Republicans: The Citizen's Candidate

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Borrowing a line from a well-known Democrat. Romney set out to "get this state moving again." He called for citizen participation at all levels of government —and with it an end to the "monopoly" of power groups, whether of the left, center or right. He developed a theory, similar to that of the University of Chicago's late Professor Henry Simons, that the overwhelming power of great corporations, pitted against that of big unions, serves only to enlarge the power and size of the Federal Government, which must regulate both forces. Michigan, he insisted, needed a leader who could rise above the pressure politics of special-interest groups and put an end to partisan wrangling. "The individual," he cried, "is being engulfed in vast organizations and power groups."

"That's What's Wrong." Romney tore through Michigan on his people-to-people campaign, propelled like a man with a divine mission. He drove 37,000 miles, flew 13,000 more, knocked on 2,000 doors, shook more than 100,000 hands at factories, shopping centers and meetings. He tried not to label himself a Republican. None of his campaign literature identified his party. When pressed, he said: "I'm a citizen who is a Republican, not a Republican who is incidentally a citizen."

He rode a variety of comic animals, slid down a firemen's pole, peeled potatoes and performed the thousand other idiocies expected of a candidate. He accosted people on the street, poked a finger into their chests and told them what he thought about politics. Once he walked up to a man and asked him to shake hands. The fellow refused. A crowd gathered. Romney challenged him once more, and still the man declined. Roared Romney as the man stalked away: "See what I mean about partisanship? This man won't even shake hands with me! This is what's wrong with Michigan!" More than once he turned up uninvited at labor gatherings and demanded to be heard. More than once, he was sent away. At last union leaders decided that they were getting a reputation for undemocratic attitudes. After that they sent Romney invitations, and he did not hesitate to appear and preach his gospel.

In the end, Romney won because he appeared to be a prophet at a time when Michigan desperately needed one. His victory was one of charisma, that indefinable quality of leadership, force and spiritual magnetism that defies pat explanations. The fact that he is a Mormon—and president of the Detroit Stake (district) of the Mormon church—had much to do with it. For devout Mormons count as cardinal principles of their religion individual responsibility and dedication to public service.