Romney’s Reinvention Convention: A Moderate Republican’s Checklist

While driving into work Monday morning and listening to the round robin of commentary on satellite radio regarding the GOP convention and Hurricane Isaac, I had a passing thought. Does anyone really care about what happens during these next three days in the Grand Old Party’s presidential nominating convention in Tampa, Florida?  And if so, what is the take away beyond the obvious?

To answer my own question, you bet Americans do care about national presidential nominating conventions. In our political system this is as close as it gets to a coronation (short of the Inaugural Day celebration for the winner), where a presidential candidate can rally the party faithful, galvanize the party platform and convey a message to the American people why the candidate should lead the nation as President of the United States of America.

Governor Mitt Romney, the presumptive Republican presidential candidate, will be thrust into the pageantry and the closely scrutinized limelight of the GOP convention.  This will be his time and opportunity to seize the moment.  It will be his time to shine and to deliver a message to the American people  about his way forward toward economic recovery.

As the GOP convention begins, here are some expectations and items on my scorecard. I will be looking and listening closely to Romney and his surrogates.

1. Scripted but Defined

With an army of communication strategists, I expect Mitt Romney to be scripted and on message.  However, I hope he takes this opportunity to define his message in terms of specifics about how he plans to stimulate our economy and put more Americans to work.  I am looking to see if his message is more information than infomercial; more than rah rah and hyperbole.  To this point, observing Romney’s strategy has been like watching a boring boxing match where he throws a negative jab at President Obama but can’t deliver a knockout punch with a specific plan.

2. Romney Revealed   

Mitt Romney still has an image problem.  During the GOP convention he must to find a way to connect more with Middle Americans: the working class, independents, minorities and women.  Quite honestly, to this point Romney has been like tofu trying to find a taste in a complex bowl of salad.

Watch how Romney and others speaking at the convention paint him as a regular guy who understands the complexity of job creation and executive leadership he brings as a former governor. In addition, look to see Romney address and counter his own perceived shortcomings. Polls shows high negative personal ratings; that Americans see him as too rich and out of touch with the mainstream. Moreover, look for the Romney camp to use running mate Paul Ryan to make that positive connection with middle-class Americans.

Romney will have an excellent opportunity to run on his own brand; to tell people who he is and what he stands for. Expect him to convey his vision for a way forward while incorporating hallmarks of the GOP platform: tax cuts, deregulation, and spending cuts and immigration reform. 

3. Silence is Golden: Read Between the Lines

A sticking point in this year’s political race is the apparent notion that the GOP has moved to the far right with the likes of Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich and the Tea Party movement all playing to the GOP hardcore.

Mitt Romney is going to have to reach for the center without appearing weak to the far right in the party.  As he attempts to do this during his acceptance speech, listen closely to what Romney does not say. It will speak volumes as to how the GOP party establishment may have influenced Mitt.

David E. Rudolph is a Senior Partner at D. Ericson & Associates Public Relations in Detroit. He describes himself as a moderate Republican. Connect with him on Twitter and Facebook.