Rove: Strategies for the Stretch Run to Nov. 6 (Thinks Zero's goose is cooked)

Wall Street Journal ^ | October 25, 2012 | Karl Rove

[Zakeet]

This year's presidential election was transformed between the first debate's opening statements in Denver and the closing statements in Boca Raton. As a result, most of the negative impressions created by the Obama campaign's five-month, $300-million television advertising barrage were destroyed. Seen unfiltered, Gov. Mitt Romney came across as an earnest, straightforward, thoughtful conservative with a concrete plan for the nation's future.

[Snip]

So what are each candidate's strategies for the stretch run?

New television spots reveal the Romney campaign's closing message. One says another four years for Mr. Obama would mean more debt, up to 20 million people losing their employer-provided health insurance, higher taxes, rising energy prices and Medicare cuts. Other ads emphasize Mr. Romney has a plan for jobs and showcase his success as a Republican governor in a Democratic state.

This three-part strategy—matter-of-factly indict Mr. Obama's failed policies, highlight a common-sense conservative agenda to create jobs and growth, and stress Mr. Romney's capacity to provide bipartisan leadership—was evident in all three of his debate performances.

The Obama campaign strategy also has three elements.

[Zakeet]

I'm going to repackage my failed ideas in a glossy brochure ... claim that Mittens will undo some of my liberal programs ... and accuse him of lying more than me ... and that'll guarantee that I win!

[Evil Slayer]

Rove, you un-magnificent bastard, you may have just botched the chance to gain the Senate back by throwing Missouri's Senate candidate Todd Akin under the bus. Romney will has his hands tied because of that. Romney's promise to get rid of Obamacare can't be done without the Republicans having a Senate majority. That also goes for undoing all the other crimes that Obama and Reid committed while holding a Senate majority.

[canuck_conservative]

Romney's promise to get rid of Obamacare can't be done without the Republicans having a Senate majority.

Sure it can - simply have President Romney issue waivers to everyone in the US. Obama did it for a whole state, so why not the whole country??

[petro45acp]

Maybe mittens can tear down the liberal agenda with those presidential directives. Pi$$ off enough congresscritters and senants that pen-stroke legislation goes away.

[randita]

In addition to Romney’s showing in the debates, he launched a huge ad blitz which is continuing and which Obama cannot match because he blew his money in the summer when people were not paying attention.

[Personal Responsibility]

Living in New York, I’ve not seen one Obama or Romney ad except for the occasional national ad buy.

I can’t imagine how many ads are seen by people in battleground states and I alternate between wishing I lived in a battleground state and being glad that I don’t.

[StAnDeliver]

"Sure it can - simply have President Romney issue waivers to everyone in the US. Obama did it for a whole state, so why not the whole country??"

Exactly so. But to undo it completely requires reconciliation.

"On day one, granting a waiver to all 50 states doesn't stop in its tracks entirely ObamaCare. That's why I also say we have to repeal ObamaCare, and I will do that on day two with a reconciliation bill, because, as you know, it was passed by reconciliation, 51 votes. We can get rid of it with 51 votes. We have to get rid of ObamaCare and return to the states the responsibility [for healthcare]. We all agree about repeal and replace. I put together a plan that says what I'm going to replace it with: to solve the problem of health care, to get it to work like a market."--Mitt Romney

[StAnDeliver]

"I can’t imagine how many ads are seen by people in battleground states and I alternate between wishing I lived in a battleground state and being glad that I don’t."

Heh. Same thoughts...

[SeaHawkFan]

Living in New York, I’ve not seen one Obama or Romney ad except for the occasional national ad buy.

Same thing in Texas.

[ding_dong_daddy_from_dumas]

The pamphlet itself is a second-rate repackaging of Mr. Obama's lackluster convention speech and has been rightly dismissed by many in the press as a PR ploy.

Is Rove right about that? Check out Politico, hardly a conservative news source: Obama's pathetic picture book

But make no mistake, Romney has not won yet.

[Skulllspitter]

That puts the former Massachusetts governor at 261 in the Electoral College ... Mr. Romney has momentum, a stronger argument, and time to grab the seven additional electoral votes he needs.

Eight or nine, not seven, depending how you count. 268 is no good!

[sickoflibs]

(From link) :”Wednesday’s RealClearPolitics.com average of polls showed Mr. Romney with 48% support to President Barack Obama’s 47.1%. On the eve of the Denver debate, Mr. Romney had 46% and Mr. Obama 49.1%.
More revealing, in the past week’s 40 national surveys, Mr. Romney was at or above 50% in 11, with Mr. Obama at or above 50% in one. Mr. Romney leads 48.9% to 46.7% in an average of these surveys. At this same point in 2004, President George W. Bush led Sen. John Kerry in this composite average, 48.9% to 45.8%”

At least I cant accuse Rove of predicting that McCain would win this time four years ago.
On the Morning Joe this morning they were singing the opposite tune showing O well above MR in Ohio in many polls.

Most of these Republican articles like this focus on national polls versus the states who will actually decide the election.

I think Rove calls Ohio toss up and that Romney is out there today.

[stephenjohnbanker]

” Is Rove right about that? Check out Politico, hardly a conservative news source: Obama’s pathetic picture book

But make no mistake, Romney has not won yet. “

I despise Rove, and don’t care what he says about anything.
Rove is possibly the biggest promoter of RINOS, and their policies. If I became POTUS, and I found Rove in the White House, I would have him escorted out by a couple of Marines.

[sickoflibs]

RE :”Rove is possibly the biggest promoter of RINOS, and their policies”

If Romney loses Rove will play the “I never said that...” game that Romney plays.

“I never said Romney was the best candidate”

[stephenjohnbanker]

I had Rove’s number over a decade ago. The fact that this simple-minded ho is still around is a living testament to how troubled the Republican Party is.

[kevkrom]

I alternate between wishing I lived in a battleground state and being glad that I don’t.

Then there are those of us living in non-battleground states but bordering one and sharing a media market. Oh well, at least I'm spared the direct mail and door-to-door junk.