The American Spectator

Romney fan Dean Barnett comments on Romney's predicament which he says arose from seeking to "exploit" an opening with social conservatives. He writes: "This tack rang false with the public because it was false. The problem wasn't so much the perception of widespread 'flip-flopping' on issues like abortion. The public allows its politicians a measure of flexibility. But the public correctly sensed something disingenuous about Mr. Romney's campaign.Voters perceived the cynicism of a campaign that tried to exploit wedge issues rather than focus on the issues that in truth most interested the candidate. They sensed phoniness. As a consequence, many have grown to feel that Mitt Romney can't be trusted. This lack of trust is now the dominant and perhaps insurmountable obstacle that the Romney campaign faces."