Roundtable: Romney must do more than share his resume

(CBS News) As Mitt Romney prepares to officially accept the Republican presidential nomination at the Republican National Convention this week, the candidate must re-introduce himself to voters, but a roundtable of political experts said on CBS' "Face the Nation" Sunday that Romney should do more than simply tout his resume.

"It's easy to make the case he's a highly capable man, he's a profoundly decent man, a family man, a man of faith," said Rich Lowry, editor of the conservative magazine The National Review. "What they need to do is connect all those qualities to his program because, at its worst, the Romney campaign has just seemed to believe that the resume is enough.

"I believe the choice of Paul Ryan [as Romney's running mate] says they know the agenda is important, too."

A presidential election comes down to two questions, added Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan: "One is, 'Do we want to keep or get rid of the incumbent?' If you decide get rid of [him], the second question is, 'Do we want to hire this guy?' This week is about the reasons you want to hire this guy."

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The optics of the main stage at the Tampa, Fla., convention blends modern technology with warmer, more familiar decor - a mix the Republican Party needs to accomplish for Romney himself, said CBS News political director John Dickerson. So far, polls show that voters find Romney hard to relate to.

Romney, Dickerson said, is "kind of a cool, stainless steel candidate." Can the GOP, he asked, "wrap him in this warmth, or will there still be this disconnect?"

CBS This Morning co-host Norah O'Donnell said Romney needs to use the convention not just to connect with the Republican base, but with voters across the board.

"Obama still leads nationally in the polls. Obama still leads in all the key swing states," O'Donnell said. "I think, quite simply, Mitt Romney's got to change the dynamics of this race."

[GOP-R--Con-Men]

Republicans are rigging the elections trying to steal it with these unnecessary VOTER I.D. LAWS and they have yet to pay the appropriate price for subverting our constitution and democracy. The media print, video and digital are complicit in allowing this. The media and our government would be shouting what republicans are doing at every chance if this were going on in country of one of our enemies. But it's accepted because it's happening here in America?

HELL NO! Republicans must be held to account for this attack to subvert our democracy. Republicans should be attacked by libertarians, liberals, conservatives, tea partiers and other groups in addition to the media for subverting our right to vote.

[RealiteBites]

I don't think that's true that "Romney must do more" - he's not the incumbent with a bad economy and a soaring debt/deficit.

I think it would be helpful for him, and could increase his edge. But as the incumbent, I think the burden's on Barack to explain what he'd do differently during his second term, since his first has been so abysmal.

So this analysis I think is off ... remember when you used to be able to learn something from watching analysis shows? Somewhere along the line I realized I was smarter than most of the people on these shows, and then they got boring. I think I was about 14 when that happened ...

[mikesfilms]

Voters want to see his tax reports and offshore accounts. He's worth $250 millions and pays little or no taxes. Genius or a crook? Clobbered Middle Class pay up to 35% tax rate and would die to know how in the hell he does it.

[irishseamoss]

Voter's know Romney is wealthy. He is a successful businessman. He pulled the Olympics out of $365million in debt and turned a profit of $100million. He worked with Democrats as governor of Massachusetts and he started businesses like Staples, Sports Authority and Dunkin Donuts creating over 100,000 jobs just with those 3 companies. I believe that Romney knows how to turn this country around. He may not be Mr. personality but he is smart and has the executive skills this country needs. Obama has no record, he has no executive skills. That is what a President is supposed to be the "chief executive" of this country.

[bbglow]

Exporting good paying employment and creating minimum wage jobs can hardly be considered getting the job done ... what it means is creating creating wealth for a few at the expense of the many.

[marychgo]

Do Mitt and Ann Romney even KNOW anyone who doesn't earn more than $100,000 a year (other than their household employees)?

[venusvegasvada]

ROMNEY NEEDS TO OBEY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND SHOW US THE LAST 12 YEARS OF HIS INCOME TAX RETURNS.

STOP TELLING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO GO SCREW OURSELVES MITT.

SHOW US YOUR TAXES. NOW.

[EricB_727]

Well since you're asking Rocky.. I'd like to see Romney's birth certificate (long form state record, not certificate of live birth), the newspaper article of his birth mentioned, a sworn affidavit by the doctor who delivered him, his social security card, his bank statements, his mailing address, his blood type, college applications, college transcripts, any papers he ever wrote in college, his high school records, his elementary school records, his shots records, his passport records, his parent's passport records and while you're at it I'd also like to see his wife's tax returns as well... kinda ridiculous don't you think??? well, that is what you and your ilk have been demanding from Obama. You wanna know what his bu77 smells like> Well you can sniff mine... i'm sure it's close...

Given that Romney and Ryans entire economic plans center on tax reform... wouldn't you say his own tax records and ethics are in relevant? ya think? Just a tintsy bit relevant?

[jwilsonte]

Than theres mit the draft dodger LOL ya mitt the missionary anything to dodge draft he should be ashame!!

[jwilsonte]

We dont need a cry baby in the white house!!Mittens and ann and his cry baby son lol CRYING ABOUT HAVING M.S. lol SHES CURED SHE HAS UNLIMITED MONEY!Some people have no insurance and no money and dont cry.. mittens wants to take what little life line people have .Mittens the CRY BABY thats what we need...

[esq777]

What else is there to this guy beyond the relentless pursuit of money at all costs? He's building a car elevator?

[eteamer]

Romney has hide his true income from the church. That's why he won't release his income tax returns. They may kick him out. Don't forget, his first oath was to the Mormon church.

[fiberglass3]

Yes he also has to share his taxes.

[jschm2681]

after Obama shares his college and professorship records.

[jschm2681]

zionist- prove it.