The Boston Globe's Scott Hellman loves to swing at Romney. Any tidbit he can find about the man, the campaign, and the race is grist for his mill. So when some outside consultant hands him a PPT deck laying out a supposed roadmap for Governor Romney's campaign... he calls for a mop and salivates. OK.. That was a bit over-dramatic... but you get the point.

So first thing to note... this is NOT the campaign's roadmap. It's doubtful the Governor ever saw it. This type of analysis comes in unsolicited all the time. It's silly to think that Spencer Zwick has this laminated in his coat vest.

So what does the PowerPoint say? Well, from what the Globe reports on... it doesn't say a whole lot more than what we already knew.

The article details a few of Romney's strengths and weaknesses ("His hair looks too perfect") but otherwise offers very few original insights into the 2008 race. Here's one tidbit:

A page titled "Primal Code for Brand Romney" said that Romney should define himself as a foil to Bay State Democrats such as Senators Edward M. Kennedy and John Kerry and former governor Michael Dukakis.

Not a bad strategy. If I were cherry picking I'd take that with me. But we knew this back in 1994.

So how about the competition? The document is pretty spot on:

MCCAIN:
McCain is described as a war hero and maverick with a compelling narrative and a reputation for wit, authenticity, and straight talk. But he's also seen as "too Washington," "too close to [Democratic] Left," an "uncertain, erratic, unreliable leader in uncertain times." "Does he fit The Big Chair?" the document asks. The plan calls McCain, 70, a "mature brand" and raises questions about whether he could handle the rigors of leading the free world.

GIULIANI:
Giuliani is called an outside-the-Beltway rock star and truth teller who earned the nation's trust for his leadership of New York City's response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. But he is described as a one-dimensional Lone Ranger whose social views -- he supports abortion rights and civil unions for gay couples -- could destroy the "GOP brand." "We can't disqualify Dems like Hillary on social issues ever again" if Giuliani is the nominee, the document states.

ON ROMNEY AGAIN:
The case for Romney, according to the plan, is this: "Mitt Romney, tested, intelligent, get-it-done, turnaround CEO Governor and strong leader from outside Washington, is a better candidate than McCain & Giuliani to ensure that America's strength is maintained so we can meet a new generation of global challenges."
...
In addition, the document provides a Romney roadmap for the early primaries, suggesting that he hopes to emerge as a credible "alternative to frontrunner" in Iowa, win New Hampshire, show strength in South Carolina, and be dominant in states, such as Michigan, that are eyeing early primary dates. The plan suggests Romney make full use of new media to reach voters, from feeding videos to YouTube to perhaps creating his own radio programming.

Most of this is low-grade stuff that my dog could write. From the pathetic graphics in the deck (OK - I'm a snob when it comes to PPT graphics) my dog probably did write it.

I think it pales in comparison to the rope-a-dope strategy (which I think has some cred) and doesn't address the pending implosion of Giuliani over social issues.

In short, congrat Scott Helman.... you bought your guide to the 2007-2008 Fantasy Football season in February.

Labels: campaign, John McCain, McCain, mitt, mitt romney, rudy