Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign stuck in lukewarm

Washington Post ^ | February 9, 2012 | Amy Gardner and Rosalind S. Helderman

[C19fan]

Republicans are expressing fresh concerns that Mitt Romney is limping toward the presidential nomination, suffering new blows at the very moment he needs to grow stronger if he is to take on President Obama in November.

Even before Rick Santorum’s surprising sweep of three contests on Tuesday, the Romney campaign was receiving a steady stream of advice — and warnings — from Republicans who are increasingly anxious about Romney’s performance, which has not improved over nearly six weeks since the state caucuses and primaries began.

[C19fan]

Romney thinks conservatives are stupid. Quote from the article:

One prominent adviser told the candidate to sharpen his use of conservative code words and create “small pictures” — vivid imagery, in other words — to connect with voters.

Romney's "problem" is conservatives you actually follow news know exactly what Romney is and all the "code" words will not change that.

Romney is not expected to move too far to the right to accommodate the party base, the adviser said, adding, “You can’t make him who he’s not.”

To adviser: We already know that. So don't bother because and we are not going to "accomdate" another wishy washy RINO shoved down out throats.

[RoosterRedux]

To the extent Romney has won anything, it has been because he spent vast sums trashing the competition.

The voters just don't like Romney (and with good reason). And the more people get to know him...the less they like him.

[ari-freedom]

He can still win by not losing as much as the others. Someone still has to be able to decisively beat him and it’s not at all clear whether that person will be Rick or Newt or neither.

[TexasFreeper2009]

The problem with Romney is .. there is a long and well known history of candidates running to the right in the primary, then running back to the left once they secure the nomination.

Romney though is running in the middle and steadfastly refusing to run to the right.... thus when he makes his predictable run back to the left... he will be starting from the middle and will be running to the FAR left.

[NavyCanDo]

The pundits and even armchair quarterbacks like us are taking way too much out of the three state Santorum win. If we are thinking, OK Romney lost three, he is off the wave, giving it over to Santorum, we are fooling ourselves. McCain lost 16 states yet took the nomination. No matter who your favorite of the four is, there is a long battle yet to be fought, and none of these candidates are going to back off.

[cotton1706]

“Republicans who are increasingly anxious about Romney’s performance, which has not improved over nearly six weeks since the state caucuses and primaries began.”

Six weeks?? Try five years. He hasn’t learned how to relax or debate. He obviously hasn’t bothered to read any conservative writings since his first run four years ago.

He has honed his attack machine though. That’s useful, but will not be used against any democrat, so should he get his nomination, all he’ll get is a portratit next to Tom Dewey, Bob Dole and John McCain.

[conejo99]

We (or at least most of the republican party) probably will reluctantly and unenthusiastically accept Romney. On the other hand, the distortions he projects probably hurt him with the engaged right wing of the party. Are we supposed to trust him more when he says things 180 degrees at odds to the positions he has taken in the past?
As a self serving opportunist, he’s in a tough position. If he’s consistent in his social positions he will alienate a large percentage of the primary voters. If he flip flops we don’t believe he has truly changed his opinions(which he probably never had in the first place) and see him as dishonest.
We should really feel sorry for the guy.

[ngat]

And Richard Nixon. And Gerald Ford.

[ngat]

I agree with you, because I have a feeling the establishment is about to pull the rug out from underneath the guy like they did his dad. It is difficult for some people to feel empathy for someone who has it all, just because they failed to reach the final pinnacle, therefore; prepare to be flamed for what you said!

[RygelXVI]

Romney though is running in the middle and steadfastly refusing to run to the right....

I don't think that's the reason Romney's not drawing support. People know he's a moderate and most casual voters don't care overly much.

But conservatives would vote for a moderate who had a compelling vision to swing government policy from the extreme left back to the center-right. Wouldn't be ideal, but a vast improvement. Romney has a vision of himself in the White House, living out his father's dream, and that's about it. As you mention, if anything he'll drift left. Why would anyone care to vote for that?

[Mountain Mary]

“We (or at least most of the republican party) probably will reluctantly and unenthusiastically accept Romney”

I’m a member of the GOP. Please don’t include ME in the WE. I will not ever vote for Mitt Romney.

[sportutegrl]

The ‘pundits’ are idiots. Not one has made the connection between Obama’s anti-Christian Obamacare edict about birth control/abortion and Catholic, pro-life Santorum’s rise against Romneycare.

[JLAGRAYFOX]

Mitt Romney is simply a “John McCann” redux!!! Ther is no fire in the belly, no substance, no real communication with the voters, just bland verbal hogwash, and doublespeak!!! I tell ya, folks, Mitt Romney & Newt Gingrich have got to broomed into the “has been” trash can!!! Can you imagine that Gingrich is going to have his mistress/wife introduce him at the CPAC Convention today!!! What a “dirt bag” Gingrich is!!! First, he parades her around, silently, without a word from her, with her, looking like one of the “Stepford Wives” and....now, he wants her to save his sorry butt with the “Wifey” bit!!! Go Santorum!!!! Go Paul!!!