I was disappointed to see Romney end his candidacy yesterday:
I still believe that Romney is the most proven and capable of the Republican candidates, and despite criticism of his wealth and paying 20 million out-of-pocket for his own campaign, I liked that he was a candidate who couldn't be bought and didn't need to pander to special interests to keep his campaign going.
I felt he didn't sell this enough, or argue his other strengths, as a proven business owner, as a proven organizer with the 2002 Utah Winter Olympics, and as a proven political leader as governor of Massachusetts who turned the state's deficit into a 2 billion dollar surplus, and despite relatively low job creation, set the state on the course for long-term growth. And after that, when his former corporation he'd left was becoming insolvent, he once again took it over and again made it a strong and profitable company.
Alone among the candidates, Romney not only has a solid resume of past experience, but has repeatedly proven himself an effective leader in the public and private sector, with undisputable
results.
Romney left the race at this point for the good of his party and the nation. While I admire that, it saddens me that he's no longer a candidate, because despite initially being put off by his Mormon faith, I grew to see him as the most capable and proven candidate.
If McCain loses in November, I think Romney is saving his resources for a 2012 campaign.
