltway-itis.
Fast and Curious| 6.21.12 @ 10:15AM
Who says you have to be a citizen to vote??
TrueBlue | 6.22.12 @ 12:11PM
Better idea, let's stop playing racial politics and actually focus on who is the most QUALIFIED, not what color the person's skin is?
If Rubio's experience is in question fine, but let that be the reason he is picked or not. Same for any other candidate.
TLP| 6.21.12 @ 7:13AM
Frankly, I don't understand the purpose of this story. What's the Theme of it all? What's the Nuts and Bolts? What's my Motivation, and why do so many of these guys seem to be phoning it in, of late?
Ben Stein, and his Dog. The Grimm Reaper - Aaron (Did you hear who Died, today?) Goldstein. The Great White Tourist - Rossy Boy - who really thinks that what he does for a living (He's a "Trader") is a real job for a man, and that the best places to take your Best Girl, are the ones where the Insects lay their eggs under your skin, Flies hang out on your face all day, there's always a Red Cross Truck handing out Bags of Rice on at least one street in town, and everything you drink gives you Diarrhea. And, now this.
Is Romney vetting Rubio?
How about.......Will the State Controlled, Media Matters Talking Points Readers, on T.V. and in Print, cover one of the Biggest Story that has ever hit these shores - a Sitting President proclaiming Executive Privelage so as to Deny a Congressional Committee access to THOUSANDS of Documents pertaining to an Administration Policy of RUNNING GUNS to Mexican Drug Cartels, with the intention of Creating as much Havoc as possible, as many Murders as possible, in an effort to push through More Gun Control, here?
Dead dog stories, Baseball Scores, Where I went on my Summer Vacation, and the numerous Cut and Paste jobs from the Obituary Pages, are for Lesser Estabishments. PEOPLE. Good Housekeeping. WAPO, and The TV Guide.
Am I wrong?
chuck| 6.21.12 @ 7:43AM
Got to agree, this was the stupidest, damned waste of time article I've read in a long time.
Who really gives a damn how the VP is being picked? The economy sucks, and is getting worse. Obamster is "ruling" like a tyrant. The Dept. of Justice is thoroughly corrupt, and this is what Lord chooses to write about?
Doctor Right| 6.21.12 @ 7:51AM
"Who really gives a damn how the VP is being picked?"
Millions of people, actually.
All of your preferred topics are known quantities. There's nothing new, there. We know Ovama is a corrupt, unlawful egomaniac. We know the economy sucks. We don't need to be convinced.
TLP| 6.21.12 @ 9:03AM
Nobody cares, idiot.
NO-BOD-Y.
That's why you care.
Cause, you're nobody.
Doctor Right| 6.21.12 @ 9:25AM
Exactly, Timmy.
Nobody cares about your opinions.
Want to be a writer? Then man-up, little boy.
Submit an article - with your name on it - for review.
Go ahead, Mr. Tough-Talker. Let's see your brilliance on full display. Gee...maybe you'll get a regular gig at TASOnline???
Or are you afraid??
Von Mises Jr| 6.21.12 @ 8:02AM
TLP and chuck, Perhaps it is a paraphrase from Sun Tzu or Machiavelli that states "get out of the way while your enemy commits suicide."
-U3 is not likely to be reported under 8% this year and it is really 11%
- GDP remains under 2% and economy slipping back to recession (if it ever ended)
- ObamaCare has an unfavorable rating of 2-1 and most likely will be overturned
- Christians nationwide are up in arms over freedom of religion and conscience
- Executive Privilege for "Fast and Furious" is tantamount to admission of guilt
- Oil drilling still de facto moratorium in effect in spite of Federal Judge Ruling and Keystone Pipeline fresh in public's mind
And we should change the subject to Rubio......give me a break.
Doctor Right| 6.21.12 @ 7:47AM
Yes, you are wrong.
Nobody cares what you would have written about if you chose the topic. That's because it's not about you, your constant rants, and your childish need for attention.
TASOnline has a submissions process for writers and columnists. If you want to be one, instead of just sitting in your basement and seething with jealousy over people who are, then I invite you to do so.
Or would that be too hard? Like actual work?
This is a good article with a relevant, current topic. There's plenty of other places you can go to bloviate about Fast & Furious.
Please do so.
R Martin| 6.21.12 @ 8:34AM
Spot on. The comments above miss Mr. Lord’s point. The VP selection process is less about who ultimately get the nod than about a marketing opportunity for Mr. Romney to promote himself and his management style. Even the estimable Jimmy Carter used the technique to advantage which suggests Mr. Lord’s thesis deserves consideration.
TLP| 6.21.12 @ 8:52AM
Isn't he great?
And, such a Suckup to Management.
Obviously, his obsession with Me, is making him lose control.
His Jealousy of me, obviously, is causing one of his many afflictions to surface (Most times it's Paranoia, mixed with a deep feeling of Inadequacy, a need for Constant Attention, and a fear of returning to that White Room with no windows.) thus hampering his ability to scribble down his inanities, in a somewhat pathetic example of the quintessential Cry For Help.
Now, he's gonna be sniffing my ass, for the rest of the day, with his nonsense blatherings, after everything I write.
I hope I have shined enough light on this Cockroach, that you might understand where he's coming from.
Like I said.
Isn't he Great?
Doctor Right| 6.21.12 @ 9:31AM
Yup. I am.
I'm great at spotting pretentious windbags with delusions of grandeur.
FYI, that would be you.
Now...do you have any actual insight...or do you just want to keep bloviating?
You're a master of the obvious.
Fast and Curious| 6.21.12 @ 10:20AM
I happen to enjoy the stuff on TAS-that's why it's the first bit of reading for me every day. I don't understand why, in this free market of internet ideas, folks that continually slam the authors don't try out something else.
Doctor Right| 6.21.12 @ 11:20AM
I agree.
It's much beter now that they require a login with a real e-mail address. Some of the malcontents and morons who had nothing to contribute (Clint comes to mind) have thankfully disappeared.
But a few still persist in pretending that they're smarter than the authors. The fact that they've never actually published anything seems to have eluded them.
Which begs the question: If you don't like the topics, why don't you go somewhere else?
TLP| 6.21.12 @ 4:35PM
Like I said.
Sniffing my ass.
Appleby| 6.21.12 @ 7:39AM
Mitt Romney is displaying his false assumption that he can run the USA like the CEO of a company he owns, and that we the folk on the shop floor have no business inquiring into what goes on in the boardroom.
Mr. Romney, the USA does not and will never belong to you; should you be hired for the position, you will be a hired hand on a contract basis and everything you do will be subject to change without notice by the people who pay your salary.
Mr. Romney, we are not selling the country to you. Those who will vote for you are proposing we hire you as a temp. And the sooner you get that through your head, the better it will be for everybody.
TLP| 6.21.12 @ 8:59AM
WTF is wrong with you?
Are you really this Obsessed with Hatred for this guy?
You sound like the Stupid Old Bag, I pegged you for.
1st of all, you live in CANADA.
2nd of all, you are obviously in need of a massive Shot of Ginkobeloba.
And, 3rdly, WTF is your problem with this man?
Jeff| 6.21.12 @ 9:17AM
TLP and Chuck....
Who is Vice President is important...these people tend to last for decades politically (Nixon, LBJ, Ford, Bush) and/or have a huge impact on policy...if this very first job of the nominee isn't done carefully....trouble. And in Romney's case, as the new guy, he is already under attack and needs all the favorables he can muster - or its Obama for four more. That certainly seems important to most people here - with considerable reason.
lsudolemite| 6.21.12 @ 9:36AM
And how is it exactly that Romney is going to attract all this favorable publicity for a VP search? Lord neglected possibly the biggest single reason for the success of Carter's approach: a fully complicit media, which is even more brazen and desperate today protecting their golden-boy incumbent. If Romney tried something like this, it would be immediately denounced as cynical pandering. This is a media that clearly doctored campaign video, got caught....and doesn't care. And you expect these people would play along with a Romney series of VP fireside chats to show how he can connect with average people?
Doctor Right| 6.21.12 @ 11:26AM
Who cares if "the media" doesn't care that they got caught with their metaphorical pants down???
And WHY would you expect them to change???
These people have become an irrelevancy, and they know it. They don't have the power they used to have to shape elections, so why give it back to them?
Every time they get caught trying to manipulate the process they end up in a weaker position.
The best thing you can do to these clowns is ignore them. DON'T let them influence you.
In another 10 years, most of these liberal TV networks and newspapers will be bankrupt...gone.
Let's enjoy watching them gasp for breath.
TLP| 6.21.12 @ 4:43PM
Please enlighten us on what important legislation was passed because of Joe Biden, Dick Cheney, Al Gore, Dan Quale, George H. W. Bush, Walter Mondale, Nelson Rockefeller, or Spiro Agnew?
I'll wait.
Doctor Right| 6.21.12 @ 9:33AM
BTW...where IS Clint, these days??
Do you know, Timmy?
TLP| 6.21.12 @ 4:45PM
Yeah. I know.
He's calling himself Doctor Right, these days.
Can't you tell by the Stupid Sh*t he writes?
Alan| 6.21.12 @ 4:46PM
I would think one of two possibilities. The person who was posting under more than one name, one of which was Clint was forced to register and choose which entity he wanted to be and dropped the Clint routine. OR....his IP address was blocked, hence the whole reason for the registering process. Whatever, glad the f'ing juvenile punk is gone for good, probably needed to work in more time as a chef at the local McDonalds. That boy needed some serious counceling.
TLP| 6.21.12 @ 8:29PM
Like I said.
He now posts under Doctor Right.
chuck| 6.21.12 @ 9:41PM
I think they just sent him back to Canada. He had to be the gay porn guy who was sending body parts in the mail. Clint disappeared about the same time the gay guy went on the lam.
PCC| 6.21.12 @ 8:44AM
Mr. Lord's column is insightful and contains some very good advice for Mr. Romney in terms of image management and influencing the news cycle. I hope someone in the Romney campaign is listening.
Fast and Curious| 6.21.12 @ 10:25AM
Romney is the anti-Carter. He should avoid any pattern of behavior that even reminds us of Carter. By having some VP choices campaign with him, he's done his own thing. Good enough for me. I just hope he does this right because it IS important. For voter enthusiasm, fundraising, and for the future. Reagan was talked out of Jack Kemp in favor of GHWB and that gave us Clinton and the myth that he brought us prosperity.
Boar Hunter| 6.21.12 @ 11:46AM
I think the best thing about Rubio is all of the people who claim he is ineligible due to his not being a natural born citizen. It will be fun to watch the left attack Rubio for his being unqualified, while defending the Kenyan Obama's qualification.
In later news, was the communist Frank Marshall Davis Obama's father? I wonder.
I recently learned that Obama's mother posed for Davis in a pornographic book.
Obama's mother was obviously enchanted enough with Davis that she allowed young Obama to be mentored for endless hours by this avid communist, sexual deviant, ad-mitted bi-sexual and all around piece of human excrement. It kind of makes you wonder just what kind of sick family environment Obama grew up in.
George Washington grew up in a cherry orchard learning to tell the truth, Obama grew up on the set of a porn shoot where his mother was the star and learned all his life lessons about manhood at the feet of her photographer.
No wonder Obama lied about everything in his autobiography. If my mother was Stanley Dunham I would have told people I was from Kenya too.
Drunken Sailor| 6.21.12 @ 2:06PM
"In later news, was the communist Frank Marshall Davis Obama's father? I wonder."
I have wondered that for the last 3 1/2 years. Look at earlier pics of them side by side. There is a resembelence. and FMD close to Obama's mother.
Who Knows?| 6.21.12 @ 12:07PM
Rubio voted to keep sugar subsidies.
Not very conservative---does this disqualify him?
Who Knows?| 6.21.12 @ 12:34PM
Carpe diem.
Given Romney’s history as a successful top tier businessman, I imagine he and his team have a detailed time line, with penciled in “to do” items for most days. Surely he’s a master at making plans, and sticking to them as much as possible, as well as being alert to unknown but expected “challenges”, both from Obama and not him.
As for Jeffrey Lord’s idea of copying Jimmuh’s VP vetting, he either will take this advice, or not. Likely he’ll be as conservative as possible, and try to keep the selection process from becoming more of a problem.
“Doctor” Romney must first do NO HARM!
The overwhelming political fact of 2012 is the extreme polarization, of the voters, but especially and most importantly, of the media. Thus, the Doc must take into account what his enemies in the rabid left wing media will do about ANYTHING he does, or says.
The election is Romney’s to lose. Obama is self destructing, day by day, so Dr. Mitt should let nature take its course, more or less.
By the by, one Manichean form of the extreme polarization, perhaps THE essential one, is the split between truth and falsehood. Romney is rightly known as a straight shooter, whose entire life is centered on honesty and integrity.
Obama---not so much!
Too bad Obama isn’t white---it would be great fun to see him get a red face, in embarrassment, when caught in a lie in a debate.
E B | 6.21.12 @ 1:32PM
What a fantastic, extraordinary idea. You forgot one thing. Carter, as a Democrat, had willing media accomplices. Romney, as a Republican, has to deal with an antagonistic and denigrating media by definition. He has done an exceptional job of working around the media, and my hat goes off to him for that. If he were to perform some version of American Idol, it would have to be on his terms and closed to all other press. Fox News or some conservative venue. Otherwise, no matter what other benefits FoxNews (or whoever) showcase of Romney, the news media's nit-picking will still triumph and leave him worse off.
www.conservativemormonmom.blogspot.com
hrh| 6.21.12 @ 1:47PM
Rubio is wholly-owned subsidiary of Jeb Bush, Inc.
So if you want Bush, Incorporated back in control of the country, by all means, promote Rubio.
Just know that he's not his own man.
So don't be disappointed when he promotes amnesty, subsidies, and crony capitalism, among other Bush Inc. practices.
BTW, Bush Inc is the Republican version of the Ruling Class globalists of whom the Dems are slightly worse, but the goals are the same.
See the buddy-buddy Bush-Clinton relationships. And the Clinton Global Iniative.
New World Order, globalist, internationalist, call it what you will.
They have the same goals.
cicero| 6.21.12 @ 2:29PM
Why waste all this time sticking potential v.p.s in the headdlines. As the current occupant of the House the People built, and all of his scurrying minions self destruct, Romney should be all over the news media (any that he can get on), trumpeting his agenda. The Dems are too busy trying to save their guy to put up much of a shield. As far as the potential v.p. candidates, Romney should have them all over the country acting as surrogates, and talking up the conservative agenda. That way, they will all become recognizable, and whomever he picks will not be a suprise.
TLP| 6.21.12 @ 4:46PM
Exactly.
Alborn| 6.21.12 @ 8:57PM
You forget one thing and that is most people I know, and I am from GA, did not vote for Jimmy Carter they voted against Gerald Ford for pardoning Richard Nixon. The vote for Jimmy Carter was the only time I have ever voted for a D in a national election in my lifetime. I should have stayed home.
Cats1cowboy| 6.24.12 @ 7:25PM
Neither of Marco Rubio's parents were US Citizens when he was born and therefore he is not a natural born Citizen as required by that pesky United States Constitution and ineligible to be Vice-President.
FeFe| 6.25.12 @ 12:52PM
Just the other day my sister was pondering, "Why doesn't Romney act more like the employed?" Six years of Rah! Rah! Romney! is enough. All entourage delivery is beyond rote.
If the bionic Romney machine doesn't want to stay down on the farm, there must be some important swing State or local government meeting with a citizen group pushing back against their government bully using regulations, fiscal policy, etc. to nudge the people that Mitt could bring his media megaphone to? Not all Dr. Dolittle, able to talk to the animals, like Chris Wallace who interpreted questions from the lower classes for the presidential debate participants. But more like The Right Stuff: What Gus is saying is that we're missing the point. What Gus is saying is that we all heard the rumors that they want more stimulus. Well, all of us know a government worker doesn't grow the economy or innovate and create, that's man's work. But what Gus is saying is that none of us wants to be taken for a bunch of chumps because they think that they're gonna spend their way to prosperity. Alright, so what Gus is saying is that we've got to change things around here. He's saying that we are free born men. And we know America's cultural inheritance. What Gus is saying here is that we've got to stick together on this deal to defeat Ameritopia.