Romney is not among the super-wealthy, but by the average person's standard he is very wealthy. He makes, in a good year, what a top baseball or basketball player will make. Hey, LeBron, you can't be voted to the All-Star team because you make much more than the average player.
Romney needs to address the money issue in a way that puts him in a positive light.
Perhaps this is how:
- Agree that his income and wealth are significantly more than the average person because he has achieved success in business.
- State firmly that he has approached his business dealings both in an ethical and legal manner and that he has paid the fair amount of taxes as required by the tax code.
- State that he understands the tax code is probably perceived as unfair and that he would like to see that addressed with a thorough review, not a knee-jerk reaction that destroys incentives to succeed.
- Say that he is running for President not for the money or power... a perception that is reinforced by many politicians who seem to become quite wealthy on a government salary... but because he has enjoyed the benefits of living and working in this country and he wants to ensure that the opportunities for personal success are not diminished for others by an overbearing government... that is fair.
- Point out that in the business world a CEO will sometimes accept a symbolic $1 salary when taking over a company that is in deep financial and operational trouble... and that he will only accept $1 for his compensation as President... not because he wants to show everyone he is so wealthy, but because he understands as a businessman that a leader should not be willing to take rewards for a job not yet accomplished... or poorly done.
Ask the question: is personal success a disqualifying factor for being President?