Romney for POTUS: The thread that makes the case and gives neutrality the finger

[Green Monstah]

It will be nice when this is all over if anything to stop all of these different threads.

And yet you post.

[TripletDaddy]

And yet you post.

I see you are mad about the planned parenthood thing. I never named you. Why do you think I was talking about you? It seems that others took direct issue with your opinion. Maybe they know something you don't?

[Finngirl]

I'm not sure why this story is indicative of evidence that Romney would be a good POTUS.

I'm not saying he wouldn't be, but why is this story proof?

He used a lot of money and resources--very kindly-- to help a good friend.

Not exactly something that translates to managing the coutnry's resources.

If you're trying to say he is a nice guy with a heart, well I'd agreed with you.

Although if he did the same thing to, for example, stop everything and look for the young girl who was kidnapped last week in Alaska (actually the daughter of a friend of a friend of mine) I'd probably be more impressed.

[Pelado]

I'm not sure why this story is indicative of evidence that Romney would be a good POTUS.

I'm not saying he wouldn't be, but why is this story proof?

He used a lot of money and resources--very kindly-- to help a good friend.

Not exactly something that translates to managing the coutnry's resources.

If you're trying to say he is a nice guy with a heart, well I'd agreed with you.

Although if he did the same thing to, for example, stop everything and look for the young girl who was kidnapped last week in Alaska (actually the daughter of a friend of a friend of mine) I'd probably be more impressed.

As evidence that he would be a good POTUS, I agree that this story does little. It does, however, provide a counter-point to the narrative that all he cares about is money. This story shows each of the following, which can be beneficial in a presidential campaign:

• He values family and friends over making money
• He looks for solutions to problems rather than just placing blame
• He is a leader who can get people to rally around a common cause

One aspect that I did not see specifically mentioned, was if he was personally out on the streets with his business partners, interacting with the less fortunate, rather than just directing the action from some headquarters. If he did, it would show he's not afraid to roll up his sleeves and walk the potentially dangerous streets of NYC - much different than the aloof multi-millionaire he's being portrayed as.

[myboynoah]

I'm not sure why this story is indicative of evidence that Romney would be a good POTUS.

I'm not saying he wouldn't be, but why is this story proof?

He used a lot of money and resources--very kindly-- to help a good friend.

Not exactly something that translates to managing the coutnry's resources.

If you're trying to say he is a nice guy with a heart, well I'd agreed with you.

Although if he did the same thing to, for example, stop everything and look for the young girl who was kidnapped last week in Alaska (actually the daughter of a friend of a friend of mine) I'd probably be more impressed.

And that would be indicative of the kind of evidence you need that he would be a good president?

I hope your friend's friend's daughter is found safe and sound. I can't think of a worse nightmare.

[oxcoug]

I'm not sure why this story is indicative of evidence that Romney would be a good POTUS.

I'm not saying he wouldn't be, but why is this story proof?

FG obviously this real event doesn't, in itself, make the case for Romney. It's important to the total case for him though because it reveals that his core priorities are more aligned with doing the right thing (in this case in a spectacular way) than with whatever else.

He used a lot of money and resources--very kindly-- to help a good friend.

Not exactly something that translates to managing the coutnry's resources.

I think that's a strange critique. He used his own resources and relationships - and those of his company - which are oranges against the apples of public resources.

But the point isn't what resources were used but the energy, decisiveness, thoroughness, innovation and purposeful execution that are evident in attacking an urgent and potentially tragic problem.

Its also an indicator of how he will tackle emergencies - no stone left unturned, nothing half-assed.

Summary: Completely disagree that it's not a meaningful display of the type of temperament, decision-making and execution people want from a POTUS.

If you're trying to say he is a nice guy with a heart, well I'd agreed with you.

Yes, and this actually matters in the upcoming election.

[Finngirl]

And that would be indicative of the kind of evidence you need that he would be a good president?

I hope your friend's friend's daughter is found safe and sound. I can't think of a worse nightmare.

No, it would indicate that he had a good heart.

I hope my friend's friend's daughter is found too. Doesn't look good: videotapes show a man taking her at closing for the espresso shop where she worked. I'm following it via FB and the news.

Maybe someone with connections to Romney can put in a good word.

[oxcoug]

No, it would indicate that he had a good heart.

I hope my friend's friend's daughter is found too. Doesn't look good: videotapes show a man taking her at closing for the espresso shop where she worked. I'm following it via FB and the news.

Maybe someone with connections to Romney can put in a good word.

Ugh. That's effing awful. Fingers crossed that it resolves happily.

[Finngirl]

I think that's a strange critique. He used his own resources and relationships - and those of his company - which are oranges against the apples of public resources.

First, it's not a criticism. Unless you think not thinking this makes him Presidential is a criticism. I know it's his own money.

And that's sort of the point: it proves loyalty and generosity, both very nice traits. When it's all your money, and you're the decision maker, and you want to do this, it's sort of a no brainer. You just pick up the phone and it happens.

But the point isn't what resources were used but the energy, decisiveness, thoroughness, innovation and purposeful execution that are evident in attacking an urgent and potentially tragic problem.

Not sure it shows THAT. People, with money and connections, can make pretty much anything happen.

I am more interested in stories that involve balancing competing interests, and limited resources (ie when they are not your own) and how someone defines a course of action in those circumstances.

[oxcoug]

Not sure it shows THAT. People, with money and connections, can make pretty much anything happen.

Please. People with money and connections fail to make lots of things happen, some of them far simpler than this. If you are going to pretend that this wasn't an admirable display of leadership, organization and execution under extremely pressurized circumstances then I'll probably just conclude that you're trolling.

I am more interested in stories that involve balancing competing interests, and limited resources (ie when they are not your own) and how someone defines a course of action in those circumstances.

Well then you're misreading the point of the story which obviously isn't to make the comprehensive case - it's one exhibit among many of his fitness for leadership.

Follow the thread as it develops - you'll get everything you desire.

[Finngirl]

Please. People with money and connections fail to make lots of things happen, some of them far simpler than this. If you are going to pretend that this wasn't an admirable display of leadership, organization and execution under extremely pressurized circumstances then I'll probably just conclude that you're trolling.

Because I don't come to the same conclusion as you? ?

I think it shows that he is very loyal and generous, and willing to help his friends, even at great personal cost.

Great qualities, in a president or in anyone else. That's it. Thats all you're getting from me.

[oxcoug]

Because I don't come to the same conclusion as you? ?

Yeah totally because of that. Because it takes a partisan w/ a pre-set view of the thing to try to pretend that (a) relocating a 50 person organization from one city to another inside of 24 hours, (b) planning and executing a systematic canvassing of a city the size of NYC, (c) coordinating with local authorities, (d) enlisting the services of partner organizations in NYC, (e) generating enough attention for the case that the local news crew picked it up - and doing all of this in a 1-2 day period is not a feat of leadership and organization.

That's it. Thats all you're getting from me.

Oh. But I need so much more from you.

[oxcoug]

Because I don't come to the same conclusion as you? ?

I think it shows that he is very loyal and generous, and willing to help his friends, even at great personal cost.

Great qualities, in a president or in anyone else. That's it. Thats all you're getting from me.

BTW, since this sort of thing is apparently so easy for rich connected people to pull off, I look forward to you sharing what must be dozens if not hundreds of similar instances when executives shut down major companies and repurposed the entire organization for multiple days in order to help one member of the organization avert a personal tragedy. Must happen all the time.

[Finngirl]

Ross Perot did it.

And he's a nut job.

[Finngirl]

And some version of this happens every time someone pretty and/or connected, goes missing: Elizabeth Smart, Laci Peterson, the Hacking gal, Susan Powell, etc.

Miraculous volunteer efforts, often organized in hours from the disappearance.