This surprising show of pessimism by
Romney is an unusual slip in an otherwise entirely disciplined
campaign. Once you say overtly "I'm not sure we can win" you begin
to bleed votes. Who's going to drag themselves out on a cold caucus
night for someone who isn't saying "Sure, we can win this thing" ?
Could
Thompson pass him on the enthusiasm meter? Anything is possible
this election cycle.
Rudy had his
big
speech with a
video
intro that is very well done. Notice how they handle 9-11 --- with
a restrained reaction shot. Will it be the jump start he needs? If
Romney hasn't been able to close the sale as the executive who can
deliver and McCain doesn't pull out a win in New Hampshire (he just
might, by the way) we may eventually get to Huckabee vs. Rudy as we
head into February 5. Then we will test whether GOP voters think
fighting Islamic terrorists is just one box to check or something
to determine their vote.(And we'll se whether Gerson style
conservatism is really where we are headed.) But that is eons from
now.
UPDATE:
And
Romney is letting it all fly, going after Huckabee on foreign
policy with this email from Spokesman Kevin Madden: "Mike Huckabee
is known for his witty one-liners, but his criticism of the Bush
Administration with sound bites right from the Democrats' talking
points is no laughing matter. At a time when Republican voters
want strength of purpose and resolve in foreign policy, Mike
Huckabee has resorted to the Democrat playbook of just bashing the
president." He goes on to list the Democrat sounding things
Huckabee has said. It gets a little dicey as Romney sounds his own
criticisms of the war but either
Romney, or if he is not to survive, one of his rivals will have to
convince voters that Huckabee lacks a conservative foreign policy
outlook and sound judgment. McCain, Thompson and Rudy may have an
easier time making the argument given their background and
longstanding views.
topics:
Foreign Policy, Islam, Conservatism
