The Brand Romney survived the first quarter. Then, as we moved in to Q2, it won a trifecta of primaries on April 3, putting to rest discussion on how Mitt loses as wins or, despite winning or nearly winning a majority of delegates available in each of the primary contests he faced, how inadequate he is as an Presidential candidate.

Leaving for a moment the specious and intellectually bankrupt gaggle of media outlets, the “buzz” has turned to Mitt’s choice for VP.

Now how could this heretofore lightweight Republican presumptive nominee best the current President’s own choice for a running mate? I mean, how can , how dare anyone try to top the estimable and honorable former Senator from the Credit Card state and current Vice President, Joe Biden.

I am looking forward to the contortions by the political class, the East Coast sharpies with their superior command of condescension, to highlight the vacuity of the Republican VP choices compared to the current Vice President.

From selective moral outrage to copious research of dubious veracity, we shall learn of just how inadequate the prospective Republic ticket will compare to the current giants in office. After all, the President’s not very good week as a constitutional expert and the always ready to surprise gaffe man Vice President Biden, a dreamy team if I ever could think of one, have turned incumbency into ashes and need their base in the media to gin up every little bit of respectability they can.

Back to the 10-Q.  Sales of Team Romney surpassed expectations, their Super Pac marketing division gave new meaning to decisive advertising to undermine the competition, the etch-a-sketch approach to policy served its purpose and the for free political endorsements proved persuasive when it counted.

Expenses ran higher than expected as the variable cost of Newt bashing was compounded by the righteous surge of Santorum. Nevertheless, these one time costs were more than adequately managed by new revenue sources and a strategic partnership with the newly functional RNC.

Despite what the competition promised in fund raising, it has fallen short of former incumbent President benchmarks [think G.W.Bush 2004] and can’t quite get the hang of soaking their former big donors while continue to show mediocre policy and political results.

Mitt Romney’s latest web video keeps the focus on the General Election:

Amazingly, Ann Coulter’s moved over to the middle to endorse Mitt Romney. Of all the pundits on the right, Ann Coulter was the biggest Anti-Romney surrogate. So her endorsement matters. I admire Ann as the funniest conservative commentator, who has an unusually good command of irony and her biting criticism always has something interesting to say. I also think she is the smartest pundit, bar none. In her business, perhaps in any business actually, a woman has to work twice as hard to get half as far. Ann’s seemingly over the top approach of skewering a secular progressive agenda leaves no room for compromise, and it works. But it is an act. If you don’t think so then you should read her comments after her mother passed. Can you tell I like Ann?

I decided to feature Mitt’s video as he has run a very good “Iowa” campaign by appearing not be too interested. I have first hand knowledge that he was very interested but worked to keep the expectations low. It worked. Most concede Mitt will do well as Evangelical Conservative do their best to split their vote, Ron Paul will do very well because, well, he has the most energized backers of all and Newt is flaming out.

I’ll admire the Iowa Caucus finish from a distance in a deep blue state but with some satisfaction that the Democrats will lose Iowa in the General. They’ll lose Virginia, Ohio and Florida too. They will just lose. Remember, you heard it here first.

Mary Meeker’s approach is to call for a turnaround. The Beltway Types and Public Policy set may well cringe at this approach but aren’t they the same group of people that have been pulling the levers of the country, and politicians, for some time now?

Any way you care to slice it, the kind of leadership required at all levels is that of the turnaround artist with a near maniacal attention to implementing unconventional wisdom. How else will this change agent be able to sell the tough decisions required to renegotiate the social compact with Americans? The workout manager will need to be ruthless with firings in the public service, ending redundant programs and restructuring the USA to focus on its core mission.

The process will make the media giddy with the potential for conflict but like they need much of an excuse.