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Romney Lets Guard Down, Boosts Appeal

Geeky CEO shines through matinee idol package on Fla. trail

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 29, 2008 5:02 PM CST
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(Newser) – Mitt Romney's inner nerd is showing, and allowing voters to see it may make him seem likable enough to get elected, Time reports. The candidate's conservative attack dog persona flooded airwaves for months but didn't play well outside of Michigan; now, the tired candidate is letting his dweeby, number-crunching, spreadsheet-loving self out.

The nerdy private-equity whiz may just win over recession-scared voters with his talk of "working in the real economy." The McCain and Huckabee camps have branded him a rich phony, but they haven't counted on his well-honed ability to tailor a product to an audience. He may not be used to the product of being himself, but he appears to be learning.

Republican presidential hopeful former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney turns to greet supporters during a campaign stop in Jacksonville, Fla., Monday, Jan. 28, 2008. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Republican presidential hopeful former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney turns to greet supporters during a campaign stop in Jacksonville, Fla., Monday, Jan. 28, 2008. (AP Photo/LM Otero)   (Associated Press)
Karen Zmoos holds up a Romney bobble-head doll during a campaign stop for Republican presidential hopeful former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney at the Orlando-Sanford International airport in Sanford, Fla., Monday, Jan. 28, 2008. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Karen Zmoos holds up a Romney bobble-head doll during a campaign stop for Republican presidential hopeful former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney at the Orlando-Sanford International airport in Sanford,...   (Associated Press)
Republican presidential hopeful, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, climbs aboard his charter jet after a campaign stop at the Orlando-Sanford International airport in Sanford, Fla., Monday, Jan. 28, 2008. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Republican presidential hopeful, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, climbs aboard his charter jet after a campaign stop at the Orlando-Sanford International airport in Sanford, Fla., Monday, Jan....   (Associated Press)
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Romney sidles up to Bushes, especially 41
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Attack-dog Mitt recycles McCain's top 10 attacks
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Mitt Romney • recession • Republican presidential primaries • negative campaigning • nerdiness • Election 2008

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