A top strategist for Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney proposed a Route 66 tour as a part of the campaign, according to a report today by Politico.
The long story takes the angle that strategist Stuart Stevens will likely be the fall guy if Romney loses the election in November. Buried in Politico’s report is this intriguing nugget:
One proposal by the strategist that drew ridicule behind his back envisioned a “Route 66” bus tour along the pre-Interstate, Dust Bowl migration highway. Other advisers argued that Romney hardly needs more retro or nostalgic connotations.
I’m having a hard time figuring the down side to such a political tour. Romney would have met with some of the Mother Road’s colorful characters and landmarks, and the mere mention of “Route 66” in news reports would have caught the attention of more voters. And nostalgia feels good.
One of Romney’s campaign mottoes is “Believe In America.” What’s more American than Route 66?
But the Romney camp shot down the idea. I guess I don’t have the mind-set of a political strategist.
I don’t think the trip would have any kind of political tie-in. Such as federal funding for roads, etc. Route 66 runs through some pretty desolate and economically hard pressed areas as well. Outside of the regular attractions, a lot of the route is pretty beat. A trip would hit on many more issues which favor Democrats. Plus, only one state on the route is really even in play (New Mexico, where polls show President Obama begining to open a lead) the others are already locked up. Romney is going to win Missouri, Okalahoma and Texas, and probably Arizona. Obama has the rest. If Romney did this kind of trip, I’d advise him to start in Amarillo, drive slow from Tucumcari to Grants, then drive real fast to Winslow, and slow to Bakersfield.
While I agree that if one is pushing a sort of warm, fuzzy pro-American theme, it would be hard to beat 66 as a tour/destination. Realities are though that much of Route 66 geography is pretty red these days. Does Mr. Romney really need more exposure in Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri and Arizona? How would it look when Mr. Romney ended his trip in Topock (although as Sal says he might make it to Barstow before hitting really blue turf)?
Philosophically, after the “you didn’t build that” rugged businessman theme, is Mr. Romney really interested in highlighting federal building projects? Probably not. Fun thoughts though.
I happen to know of a place that not one federal penny has been spent on, and we’re in a swing state – send him our way! lol
Romney didn’t even know what a donut is called. He could care less about the common person. That is why his campaign doesn’t want to campaign on Route 66.
Good idea, wrong candidate, wrong year, right election.
Al Seever
Flagstaff, AZ