Signals indicate that a Mitt Romney GOP presidential candidacy is just around the spring-time corner. Who are the powerhouses standing in the wings waiting to raise the curtain and turn the spotlight on his nationwide campaign?
Here’s a backstage look at three individuals who rolled up their sleeves in the past to help Governor Romney and who are willing to do so again. Names you may be familiar with, they now comprise the three year old, noteworthy Shawmut Group – Peter Flaherty, Beth Myers, and Eric Fehrnstrom. Shawmut was formed after Romney’s presidential efforts ended in 2008, and when the time comes, they’re ready to help put Governor Romney center stage:
The Shawmut Group’s principals are Flaherty, Myers, and Eric Fehrnstrom. [...]The trio worked in and around Massachusetts politics and public service in the 1980s and 1990s before coming together as the Romney camp claimed Beacon Hill. Their skill sets compliment each other, as do their personalities and, after working together for the past eight years, Flaherty, Fehrnstrom and Myers say they have become like a family. For it to work, they said, their relationship with the client has to be seamless, as well.
Senator Scott Brown and Romney’s Free and Strong America PAC are Shawmut clients:
One of their first clients was Brown, who quickly evolved from little known state Senator from Wrentham to the truck-driving everyman overcoming the odds to claim the U.S. Senate seat long held by Ted Kennedy, the senate’s liberal lion.
“He was a canary in the coalmine for what was going on in Washington,” said Beth Myers, one of three principals for the Shawmut Group. “Scott was the first Republican to come out of this cycle.”
Another key client is Romney and his PAC, which is devoted to supporting Republican candidates and conservative principles.
“We were a real force in the last two election cycles,” Myers, a Brookline resident, said.
[...] “It has to be a good fit,” said Flaherty. “When you have a client like Mitt Romney or Scott Brown, it makes it an easier relationship.”
Brown’s election was good for Republicans across the country, and it was good for the Shawmut Group’s business development. They were in-demand during the past election cycle and worked with several candidates, in addition to those supported by Romney’s PAC.
“[Brown’s] election really changed the political landscape,” said Flaherty. “It gave a lot of would-be candidates a reason to believe.”
[...] Republicans who are loyal to the party, Fehrnstrom, Flaherty and Myers were drawn to Romney because they believe he is the kind of leader they want running the country they will turn over to their children. And their relationship with Brown began when Romney supported him as a candidate for the state Senate.
(my emphasis)
Ofttimes, when Republican campaigns have unfolded and voters have compared candidates, more than a Gov Romney speaks on phone & confers with press secretary Eric Fehrnstrom while grandson Parker Romney gives him a hug. Michigan primary day 1/15/08
“People who come out of Republican politics in Massachusetts are a different breed than those who come out of more traditionally Republican states,” said Fehrnstrom. “I think it makes you more aggressive, thicker-skinned and a better all-around strategic thinker. … When a Republican wins in Massachusetts, it’s never a cakewalk, but we’re not complaining about it.”
Brown and Romney winning office were big deals, both here and on a national scale. However, the lack of press and nature of coverage during Brown’s latest primary indicated just how blue the commonwealth can be.
On primary night, Dec. 8, 2009, the Shawmut team was in Brown’s suite awaiting the result — just them and the family — and found themselves assuring their client the coverage from there out would be 50-50. The next morning, however, a Boston daily splashed an “It’s Coakley” headline across the front page.
“And you had to go to like page 27 of the Metro section to see Scott,” said Flaherty. “As far as your client goes, it can be pretty tough sledding when there is no focus or coverage.”
But they were able to turn that around thanks to some morale building, creative advertising, and an energetic candidate with a truck who didn’t quit. The race really began to turn after a Rasmussen poll showed Brown narrowing the gap to 9 percent, and then Fehrnstrom designed the killer Kennedy-morphs-into-Brown campaign ad.
“It made the point that Eric wanted it to,” Myers said. “It was bold, and it got people’s attention.”
What’s next on the docket for The Shawmut Group? They’ll be promoting Senator Brown’s new book, Against All Odds, and Governor Romney’s paperback version of No Apology: The Case For American Greatness (a must-read for anyone serious about presidential politics!). Romney’s paperback will be released on February 1st and coincides with his appearance on The View that same day.
Governor Romney’s choice of seasoned individuals such as Ferhnstrom, Myers, and Flaherty, along with recent dynamic newcomers (with more to come), ensure he’ll have a stellar cast to help him with the challenges of cinching the White House title role.
Looking forward to getting this show on the road! Any exact-date guesses as to when the BIG announcement will be?
UPDATE – From DenverPost.com re Colorado political operative Rich Beeson, a new hire for Romney (see ‘newcomers’ link above):
“A GOP source who worked against Romney in the last campaign said Beeson was a savvy hire for Romney’s team, as he brings an outsider perspective to Romney’s Boston inner circle,” RCPolitics reported.
“Rich is one of the best operatives in the country,” said former state Sen. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction. “Good news for Romney, bad news for everyone else.”
► Jayde Wyatt
sign me up
Everything about (hopefully soon-to-be President) Romney is professional, dignified, competent, and gentlemanly. He should be an example to all other GOP hopefuls when it comes to his preparation and behavior as the GOP primary is coming up.
He’s gonna announce on April Fools’ Day…. lol
It would be funny if he announced he’s not running on April Fools’ Day, only to Announce his candidacy the next day, explaining that his decline to run was a joke.
That would get him a lot of attention!!! :)
I would guess April 25. Any announcement before April 15 would mean that many people aren’t paying attention as they prepare taxes. In the week after tax day, many people in that industry will be taking vacation or just too tired to care. April 25 would be the Monday of the following week. He’d catch the early week news cycle when people were thinking about government cost and inefficiency.
@Bill
that would be a sweet birthday present for me!
Just musing about who would sync well with Gov. Romney as a VP candidate. I suppose someone like the Gov. of Texas, or perhaps the Gov. of Arizona? Well, both would have their downsides (the immigration thing with Brewer; the “not another Texan” thing with Perry). I’ve given up on the Palin gambit because it’s no longer necessary. does anyone else come to mind; someone who is perceived as more conservative than Romney)?
PS: the April fools joke: STAY AWAY!!!!
Rick Santorum might be a good choice if he doesn’t do something stupid during the primaries. I think he would have been a better choice for John McCain. Sarah Palin brought a great deal of energy, but she was too easy for the media to attack.
If Tim Pawlenty does well in the primary, he’d be a pretty good choice. The same is true of Mitch Daniels.
I like Santorum a lot, and think he’s incredibly smart, knowledgeable and articulate. But he’s perceived by Dems and liberal-leaning intependents(and the M*M) as Mr. Anti-Abortion, so I’m not sure if he would have the best cost/benefit factor. Pawlenty? I think he’s a too close to Romney in perceived political disposition, so not sure that flies. But I don’t have a much better choice at this point…
I agree with you on both points.
I keep thinking how different things would be if Mark Sanford had never met his mistress.
Classic Romney photo, always maintaining the balance between family, job, and country.
how do i join
Steven, the ideal running mate for Mitt Romney is Bobby Jindal of Louisiana. He is just about universally liked by all factions of the party. I’ve seen even the most firm Palin supporters – those who claim that others “aren’t truly conservative,” mention that they generally like Jindal. He is young, dynamic, popular in his home state, has plenty of charisma, and most importantly is solid on the issues. He has gained a great deal of stature over the past year, due to his leadership during the oil spill, something that was lacking from D.C. And, for Romney, he has the benefit of being an expert on health care issues. This should strengthen Romney’s support with the conservative base that often (unfairly) maligns him and distrusts him due to what has become of the Mass. health care system.
Now talk on Jindal won’t be heavy for a while, as he faces a re-election campaign this year. Nevertheless, watch for speculation to surge after October 22. (Louisiana has a “jungle primary” system with a runoff on election day if nobody wins a majority. Jindal won’t need the runoff.) Jindal’s national profile will be scaled back a bit, as he focuses on the Louisiana budget, and generally doing his job for his state as he has done the past three years. Even after October, he won’t likely make an active bid for the VP slot, but he is certain to be vetted by Romney once the primaries are over. He will certainly be on the short list.
Other than that it is difficult to say. I think there will be a preference toward experience, with the campaign generally wary of choosing unknowns with only 20 months of experience in statewide office. (Rubio, Haley, Sandoval, Walker, Snyder, Martinez, Scott) Tim Pawlenty and Rick Perry will also be worth a look, though the former has had trouble getting some buzz about his name. Christie has said he doesn’t want VP, and Scott Brown would be unacceptable to the base (even assuming the state residency issue is fixed a la Bush-Cheney).
Brian Roastbeef, Jindal falls into my “maybe-possibly” column. I heard him on Ricochet Podcast, or Prager’s show a few weeks ago (can’t remember which), and really liked him (I liked him before on substance). I’m just not sure what the M*M will do with his ethnic background, and how a certain kind of conservatives will react. On the other hand, if you told me a guy born to Indian nationals could become governor of Louisiana, I’d say “really?!”
PS: As much as I like Christie (I even make a point of going to NJ these days more often to avoid NY taxes ;-), he’s still to Northeast to balance the ticket. On the other hand, if California crashes and burns financially real fast, Christie might become more attractive…
It’s both valuable and fun to brainstorm like this. I wonder, and really hope that Gov. Romney’s inner circle, if not Gov. Romney himself, spends time reading blogs such as this. I sense Mitt Romney is humble enough to know that he doesn’t have all the answers, and that getting input from smart “ordinary people” is invaluable.
Jindal really is a very strong candidate. That being the case, I really don’t think Romney should be bothered taking into consideration how any racist trolls in the media would react to his being on the ticket. Would there be some crap? Probably, Jindal has faced it before in his campaign to be elected Governor – and not from “conservatives” of any type, but from Democrats. They’ve trolled him on his heritage and religion – Jindal is Roman Catholic.
Possibly I am too optimistic of voters, but I believe that his heritage will not turn away too many of any type of conservative. Those backward few who would not vote for one of Indian descent, are likely already opposed to the ticket due to Romney’s faith anyhow. So forget them. Jindal’s policy smarts are worth easily twenty times the voters to the ticket that any potential media bigotry would turn away.
As for Christie, I must agree there. On top of the fact that he would likely not accept VP, there is indeed the historical difficulty northeastern Republicans have had. That is also why Romney should and probably will run as a Midwestern candidate. Stylistically Romney fits better in today’s Midwestern mold of a candidate focused on American business power and employment issues, anyhow. The Midwest is ripe territory for the GOP, as the 2010 map has shown. Romney is very much suited to take advantage of that.
Anyway, as analytical as Romney is, I expect that whether or not he or his inner circle reads blogs such as this, he does brainstorm and bat around ideas such as the pros and cons of potential running mates. I doubt that he will make the same mistake of under-analyzing the option as was made by the 2008 nominee. He was so fixated on his obviously-impossible personality driven preference of Joe Lieberman, that he refused to discuss extensively any other option until the conservative media got wind of his choice and (rightfully) went ballistic. His eventual choice of Sarah Palin was not thoroughly discussed and decided until a week before the convention. Whatever one’s opinion of the success of that pick may be, there is no excuse for having to resort to making such an important choice last minute, and I expect that with Romney’s background and nature, he will be certain to avoid many of the pitfalls of the McCain campaign.
In fairness to John McCain, it’s certainly possibly that Palin was seen as his only chance to having a chance. I don’t think there would have been a more effective alternative VP; just equal or worse choices (for various reasons).
Indeed. McCain chose her because he wanted something to shake up the race. His best, more thoroughly vetted alternative – Tim Pawlenty – likely would not have done so. Pawlenty was the safe pick, possibly even the better pick, but definitely not one that was going to provide a change to the dynamics of the race.
If John McCain hadn’t picked Sarah Palin, she might be a bigger force in the future. Her daughter’s pregnancy at the time of the campaign was a distraction that she didn’t need. Her youngest being so young was another distraction. Her having less than two years executive experience made her look not quite ready. If he hadn’t picked her, she would likely have been re-elected in 2010 and would go into the 2012 campaign season as a governor with six years of experience. Bristol’s child would be a story of something that happened long ago in political terms. Maybe Levi and Bristol would have held things together if they hadn’t been in the spotlight. If so, the story would be even less of an issue. She might have made an excellent VP for Mr. Romney next year.
I live in Louisiana, and the scuttlebutt around here is that Bobby Jindal is not interested in running for either president or vice-president. Maybe his arm could be twisted, but I don’t think Mr. Romney would pick someone who really didn’t have a passion for making the run. If Mr. Romney is elected in 2012 and offers Governor Jindal a cabinet position in 2013, Mr. Jindal would enjoy serving that way. (Again, that’s what the rumors are in Louisiana.)
Tim Pawlenty doesn’t have a “storm the barricades” personality in his conservative or religious positions, but he is pretty solid on both counts. The Tea Party and religious conservatives may have to grow up next year and accept candidates who will accomplish things other than stirring passionate rhetoric. I would like to find someone who seems a little stronger, but he may end up being a very good choice.
Bill, it’s impossible to know if the public airing of SP’s family tsoris outweighs the exposure she gained in 2008; the theory that the only bad publicity is no publicity.
I personally like Bobby Jindal very much. He’s definitely policy smart. All you have to do is listen to him on interviews. I do have a question for those of you that may read this, that are strong Palin and Huckabee supporters. Why is there so much negativity coming from you when you talk about Romney. I assume you’re conservatives (unless) you are closet libs. I could never see Romney talk negative about those two, unless it was obviously true. It’s going to be a real tough road to beat Obama and I believe we should stick together. This will be especially important at the debates. At the last ones McCain was terribly rude to Romney and it really turned me off. Don’t get me wrong, I love a lively debate, but watch some of those debates and see how unprofessional McCain was.