Posted on 02/13/2012 2:54:06 PM PST by SeekAndFind
As Ive been noting here, one key metric to determine whether the prolonged GOP nomination process is damaging Mitt Romneys general election prospects is his standing among independents, many of whom remain sour on Obamas economic performance.
Todays new Pew poll offers another installment. The topline is striking enough it finds that Rick Santorum is surging among Tea Partyers and conservatives, again suggesting that they just cant come to terms with Romney as the nominee.
But look, Romney is still likely to get the nomination, anyway. Which is why this slide among independents is also extremely noteworthy:
A month ago, 40% of independents said they would back Obama over Romney today 51% say they would, while the number expressing support for Romney has slipped from 50% to 42%.
Over the course of the campaign, Romneys image among independent voters has suffered substantially. Most notably, the number who believe he is honest and trustworthy has fallen from 53% to 41%, while the number who say he is not has risen from 32% to 45%. And even on his qualifications for the office omneys strong suit he has lost ground among independents. In November, a 58% majority of independents said Romney was well-qualified to be president, while just 31% said he was not. Today, 48% say he is well qualified, while 41% say he is not. In November, Romney was beating Obama among these voters, 53-41. Now those numbers are upside down: Obama is beating Romney among them, 51-42. Thats a net 19 point swing of independents in Obamas direction in three months.
This comes after a recent NBC/WSJ poll found a 20 point spike in negative impressions of Romney among them. Democratic pollster Peter Harts diagnosis continues to ring true:
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
What did they say, Mitt is dropping like a rock, but he will still win the Nomination? Talk about liberal spin and propaganda.
Exactly why the GOP has to pick a real conservative to run against Obuma. Let everyone have a clear choice in the general election and the GOP wins. The GOP cannot win if they play to the middle because the middle will go to Obuma.
Romney is not our guy!
I argue with this point alot with my “Republican’ friends and family members.
A core Conservative is the only one who can beat Obama.
Still cant stop laughing where Romney stated at CPAC,
I was a severely conservative governor
Such BS, the guy just cant stop lying, must be a mental condition.
If the GOP nominates Rick Santorum, I predict that he will win less than 35% of the national vote in a two man race.
The ONLY one that can beat obama is Newt
With a dumbed-down, uninformed voting public, elections today are more like a Dancing with the Stars contest. Santorum has no flash, where as Newt inspires.
Which State would Rick lose that McCain won? Would Rick win FL,PA,IN,MI or OH. Would Rick lose WI or even MN which will pass a referendum to be a right to life state in November. Which southern border state would he Rick lose NM is definitely up for grabs this time. Any conservative wins Romney just makes it harder because he lacks a core.
Sorry correction: Minnesota could easily be a right to work state in November.
So is Santorum picking up independents?
This election will not be won by us without them.
You’ve got it that right. I think it is barely possible that Mitt could beat -bama, but it will be massively difficult to do so, and there is no way he would have “coattails” to gain the Senate.
RE: This election will not be won by us without them.
We have to remember that MANY independents ARE conservatives.
Take me for instance I am NOT a registered Republican, I belong to the Conservative Party of New York.
Yet, in the last election (2008) I pulled the lever for John McCain in order to PREVENT an Obama Presidency.
Am I considered an Independent? I would think so.
Anyone who wasn’t going to vote for Obama a few months ago, and is going to vote for him now is a hopeless idiot. The only difference between then and now are lies, lies and more lies. Even if people are catching onto the fact that Oromney is a progressive opportunist, to switch back to Obama is severely stupid. A switch to Gary Johnson would indicate more brain activity, though not much.
Greg Sargent gets his marching orders from Soros and Media Matters. Anything he has to say should be discarded forthwith whether it’s about Romney or not.
I'm not just thinking about him tying his dog to the roof of the car for the family road trip that makes me think that, but it's how he is campaigning, especially in Florida.
He didn't win the state, at least not on principle, plans and policy. He won by buying an overwhelming amount of media and trashing Newt.
And that got me to thinking about his business acumen and if his business success is from using similar methods. No matter. He's severely the wrong man for the WH.
I am not a registered Republican either. Like you, I am a conservative independent.
Good point about conservative independents.
But moderates independents have to come to the light also...or stay home. That would work too.
Based on what evidence?
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