Why are you giving Romney so much credit? Why do all Americans give him so much credit actually? You must all have gotten used to the clowns you call "presidential candidates" that much that you've come to embrace it. He's a total fool (in politics).
Every time I see American politics, I can only shake my head in disbelief. European politicians are in a different league, especially intellectually. Romney would never have seen a microphone in any country in Europe.
American politicians like to downplay the intelligence---it's about the slick, the sexy, the soundbites, The Image. Even though the majority of American politicians go to Ivy League Schools, and either are attorneys (Law School), have MBAs---working in the financial sector. C-span had talked about the majors that most politicians have are either Law, History, politician science, economics, English.
But, like most of America, it's the Image that reigns supreme. So education, intellgience is downplayed and takes a backseat to coolness and personability.