As Mitt Romney moves into preparation mode for the upcoming presidential debates, voters and analysts are hoping for more details on how a Romney administration would address problems in the economy, details that were lacking in the Republican National Convention (RNC).
Voters gained a more intimate view of the former Massachusetts governor as Romney shared personal details about his life, his family, and his faith. However, many had expected more focus on the U.S. economy and what a Romney administration would do to fix it.
“I wished it had been more substantive than just him,” said teacher Susan Moore. “I want to know not so much who he is but what he is going to do.”
Susan was holidaying in New York from California with her husband, Richard, a financial adviser, who seconded her concerns.
Softening the image of a man critics describe as disconnected and unfeeling was an important hurdle to overcome for the Romney campaign, and by all accounts the RNC was a success.
In his acceptance speech, Romney was forthcoming about his upbringing, about going out on his own to start a business, and about the difficulties he and his wife, Ann, faced in bringing up five boys in a new community.
It was an accessible Romney, little seen during the cut and thrust of the primaries, and further enhanced in an endearing speech by wife Ann and in testimonials from Olympians, fellow church members, and others.
Most moving was the nervous and unpolished elderly couple who described how Romney had spent hours with their son, a victim of cancer at the age of 14. It was a poignant testimonial to the man’s quiet generosity.
There is no doubt that it was important to humanize Romney, because in presidential elections personality counts, but details about what can be done to improve a stagnant U.S. economy were missing from Romney’s speech.
“It is just historically documented that people want to vote for somebody they like,” said political commentator David Brooks on PBS, “but I think he had to have a little more policy.”
