It’s not desperation - they were just discussing it on Fox. Shepard Smith said it was “unusual” but they were discussing it and said the candidates ALWAYS campaign on election day, but not usually in events. They typically do interviews on TV stations and try to get their face out there, especially local stations. They said this is just Romney’s way of doing it - do events instead of tv interviews - either way the media has to cover it.
Which honestly is smart to me. Riles people up in 2 important states, and Romney gets to avoid the Republican hating “gotcha” media interviewing him and trying to make up some gaffe on election day.
I think you may have hit on the number one reason that Romney is doing it this way. All along this campaign has found ways to circumvent the enemedia. They haven't always done things just exactly the conventional way. I like it.