And that's why Romney doesn't "click" with the base. But like this author, much of the GOP-E see the base as an angry reactionary block, not as thinking individuals (from all walks of life) who have come together because they want a conservative government.
If anyone is angry, it's the party elites who are getting very upset at the base for not listening to their educated and connected "betters." The more Romney supporters "reach out" like this, the more they resemble leftist intellectuals.
I read a borrowed Wall St Journal...yes, the paper version...a couple times per week. Not the whole thing, mostly the opinion pages.
At first they were all about Mitt, either supporting him or at the least advising him on how to do better than he was doing.
Now they are all about Mitt and Rick Santorum. Long articles in general defense of Rick and the social issue comments becoming such a big part of the campaign. This, from the WSJ Romney wing.
There’s an old saying, “Any port will do in a storm”.
If it’s going to be Santorum somewhere on the GOP ticket, they either pretend not to be bothered, or they truly are not bothered. They appear to be trying to smooth over any rough spots for him.
If he weren’t surging in polls, this wouldn’t happen.
But his surge in the polls has been greased...let’s face it.
First Romney destroyed Newt Gingrich. Only South Carolina stood up for Newt. After that, the deluge.
Romney’s bazillions were joined by GOP E Media attacks.
Rush and Levin, especially, helped Santorum’s rise...Levin openly endorsing Santorum, Rush tacitly helping him while stopping short of endorsing.
All the media from all spectrums have generally treated Newt as if he had a catching disease and needs to be quarantined.
At this time, he two most qualified candidates are nothing but faint asterisks. Perry and Gingrich.
I am angry...not on behalf of my own personal picks, but on behalf of this nation.
It is mainly because the GOP E comes from the same class and culture as the DNC E. They live in the same areas, went to the same schools, and have a very similar world view. They truly don’t understand the non elite culture or worldview, and look upon most of us with disdain.
The GOP E doesn’t understand the TEA party people, because they are so different they might as well be from Mars. The article is spot on in that if you want to advance the TEA party agenda, you need someone in the elite to go to bat for you. Otherwise you are not going to get the traction needed to continue. Look at all the GOP freshmen congress men. They have been shunned and shut out by in large because they are to far away from what the Elite believe.
The sad thing is we have and have had a noble class for some time now. If you don’t win converts among them, you will not be able to advance your agenda.