Big Love

So, Ann Romney set out to make us comfy with hubby, Mitt. Her speech was about love, and the love that started when she met the tall, funny guy at a high school dance a long time ago. And it was about the love and bond that women have for women and the strength we all share.

Ann is a good presenter who sure knows her way around a teleprompter. She’s slim, attractive and a natural. That said, I’m not sure she was able to convince undecided voters that Mitt is just a “regular guy.” And ya gotta remember that Ann is not a “regular gal,” either. Sure she’s had medical issues and five kids, but she’s also been pampered since she was a kid, had lots of help throughout the years, horses, (two) Cadillacs and the best docs money can buy. She is not the single mom working two jobs to make ends meet and has zero idea what that’s like.

But, she did an admirable job on a stage that was beamed to millions of watchers.

Then Chris Christie took the spotlight. At first I thought I accidentally sat on my remote and was watching an episode of “The Biggest Loser.” Boy is that guy big. I recently saw him on TV on a NJ boardwalk eating an ice cream cone. Good one, Chris.

But, he’s a good speaker, too. Though, Chris talked about choosing between “love” and “respect” and he chose “respect.” Wonder how Ann felt at that moment? After all, her speech was all about love. Doesn’t anyone go through these speeches to check ‘em out before hand?

And for the first 20 minutes of Christie’s speech, I thought HE was running for President. Not one mention of Mitt Romney. What’s up with that?

I get that Christie is a regular guy who talks like a regular guy whose job it was to introduce Mitt Romney as a regular guy, but when he finally got to the Mitt Romney part of the speech, Mitt was squirming in his seat and Christie was snarling. I thought the guy was going to have a heart attack and hoped there was a doc nearby with a portable defibrillator. CLEAR!!

So, it’s up to Mitt to show the country that he’s a regular guy who can fix all our problems like a plumber and show up on time.

Can an uber-privileged guy who panders to the far right, doesn’t spill his taxes, and refuses to talk specifics fix all that needs fixin’? I don’t see it. But, maybe his magic underwear will help.

LATE NIGHT LAFFS

Looks as if the polls all like the late night spotlight.  Why?  Plenty of viewers, fairly tame show hosts and they don’t need a PR agency to book the appearance.

Obama had the funniest bit with his slow jam with Jimmy Fallon.  Only our Prez could get away with something like this.  He’s still one cool, calm and collected guy and comes off like an Ivy Leaguer with rhythm.  Remember when Bill Clinton played the sax with shades on?  It was a moment like that, but trust me, Mitt, Rick or Newt could never have pulled it off.

On other channels, Romney was doing the Top 10 List with Dave in usual stiff-as-cardboard style.  I’d give the bit a C (for COME off your high horse, Mitt).  Romney might be practicing hard for upcoming debates, but there’s no way he’s going to make it to November without saying something that reminds the middle class that Mitt thinks he’s the Emperor of something.

Santorum and wife made an appearance on Piers Morgan’s show.  Looks as if Rick got a thicker hairpiece in the last few weeks, and has been eating pretty well.  While Rick kept repeating the country has to oust Obama, he stopped an inch short of throwing his support for Romney.  At least the guy wore a suit and not a sweater vest.

And on Leno, the other Ivy League Obama, Michelle, nibbled veggies and talked up exercise with Jay, who said he hasn’t eaten a vegetable in decades.

Why all the late night stops?  Because America loves its late night shows, and even if we miss them, we generally record them and play them back.  And even if we don’t do that, the videos are all over online news sites the next day.  It’s the best kind of PR anyone could ask for, if you’re good at the schtick!

Mark of Cain

Herman, Herman, Herman. With four women on your heels and poll numbers dropping, you are, in PR terms, in deep doo doo.

What was with the non-press conference where Cain was going to lay out all the facts? He did mention that the allegations were “baseless” several times and that no lawyers were involved in separation agreements that are typical when employees leave. But, he later said the ex- restaurant association employees brought in lawyers who met with the association lawyer, so it sure sounds like folks were lawyered-up.

I loved when Cain remembered an incident where he compared his wife’s height to one of his accuser’s and used his hand to demonstrate. I sure hope his wife wasn’t at breast level. Cain was going to lay out all the facts? He did mention that the allegations were “baseless” several times and that no lawyers were involved in separation agreements that are typical when employees leave. But, he later said the ex- restaurant association employees brought in lawyers who met with the association lawyer, so it sure sounds like folks were lawyered-up.

Do I automatically believe women’s sexual harassment charges because I’m a woman in business? Absolutely not; I would need to know more about these women, especially Sharon Bialek. But, it’s interesting that another of the alleged victims, Karen Kraushaar, is a spokesperson at Treasury and is calling for a joint press conference so all the women can present their stories in a unified front. It’s a good idea from a PR perspective. And Kraushaar is a registered Republican, so there goes the theory that the Democrats were behind this. In fact, James Carville pronounced that, “The Democrats would love Herman Cain as the Republican Presidential candidate, but it’s not going to happen.”

If I were Cain’s PR strategist I would have prepped him differently for his press conference. His message needed to be, “I don’t know these women except in a strictly business setting, these charges are baseless, ask the association about settlements because I was no way involved in any of this. End of story.” The hitch is that I’m not sure that’s the truth. It’s one thing to say, “I used drugs as a kid,” as Obama did and another to fess up to groping a former colleague… and another… and another.

Cain did say that there might be more women coming forward. That sounds like someone who knows what they’ve been up to. It doesn’t sound like things were all that kosher at the restaurant association. If things get too hot, it’s time for Cain to get out of the kitchen.