Despite our reputation as being a lost cause blue state, Republicans are usually good for 40% or more in statewide elections here. Outside the metro areas, we are more like New Hampshire, demographic-wise. In order to close that 10-15% gap, we just need the GOP to invest in our state and not write us off.
A well-run campaign effort by Romney/Ryan here could provide the necessary coattails to finally get some Republicans elected downticket and start turning the tide. More and more Bay Staters are getting fed-up with the Democrat machine.
“On the ground here in Massachusetts, let me simply state that Massachusetts is winnable for Romney.”
And why not? MA has been dark blue since the 1960’s and Reagan carried in 1980 and 1984 with his appeal to blue collar workers negatively affected by Carters bad economy of 1980 and Reagans good economy of 1984.
I think Daddy Bush was the last Republican to get over 40% of the vote there, so Romney at 41% isn’t too bad. Even if doesn’t win it, he can maybe hang close enough to make 0bama have to spend some money there to hold on to it.
I did a drive around Newburyport and Haverhill on my last trip over the border, not too many Granny Warren signs up. I will have to wait until after the primaries.