After leading in the polls of New Hampshire Republicans for virtually all of 2007, Mitt Romney's campaign is now laying the groundwork for an expected second-place finish, report Jonathan Martin and Jim VandeHei for The Politico:
Mitt Romney, a dominant favorite in New Hampshire just weeks ago, said Sunday that a "close second" to Arizona Sen. John McCain would be a significant feat on Tuesday.The almost frantic downsizing of expectations for the former Massachusetts governor came as the candidate and his staff are publicly and privately preparing to explain away what would be a disheartening loss and shift to a last-ditch strategy predicated on his ability to outlast and outspend his rivals, according to sources inside the campaign.
Read the whole story at the link above. Romney has spent more in New Hampshire than all other Republicans combined, and was supposed to have a built-in "home field" advantage from having served as Governor of neighboring Massachusetts. Now he has to plan on how to survive a loss to John McCain there on the heels of another loss to Mike Huckabee in Iowa.
The "early-state strategy" Romney built his campaign around has completely imploded, and now he must contemplate a long war of attrition, hoping he can outlast the less well-financed candidates. Unfortunately for him, his donor list will shrink considerably if he loses a second time in a row in another state he was favored to win.
New Hampshire is still a "must-win" state for McCain, but the momentum is all on the Senator's side now.
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2008 Presidential Race, New Hampshire, Primaries, Republican, Romney
Tags: New Hampshire, presidential campaign, primaries, Republicans, Romney
Comments (3)
Romney's negativism and unl... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Alan Orfi | January 7, 2008 4:07 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Romney's negativism and unlikeability is translating into a public view of unelectability in the general election. Rasmussen survey released today indicates that McCain and Huckabee are the most electable on the Republican side.
This has long been a concern of mine regarding Romney. I have never understood how a devoutly religious person could be pro-choice for so long... and thus his "conversion" is most suspicious and unbelievable. Of course, he has changed on countless other issues as well, but this is a deep core value.
1. Posted by Alan Orfi | January 7, 2008 4:07 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on January 7, 2008 16:07
2. Posted by sam | January 7, 2008 4:55 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
The problem for Romney is that he is a phony. No amount of money is going to buy him the Republican nomination. I hope that he stays in the race till he spends his $250m-$500m net worth, it will be good for the economy. Apart from that, he is wasting his time. He would have been better advised to run in the Dem primary, his record meshes with Democratic policies perfectly.
2. Posted by sam | January 7, 2008 4:55 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on January 7, 2008 16:55
3. Posted by bryanD | January 7, 2008 9:57 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
"I have never understood how a devoutly religious person could be pro-choice for so long.."-s
You're mistaking "religious" for "righteous".
-The mafia requires confirmation in the Roman church.
-Howard Hughes' decline was overseen by devout Mormon "handlers".
-Adolf Hitler was "religious" in promulgating the doctrine of Lebensraum.
-Lucifer was jealous in assuming the mercy seat.
-The temptation of Christ by Satan for 40 days and nights: Satan's weapon of choice: Torah.
3. Posted by bryanD | January 7, 2008 9:57 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on January 7, 2008 21:57