Bain Capital, Mitt Romney's former company, is being used as ammunition against the Republican candidate's campaign. Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed joined with union leader Leo Gerard in a public lashing of Romney while attending an Obama hosted forum focused on job creation. The Democrat forum was an excellent opportunity for Obama supporters to show their loyalty in front of the President.
Bain Capital was a spinoff of Bain & Company thanks to the efforts of Mitt Romney. He began at Bain in 1977 followed by his leadership of Bain Capital through the 90's. Romney is no longer involved with Bain leadership due to his presidential campaign. Ajay Agarwal is now the Managing Director of Bain Capital with a focus on software as his backbone experience.
Romney has received attacks from Democrats and Republicans for his Bain leadership. It has become an easy categorical description of Romney as a corporate baron from Wall Street. His Harvard background has helped, but the success of Bain makes him an easy target. Bain Capital does not have presence in Atlanta, though the Atlanta Mayor stood out with judgments of Romney, further solidifying Atlanta's prominence as a Democratic voice.
Bain & Company, the original consultancy company that hired Romney in 1977, has a location in Atlanta with a focus on Transportation and Higher Education. Atlanta's relationship with the FAA through its control of the ATL airport also creates a potential benefit for Atlanta if Bain and Company were hired to assist with Transportation finance. Though much of the Atlanta Mayor's office is involved with the Georgia Democratic party, many of Atlanta's finance leaders and advisors are strong supporters of the Republican party. Mayor Reed's words against Bain Capital and Romney will potentially be offensive to City of Atlanta finance advisors and transportation bond issuers.
Romney will be well-served by a visit to Atlanta. A meeting with the Atlanta Mayor would be a challenge for Mitt, but could prove to be a smart move for his campaign. Most Republicans in Georgia have supported Gingrich and will also show support for Romney if he get's the nomination. Reed has influenced the diminishing Gingrich campaign and has also negatively impacted the Romney campaign. It is only a matter of time before Obama and Romney go head to head after indirect battles through their supporters. Atlanta does not represent game-changing polls for candidates historically, but political influence in the Democratic party and in private equity has deep roots in Georgia. Many Georgians are confident that the Obama campaign would not have been won if it weren't for Arthur Blank's aggressive moves using his friends in Georgia. Romney may be fearing the Democratic stronghold of Georgia and its continued momentum in the DC influence realm.
http://www.trilateralcapital.com - Author performs business analysis and program management for Trialteral Capital in Atlanta, GA and is continually involved with global financial trending. His ability to discern between valuable and ineffective information has led to perpetual growth in his analysis career. jt@trilateralcapital.com
