Posted on 02/27/2012 10:44:53 AM PST by RobinMasters
Theres a chance Rick Santorum may still scrape out a win in Michigan tomorrow. This mornings Public Policy Polling survey has Mitt Romney leading him by just a few points, 39 percent to 37 percent. But the internal numbers look worse for Santorum, and his ongoing slide in the state seems to be due to his focus on social issues:
One place Santorum may have hurt himself in the last week is an overemphasis on social issues. 69 percent of voters say theyre generally more concerned with economic issues this year to only 17 percent who pick social issues. And with the overwhelming majority of voters more concerned about the economy, Romney leads Santorum 45-30. Santorums winning those more concerned about social issues 79-12 but its just not that big a piece of the pie.
Santorums net favorability has also taken a hit:
The last week of the campaign in Michigan has seen significant damage to Santorums image with GOP voters in the state. His net favorability has declined 29 points from +44 (67/23) to now only +15 (54/39). Negative attacks on Romney meanwhile have had no negative effect with his favorability steady at +20 (57/37). Two weeks ago Santorums net favorability in Michigan was 34 points better than Romneys. Now Romneys is 5 points better than Santorums. Those kinds of wild swings are the story of the GOP race.
(Excerpt) Read more at commentarymagazine.com ...
“69 percent of voters say theyre generally more concerned with economic issues this year to only 17 percent who pick social issues”
All 17% are here at FreeRepublic.
While I do like to read Commentary, especially on foreign policy, they are all pro-Romney so are not to be trusted for objective analysis this election. Some are even involved with the Romney campaign, like Max Boot.
Also, I think this analysis is flawed as it completely ignores the fact that Santorum is actually up by 5 points amongst people who will be voting on election day. Romney’s lead only occurs when taking into account the 16% of people who have already voted, where he has a huge lead. So if there is a high turnout on Tuesday Santorum will probably win. If not Romney will win.
Union and Muzie land.
Conservatives can, and should, multi-task. I am concerned about both. Santorum is a much better candidate on that basis alone.
His stance on social issues is one of the primary reason he has a chance of winning a state Romney won easily in the last election.
*
Until I see how the question was worded, from experience I’m going to call bull on this survey.
That's why I love this site.
Santorum has to differentiate himself from Romney and energize his supporters.
If two guys are running, who are considered to be more or less “Republican” on economic issues, one of the seemingly peripheral issues may make the difference between brand a and brand b.
For some it is guns, others illegal immigration, others, it’s life issues. It does provoke people to say, “I’m NOT voting for that guy because of it.”
People don’t usually react that way to the guy who is going to reduce a certain tax more than the other guy.
And no one (save maybe Paul) will get TOO specific about where the $$$ cuts will come, that’s the real trap for the general. All the stuff Santorum’s saying is in his book. Get it out now, so its old news for the general.
Also, some of us like the
Turn Michigan RED for Rick tomorrow....thanks!
http://www.conservativestats.com/p/mapping.html
Please call into Michigan...it will make the difference and it’s easy to do....
http://callfromhome.ricksantorum.com/
Note to Ricky:
It’s the economy, stupid.
It is the new narrative. You can find it on every news network on every channel. They are trying to drive this into our heads as much as possible.
A case of, if you repeat something enough, hopefully it will come true.
It is impossible to separate the two, social issues do impact the economy. The breakup of the family unit, resulted in the government taking over the role of the traditional family.
The fundamental--the functional foundation--for social policy in the American Federal Union;--has always been left to the States. It was never delegated to the Federal Government, but reserved to the States as the "Police Power," the power to deal with questions of health, safety & morals. Santorum has openly shown disrespect for the limitations that this puts on the Federal Government with respect to certain issues. That disrespect assails the fundaments of American conservatism.
William Flax
You don’t seem to understand that you can not separate the two. Great Society social programs amplified by Obama have record numbers of people getting food stamps. Record numbers of babies are being born out of wedlock. The biggest predictor of using food stamps is being born out of wedlock. What part of this don’t you get?????????????????
Can not hear you!
Just another poll designed to scare the GOP moderates back to the plantation.
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