Mitt Romney, the anti-Christ

Today, the Republican National Committee convention will commence, giving the party a chance to shape a sharp contrast between its sober headed leader and the Democratic National Committee’s messianic icon.

The Romney team has done this for the duration of its general election campaign, stubbornly focusing on the issues facing the country rather than attempting to endear the former governor to the American people.

The Romney-Ryan campaign is one of substance instead of style. Romney will talk about the issues.

He will run on his record, not his rhetoric.

This strategy contrasts with that of the DNC’s 2008 presidential candidate, who had authored two autobiographies before the age of 50 and proclaimed in his nominating victory speech in St. Paul, Minn., that “this was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal.”

The same candidate tried to convince voters in New Hampshire to cast their ballots for him when he said, “... A light will shine through that window, a beam of light will come down upon you, you will experience an epiphany ... and you will suddenly realize that you must go to the polls and vote for Obama.”

Indeed, the entire secular, post-religious world was enlightened and overcome by a great devotion for the first half-black president.

Public school teachers taught their students devotional hymns. The Nobel Committee bestowed upon him its Peace Prize.

Newsweek named him “God of All Things.” Followers fainted in his presence.

The masses worshiped the smooth-talker as the second coming of Christ.

Now, nearly four years into the Messiah’s first term, voter enthusiasm has fallen demonstrably for the president after he failed to keep his promise of achieving a united, post-racial, end-of-politics-as-we-know-it world.

Acutely aware of the consequences of over-promising, the Romney camp is striving for pragmatism in every detail, even down to the stage design at the convention.

Romney has pushed for a Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired set with an abundance of dark wood. The intention is to appear humble, practical and cozy — a far cry from the grandiose Greek columns in front of which the DNC nominee orated, like a divine resident of Mount Olympus.

If Americans realize that what we need is a man who can deliver, not one who can orate, then, like the hundreds of Greek idols that fell into the annals of university mythology textbooks, the United States’ false idol will fall into the history books as the most blasphemous president in the nation’s history.

If we can drown out the booming, dangerous rhetoric of our 44th president, America will elect Mitt Romney, the anti-Christ.

 A common mortal will once again occupy the Oval Office.

­— arcarlis@indiana.edu