You asked did I also think Romney was petty etc. When he attacked Newt.
Yes, the problem is Newt has not found an effective way to deal with it. My reaction to Newt tonight was not my personal dislike for Newt, it was my belief Newt was making a mistake.
Agreed. I think he has let Romney get under his skin. It’s perfectly understandable, but I don’t think it helps.
I think he needs to go after Romney’s economic record. MA was 47 of 50 in jobs and 48 of 50 in private sector jobs when Romney was Governor. Jobs grew at 1% in MA during Romney’s term compared to 5.5% in country overall during that same period. 48 of 50 in GDP growth.
By comparison under the dem Gov Patrick who succeeded Romney MA was in the teens in jobs and in the 20s in GDP growth.
Newt needs to go after Romney with substance and not talk about Soros or Alinsky or blame the media. He needs to point out that for all the talk about Romney being some business whiz his economic record in office is very weak and almost non-existent. MA was one of the worst states in the country economically during his term. Newt needs to get that out there using the data, facts, and figures. It’s all readily available.
Go after him on substance and attack his record where it’s most vulnerable. And contrast the positive economic record during Newt’s time as Speaker.
I really think that’s his best strategy going forward.
The talking heads will praise Mitt and Santorum when those two trash Newt. The taking heads will trash Newt when Newt defends himself.
There is no effective way for Newt to react, at least as it will be portrayed by the media.
That leaves Newt with only one option.
Newt responds appropriately and lets the chips fall where they may.