It was a brutal loss, unexpected by millions and devastating to the Republican party. So many thought a new president would be sworn in come January. About half the country, as a matter of fact. And when it didn’t happen, it came as a shock to many. Campaign staffers for Mitt Romney would be getting another shock about twelve hours later and the beeps from computers that followed with a message “Credit Card Transaction Denied” were heard all around the country. The head honchos in the Romney camp began canceling campaign credit cards as soon as the media began reporting President Obama was going in for a second term. That meant hotels, cabs and airlines were faced with telling folks that the credit cards used during the campaign had been canceled.
Unprepared
Many came out after the election and admitted they had not prepared a statement of concession for Governor Romney. The hastily prepared statement, nonetheless, was delivered with grace. But from the time he left the stage, the busy work of pulling the campaign down – both physically and ceremoniously – had already begun. As one insider said, “a rude awakening” was waiting as those individuals tried to check out of their hotel rooms or book flights back to their homes.
“Fiscally conservative,” lamented one now-former aide the next day.
Romney chose wisely, however, when he selected a loyal group of aides. On Wednesday, when they were asked about it at different times, the general tone was not one of anger, but of frustration at how the entire mass effort ended. Of course, no one in the Romney camp expected to lose and maybe they were going through the emotions that follows such a devastating loss. They were frustrated with the models that simply failed; they didn’t pan out on any level, really. They knew they should have won, they knew it was a close race and like the rest of America who supported a Romney White House, they were wondering what one little thing they didn’t do could have resulted in a different outcome. But they were also whipping out their own Visas and Mastercards to cover those last few expenses.
Understanding Aides
So if the aides and campaign workers were a bit more understanding, what about the donors who made whopping investments to ensure a Romney win? In fact, in a twisted bit of irony, some of the nation’s biggest banks that issued those credit cards are probably a bit deflated. A Republican White House would have meant the end of all those restrictions that came courtesy of new financial regulations. Dodd Frank, the CARD Act and others are a nuisance to the likes of JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo and Bank of America. Turns out that was one investment that probably didn’t end well for those folks on Wall Street. We’re also hearing from a few sources that some of those big investors feel like they were sold a bag of goods with promises that were too far-fetched. Eh, it is politics…nothing’s ever really what it is, right?
It took about two days to completely empty campaign headquarters, and before the left the office for that final time, both Governor Romney and his wife gave intimate and heartfelt speeches that reiterated their faith in both the country we all call home as well as a future that includes better economic times, stronger political ties in both parties and an overall hope for better days. The couple then retired to their home, accompanied by their son.
And Now
For now, word is that it will take at least a couple of years before the Romney Campaign is completely broken down. There remain invoices that must be paid, government and FEC documents that must be audited and filed and videos that must be cataloged, filed and doled out as momentos of a time when it was possible Mitt Romney could become president of the United States. At least those are a few jobs that still remain, albeit temporarily, as President Obama goes into his second term with massive concerns that plagued him before, during and now after the elections. A handful of jobs is a handful of jobs, right? Then again, most of those Romney aides are now on the unemployment rolls and looking for new positions.
Republicans are thinking, “We’ll get ’em next time” and Democrats are letting out a sigh of relief, even as though just how close the race really was.
We emailed Campaign Manager Matt Rhoades for a statement. He’s been a long time supporter of Mitt Romney and served as communications director on Romney’s presidential campaign in 2008 as well as deputy communications director in charge of research for the RNC during the 2006 election cycle. He was also the White House Liaison at the U.S. Office of Personnel Management in the Bush Administration. He hadn’t replied to our request for a comment by the time we went to press.
Now that we have a few days behind us and a bit of perspective to take its place, what are your thoughts on the elections? Will our nation be stronger with a second term for President Obama or was Governor Romney our one saving grace that’s now no longer possible?
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