Romney Campaigns in Cedar Rapids

I can't understand why so many Republicans are eager to throw away a perfectly good Mitt Romney.

The Republican presidential hopeful was in town today, actually on the far southwest edge of town at Diamond V Mill's newish plant. Technically in Cedar Rapids, but also within a stone's throw of a gravel road and a big red barn.

I know he's supposedly on the downward slide, poll-wise, but the former governor of Massachusetts still has a real presidential campaign, not like some of the low-budget shoestring outfits that have become fashionable this caucus cycle. There were lots of staff and reporters and cameras lined up on risers. There was also a sizable feed bag thrown on, with rolls and muffins and fruit trays a-brimming. There was a U.S. flag that had to be two stories tall. Two. Stories.

It's no cheap, small-portions, austere Euro-IKEA campaign. After all. America is at stake.

"If Mitt Romney wins, America wins," said Mitt's wife of 42 years, Ann Romney. "If Mitt Romney loses, America loses."

So think twice, fickle Iowa Republicans, before you dabble in Newtism or enlist in Paul's army or glance once more at that Rick Santorum. Do you want to see America lose? Do you believe in miracles? (The correct answer is Yes!)

Romney's son Josh talked about how his grandparents took the whole Romney tribe on a tour of national parks to help introduce them to the country. During the trip, there was talk about the founders and about the merit-based society they created. Mitt said he went on a similar trip as a boy.

That's when he heard a poem called "The Coming American," by Sam Walter Foss. Romney quoted the opening lines.

"Bring me men to match my mountains, Bring me men to match my plains, Men with empires in their purpose, And new eras in their brains."

Guess who is a mountain-matcher, and who isn't.

"It broke my heart to see our president go around the world and apologize for America," Romney said, while arguing that Obama "doesn't really understand" the America of mountain-matchers  Romney grew up in. That's why  the president wants to transform it. But into what?

"There's nothing wrong with America that needs transforming," Romney said.

"He seems to be taking America on a course toward Europe."

"Are we going to remain a merit-based society, or are we going to turn into a European entitlement society?" Romney asked.

Well heck no. Got so excited I almost spilled my continental breakfast.  (Kidding, all I had was coffee. Which means I'm now totally in the bag for Mitt. Mmmm. Coffee.)

So, his empire of purpose now established, Romney took questions.

He's interested in a consumption tax, such as the Fair Tax, but is not endorsing the idea. He worries that it might inflict a higher tax burden on midde class consumers. He would rather eliminate taxes on interest, capital gains and dividends, while looking for ways to flatten and simplify the tax code.

Romney loves Rep. Paul Ryan's plan to transform Medicare into a voucher program for future recipients. But under his own plan, Romney would also allow Americans to use their credits/vouchers to buy traditional Medicare coverage, if they want.

He would make Social Security solvent through some combination of raising the retirement age and slowing the growth of benefits for high-income retirees.

On climate change, Romney believes the planet is warming and that humans are playing a part. But he also disagrees with any expensive government intervention to stop it.

"We just don't know how much humans are contributing to it," said Romney, who said he's more interested in ramping up domestic energy production to replace foreign oil.

On education, he says the key to reform is higher starting teacher salaries that would attract the "best and brightest" to the profession. He blames teachers' unions for focusing too much on pay and benefits for veteran teachers.

Romney said again that immigrants here illegally should go home and get in line to gain access to the country legally. But he says he's not talking about a "round up" of millions of illegal immigrants. So how his plan actually changes things is unclear.

A man in the crowd pointedly asked Romney if he would be another one of these guys who gives a pass to Islamic jihadists. Romney said he sure as heck would not coddle jihadists. And has said as much in a book he wrote. But he also won't lump all Muslims in with those pursuing violence.

And he would repeal ObamaCare, which, contrary to popular belief, doesn't look anything like Romney's health care reform in Mass. Yep. Especially the bad parts of ObamaCare that people don't like. Not his ideas.

Afterward, the folks I talked to liked what they heard.

"I think he's a good man," said Robert Eaton of Cedar Rapids, wearing a "Marine Recon" hat. "He's the only one who can really be elected, because he's moderate, and beat Obama. We've already got a guy who's way to the left, and now we want to go way to the right? It's not gonna work."

"I was impressed," said Ray Buck of Cedar Rapids. He feels differently about Newt Gingrich, who is now leading Romney in Iowa polls and nationally.

"I guess if people look at what I'm looking at, they'll get uncomfortable with his glib answers and his quick responses," Buck said. "I like to listen to him. He's exciting to listen to, and I like a lot of the things he's said. But when the day comes to step into the Oval Office, I'd like to have a man of high moral character, who has proved himself in business and government, sitting at that desk. And I see that in Romney."

"I read a quote the other day that Newt is never more than six inches away from the self-destruct button," said Kathy Dzado, who came to the event with a homemade sign proclaiming "POTUS Mitt is the right fit."

"What (Gingrich) says today at 4 o'clock will be different at 8 o'clock. I think he's a loose cannon," Dzado said. "I think (Romney) has proved himself. I think he's a turnaround guy."

But can he turn around his fading Iowa hopes? 

Watching Romney operate, I do wonder why he's having so much trouble. He seems like a politically gifted candidate. If I were a Republican, which I'm not, I'd probably find him appealing. And not scary or unpredictable, which is a plus. Maybe you don't want to see him in the Oval, but Buck is right, you can envision him behind the desk, without shuddering. His rivals, much less so.

I think Romney's best hope is to hit the road in Iowa with events like this one and remind Republicans so focused on his weaknesses of his many strengths. In person, he's a formidable presence. From a distance, tangled in the ongoing narrative of his decline, he's less of a factor.

And if he loses, well you know.