News Blog

The Republicans have wrapped up their convention in Tampa, and if I were the people in the Obama campaign, I’d be worried. Particularly after Mitt Romney’s speech.

I could certainly find plenty to criticize, as I did throughout this attack-dog week. Speaker after speaker simply threw facts to the wind. And the hyper-patriotism and “USA! USA!” chants always make my skin crawl. (And yes, frankly, they remind me of scenes from newsreels showing the adoring, emotional crowds in Germany during Hitler’s reign.)

But Romney’s speech last night showed a stronger, more forceful Romney than we have seen — and than the Obama campaign has portrayed. And in the numerous tender segments of the speech, we saw a far more human Romney.

The speech, and his delivery, personalized him. And there were lots of strong lines — the kind that make great, on-the-road campaign speeches and great TV ads.

I’ve been nervous before about Barack Obama’s chances for re-election. But after last night, I’m close to betting that he’ll be a one-term president. And I won’t be surprised if Republicans make it a full sweep, keeping the House and taking the Senate.