Category: Media Watch

Much is being made of the HBO movie Game Change, a film about Sarah Palin, John McCain and the 2008 presidential campaign. It has been well received by everyone who didn’t vote for the McCain-Palin–or was it the Palin-McCain?–ticket.

That’s because it’s about recent, compellingly controversial history and features effective performances by Julianne Moore as Palin and Ed Harris as McCain. Best of show, however, is Woody Harrelson as key campaign strategist Steve Schmidt. Harrelson played a blood-and-guts person, one monumentally conflicted and increasingly uncomfortable with a Faustian reality. Moore and Harris played spot-on, makeup-and-mimicry caricatures.

Palin and McCain declined to be interviewed for the film, but McCain went on Fox News after the fact to comment. He didn’t say much, but it still spoke volumes.

“I admire and respect her,” he said of Palin. “I’m proud of our campaign and humbled by the fact that I was able to give her (the vice presidential nomination).”

This is beyond polite protocol. Obviously McCain still can’t level with the American people and admit to “Ambition First” as his ’08 campaign mantra. Were he to wax candid over that candidacy, he would have said:

“Let me be honest here, because that’s what a political maverick–heh, heh–should be. I was losing and the economy was starting to tank–and I had already noted publicly that economics ‘wasn’t exactly my strong suite.’ Yeah, I still wince at that winner. And, no, I still haven’t mastered the Teleprompter.

“Anyway, I knew damn well that if I wanted a shot to realize my, by now blind, ambition– after waiting out those ‘W’ years–I would need something dramatic. Way beyond a Charlie Crist endorsement. A real ‘game-changer,’ if you will. ‘Country First’? You kidding me? ‘McCain First.’ It was now or never–and never was an odds-on favorite.

“So, I agreed to roll the dice and put an un-vetted, ill-informed, under-educated populist diva on the ticket. Maybe, we shamelessly hoped, we could attract a lot of women still smoldering at Hillary Clinton’s primary loss to Obama. At least the ones who wouldn’t be insulted by this pandering long shot. And maybe, just maybe, Palin could energize a Republican base that wanted more than Vietnam POW reminders from a ticket. Maybe a mom with a special needs child who was good on camera and could deliver bumper-sticker lines would work. Why not? I was going to lose anyway.”

As for Schmidt, who did consult on the project, he has described Game Change as “very accurate.”  He said (on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe”) this week that the campaign went with Palin because “we were fueled by ambition to win” and “we wanted her to perform”–her blatant lack of qualifications notwithstanding. Even as a running mate for a 72-year-old with a history of cancer. Schmidt acknowledged that the prospect of a Palin presidency, indeed, “frightens” him.

“Politically, she was a net positive to the campaign,” said Schmidt. “I think a net negative in the sense that someone was nominated to the vice presidency who was manifestly unprepared to take the oath of office should it become necessary.”

Oh.

Here’s the bottom line. We’ve known about the “selling” of the presidency since Joe McGinniss’ seminal work on Richard Nixon’s 1968 campaign. Yes, we market and package the candidate commodity and stage manage the world of political theater.

But it’s beyond troubling to be reminded that the first criterion for a candidate on a ticket for the U.S. presidency was not, well, basic competence. Shouldn’t that be a given? And then you look for ticket balancing, charisma quotients and the rest. Joe Biden, to be sure, is qualified to be president.

That Sarah Palin was chosen as the vice presidential candidate reflects unpatriotically on McCain and the professional, amoral numbers crunchers, including Schmidt, he surrounded himself with. Granted, what’s in the best interest of America can be often obscured in the daily grind of logistics, fund-raising and polling in pursuit of the ultimate prize. That’s why competence must be the first consideration. That’s why “America First” must be more than a hypocritical slogan.

I was out of town recently–last Thursday–which afforded the opportunity to pick up a copy of USA Today, which I rarely see otherwise. But when I do, I never fail to check out “Across the USA/News from every state.” It’s been a staple–and a traveler’s favorite–since Al Neuharth started the paper in 1982.

So, I went right to Florida to see what item made the daily roundup. “(Miami-Dade) Police Officer Sandra Lyles was relieved of duty with pay after she was caught using her patrol car to haul mattresses.”  Slow news day–or maybe even USA Today had enough of the Legislative session.

* “A nuclear-armed Iran must be prevented.”–German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle.

* “If the culprits are not punished, then people will be forced to take part in an uprising.”–Afghanistan Parliament member Nazifa Zaki, in the aftermath of the massacre of Afghan civilians by a U.S. soldier.

* “I don’t wish to end my life servicing the crimes of this regime.”–Syrian Deputy Oil Minister Abdo Husameddine, the highest-ranking civilian official to defect.

* “The implosion of Europe.”–French President Nicolas Sarkozy on what is threatened by illegal immigration.

* “It is an anachronism in the 21st century to continue maintaining colonies.”–Argentine President Cristina Fernandez on the status of the Falkland Islands.

* “Remember the crisis when you read about the hundreds of millions of dollars now being spent on lobbyists trying to weaken or repeal financial reform.”–Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner.

* “The internal dynamics of the U.S. economy look pretty good right now.”–Bill Cheney, chief economist at John Hancock Asset Management.

* “How I measure richness is by the friends I have and the loved ones I have and the people that I care about in my life, and that’s where my values are and that’s where my riches are.”–Ann Romney.

* “It amounts to career assistance for rich, smart children. Those from the middle and working class, struggling to pay for college, can’t afford to work for free. (Unpaid) internships pave the way for children to move seamlessly from their privileged upbringings to privileged careers without ever holding a job that is boring or physically demanding.”–Charles Murray, American Enterprise Institute.

* “God love them, as my mother would say. I hope they have another 20 debates.”–Vice President Joe Biden, in St. Petersburg for a fund-raiser, cheering for the spirited GOP presidential primary process to keep on going.

* “Unlike the House, the Senate did not use any consistent definition of political and geographical boundaries.”–Florida Supreme Court opinion contrasting House and Senate redistricting efforts.

* “When he (Gov. Rick Scott) campaigned, he said the lobbyists would be crying in their cocktails, but they’re not crying anymore.”–Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland.

* “Voodoo economics does not work. Trickle-down economics does not work, and certainly corporate welfare does not work.”–Rep. Evan Jenne, D-Dania Beach.

* “If the Legislature had done nothing, (businesses) would have seen an $817 million tax increase.”–David Hart, vice president of government affairs at the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

* “I think the bloom is off the charter school rose.”–Richard Kahlenberg, senior fellow at the Century Foundation.

* “The supply of natural gas in the United States is basically what oil is to Saudi Arabia. And what we’ve found is that the mileage is about the same as regular gasoline.”–Frank Morsani, founder of the Precision auto dealerships.

* “They (family members) don’t consider you a criminal. Unfortunately you are. The jury has spoken.”–U.S. District Court Judge James Whittemore in sentencing former Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin White to three years in federal prison.

* “What an incredible day for the Bulls. This means so much to all of us. We’re happy now, but boy, was this nerve-racking.”–USF President Judy Genshaft on the Bulls’ selection to the NCAA men’s basketball tournament for the first time since 1992.

* “I think both the Iranian and the Israeli governments recognize that when the United States says it is unacceptable for Iran to have a nuclear weapon, we mean what we say. I don’t bluff.”–President Barack Obama.

* “Since Ronald Reagan went home, the United States has attacked or invaded Panama, Iraq, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Serbia, Afghanistan, Iraq again, and Libya. How have Americans benefited from all this war? How have the Chinese suffered these 20 years by not having been in on the action?”–Patrick J. Buchanan, author of “Suicide of a Superpower: Will America Survive to 2025?”

* “Debt-ridden Greece and export-driven Germany are trapped in a bad marriage, but for now, at least, are sticking it out for the sake of the European Union.” Rachel Donadio, New York Times.

* “Santorum is not a Catholic, but a papist.”–Garry Wills, cultural historian.

* “How telling that Santorum equates moderation with indifference to issues rather than an appreciation for their nuances. Then, again, nuance is one of those elitist words. You know, something you may learn in college.”–Ruth Marcus, Washington Post.

* “The Republicans, with their crazed Reagan fixation, are a last-gasp party, living posthumously, fighting battles on sex, race, immigration and public education long ago won by the other side. They’re trying to roll back the clock, but time is passing them by.”–Maureen Dowd, New York Times.

* “Republicans being against sex is not good. Sex is popular.”–GOP strategist Alex Castellanos.

* “We are called to be very active, very informed and very involved in politics.”–Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

* “Nothing energizes Republicans like rising energy prices. …Funny, I don’t hear Republicans rail against speculators. Could that have anything to do with the fact that hedge funds and money managers are bankrolling the GOP as never before?”–Robert Reich, former secretary of labor under President Bill Clinton.

* “A single gaffe is a political flesh wound. A series of gaffes that confirm a damaging stereotype is potentially fatal. These (Romney) blunders not only reinforce a traditional Republican weakness, they threaten to diminish a large Republican advantage–Barack Obama’s dramatic disconnect with blue-collar whites.”–Michael Gerson, Washington Post.

* “About 1.5 million American children were home-schooled in 2007, the latest year for which the Education Department provides an estimate. When their parents were asked why, they most commonly cited moral and spiritual reasons. … The likelihood is already strong, when you rear kids, that you’ll turn our rough copies of yourself, whether you mean to or not. Home schooling is like firing up a Xerox machine to seal the deal.”–Frank Bruni, New York Times.

* “It’s happening right down to county commission level, this moving so far to the right. I mean Pinellas County stopping fluoride? Are you kidding me? I thought that went out with the John Birch Society.”–Florida Democratic Chairman Rod Smith.

* “I’m worried that our emphasis is on the wrong thing. If we’re trying to grow business, we should be focusing on what generates business activity, and the type of business activity we need is not what got us into this mess.”–Hillsborough County Commissioner Mark Sharpe, in opposing a proposal to suspend transportation impact fees charged to new construction projects for up to a year.

* “They’re like an amoeba. They’ll rise and fall.”–County Commissioner Sandra Murman on the recent opening of an internet cafe in downtown–after the Commission voted to abolish the businesses in other parts of the county.

* “Tampa is on a roll, and we’re beginning to demonstrate, not with analysis and paper, but with aircraft and people flying that this market is viable.”–TIA CEO Joe Lopano.

* “We can’t compete with the Charlottes, the Atlantas and the Raleigh-Durhams of the world if we can’t get people through the permitting process.”–Mayor Bob Buckhorn.

* “We need to get the corporations that have two tickets for half the games to buy six tickets for all the games.”–Rays President Matt Silverman.

* “They should expect a very demanding coach.”–Mohamed Sanu, a potential first-round draft choice from Rutgers, on what Buc players can expect from new head coach Greg Schiano, formerly of Rutgers.

* Interesting how the two dailies played last week’s mixed bag of overlapping USF budget and Poly stories on their front pages. What’s the most newsworthy hook? Take your pick.

Tampa Bay Times: “Senate Approves Poly.”

Tampa Tribune: “USF Cuts Shrink to 52M.”

* Speaking of front pages, the one in Monday’s Tampa Tribune was worthy of note. The Trib’s concentration on local stories is understandable and a viable strategy to stay in the daily game. But what’s with a page-one, above-the-fold feature on the downtown Hyatt doorman who hasn’t called in sick in 26 years? It’s a nice piece by Keith Morelli and complemented by a photo layout. But page one dominance?

* Remember when “Wedding Announcements” in the newspaper were, well, pretty much that? So-and-so and so-and-so announce their engagement. Etc. That was then–and this is not.

And this is what the New York Times has begot locally.

The back page of Sunday’s Tampa Bay Times Floridian section was dedicated to weddings. Two couples were profiled. Neither story was compelling. Nor were they romantic or allowably sappy. Pre-wedding pregnancies, check. Abortion options, check. Thanks for sharing–and congratulations.

*Speedy recovery to good friend and talented cartoonist Charlie Greacen, the City Times’ “SoHo Scribbler.”  He’s on the mend after suffering a fractured hip in a pedestrian vs. car accident at a South Tampa intersection last week. He’ll be convalescing for a while, to be sure. But when you see a “SoHo Scribbler” cartoon satirizing certain intersection dynamics, you’ll know the inspiration. But also know that tragedy was barely avoided.

Glad to still have you with us, Charlie.

* Societal insensitivities are in the news again with some taken racially aback by Billy Crystal’s (“blackface”) Sammy Davis impression on Oscar night and some media resorting to stereotype humor at the expense of the New York Knicks’ Asian-American sensation, Jeremy Lin.

I’ve seen Crystal do the Sammy Davis impression back in the day. It was legitimately funny, not some minstrelesque “blackface” act. What I did have a problem with was the Sammy Davis parody shoehorned into a 2012 Oscar skit. Not that funny–period. But taking racial umbrage? Call it what it is: lame political correctness at Crystal’s expense.

But, yeah, a couple of the Lin references were decidedly off-putting.

But nothing gets to me quite like revisiting the annoyingly insulting performance of Mickey Rooney in an otherwise classic movie, “Breakfast At Tiffany’s.” Rooney, already well past his prime in 1961, played the Asian character I.Y. Yunioshi with yellow-face makeup and buck teeth. Shame on Rooney–and shame on director Blake Edwards to this day. It’s an appalling performance.

* “It’s quite distressing to see two permanent members of the (U.N.) Security Council (Russia and China) using their veto while people are being murdered. … It is just despicable.”–Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

* “As China’s leaders know, the country’s current economic growth model is unsustainable.”–World Bank President Robert Zoellick.

* “While I was fighting to save the Olympics, you were fighting to save the bridge to nowhere.”
—Mitt Romney to Rick Santorum at the recent GOP presidential debate in Mesa, Ariz.

* “Neither Romney nor Santorum looks like a formidable candidate for November.”–George Will, Washington Post.

* “‘The one who can beat Obama: Rick Santorum,’ the television commercial proclaims. That boast brings cheers from two quarters: the faithful followers of the conservative Republican presidential candidate, and the Democratic president’s political strategists.”–Albert R. Hunt, Bloomberg News.

* “This is an administration that is deeply opposed to Americans having the right to choose the kind of car or truck they want to drive. And I keep trying to get across to my liberal friends: You cannot put a gun rack in a Volt.”–Newt Gingrich.

* “President Obama wants everybody in America to go to college. What a snob.”–Rick Santorum.

* “I have these other aspects of my life that no one knows about. I’m an artist. I’m a musician. Nobody knows that. They just see me as the guy who tried to kill Reagan.”–John Hinckley.

* “Everybody keeps saying it’s impossible, but we know it’s possible.”–Al Cardenas, president of the American Conservative Union, on the prospect of brokered GOP convention in Tampa.

* “The United States does not have a significantly smaller welfare state than the European nations. We’re just better at hiding it. The Europeans provide welfare provisions through direct government payments. We do it through the back door via tax breaks.”–David Brooks, New York Times.

* “It is on this spot, alongside the monuments to those who gave birth to this nation and those who worked so hard to perfect it, that generations will remember the sometimes difficult, often inspirational, but always central role that African Americans have played in the life of our country.”–President Barack Obama at the groundbreaking ceremony for the National Museum of African American History and Culture on a National Mall site.

* “For all the hype about Facebook as a force for democracy, its profit model is predicated on something very different, and its side effects are still being counted. … Facebook views our privacy as a commodity to be bought, sold and monetized, much as China’s government benefits from keeping close tabs on the masses.”–William Pesek, Bloomberg View.

* “Connie Mack IV is the Charlie Sheen of Florida politics.”–Former U.S. Senator George LeMieux.

* “We have a message for these people who are trying to destroy our kids’ lives with man-made chemicals: Guys, chemistry class is over.”–Attorney General Pam Bondi to those who manufacture and sell synthetic drugs as “incense.”

* “One of the most important ways to reduce the deficit is to create jobs. The president’s (fiscal-year 2013) budget (proposal) recognizes the value of our local economic drivers. Our universities, community colleges, the Port of Tampa and MacDill Air Force Base would see significant boosts.”–U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa.

* “It is time to discard politics and analytically address what is best for this state. The question is simple: With limited dollars available, where is it strategic to invest? The answer is easy: our universities and all they do for our economy and our future.”–Peter R. Betzer, president and CEO of the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership Inc.

* “The infrastructure is here. You just have to create the demand.”–Rob Keith, Ignition Branding marketing strategist, on the potential for electric cars in Florida.

* “Giving folks who are unmarried but in a relationship the right to be there at a critical time for their partner is humane and absolutely defensible.”– Mayor Bob Buckhorn on a city council proposal to let unmarried couples register as domestic partners.

* “The jihadi is proud to kill in the name of God, and that is exactly what God told us to do in the Koran.”–Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, recently sentenced to life in prison for attempting to blow up a Delta Air Lines flight from Amsterdam to Detroit.

* “We are determined to restore a basic middle-class bargain that has existed for generations: a bargain that says if American workers contribute to America’s economic success, they are entitled to share in its benefits.”–Vice President Joe Biden.

* “All budgetary pressures are being concentrated  on (a) the dwindling portion of spending not devoted to the elderly and (b) higher taxes. This is a formula for governmental failure and generational unfairness. It’s a big story. Someone should pay it heed.”–Robert Samuelson, Washington Post.

* “I think we’re in a very broad-based recovery that is mild and strengthening.”–Jamie Dimon, JPMorgan Chase CEO.

* “Despite the lightning zigzags of this election cycle, the Washington smart money is now on an Obama re-election.”–Mark Halperin, Time magazine.

* “The sorry and tragic state of black education is not going to be turned around until there’s a change in what’s acceptable and unacceptable behavior by young people. That change has to come from within the black community.”–Walter Williams, African-American economics professor at George Mason University.

* “If a Hurricane Andrew were to hit today in Miami-Dade County, there’s enough money to pay for it, and the assessment is going to be about $40 to $100.”–State Rep. Frank Artiles, a Miami Republican and a licensed general contractor and public adjuster.

* “He doesn’t play favorites, and he’s an effective guy because he’s respected.”–Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos describing Sen. JD Alexander, chairman of the Senate Budget Committee.

* “When you see thousands of horses, you’re able to pick out a zebra.”–Psychiatrist Ryan Estevez on whether convicted cop killer Carlos Bello is faking mental illness.

* “Why not support a great school and a major economic force in the area?”–Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik on a private-public partnership with USF that will be a master’s in business administration program in sport and entertainment management.

* “Why, but to appease the interests of one politician, is the state agreeing to make USF Polytechnic a separate university while at the same time reducing the budgets of the university system as a whole? If we can’t afford to properly fund our 11 universities, why would we add a 12th?”–Former Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio.

* “We can’t let a vendetta against our university go unanswered.”–Tampa City Councilman Mike Suarez.

* “Many times I get proven wrong.”–JD Alexander.

* “I think the economic opportunities around an urban baseball stadium are huge. Huge. It would transform downtown Tampa like nothing we could ever imagine.”–Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn.

* Tampa Theatre, coming off that uber successful, long run (Christmas Day to post-Valentine’s Day) with “The Artist,” hopes to capitalize on increased interest in silent movies by showing the 1926 silent classic “The Black Pirate” this Sunday. The 3:00 showing will be accompanied by the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ. It will be preceded by lobby photo-ops with members of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla.

But “The Black Pirate” isn’t just any silent classic. It literally premiered at Tampa Theatre on Oct. 17, 1926–just two days after TT’s grand opening. The movie stars Douglas Fairbanks–and features the pioneering use of the two-tone Technicolor process.

“This, of course, is the perfect setting to watch silents,” underscored and understated Tara Schroeder, TT’s communications director.

By the way, “The Artist,” which finished its TT run on Wednesday, entertained nearly 10,000 patrons and topped out at 40 days–even more than past blockbusters: “The King’s Speech,” “Amelie,” “Brokeback Mountain” and “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.”

* Look for historic Tampa Theatre, which annually hosts more than 600 events–including concerts, lectures, graduations and field trips–to be the venue for one or more events during the GOP National Convention in August. TT is working with the GOP Host Committee, which matches events and venues, and should know by June.

* “If you’re willing to set higher, more honest standards than the ones that were set by No Child Left Behind, then we’re going to give you the flexibility to meet those standards.”–President Barack Obama.

* “There’s no such thing as coronations in presidential politics.”–Mitt Romney.

* “The Romney campaign is better at dismantling than mantling. They’re better at taking opponents apart than building a compelling candidate of their own.”–Peggy Noonan, Wall Street Journal.

* “Obama’s presidency has been ambitious and it’s been polarizing, but in terms of the policy it has produced, it’s been much closer to the market-based approach of Clinton than the forthright reliance on government of LBJ. … And the GOP, in closing ranks against almost every major initiative Obama has attempted, has taken away most of his opportunities to be truly liberal. The fight to get to 60 votes in the Senate has ensured, over and over, that Obama must aim his legislation at either the most conservative Democrats or the most moderate Republicans.”–Ezra Klein, Washington Post.

* “My message to the people of Canada is don’t cut a deal with the Chinese, help is on the way.”–Newt Gingrich in condemning the U.S. Administration for not approving the $7 billion Keystone XL pipeline.

* “Since 2001, the United States has waged war in three nations, and some Republicans appear ready to bring the total to five, adding Iran and Syria. GOP critics say Obama’s proposed defense cuts will limit America’s ability to engage in troop-intensive nation-building. Most Americans probably say: Good.”–George Will, Washington Post.

* “I would not look to the United States Constitution if I were drafting a constitution in the year 2012.”–U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

* “You can make something look like a savings on paper. We’re not saving money. Absolutely not.”–State Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, describing analysis of those advocating a massive expansion of Florida prison privatization.

* “Draconian.”–USF President Judy Genshaft’s reaction to the university’s state funding being slashed by nearly 60 percent.

* “It’s a personal matter. I’m praying for him.”–State Sen. Jim Norman, commenting on federal charges of failure to file income tax returns against his chief of staff, Ben Kelly.

* “It’s a game-changer.”–Mayor Bob Buckhorn’s characterization of USF’s Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation (CAMLS), which is scheduled for a grand opening next month in downtown.

The formula never changes.

Political victory parties are orchestrated, by-the-numbers love-ins: for the candidate–and for all those celebrating vicariously. They include maneuvering an adoring, squeaky clean demographic behind the candidate for that national-victory-speech tight shot. Also cueing up the high-decibel, Country and Western music and making sure at least one prominent sign mentions “vets.”

And the bigger the election, the bigger the media turnout. But the contrasts with the Rapture crowd are still starkly the same. Another day at the over-the-top, news-event office for the chroniclers. More familiar sound bites. Another deadline.

The most recent Exhibit A: last week’s Florida primary gathering for Mitt Romney at the Tampa Convention Center. Some observations:

* Upstairs at the “Media Filing Room” several hundred national, print-media types were getting ready for the Panhandle vote to end and the Romney Show to begin. They were flanked by two huge TV screens. Both tuned in to CNN.

* Within a minute of the closing of the Panhandle polls at 8:00 p.m., CNN had its projected winner based on early-voting totals and exit interviews. Exit drama, enter overanalysis. John King seemed to savor using the verb “shellacked” in describing Newt Gingrich’s impending, double-digit loss. Could it be that he was reveling with a cause after having been humiliated by Gingrich at that South Carolina debate?

* Downstairs, a break-out room was packed with Romney supporters, staffers, local politicos, the ubiquitous Ron Weaver and electronic media. Yes, Candy Crawley was in the house, noting that this was “The most excited ballroom I’ve seen (in the past few weeks).” That’s because the exuberant crowd actually did the Panhandle countdown out loud. The thousand or so awaiting Romney were flanked by two huge TV screens. Both tuned in to FOX.

* The pleasant Ann Romney introduced her husband, after introducing her kids and grandkids and then giving some shout outs to Secretary of Agriculture Adam Putnam, CFO Jeff Atwater and Attorney General Pam Bondi. She also mentioned the three South Florida amigos, the Brothers Diaz-Balart and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who back her husband as well as a notorious, counterproductive foreign policy with Cuba. It comes with the pragmatically loathsome territory.

Can’t help reflecting on the contrast with Callista Gingrich. There’s a real good reason why she doesn’t introduce her husband. No need to further underscore that she could be the First Mistress.

* Within 15 minutes of the network projections, Mitt Romney came bounding in–looking not unlike a wizened, more mature version of Robert Redford in “The Candidate.”  Cue Kenny Chesney again for “This Is Our Time.”

It wasn’t a stemwinder, but Romney’s speech was what it needed to be. He congratulated his opponents, warned  Democrats that a “competitive primary prepares us–doesn’t divide us,” sprinkled in mantras about “restoring America’s greatness” and “fighting for the America we love” and lashed out at Obama. The latter included a snidely ironic reference to Obama’s “colleagues in the faculty lounge.” This coming from a guy with two Harvard degrees. No, he won’t be using that line in the post-primary campaign

* We’ll give the last word to former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker who was exchanging high fives with Hillsborough County Commissioner Mark Sharpe after Romney’s presentation. He is now an official “Senior Advisor on Urban Policy” for the national campaign. He came to that role circuitously. He backed Romney four years ago, but then curiously–ok, dumbfoundingly–hopped on the Herman Cain pizzawagon in 2011. Now he’s back on board.

“I didn’t participate in that decision (to defy the RNC and move up the Florida primary to Jan. 31),” underscored Baker. “But I think it was the right one. Look around. I think it was vindicated tonight.”