(Community Matters) Driving the cultural wedge (birther appeal & welform resentment) could well erode the margin. You’d see immigration bashing if obtaining a small sliver of the Hispanic vote wasn’t so critical.I’m no longer involved in the campaign, and have no special insight that this NYTimes article got it right, but it does resonate. I suspect it hits the nail on the head.
Mr. Romney still has work to do before those critical swing voters will view him as that alternative, particularly with polls showing that voters see him as less attuned to their needs and values than Mr. Obama is.
I have been wondering about the Romney’s statements about welfare & Pres Obama dropping the work requirements. It’s such a bold misstatement, assumed it was a make or break strategy. . . . and, then the birth certificate comments. So close to fringe, so close to potentially turning off undecideds . . . again, there has to be a critical payoff to skate that close.
The article gives the content and strategy.
Mr. Romney’s chances hinge to a large degree on running up his advantage among white voters in swing states who show deep strains of opposition to Mr. Obama but do not yet trust Mr. Romney to look out for their interests, Republican strategists say. . . .
The Romney campaign is airing an advertisement falsely charging that Mr. Obama has “quietly announced” plans to eliminate work and job training requirements for welfare beneficiaries, a message Mr. Romney’s aides said resonates with working-class voters who see government as doing nothing for them . . . . The moves reflect a campaign infused with a sharper edge and overtones of class and race. On Friday, Mr. Romney said at a rally that no one had ever had to ask him about his birth certificate, and Mr. Ryan invoked his Catholicism and love of hunting.
What we’re seeing in Romney’s, to-date, inability to gain 50%+1 in most battle ground state polls (especially Ohio) is reverse What’s the Matter with Kansas – values & culture above economic self interests. The article suggests Romney’s failure to connect with the values of critical swing voters in battle ground states may cost him the election. And, there’s the President’s likeability, plus the thought in voters minds that he didn’t cause the Great Recession and he may just need more time.
I’m also mindful that Tea Party supporters appear to turnout beyond polling predictions. Wondering if races or tied or +/- 1 or 2, is the Tea Party intensity reflected in those polls?
Community Matters 