As Mitt Romney heads into the Arizona and Michigan primaries today in a virtual tie or even slightly behind Rick Santorum, many within the party and his own campaign are scratching their heads wondering what went wrong.
Just a few short months ago, Mitt Romney was on a ticker-tape parade float headed straight for the Republican coronation nomination for president. But then something interesting happened — voters started voting. As ballots began to be tabulated, opinion became obvious that the electorate was not as in love with Mitt Romney as some thought they’d be. But why?
The most obvious factor has been Romney’s Mormon faith, which many Christian conservatives within the GOP are uneasy about. The Evangelical wing of the Republican party wants a Christian in the White House, so that their staunch religious convictions will be upheld. But Mormonism is an untrusted and unknown crap shoot that has caused great trepidation within the party and has limited Romney’s appeal.
However, Romney’s road to the White House could never just be on the backs of Republicans. To win the presidency, he would need to appeal to a broader electorate of Independents and the so-called “Reagan Democrats.” But therein lies his problem. Romney has spent the last several months singing to the (Republican) choir, pulling out all stops to prove he is a legitimate conservative, while remaining totally out of touch with the average voter. To them, he has become an unlikeable phony.
Mitt Romney is insanely wealthy. Most Americans, particularly in this economy, are not. So when he made a $5000. bet with Rick Perry on live T.V., or when he flippantly mentioned how his wife drives “several” Cadillacs, voters were instantly turned off and couldn’t relate to him. Or in other words, he came off as out of touch and not the type of guy who could understand average every day concerns.
Mitt Romney could conceivably lose today in Arizona or his home state of Michigan or both, which would be the beginning of the end for his presidential dreams. And if so, his entire presidential strategy will become a case study of what not to do for political campaigns to come.
David Brooks: "The Possum Republicans"Exerpt:It’s not honorable to adjust your true nature in order to win re-election. It’s not honorable to kowtow to the extremes so you can preserve your political career.But, of course, this is exactly what has been happening in the Republican Party for the past half century. Over these decades, one pattern has been constant: Wingers fight to take over the party, mainstream Republicans bob and weave to keep their seats.Republicans on the extreme ferociously attack their fellow party members. Those in the middle backpedal to avoid conflict. Republicans on the extreme are willing to lose elections in order to promote their principles. Those in the mainstream are quick to fudge their principles if it will help them get a short-term win. […]Read: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/28/opinion/brooks-…It's very telling that Mitt is in the political fight of his life (WITH SANTORUM of all people!?!), in Mitt's homestate (how many home-states does this guy… Read more »