Dems, Romney is Your Target

Rick Perry's racist hunting club is just another reason why Democrats should fear Mitt Romney. Republicans who find Romney uninspiring could be forced to hold their noses and vote for him.

The trouble for Democrats is how deftly Romney has avoided falling prey to the tea party craziness and right wing religious nuttery that would make him a delicious target for Barack Obama (even as the once and probably still moderate Massachusetts governor pays obviously insincere lip service to his party's social conservatives).

It's tough to prove but 25 years as a journalist covering presidential campaign shenanigans convinces me that Romney's team has done a masterful backstage job of savaging GOP right wingers (from Bachmann's migraines to Perry's perceived racism). And, notably, Perry's camp has proved to be simply unable to deal with it.

My humble suggestion to Democrats is that every time you celebrate and amplify the foibles of Romney's ultra-conservative foes you support his argument to Republican voters that he is the more electable choice. You'd be better off by keeping quiet for now and easing the path for an unelectable GOP nominee.

Strangely, Democrats have played into Romney's hands by focusing on the side shows in Republican politics instead of the main event that he might well become.

If Republicans nominate Romney, even if reluctantly, Obama will have a tough time frightening the nation about the prospect of GOPers plunging us into the social dark ages - which, as things stand now, looks like the President's best hope for holding office.

Now on Craig's blog: Florida Strikes Again [VIDEO]

 

 

 

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Comments

[Joel Otterstrom]

01:29 PM on 10/04/2011

Its just the south saying no to Romney! No to a mormon any one but a mormon. not sure why mormons in utah at least say they align with Republicans. It would do the republicans good to get a canidate that appeals to more than just a small portion of their party

[dxlh]

12:13 PM on 10/04/2011

Interesting accusations about Romney being behind the migraine issue and racism issue, and yet you admit there's no proof. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but in my book that's still slander.

You bring an interesting bias to politics. Perhaps the reason Obama folks are focusing on the "side shows" is because that's all there is to focus on. If Romney doesn't give them anything to work with then they can hardly make him a target. Did you consider that possibility?

I'm a Republican who is enthusiastic about Romney. It's interesting to read your quotes: "hold their noses" and "uninspiring" despite him taking at least 25% of the vote with 10 people being in the race (that should equal 10% each). Odd that you call him "unelectable" when he wins in head to head match ups with Obama.

[FishdocRLS]

12:30 PM on 10/04/2011

It seems to me that the article is actually telling Dems to watch Romney because he is the one they will have to beat in 2012. I don't read this as saying Romney is 'unelectable' at all. I read this as saying Romney is a savvy campaigner who is driving the GOP narrative. Of course, I'm a Democrat so.... :)

[gr3y077]

11:42 PM on 10/04/2011

Its too risky due to the sway and power of the Tea Party to vote for any Republican, and by their nature they ARE GOING TO MAKE MISTAKES.

Also my economic sources say actually there really is no real reason for a recession currently, the US economy is fundamentally sound, and its held back 'man made'.