Posted on 02/08/2012 1:04:16 PM PST by Qbert
In the wake of Rick Santorum’s big night yesterday, Mitt Romney might be inclined to tell himself that the Pennsylvanian can’t duplicate those victories elsewhere and that his advantage in money and organization will ultimately enable him to prevail in most states in a race that now looks to be long and hard but still in his pocket. But he should put all such consoling thoughts out of his head. Though Santorum is still weak where Romney is strong, all that could change later this month if he wins in another state where everyone is assuming Romney can’t lose.
Romney needs to approach the next two primaries in Michigan and Arizona as if his hopes for the presidency depend on them, because they do. If Santorum comes out of nowhere to steal either, but especially Michigan from Romney, then not only will there be no more talk of the former Massachusetts governor’s inevitability, but it would be the end of his frontrunner status. Losing his home state would prove that all of Romney’s advantages are worthless and that Santorum’s working class appeal is real. Romney must go to Michigan and fight hard there these next three weeks because if he loses it, he may lose the nomination.
The irony for Romney is that of all the upcoming primaries, Michigan may be the best suited to respond positively to Santorum’s paean to rust belt values. Romney’s inability to connect with both conservatives and ordinary voters has handicapped him throughout the race, but in Michigan, with its depressed economy and dependence on the auto industry, it is as much of a hindrance as in the general election. Michigan, with its high unemployment and working class electorate, provides Santorum with a receptive audience for his own version of class warfare politics.
Colorado, a state where Romney was heavily favored and leading in the polls, is proof the frontrunner’s support is skin deep. Santorum came from behind to win it for a number of reasons, but the biggest of them is Republican voters are starting to respond to his message and to view him as the most likeable candidate left in the race.
If Romney thinks a barrage of negative ads can alter that dynamic, he hasn’t been paying attention. Santorum was thoroughly humanized in a way he had never been by the focus on his daughter’s illness. All of Sheldon Adelson’s money couldn’t buy better publicity for a candidate than Santorum has received from this story because it was not only touching, but it brought out the best side of a politician who has most often been perceived as a dour public scold. If the voters perceive Romney is trying to bury him with attacks, it will only make Santorum look like a victim.
Romney needs to concentrate on his economic expertise and start sounding like he cares about the voters. He has a good story to tell, but if he gets bogged down in negativity at Santorum’s expense, it will do him no good. But whatever he does, he must go all out in Michigan. A loss there to Santorum, something most of us would have thought unimaginable, is not impossible. If it happens, it will fundamentally alter the dynamic of the race and make Santorum’s nomination a more plausible scenario. It will also cause many of those Republicans who flocked to Romney simply because they thought he would win to abandon him. He must win in Michigan or start thinking about going home for real.
Another one for the MI list.
Go, Anyonebutmitt!
Romney is not a conservative, he seems even more liberal than Obama except he tries to campaign as a conservative. ANyone who buys that is crazy.
Let’s hope so.. I would send money to Santorum to help him out-and I will be voting for Newt Gingrich in Indiana (Santorum failed to gain the ballot in this state anyhoo).
Let’s do what is necessary to ‘block’ Mitt Romney (this includes those Virginians who want to ‘stop’ the ‘inevitable’ highness by voting Ron Paul! I am serious-J.S!
“Romney needs to concentrate on his economic expertise and start sounding like he cares about the voters”
That’s a problem because he’s an awkward, robotic, cold-fish. Combine that with his SuperPac attacks that he disavows any knowledge and you begin to see a truly unlikeable individual willing to slash anyone in service of his ambition — all while pretending to be Mr. Nice Guy.
How many of those unemployed were "Bained"?
It doesn't take much expertise to slash jobs, close plants, move production overseas, leave shareholders with worthless paper and creditors holding an empty bag. Of course, Bain investors reaped enormous profit.
Romney doesn't care about people, only money. His objective was always the bottom line return for investors regardless of jobs, local impact, environmental or other considerations, or in some cases even the long term health of the business.
Mostly, he has no vision on how real wealth is created. His “capitalism” is of the wrecking yard sort, not the entrepreneurial sort where wealth is created.
Now imagine this man as our President. Nope, sorry, I just can not tolerate the thought. Romney is no leader.
You got it- Romney is the junkyard dog of capitalism!
I good a good feeling for Santorum in Michigan. Mitt’s charm has worn pretty thin with the folks here.
If I recall correctly, he didn’t win by much over McCain in 08.
one fer the Michigan ping.
Can we whoop Mittens?
He’ll win MI. They’ve been brainwashed.
I can’t wait until the Virginia primary. I hope Ron Paul beats Mitt.
Come on, you know you can do it. LOL
Please freepmail me if you wish to be added or dropped from the mitten ping.
* He is Catholic, so was a good chunk of Macomb County, home of the Blue Collar Macomb County Democrats, which swong the State in Reagan's Column.
* He has blue collar roots and seems to play well to that group.
* Tea Partiers... They are looking for a home here it is again another furtile "anybody but Romney" ground.
* He is more likeable than Newt, that has a lot going for it.
* His family story and "Bella" is getting peoples attention, like my neighbor with a special needs daughter who caught me the other day outside and said, "Wha do ya think of Santorum!" with a big smile and how he likes Rick.
* Evangelicals may have a home with him, more so than Romney and with more warm and fuzzies than Newt, he may have an edge.
I have been saying it since October 2010, Michigan is where this will be won or lost for Obama in 012' it will be battle royale, even more so if Rick wins.
* He is Catholic, so was a good chunk of Macomb County, home of the Blue Collar Macomb County Democrats, which swong the State in Reagan's Column.
* He has blue collar roots and seems to play well to that group.
* Tea Partiers... They are looking for a home here it is again another furtile "anybody but Romney" ground.
* He is more likeable than Newt, that has a lot going for it.
* His family story and "Bella" is getting peoples attention, like my neighbor with a special needs daughter who caught me the other day outside and said, "Wha do ya think of Santorum!" with a big smile and how he likes Rick.
* Evangelicals may have a home with him, more so than Romney and with more warm and fuzzies than Newt, he may have an edge.
I have been saying it since October 2010, Michigan is where this will be won or lost for Obama in 012' it will be battle royale, even more so if Rick wins.
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