Yesterday's Florida primary marks the end of the beginning for the GOP presidential race. For some candidates, it's actually the beginning of the end. At this point, it's still a contest of organization and money, and Mitt Romney is dominant in both. In a state as big as Florida, Romney prevailed because he was able to canvass the state with ads and physical campaigning. The other candidates simply didn't have the resources to do that as extensively. Romney also won because he is increasingly seen---with the help of hypothetical match-up polls---as the GOP candidate most likely to be able to beat President Obama. Fair or not to the
others, Romney is starting to look like the best equipped to attract independents and others disillusioned with Obama.
In relatively short order, there will be another element that will come into play for Romney. He's got the organization and the dough. But he's going to have to start
giving us a bigger picture rationale for his candidacy. The Wall Street Journal has a great piece about this today---and it's something I learned while working for President Nixon during the last years of his life.
It's not enough for a candidate to simply tear down the other side and point out how disastrous the other guy has been---as bad as he and his policies actually HAVE been. That's only half the battle. A successful candidate must also offer a positive, compelling reason to vote FOR him rather than just AGAINST the other guy.
Romney spends a lot of time talking about his successful private sector experience and track record of job creation, and in this Obama Economy, that's no small thing. But he needs to start advancing a positive rationale for his candidacy beyond just "vote for me---I know how to bring jobs." Which he does. But he needs something more transcendent, an articulation of why he's running beyond simply "I've done it before, it's my turn, and I'm the business guy." The message needs to
go beyond him personally--and beyond simply quoting or singing (!) "America the Beautiful," which Mitt is inclined to do.
A successful presidential campaign is not about the candidate per se. It's about the country and the big direction he or she would like to take it. Romney needs to start teeing that message up, and fast---because Team Obama is already up and running with their version of it. And God help the Republic if they succeed.
"Newt the phonyCON that he is, might be getting his instructions from Axlerod himself." - DJ
Newt? No way.
Trump? DUH.
Hey, did you hear the one about NEWT MAKING AN INDEPENDENT RUN?
No better more perfect or more likely cretin to Samson option and take the entire Party down around him in flames.
Posted by: xbjllb | February 02, 2012 at 10:35 AM
“I’m not concerned about the very poor.”
“I like to fire people.”
“Corporations are people my friend.” - Mitt
"Maybe right on all of the above when taken in full context," - Gringoman
Tell THAT to the throne and see how fast God hits the trap door button.
Posted by: xbjllb | February 02, 2012 at 10:36 AM
When are you conservaBorg going to realize and finally face the fact that the guy you thought was god all along was Satan.
I know. When it's too late.
Posted by: xbjllb | February 02, 2012 at 10:37 AM
My predictions are worse than XBJ's--by far !!
If Trump endorses Neuter, we will have a sh$$storm!!
Posted by: LongRifle | February 02, 2012 at 10:39 AM
Newt vs. Mitt: Endorsements
joereagan Thursday, February 2nd REDSTATE
Newt:
Rick Perry
Herman Cain
Sarah Palin (basically)
Todd Palin
Art Laffer
J.C. Watts
Michael Reagan
Thomas Sowell
Judson Phillips (Tea Party Nation)
Chuck Norris (!)
Donald Trump (reportedly pending)
Mitt:
George H.W. Bush
John Huntsman
Tim Pawlenty
John McCain
Meghan McCain
Bob Dole
Lisa Murkowski
Dennis Hastert
John Sununu
Ann Coulter (?)
It’s not complicated.
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'Troll' is pronounced like a four-letter word.
Posted by: gringoman | February 02, 2012 at 10:43 AM
My predictions are worse than XBJ's--by far !!
If Trump endorses Neuter, we will have a sh$$storm!!
Posted by: LongRifle | February 02, 2012 at 10:39 AM
-----
Indeed!
I still contend that Romney is the only Gooper that has a chance to beat Obama in the general - but only a 50/50 chance. However, if Leroy Gingrich -- along with his riff raff followers -- keep up their class warfare shenanigans, then we can safely assume Obama will get reelected.
Bad News Newt MUST exit the race, PRONTO!
He and his neerdowell supporters are ruining our chances at salvaging what's left of our constitutionally limited Republic.
Posted by: DJ | February 02, 2012 at 10:52 AM
"Newt:
Rick Perry
Herman Cain
Sarah Palin (basically)
Todd Palin
Art Laffer
J.C. Watts
Michael Reagan
Thomas Sowell
Judson Phillips (Tea Party Nation)
Chuck Norris (!)
Donald Trump (reportedly pending)" - Gringoman
Wow, 10 insane nutcases and one Democrat.
I agree. It's not complicated.
Posted by: xbjllb | February 02, 2012 at 10:53 AM
"I still contend that Romney is the only Gooper that has a chance to beat Obama in the general - but only a 50/50 chance." - DJ
More like 60-40 favoring Obama.
But that's the best y'all are gonna pull off. 70-30 if you nutcases force them to run any nutcases.
Posted by: xbjllb | February 02, 2012 at 10:54 AM
've never thought he was electable
wyowumin Wednesday, February 1st at 8:11PM EST (link)
for one moment and it’s appalling and very revealing that the Republican Establishment–which DOES exist no matter how much they protest–thinks that this dork can come close.
He’s always been, in my opinion, inarticulate. He says stupid things and doesn’t seem to ever get the message even when it’s pointed out to him. He’s got such a tin ear and he’s always knocking on the wrong door. And this inarticulate dolt was the one who was supposed to show up Rick Perry as an ignorant, incoherent hayseed.
God help us. I despair
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Progbots are trolls that spam a conservative site they find unmoderated
Posted by: gringoman | February 02, 2012 at 10:56 AM
Another Food Stamp Candidate for President....
WillWong (Diary) Wednesday, February 1st at 6:29PM EST (link)
Newt’s Home Run against Obama the Food Stamp President could apply equally well to Mitt Romney…..
“so that the poor can find a job, find a better job, and someday to own the job” sounds a lot more better than ” I don’t care about the poor!”
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Progbots are trolls occupying a conservative site
Posted by: gringoman | February 02, 2012 at 11:00 AM
Trolls are to free speech what maggots are to a smorgasbord
Posted by: gringoman | February 02, 2012 at 03:19 AM
Gringo! Quit your whining! get over it, dude!
Posted by: jay | February 02, 2012 at 11:15 AM
Trolls: egs aggressive progbots who arrogantly spam a conservative site, made brave by the lack of a moderator
Posted by: gringoman | February 02, 2012 at 09:26 AM
While gringo wants a takeover because there isn't a moderator!
Posted by: jay | February 02, 2012 at 11:18 AM
Newt’s Home Run against Obama the Food Stamp President could apply equally well to Mitt Romney…..
“so that the poor can find a job, find a better job, and someday to own the job” sounds a lot more better than ” I don’t care about the poor!”
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Progbots are trolls occupying a conservative site
Posted by: gringoman | February 02, 2012 at 11:00 AM
MORE believing in the lies that Conservatives live for!
Showed data from the Government agency responsible for the food stamp program that Obama ISN'T the food stamp king.
If, the irregulars don't want me to attack what they say. Then, DON'T dish out the lies. PURE AND SIMPLE!
Posted by: jay | February 02, 2012 at 11:25 AM
"Progbots are trolls occupying a conservative site" - Gringoman
This is meant to be proactive and not rallying?
Crazy, man, crazy.
Posted by: xbjllb | February 02, 2012 at 11:37 AM
WELL, TRUMP ENDORSES ROMNEY.
TOSSES GINGRICH UNDER THE BUS.
WHAT HAPPENED?
TRUMP VS. ADELSON CASINO MOGUL RIVALRY.
DUH.
Gingrich HAD Trump until Adelson BOUGHT the man.
Posted by: xbjllb | February 02, 2012 at 11:39 AM
Hey Mitt... call me when you hit town today. We'll have a blast.
You too, Donald.
(Don't tell Obama!)
Posted by: xbjllb | February 02, 2012 at 11:40 AM
There are two types of people in the world.
Those who change the world by living and crying out their Truth no matter what happens in opposition or response.
And those who incessantly whine they can't change anything (most of all, themselves) because of everyone else holding them back. With the Truth. Which must be censored so their lies can thrive.
Everyone who comes here knows who the doers are.
As well as the whiners.
Posted by: xbjllb | February 02, 2012 at 12:41 PM
And white supremacy is the biggest whinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnne of all.
Posted by: xbjllb | February 02, 2012 at 12:43 PM