Romney: ‘I Am Who I Am’

Some Republicans have criticized their presidential candidate Mitt Romney for being aloof, for not opening up enough.

But in an interview with Politico, the former Massachusetts governor offers no apologies for what some have called a cool, analytical style. “I know there are some people who do a very good job acting and pretend they’re something they’re not,” he said.

As for himself, “you get what you see. I am who I am,” Romney said.

He doesn’t see personality as the issue. It’s about policy and competence, which gives him an advantage over President Barack Obama.

“I don’t think everybody likes me,” he said. “I don’t believe that, by any means. But I do believe that people of this country are looking for someone who can get the country growing again with more jobs and more take-home pay.”

And what do Americans think of Obama? “I think they realize this president had four years to do that,” Romney said. “He got every piece of legislation he wanted passed, and it didn’t work. I think they want someone who has a different record, and I do.”

Romney promised to run the White House just as if it were a business. That’s the same management style for which President George W. Bush received great plaudits. Romney said he will have a printed checklist for his first 100 days, that his Cabinet will act like a board of directors, and that he will work like an activist CEO to revive the economy.