Posted on 02/17/2012 8:48:55 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
The central narrative of the Republican nomination contest is easy to summarize: Any candidate who is perceived as the main opponent to Mitt Romney immediately ties or leads Mitt Romney.
Rick Santorum's surge tracks with recent precedent. His support is about the same as Rick Perry's at his peak. A little higher than Herman Cain's crest. A little lower than Newt Gingrich's pinnacle.
But Santorum is not only Romney's latest challenger, he is the most serious. Perry did not possess presidential-level skills. Cain lacked any apparent qualification for high office. Gingrich managed to systematically confirm every doubt about his style and stability.
Santorum, in contrast, has shown the ability to learn. While his initial debate performances were peevish and unappealing, he has grown more confident and likable over time. He has effectively prosecuted Romney's public record while avoiding anger or overreach. (He pointedly refused, for example, to attack Romney's business achievements and personal wealth.)
The former Pennsylvania senator possesses strengths that neatly fit some of Romney's weaknesses. Santorum combines a deeply held social conservatism with an authentic blue-collar appeal. Romney has trouble competing in either category. While Santorum is very conservative, he avoids being a conservative caricature. He was one of the Senate's main advocates of global health programs and a champion of faith-based anti-poverty efforts.
And Santorum has an additional advantage over Gingrich as the anti-Romney. The GOP establishment -- party types and elected Republicans -- viewed the prospect of Gingrich's nomination with undisguised horror. Having worked with him, they did everything they could to defeat him -- a revealing commentary. Santorum is hardly the party favorite, but establishment objections are many degrees less heated.
(Excerpt) Read more at yorkdispatch.com ...
Awh shuck Rita, you know I am an Okie, but now living in Oregon, my vote is irrelevant. My tag serves two purposes one irritates the likes of you, the other is just my way of saying to the E-Pubs, never again.
I suspect I have known Newt's politics a lot longer than you, wished he wold run for years, and there is a lot to like, but a lot to question now. Right now he is running 4th in a three man race, so what does it profit the cause to cut up a candidate that most here would say is better than Mitt, since he could be the only alternative?
Do you remember what Newt or Rick's support was here, before the Primary stated? If Newt had used Palin's line about the people we have sent up there to drain the swamp and they find a jacuzzi, he would jump 10 to 20 points, but I doubt he will use anything like it, hope he does though.
I recall that Rush, when noting the smash hit that Newt became by blasting John King at the debate, remarked that such a thing would be great one time, but that it couldn’t become a staple and continue to work with the same smashing results.
I believe you have a point, and that the E and Romney may have to give a much milder workover to Rick than what they dished out to their nemesis, Newt. If Rush’s theory holds some truth, and I think it probably does.
Romney will let them bang away at each other while he bangs away at them! Still, there is a slim chance for Newt to come back if he can gain the southern states. Very slim.
"Never argue with a man who buys his ink by the barrel."
-- Ben Franklin
Romney is going to shell Newt in Georgia for 2 weeks. Time to send money to Newt.
....”A super PAC supporting former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney on Friday purchased nearly $1 million worth of television advertising time in Georgia for spots to run the final two weeks of the campaign, beginning Tuesday.
The size of the buy, paid for by the Restore Our Future political action committee, is considered moderate, although it’s the largest splurge the state has seen in the presidential primary.”...
http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/gingrich-rallies-georgia-faithful-1353420.html
“Don’t shoot until you see the whites of their eyes.” comes to mind.
We rabid political watchers know that 80% or so of the voters KNOW who we are going to vote for long before major bucks are spent. It’s the great unwashed that will be swayed in the last two weeks of a campaign. Heck; some don’t even know who to vote for until they step onto the property containing the polling booth!
No need to shoot off your 1500 foot shells when you are 2000 feet away from the fort, unless you like dodging holes in the ground getting to the gate!
He ended up a dog on the porch 4 years ago...
bttt
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