Good article. My personal favorites are Benghazi and campaign strategy. They are intimately related, because I assume someone sat around a table and discussed avoiding Benghazi. While I loved the “big Candy” moniker, I’m still amazed that the campaign didn’t go after that moderator intervention for the administration. First, Gingrich would have been savvy enough to have done so immediately and devastatingly as only Gingrich knows how. Second, Benghazi was hot in conservative minds. Third, Benghazi was ANOTHER in an already growing list of Obama Lies.
My point 11, if I could have added it would be: Don’t Piss Off Social Conservatives. Why? They’re a strange breed, and like it or not, they WILL stay home. And he didn’t gain a darn thing for that bad strategic move.
On your point 11 - yes, that could be part of the list for sure. Somewhat similar can be said of the liberty minded group - that percentage of Paul bot nation who will do the right thing if given some reason to do so. With Chick Fil-A, Mitt had the opportunity to connect with both groups. Many libertarians were with Chick Fil-A because they were a private company being attacked by thug government via permits and the like. Bad bad miss.
And yeah, Newt would have torn Candy a new one and embarrassed her - and won the day on that point. No doubt. As you said, “as only Newt can.” No media figure, even the beloved Megyn Kelly, won when they challenged Newt. NONE. (Newt was beaten by Newt, but that’s another topic...)