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Politics in Michigan had been on a low plane for a number of years. The troubles were many and their roots could be found deep in the structure of the state's government.In April of 1959, the sagging governmental structure gave way to the extent that the state was unable to meet its payroll. The result was the much publicized "Payless Pay Day" which attracted national and international interest.Seeing that their elected officials were seemingly powerless to correct even the basic flaws in Michigan's government, many of the state's leading business and industrial leaders decided to apply their considerable talents to improving their state government. George Romney, then president of American Motors, was one of these citizens.

The meteoric political decline of George Romney is unparalleled in political history and in the history of presidential campaigning. In the space of one year, the man evolved from the overwhelming presidential favorite of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike to a presidential drop out, criticized severely and even mocked by press and public alike.There are many opinions as to why this phenomenon occurred. The press has opinions, the public has opinions, and the people closest to George Romney have opinions.A step by step analysis of Romney's campaign casts light on these opinions and completely discredits some while validating and emphasizing others.Romney's campaign had finance problems, it had personnel problems, and, most of all, it had a candidate who never fully committed himself to the campaign, who never truly and deeply wanted the Presidency of the United States.