THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION
JUSTIN SULLIVAN/GETTY IMAGES
THE
BAIN
WAY
When Beth Myers, the top Romney
adviser tasked with overseeing the
VP search, briefed reporters on the
process after Ryan was announced,
it was clear that Romney had made
the biggest decision of his campaign the way he has always approached high-stakes moments.
Kranish and Helman, in The Real
Romney, summed up the strategic
mindset that came to define Romney during his days in private equity at Bain Capital: “The Bain way,
as it became known, was intensely
analytical and data-driven.”
At a conference in Washington
in 2007, Romney explained his
approach to making decisions as
having two stages. The first step
was to “wallow in the data.” The
second was to have a vigorous debate on the right path forward.
Romney’s search for a vice
presidential candidate was a case
study of “the Bain way,” a clinic in
organization and planning.
Myers was assigned to the task
in April, as Romney was wrapping
up his final skirmishes with an
exhausted and defeated Santorum.
By May 1, Romney and Myers had
a short list, and for two months,
they went over “preliminary reports” on the candidates and spoke
with each of them. On July 2, Romney had “completed folders” on
each person on the short list. Romney kicked the decision around
with at least nine top advisers.
“Everyone was very candid with
Mitt. They offered their perspec-
HUFFINGTON 08.26.12
Romney and senior
advisor Beth
Myers aboard his
campaign plane
before departure.