Romney In Charge

A very interesting read the Boston Globe about Romney under pressure. Generally the article shines a positive light on Romney's ability to work under pressure.

One great Romney quote:

Reminded by reporters that critics are questioning the independence of the Big Dig inspectors, he shot back: ``I'm not quite sure who they have in mind as independent agencies, other than someone from Mars."

I loved that one.

But the real whizbanger:

Squinting into the afternoon sun alongside the I-90 connector at a press availability on Monday, Reilly looked every inch the prosecutor as he announced investigators had uncovered a dispute that arose years ago about whether the bolt system was safe.

As soon as he stopped speaking, the reporters cried in chorus: ``Can you be more specific?"

``Not at this point," he said soberly. ``Not at this point."

The contrast with Romney is striking, said Joseph Tecce, a professor of psychology at Boston College who analyzed clips of Romney and Reilly with the sound off.

Tecce found that Reilly blinked his eyes about 80 times per minute, 2 1/2 times the normal rate, suggesting that the attorney general ``is very, very stressed," Tecce said.

Romney, on the other hand, blinked about 30 times a minute, Tecce said, at the low end of the normal range, suggesting ``that he was in control of the situation, that he felt comfortable in what he was saying."

Note to Anti-Romneyites: I am not advocating basing your vote on the blinking style of a candidate.