Having graduated from the same business school as Mitt Romney, certain aspects of his faltering campaign appear all too familiar.

Romney is running his campaign as though he were trying to solve a Harvard Business School "case study," as opposed to conducting an active political campaign for the highest office in the land.

Romney's staff seems to have arrived, early on, with a high-level "executive" approach to a business problem, as opposed to the down and dirty of a political campaign.

As an example, the Republican office in Central Park has been waiting, fruitlessly, for signs and bumper stickers. I can see how an MBA from Harvard (and I am one) can view such mundane things as mere "details." Unfortunately, success in every organization I am familiar with usually comes from handling a multitude of such details.

Not responding to the Obama camp's personal attacks appears to many observers a further sign of weakness. What is inexcusable, however, is the lack of specifics in the Romney campaign. Five broad themes, mentioned in his convention speech, are not a substitute for telling the American people the real impact of what he proposes.

How will a Romney administration handle the inherent contradictions of cutting taxes, reducing the deficit, and essentially leaving overall spending at current levels? Exactly what expenditures will be cut? If Obamacare is repealed what will take its place?

As a loyal Republican I still have hope, but each day my discouragement increases.

Alfred M. King

Spotsylvania