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Here We Lose Again

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January 08, 2008 11:18 PM

ABC News' John Berman, Ursula Fahy, and Matt Stuart report: “Is it what we planned? No.  Can we do it?  Yes.”  Those were the words from a top adviser to Mitt Romney, vowing to fight on, after the former Massachusetts governor suffered his second deflating defeat in just 5 days.

What they had planned was nicknamed the “kindling strategy.”  Wins in Iowa and New Hampshire were supposed to light a fire that would help Romney march across the nation.

In order to secure those wins, Romney spent more money on advertising than all of his opponents combined, in both Iowa and New Hampshire.  He dumped $17 million of his own fortune into the race before Sept. 30, and unknown, but, most likely, very large amounts after that.  Yet, he still lost in both Iowa and New Hampshire, and fairly decisively in both places.

So, what happened?  Aides were pitching a number of explanations.  They have long liked to say that “John McCain was practically an incumbent in New Hampshire.  He was running for governor here.”

They say that Romney was mauled by scathing articles and anti-endorsements in New Hampshire newspapers. They are even spinning that many independent voters, who might have been for Barack Obama, might have mistakenly thought that he was comfortably ahead, and, therefore, shifted their vote to independent favorite John McCain.

One New Hampshire Romney adviser described the problem as “authenticity.”  He says that Romney could simply not shake the flip-flop charge.  It is hard to argue that voters did not know him, after his advertising barrage, after more than 150 events in the state, and after serving as governor next door in Massachusetts for four years.  Romney even has a second home in New Hampshire (though he said he has a second home in Utah, too, whatever that means).

Now, Romney turns his attention to yet another home state, Michigan, where he was born, and where his father was elected to three terms as governor.  It is a good state for Romney, aides say, because his business credentials might be attractive to those suffering from a faulty economy.  But it is also a state that McCain won in 2000.

Romney advisers see this as a wide open race now, and a race that McCain might not necessarily be best positioned to win.  One top strategist said, “Republicans are about to remember why they had huge reservations about McCain. This is a year when, in both parties, when someone is in the spotlight as the inevitable winner, they get knocked off.”

So, Romney advisers say it makes sense to stand and fight.  They swear he will not drop out before Jan. 15.  One reason?  He can keep dipping into his deep pockets. “We will not lose because of lack of resources,” says national spokesman Kevin Madden.

But from here on out, it will be tough.  “It will be a war of attrition,” says one adviser. “How do we do in a war of attrition?  Pretty good.”

The governor watched the returns in his room at the Hampton Inn in Bedford, N.H., with his wife Ann and family, as his grandchildren romped and jumped on the beds. Dinner was pizza. All five sons and their wives were there. The staff present included spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom, longtime friend Bob White, and media advisers Stuart Stevens and Russ Schriefer.

January 8, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (24)

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There are no real news agencies anymore. They’re just entertainment pundits promoting their provocative views to create controversy and earn entertainment ratings. There product is just gloom, doom, and agitation. Their coverage is like taking two cats and rubbing them together so that they can have a fight to report. Their headlines are prime examples of the provocateurs they are.

Posted by: lorax_mbell | Jan 9, 2008 12:57:20 AM

So what this article sounds like to me is that Mitt thinks he can buy the Presidency? Can he sell enough summer beach footwear to do that? I doubt it. Flip Flopping Mitt may as well do us all a favor and hit the dusty trail out of the limelight because I don't think I speak for myself when I say we're tired of his pandering to the crowd.

Posted by: dk | Jan 9, 2008 1:04:32 AM

There are forty nine states left in the field.Romney has no need to panick as a matter of fact he already won the Wyoming caucuses.As he put it he now won one gold and two silver.

Posted by: kmjjp | Jan 9, 2008 1:20:50 AM

There are forty nine states left in the field.Romney has no need to panick as a matter of fact he already won the Wyoming caucuses.As he put it he now won one gold and two silver.

Posted by: kmjjp | Jan 9, 2008 1:20:54 AM

I think the media is not giving Mitt Romney enough credit. He is the most qualified. He has led a life worthy of respect from the american people. Every family in america should look to the Romney family as an example of success. Mitt knows the issues. He has a plan to solve the problems america faces. He has the ability to work well with others. Some of the candidates use foul language, have had extramarital affairs and have very unprofessional people working in their campaign organizations. Mitt has pointed out differences in his record and those of his opponents, but he has not attacked their character. He has reason to be hurt by the unfair attacks the media has placed on him. Instead, he has held his head high and continued to work hard. Republicans need to unite and see who really is the best qualified to be in the White House. As a mother, I want the president of The United States to be someone my children can look to as an example. I would encourage america to spend some time on Mitt's website www.mittromney.com
Also, I think america is uniformed on what mormons are all about. Mormons are also called members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and they have two official websites.

Posted by: msims | Jan 9, 2008 1:35:34 AM

I can't believe after the last Presidential election and all of the republican whining about "flip flopping" that any one of you could honestly support Mitt Romney. They need to think of a stronger word for you people because the word HYPOCRIT just doesn't come close to covering it any longer. What a sick, pathetic bunch you be.

Posted by: dk | Jan 9, 2008 2:30:36 AM

mitt was our governor. We know him pretty well. he did a fabulous fabulous job. balanced budget, created jobs, got our bond rating up, never raised taxes and worked to make our finances in the black after being in the red with democratic governors for so many years. already our new democratic governor is talking about raising ...again...why is it mitt was so capable with the resources he had in hand. how can I think of supporting him???? how can I NOT????? I've seen him in action and it's EXACTLY what this country needs. flip flop???? about what???? he was governor here and did a fabulous job and the only think of significance that he flopped over was going from being in debt and over taxed to lower taxes and balanced budget. I'll take someone who can flip that anyday!

Posted by: jessboston | Jan 9, 2008 2:51:21 AM

I must say that article was pretty pretty slanted. Even for ABC. Start with the title: Here we lose again. A little satirical humor that is as Mitt Romney would describe it, interesting, but unnecessary. Then there was the comment about his home in Utah saying "whatever that means." It's sad really, you look to ABC as the leading news organization in the nation and expect that at least they would have decent journalists who know the difference between reporting and editorials. However, despite the negative and inaccurate slant of the news reporting, I think Mitt's record of bringing effective change in various venues speaks volumes more than any biased reporter ever can.

Posted by: andrewj1989 | Jan 9, 2008 3:25:18 AM

oh sorry jess I forgot when democrats change their stance they "flip flop", when republicans do it it's "being enlightened". How about his stance on abortion? No flip flop? What do you call it? He was pro choice until he decided to run for President. Even Rudy was man enough to stand up for his beliefs on that one. It's a pretty scary thing when a man like Rudy has more integrity than Mitt. If the man was doing a speech in front of African Americans he'd call them homeboys, if it were gays his favorite word would be Mary. If it were young college kids his butt would stick out of his pants and his hat would be turned sideways. Now his new favorite word is "change". Funny how we didn't hear it until it worked for Obama in Iowa. What will it be next week? Grits and a southern accent? The man is a joke.

Posted by: dk | Jan 9, 2008 3:49:45 AM

I agree, he changed positions. I like for the most part but this can be disconcerting. However, his record as governor, while didn't remove any existing pro-choice legislation, is consistent on being pro-life. And the copay that is mentioned was for abortions that are part of the Health Care system in MA. He fought gay marriage as governor and remained consistent while governor on gun laws. So, while his speech has shifted, his record is fairly consistent with itself...

Posted by: andrewj1989 | Jan 9, 2008 4:02:43 AM

Nobody is going to vote for MItt Romney because of his likeability. He might as well start handing out money. Also I think people are scared of his ties to Blackwater.

Posted by: US Citizen | Jan 9, 2008 8:48:18 AM

this may come as a shock, but I think this nation has bigger problems than abortion. We are at war, our dollar is falling on par with Canada, our trade deficit, our spiraling national debt, social security...do you honestly think you'll ever see one red cent of all that you giving away now??? add up how much you gave to social security and imagine that you actuall kept it. and when it's your time...nothing. jobs going over seas, the housing market is crashing, if the sub primes continue to faulter banks could start to go under. Illegal immigration is to the point that once irradicated diseases like meningitis and TB are popping their heads back up due to a population of people that are coming in here from third world countries with no screening (which happens when you are legal to safeguard the population) which no one is doing anything about, we are soooo vulnerable with open boarder to terrorism.....and you think I care about what his stance is on gays or abortion? If this economy fails, which it could clearly do, what will it matter what anyone's stance on abortion is then??? Mitt can turn around all this fiasco of bush and gee, Bush's stance has been consistent...just look at what electing a consistently INCOMPETENT person does to a country. You'd think people like you would learn, eh?? Abortoin is a made up issue that some election guy made up to get his particular unqualified candidate elected. Stop taking the soup and elect a president based on qualifications. the only flip I can see romneyh doing is flipping this economy around and I know he can do that and that's all Icare about. Grow up.

Posted by: jessboston | Jan 9, 2008 8:48:23 AM

dk, you find someone who can turn around a state a joke???? you find someone who can turn around the fiscally overspent behind schedule olympics a joke???? THIS president we have is a joke! and we pay the price for him being a clown. My God, when does our electorate EVER grow up and see that you need to know what you are DOING fiscally to run a country. Why are obtuse people so impressed with dumb candidates? Do they make you feel warm and fuzzy? You can relate to them??? There was a time that presidents were elected based ontheir experience and how it related to the tasks at hand, at it should be. When we start getting all emmotional about presidents we elect idiots as our current village idiot we have now. There is no contest among all the candidate that the best quafilied to run our economy is Mitt.

Posted by: jessboston | Jan 9, 2008 8:54:01 AM

I can't understand for one second why anybody would want to stand up for this ego-maniac. What is he teaching his kids/grand-kids about "authenticity" or "convictions" or keeping your word. This guy can't be trusted. He would do anything, say anything and spend anything to get elected. He doesn't care about ordinary people...if you are an elitist like him, then he is your guy. I hope he spend another 40 million....the voters have his number already!

Posted by: JMMASS | Jan 9, 2008 9:22:28 AM

Romney is a loser whose sole foreign experience is some work with the International Olympics. So far, all he`s been able to buy with his millions are two "silvers" with vote totals equal to Bush`s poll numbers. The voters clearly have his number.

Posted by: Luke | Jan 9, 2008 9:57:29 AM

How has Romney lead a life worthy of respect? He avoided the draft when his country was at war and advised his busoiness clients on how to avoid paying taxes when the country was again at war. His and his sons idea of public service is to wage a political campaign rather than to put their precious life on the line for the country that has given them so much. Typical Bush neocons.

Posted by: Luke | Jan 9, 2008 10:07:08 AM

we want to talk about experience? Exactly who has experience to be President? A governor? GWB was a governor and he ran numerous corporations. He turned around a baseball team that was in the cellar and made them profitable and look what we got? Reagan was a governor and he ran up more debt than every other president before him combined!!!! We're still payig for that one. With the type of "experience" you people require we'll be 3rd world in no time. So what exactly make Mitt any better than them? One person said he balanced a budget in Mass and that's a reason we should praise the ground he walks. Well I happen to remember a President who balanced a budget. In fact it's the only balanced federal budget most of us can remember ever seeing. I guess Jess is standing up and flying his flag of glory too eh?

Posted by: dk | Jan 9, 2008 10:27:07 AM

I think voters reacted to the negative campaigning.

Posted by: Dr.Charles Hughes | Jan 9, 2008 10:30:52 AM

he fought gay marriage? Why? Because that would somehow ruin the country?

Posted by: skippymac | Jan 9, 2008 10:31:16 AM

GMCA DOES NOT GIVE ROMNEY VERY MUCH AIR TIME AND WHEN THEY DO IT IS USUALLY NEGATIVE. AND FOR SPENDING MORE MONEY THAN ANY OTHER CANDIDATE HIS PEOPLE ARE HARD WORKING AND WILL WORK HARD FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVE EVEN IF IT IS GETTING OUT AND RAISING MONEY FOR HIS CAMPAIGN. THAT IS WHY THEY HAVE RAISED SO MUCH MONEY. HE IS PROBABLY THE MOST CAPABLE AND QUALIFIED TO RUN OUR COUNTRY

Posted by: p griggs | Jan 9, 2008 11:33:48 AM

OBAMA OR CLINTON COMES IN SECOND PLACE THEY GET AN INTERVIEW. ROMNEY HAS DONE WELL COMING IN SECOND PLACE BOTH TIMES. GMA DOESNT SAY MUCH ABOUT ROMNEY OR INTERVIEWS HIM. I DONT KNOW WHO THEY ARE FOR BUT I KNOW WHO THEY ARE NOT FOR

Posted by: p griggs | Jan 9, 2008 11:42:55 AM

MITT ROMNEY is the man we need to lead America NOW.
Mitt is the most qualified to change the way things are done in Washington.
He is a man of integrity who gets things done. He will strengthen our economy and enhance relations with the world.
WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!!!!!!
We are so lucky this man wants the job.

Posted by: jill ensminger | Jan 9, 2008 11:49:43 AM

I am an observer from Canada with roots in America back to John Hancock the signer. I have a keen interest in the US elections. Overall I think Romney has the greatest talent and innovative skills and executive experience to make get the job done as opposed to other candidates. He may not be the greatest at articulating but he has the raw enthusiasm, energy and competency.

I think Romney's enthusiasm has unfairly been labeled as a one who shifts - when really he has retooled and refined his message. I think all candidates have retooled or refined their messages, but they don't get the same label. I hope Romney can more effectively articulate his message about his skills in addressing the economy.
CH

Posted by: C. Hancock | Jan 9, 2008 8:05:49 PM

ABC News is the same as every other news outfit, lazy. Romney's father was a one term governor not a three term governor as the post states. If they can even get a simple fact like that correct how can we believe anything they report. I grew up in Michigan so I already knew the answer but looked it on the net and found the correct information in about 5 seconds.

Posted by: T.Miller | Jan 9, 2008 11:25:33 PM

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