A Not-So-Sneak-Peek Into Tonight Acceptance Speech

Go Get 'em Tiger!

The Romney campaign put out some advanced excerpts of Romney’s speech in a couple of hours (courtesy:  Politico) and they include a message of unity, outline of some plans and a discussion of the last four years.

Ending the Disappointment:  "Today the time has come for us to put the disappointments of the last four years behind us," Romney plans to say tonight. "To put aside the divisiveness and the recriminations. To forget about what might have been and to look ahead to what can be. Now is the time to restore the Promise of America.”

Warning of a Dimmer Future:  "To the majority of Americans who now believe that the future will not be better than the past, I can guarantee you this: if Barack Obama is re-elected, you will be right. I am running for president to help create a better future. A future where everyone who wants a job can find one. Where no senior fears for the security of their retirement. An America where every parent knows that their child will get an education that leads them to a good job and a bright horizon."

Outlining a 5 Point PLan to Create 12 Million Jobs: "First, by 2020, North America will be energy independent.  Second, we will give our fellow citizens the skills they need for the jobs of today and the careers of tomorrow. Third, we will make trade work for America by forging new trade agreements. And when nations cheat in trade, there will be unmistakable consequences. Fourth, to assure every entrepreneur and every job creator that their investments in America will not vanish as have those in Greece. And fifth, we will champion SMALL businesses, America's engine of job growth. 

Romney will go on to recount the ‘lost’ hope of 2008 and how he wished that Obama had succeeded (because he wants American to succeed),  He will then go into introducing himself to the country (again) and reiterating his love for his wife and family and his ties to the community.  These are the points that he will have no problem delivering.  It’s the next few that might prove to be a bit dicey for him:

Appealing to Women Voters (and trying to undo the damage done by Akin and others like him).  “When my mom ran for the Senate, my dad was there for her every step of the way. I can still hear her saying in her beautiful voice, 'Why should women have any less say than men, about the great decisions facing our nation?' 

Explaining his Business Background:  He describes how he had a hand in building some of America’s biggest companies like Staples and Sports Authority.  He doesn’t describe the decisions he also made that put thousands of Americans out of work.

Talking About the Tough Times:  He tries to relate with middle class America here and how hope and change never materialized.  Hard to do when you’re a millionaire son of another millionaire and Governor.

Romney plans to close his speech with a vision of the future:  "That America, that united America, can unleash an economy that will put Americans back to work, that will once again lead the world with innovation and productivity, and that will restore every father and mother's confidence that their children's future is brighter even than the past. That America, that united America, will preserve a military that is so strong, no nation would ever dare to test it. That America, that united America, will uphold the constellation of rights that were endowed by our Creator, and codified in our constitution. That united America will care for the poor and the sick, will honor and respect the elderly, and will give a helping hand to those in need. That America is the best within each of us. That America we want for our children. If I am elected President of these United States, I will work with all my energy and soul to restore that America, to lift our eyes to a better future. That future is our destiny. That future is out there. It is waiting for us. Our children deserve it, our nation depends upon it, the peace and freedom of the world require it. And with your help we will deliver it. Let us begin that future together tonight."

All in all it seems like it will be a good speech.  Will it rouse like others in the past?  Hard to say.  The problem I see is the same one that has been plaguing this campaign since day 1; they can’t seem to control the message.  While a good part of this speech should come across very well, there is another good part of it that will leave the Obama Campaign a lot of opportunity to pick apart.  

Tonight Romney not only needs to present himself to America (in probably one of the most important speeches of his life) but he needs to take this opportunity and finally seize the message away from the Obama camp and make is image his own.  Only this way does he even have a remote chance of winning.