"Maybe it's just his personality."

That's one child's way of looking at things that can't otherwise be explained, like a presidential candidate who goes around gratuitously insulting vast swaths of people.

Yes, Mitt Romney, it's August, and we haven't heard a single nice word out of you since the Republican primary began in frigid Iowa. You look like a loser all over the world for your sour, smug demeanor in Britain, Israel and Poland. So much for international goodwill.

Who's ever heard of going to the Olympics and insulting the host country's readiness? It's just not done, as the English say. Maybe it's his personality, and he can't help himself in falling as flat in speaking as he does in singing.

Likeability matters in our politics, so Romney's flaws on that front are far from trivial. Americans like to like their presidents, even if they oppose them on issues. A lack of likeability was one reason why Albert Gore lost to George W. Bush — whom the travelling press deemed likeable — in 2000. I kid you not.

Newsweek's Michael Tomasky attacked Romney, the presumptive nominee, as a "wimp," high concept but not quite it. The real trouble with Romney is that he's "awk," in teenage terms, and hard to like. He looked better when running with a crowd of fools or rogues. He can rally the faithful (tepidly), but can't convert the undecided.

In fact, the more one gets to know Romney, the less one likes him. The man loves to fire people and says women's biological destinies should be under state control. Does the milk of human kindness flow in his frozen New England veins? Oh, I think not. In 75 years, only one president, Richard M. Nixon, fared worse on personality.

Like John F. Kennedy, Romney went to a posh prep school. But unlike Kennedy, he lacks easy, well-brought-up manners. (We know he played a mean "prank" as leader of a pack.) Barack Obama, a prep school grad, isn't hail-fellow-well-met, but he shows perfect poise on campaign stops, not prone to clumsy insults.

Sen. John McCain, the 2008 Republican nominee, is tremendously likeable when he's not running for president. Even he would tell you that.

Presidents Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan beguiled with words and stories. Abraham Lincoln had an awesome presence and a catching laugh. These men struck spontaneous grace notes in speeches and conversations, part of their political talent.

This holds true in Congress, too. Not every senator is a great guy, but usually you can see why they got elected. That's more true with the 17 women senators. I don't mean character; rather, social arts and gifts in lifting spirits. A courtly senator saw me with my mother in the marble halls and remarked, "Made in her image." Just his personality, but in a good way.

One charming Republican is Sen. Orrin Hatch, a Utah Mormon. The way he treated Anita Hill long ago was deplorable, but I've since seen a lighter, politer side that loves to compose religious country music songs. Oddly, he and the late liberal Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, a gregarious soul, were best friends.

So I was game to like Romney personally in polarized, tough times. Heck, I hoped to like the Mormon front-runner because a body politic is happier that way. The Mormons I've known are pleasant, square and sincere. And I was grateful he beat Newt Gingrich, Rick Perry, Rick Santorum and the gang.

In 2012, we waited for Romney to say something gracious, funny or compassionate — or new and true. But hey, Godot showed up sooner.

Speaking simply, the problem is "just his personality."

To find out more about Jamie Stiehm, and read features by other Creators writers and cartoonists, visit www.creators.com.