the Romney electoral Schlieffen Plan halts and sputters—can more cash save it?

August 10, 2007 in 2008, analysis, campaign finance, campaign literature, campaign management, conservatism, election, election 2008, GOP, incompetence, mitt romney, republicans, rhetoric, romney, strategy
Tags: Ames, Florida, South Carolina

In a puff piece that borders on a love note, the shameless, although ordinarily sober and reliable Justin Miller of RealClearPolitics holds forth:

… More important is tomorrow’s Ames straw poll, where Romney enters as the heavy favorite. If Romney meets expectations with a convincing victory after being attacked on abortion by Sam Brownback, on immigration from Tom Tancredo, and seeing Mike Huckabee gain traction, he can show that his right flank isn’t weak. However, it could still be vulnerable from Fred Thompson or a second-tier candidate that catches fire this fall.

An Ames win reinforces Romney’s position as frontrunner in Iowa and will allow him to focus on two early-voting states where he is weakest: South Carolina and Florida. In the RealClearPolitics’ average, Romney is fourth in South Carolina and tied for third in Florida. In both states he’s more than 15 points from first place. However, Romney finished second in South Carolina and Florida fundraising last quarter … more

Call this the Romney electoral von Schlieffen Plan, a lightening strike on 2 fronts to secure the center. On the right he attempts to feign a conservative line; on the cultural front he will attempt to use an Iowa win to leverage gains in SC and FL., difficult states for a dull and ponderous North Easterner to carry.

Alas for Romney but fortunately for the fortunes of our troubled republic, Romney’s inept and indecisive attempt at maneuver has bogged down into grim attrition as he has failed, and failed again, to secure his right flank. See:

• Romney on the ropes for his indefensible duplicities—conservatives still unconvinced
• Vennochi of the Globe: Romney’s explanations don’t add up
• the Romney message in total flux—where is the real Romney amidst all the obfuscation and conflicting testimony?

And even if Romney takes Iowa, which he will—well, so what? See:

• How irrelevant is Iowa to the Republicans? Obama ranks 3rd after Romney and Giuliani!
• Deeth: UIowa Poll shows don’t Knows leading Romney
• Romney sees few viable options in early electoral strategy

yours &c.
dr. g.c.

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