I wouldn’t characterize our candidate as a crippled horse.
But their candidate is a dead horse they would love to take to the slaughter house but can’t because that would alienate their main base.
I don't think he is one yet, but he could become one if he follows the Bob Dole/John McCain hail-fellow-well-met, fare thee well, and be-a-gentleman-to-all route!
Most GOP voters want red meat during an election. But they don't want our candidate to be that meat which is what often happens when "playing by the rules" and dealing with the Liberal Mobsters.
Hanging back in the weeds and being a punching bag while the Left defines you may be a smart strategy, but I doubt it. Romney and his team would be better served to brush up on The Principles of War and heeding them rather than The Principles of Etiquette.
Washington cocktail parties and fat electioneering hiring gigs come and go but everything is riding on the line this year. They had best quickly gird up their loins and strap on their armor for battle. The other side surely is.