As the Fox News Commentators analyzed and commiserated over the Super Tuesday election results, one glaring omission was obvious: the seeming inability of even Carl Rove to show that adding Santorum’s and Gingrich’s vote totals continue to demonstrate that conservatives are clearly in the majority in the Republican Party and do not want a moderate republican as their standard bearer in the Fall.
Exit polls revealed that compared to Romney, Santorum connects best with Evangelical and blue collar voters, those who say he best understands the problems of the average American, and voters under 30. Romney on the other hand connects best with the country club and suburban Republicans, and those more concerned with the economy than the moral and spiritual condition of America.
What was not pointed out in any significant way, was the immense amount of money Romney is again spending on negative ads against Santorum, as if it was not a factor. In fact, it is a major factor. If it were not, the Romney campaign–having employed the tactic successfully in each state–would have ceased using it due to its cost. Carl Cameron, Fox News reporter in Ohio said the Romney Campaign spent 5 million, while his surrogates spent an additional 5 million on these ads to attack Santorum.
Why is it that Romney, who has been running for President for six years, and using that time to organize and raise support in each state, must resort to the worst kind of negative campaigning, out spend his opponents 10 to 1, and barely win against two conservatives who are splitting the conservative vote?
With each state primary and caucus, increasing exposure to big money politics, and public scrutiny of each candidate, I fail to see that Mitt Romney is the “inevitable” choice of Republicans to take on Barack Obama. His negatives are rising, while Santorums positives are also rising. Santorum’s all American family, identification with the average American, and passionate commitment to conservative values, should win the day with most Americans before the Republican Convention in Tampa, and after, as he takes on Barack Obama.
David Crowe