I thought ya'll might like to hear my thoughts back then. All though i remember thinking he would not be elected in 2008, perhaps 2012 may be his time. I hope he has not forgotten the message of a song called Not Me.
"Mitt Romney could be our next President. That’s what everyone was saying at the National Republican Governor’s Association function I got to play last night in Miami. Not only is he one of the Republican party’s leading candidates, you’ll be happy to know Governor Romney of Massachusetts is also now a fan of Keni Thomas and my song Not Me. I like to think it was due to the performance and delivery of one such singer songwriter. But truthfully it was the message of the song that touched him. As it did for Governor Perdue of Georgia, Gov. Otter and his wife of Idaho, Gov Sanford of South Carolina, former Gov. Don Sundquist of TN, Gov. Rounds of South Dakota, Gov. Daniels of Indiana (who by the way is a cool Harley riding guy). Each one graciously took a moment to come over and comment how they appreciated the message in the song. It was flattering yes. But most of all, it was heart warming, reassuring, and comforting. These leaders all got it! Lead by example in everything you do, and the team around you becomes stronger. You can make a difference.
The beauty of my job is the opportunity I get to meet so many different people from all over the country. I’ve played hick-towns, county fairs and I’ve played the Pentagon. I’ve spoken to dock workers and politicians. Teachers, students, veterans and activists. Here’s what I’ve learned. We are all different, yes. But we all want the same things: Better jobs. Better education. A better plan for Iraq. Better health care. And better moral values. Everyone wants a better America. For themselves and for their kids. We can certainly all agree there. It’s the details of the routing that have us vastly divided. How are we gonna get there? Your plan doesn’t work for me. And my way doesn’t work for you. Thus, the rhetoric of politics fogs our collective compass.
Don’t you wish it were as easy as “follow the yellow brick road”? Those directions are simple. Stay on the clearly marked sidewalk. Be wary of the wicked. Stay together. Stay the course. Pretty soon you’re gonna see a big green city. You can’t miss it. Go to the front door and ask for the wise and powerful OZ. He’ll have all the answers you’re looking for.
No political party. No constitution. No religion. No way of life has a 100% guaranteed road map to get us where we think we need to be. You want to hear God laugh. Tell him you have a plan. So the best we can do is set our compass to truth, faith, hope and love. They will never steer us wrong. The routing might be questionable when our yellow brick road has long since faded away. But there are still a few lessons of OZ we can always count on. Stay together. Be wary of the wicked. Stay the course. And the answers shall reveal themselves-the power was in you all along. “Oz never did give nothing to the tin man, he didn’t already have”.
So in this important time of change I feel good about our country. Coast to coast we are full of great Americans who understand the importance of leading by example in order to make a difference. I wish Governor Romney much success in his bid to become our next President. But I already know the obvious candidate for the job of bettering America. That candidate is you. That candidate is me. Set an example for others to follow and this nation “of the people, governed by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth”
Go boldly into your lives my friends and mighty forces will come to your aid. If you ever need a song to get you through your day, we are here for you. You are appreciated."
