Jonathan Last argues that Romney is in huge trouble because he is a mediocre-to-lousy campaigner with no real support base and no real principles. I think Last very slightly overstates his case. Romney’s campaign for the governorship in 2002 was pretty good. On, the other hand, it was the fourth of four straight Republican gubernatorial wins in Massachusetts (Bill Weld and Paul Cellucci won the other three.) This will leave a mark:
“It’s funny that Romney’s line of attack on Perry seems to be that Perry is a “career politician” because he’s been in elective office since 1984. Well, Mitt Romney would have been a career politician too, if only voters would have let him. He’s been running since 1994. His real gripe about Perry is actually, “Hey, that guy wins all the time! No fair!””
Once again, not totally fair. Romney did run an Olympics in there somewhere, but there is also some ugly truth.
August 30th, 2011 | 7:59 pm
So I saw both Rick and Mitt talking about foreign policy on TV tonight. Perry said nothing in particular, but he said it with emphatic flair.
Romney made some good points against Obama, knew some stuff (that’s for sure), and was a mediocre to lousy campaigner once again.
It’s not true that the election is a lock. It will be close. Obama will surge, and maybe surge like a real hurricane if the economy gets at all better.
August 30th, 2011 | 8:05 pm
I read the transcript of Romney’s remarks (faster that way), so I can’t say how he came across. There was at least one real cheap shot (about doubt in Obama’s heart or something) that sets Romney up for a devastating Obama counterattack and is a reminder of Romney’s various changes of position – which might or might not be changes of heart. Strongly agree with every word of the last paragraph. It would be prudent even for conservatives who disagree with that sentiment to act as if it were true.
August 31st, 2011 | 4:59 am
Pete, thanks for keeping us up to snuff on this stuff. I’m a paleo, so not happy with Mitt, who I consider “Democrat Lite,” and yesterday on Rush I heard a clip from Perry and I thought his delivery was terrible, stumbling, and about as bad as Barry without a teleprompter.
I hope the race isn’t over, I really like Rubio and would love to see him run but there’s a long way to go.
Again, I think this election rests on the ability of Barry to instigate policy that results in people going back to work, especially minorities, with whom he’s been especially hurtful. And, it depends on the actions of the Tea Party.
August 31st, 2011 | 10:55 am
Robert, I can’t quote chapter and verse but Rubio is:
1. Very strong on the “propositional nation” thing (to the point of understating the openness and social mobility of some other countries.)
2. He seems in favor of extensive collective security arrangements and seems to be on the interventionist/forward leaning (whichever term you prefer) end of GOP politics.
August 31st, 2011 | 11:18 am
Thanks Pete, I didn’t know that and it only goes to show that we’ll never find a candidate who gives us all we want.
Sen. Rubio’s rhetorical abilities are Reaganesque, and no teleprompter, and his grades are open to the public, etc.
I have a short list of essentials that I go by re: politicans, starting with the abortion issue, after that I’m open to discussion, in a paleo sort of way.
I really do think the election hinges on the whether the Tea Party folks are fired up. I’m going to a meeting here in a few days, and I’ll let you know how it goes, anecdotally.
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