Since coming out in support for presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney on June 28th a lot has happened. I am still in support of Romney for election in  November, but a change is warranted in Romney's Ear of Corn rating.

The choice was between President Barack Obama, the incumbent Democrat, and Romney, who are vying to answer the question, "Who's Running to Be My President".

This  morning Romney announced his selection of House Budget Committee  Chairman and Wisconsin Representative Paul Ryan to be his choice as  running mate and vice presidential nominee to confront the President and  Vice President Joe Biden in November. This changes the tenure of the  election and sets the stage for the nation to begin in earnest having a  conversation on finding solutions to the fiscal quagmire of the nation  and on how best to mend the safety nets needed for the elderly, disabled  and most needy in our society.

I believe Ryan is the right choice to lead the way on that conversation as I noted here: Paul Ryan - The Right Choice for an Economic Conversation

I  believe Romney's business accumen coupled with Ryan's financial acumen  more suited to lead the nation over the rough economic seas which  continue to rock the ship of state.

However,  I am disconcerted with the tone of both campaigns and the utter lack of  integrity and civilty both sides are showing. This is especially true  with the ad wars being forced on American voters.

My  consternation and disgust led me to file this report on Wednesday:  Campaigns, Super PACs, Ads and Lies. The text version can be read here: http://fromthecornfield.com/blog1.php/ca mpaigns-super-pacs-ads-and and the video version here: http://irep ort.cnn.com/docs/DOC-826448

Romney - My Choice

4 Ears of Corn

Romney,  4 ears of corn, an increase of 2 ears. The reason I have increased  Romney's standing is based on his choice of Ryan. Will Ryan live up to  my expectations and will the nation begin focusing on the real issues of  this campaign? I am betting that he will and the nation will be better  for that conversation.

Romney  has talked about his economic hopes and laid out a 5-point plan that is  lacking substance. Romney must be more specific. The hope is that more  details, more specifics and real discussion will now occur with the  addition of Ryan to the ticket.

Romney,  however, is still failing to corral members of the coalition that makes  up the Republican Party. There is still a strong possibility the  convention in Tampa Bay, starting on the 27th, will not be smooth  sailing. There's potential for a revolt from the floor from Texas  Congresman Dr. Ron Paul and his Liberty Movement. The tempest brewing in  the tea pot from Tea Party members who have a strong affinity to former  vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin may have been averted with  today's pick of Tea Party fave Ryan.

With  the momentum of today's announcement, Romney must capitalize on the  inertia and stay focused on the economy, jobs, the national debt and  mending our safety nets to insure that not just the elderly, disabled  and needy of today, but those of the future as well can live life with  dignity.

Romney  still needs to be much more commanding on peripheral issues such as  reaching out more to Hispanics, GOP leaning GLBT members, and moving  more to the center. Romney needs to be firm about distractions, be  resolute in dismissing sideshows. As now the de facto leader of the  Republican Party, Romney needs to rein in those high profile individuals  to stay on message: the economy, jobs and the unsustainable debt. While  he should not put muzzles on anyone nor expect all or anyone to all be  on the same page as to his policies, shiny object distractions need to  be hidden away not to see daylight.

Obama - No Longer A Choice

1 Ear of Corn

President  Barack Obama stays at 1 ear of corn. With the distortions, the caught  lies that the President seems to have no problem with Team Obama or the  Super PAC, PrioritiesUSA, making on his behalf, it keeps his standing  low. The President refuses to disavow such personal affronts such as the  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid making patently false statements on  the Senate floor, even when debunked and proven false. The President and  his Team lie about not knowing anything about the story in the new ad  that suggests that Romney is indirectly responsible for the death of a  woman from cancer, even though the story was discussed on a conference  call a couple of months ago. The President did not denounce a charge  raised of commission of a felony that was unsubstantiated. The President  won in 2008 proclaiming he was a different type of politician and to be  the most transparent President in history. The reality has shown the  current Administration one of the most secretive in history only bested  by the failed presidency of Richard Nixon.

The President can  still change my mind, though doubtful, between now and election day. As I  have stated each week, the only way I can say a 2nd term for the  President is if there are Republican majorities in Congress to provide  adequate checks and balances. The President has once more been found to  have mislead the American people by claiming that the Affordable Care  Act would not raise taxes nor would it raise costs.

From the Cornfield, that's The Cornfield Standings for this 11th of August.

You can always keep up with The Cornfield Standings here:

http://marksden.com/standings.html