From Hollywood to political operative
He very seldom -- is on television but he's 1 of the central figures in the Romney campaign.
Despite big differences in personal style he and the governor are charting the campaigns course to governor.
Here is our power player of the week.
Couldn't have.
Two people could have more different backgrounds and two people that have more different world views.
Stuart Stevens his chief strategist for the Romney campaign.
And Wally rarely does interviews he may be the governor -- most influential advisor.
He is behind the decision to focus relentlessly.
On the big picture what he says is the dramatic contrast between the Canada.
During the campaign is that you've got someone who is uniquely qualified to turn around.
The economic mess that the -- in and very different views.
Where this country should be good it's --
Stevens likes to say the key is winning the election not winning the day that he does the apps for the campaign.
Forcing them to the consternation of some Republicans he is focused on Romney's agenda wanted to Romney -- Didn't want sometimes letting charges about the candidates taxes or business record go -- answered.
Majority of the countries -- of -- Barack Obama should not be -- that's why can't get above 50%.
And -- Mitt Romney if someone that they're getting to know better.
This is a very long process that -- an election.
And that hopefully the convention's going to be a positive part of that the critics say that you guys are not as tough.
As the Obama campaign.
Let's and I think there's always in these campaigns all -- this macho chest pounding of who's tougher who's this it's a bunch of sort of locker room trash talk this -- nothing to do.
With the greatest economic crisis since the depression.
And I think it's probably that quality that people -- about.
People who do campaigns.
Stuart Stevens has an unusual background for a political operative.
A Mississippi native he was a writer for TV shows like northern exposure and.
Where well -- gold leaf fan and a superhuman or.
Came across the -- that completely hand irrevocably change.
He's also into extreme sports like endurance cycling and skiing the last hundred miles to the North Pole.
His office that Romney headquarters is filled -- exercise equipment is that what you like about political campaigns testing yourself.
I like competition.
And I like to focus that it brings and I like that.
They are over at a certain point and that you know if you were successful and --
Stephens is not big on ideology.
He's worked on campaigns for Haley Barbour and Chris -- He tends to be cautious staying away from bold policy strokes and trying to make the campaign about the opponent.
When asked what's special about this race he remembers meeting people and Romney rallies and Iowa back in January.
That's what I want to see them expressing -- cities.
I want to see someone who's gonna change this country.
And that's extraordinary.
Moment and to feel that maybe you could contribute something to that.
This it was a very rare opportunity.
And -- it doesn't come along very often.
For all the excitement about Paul Ryan Romney advisors say there -- central message that the Republican Convention.
Will be why the president has failed and they -- man can do -- Which sounds like a contrast right out of Stewart Stephens playbook.