The Boston Globe has a convincing piece today laying out all the ways Mitt Romney is fashioning his likely Presidential bid on that of Ronald Reagan. The Globe reports that Romney has not only positioned himself as a similar personality to Reagan — a handsome, charismatic conservative governor of a Democratic state — but is also lifting themes directly from Reagan's speeches:

Consider the acceptance speech Reagan gave in July 1980 after he won the Republican nomination for president.

"Never before in our history have Americans been called upon to face three grave threats to our very existence," Reagan said, warning that the United States was spending beyond its means, facing unprecedented danger from Soviet communism, and maintaining an unhealthy dependence on foreign oil.

And yet, Reagan voiced optimism: "There are no words to express the extraordinary strength and character of this breed of people we call Americans."

Compare those remarks with Romney's in July of this year, at a GOP luncheon in Ames, Iowa.

"We're under attack from jihadists, we're spending way too much money — way more money than we're taking in — [and] we're using way too much oil," Romney said, asserting that the American people were up to the test. "We face some real challenges ... but we will rise to the occasion, as we always do."

He added, "I love America and what it stands for. I will fight for it, as you will."

The Globe notes that Romney is hardly the only candidate reaching for the mantle of Reagan, but says that his looks and ability to give stirring speeches make him a leading contender for the part. The paper's full analysis here.