Home state has zero to do with Romney's acceotability. He'll have a tough time with some evangelicals--until they wake up and realize he's as close to them as anyone who's likely to win a nomination and an election. He has a sharp mind, quick to absorb technical detail, as he demonstrated after a tunnel failure this year. He can handle himself well in debate. He's a good manager. He speaks English and can make a case for his policies, unlike G.W. Bush. And I doubt that many women will consider him threatening--though NOW and the press will try to make hiim into an ogre--and they wouldn't mind seeing him on TV for four years. (I'm cynical.) All the others listed have larger drawbacks.

The stupidity of others will hurt him. The bloated Speaker, Denny Hastert, for example, should have immediately recognized that his best course was to declare that he would continue as Speaker for the rest of this term, but will step aside from the leadership in the next Congress--a middle course that was the only choice that would be good for the GOP in the House, the party in general, and, in the long run, for Hastert himself. He'd lose some extra leadership dough, but he'd gain in esteem and possible extra bucks after he retired from Congress. To me, that seems obvious. It's the sort of thing that possibly would occur to Mr. Romney, and he'd find a way to communicate that optimal course to the party's leader in the House.

Many who talk about Mitt Romney for President want to bring up the "evangelical" problem. The reality is this, there will not be an "evangelical" problem if Mitt Romney wins the Republican nomination. As there does not appear to be anyone from the evangelical ranks that are prepared to run for President in 2008, what is a good evangelical Christian to do?? Stay home and not vote. I doubt it. That would mean a landslide for any Democratic contender. Mitt Romney is not the devil, nor is the Church which he is a member of.