Tales from the campaign trail

A few small tales from the Republican campaign trails:

1.  This must be the ultimate Romney flip-flop.    A few weeks ago his campaign said that Michigan is  a "must win" state for him.  He was born there, and his father was governor.  But, now that Santorum has surged ahead of him, his campaign is singing a different tune.  “Mitt Romney has connections to three states.  Four years ago we won all three of those states (Michigan, Utah and Massachusetts). Is any one of them a must-win for Mitt Romney? No.”

OK, if you say so.   But pretty soon you're going to have to stop making excuses for not winning.

2.  The big flap about women's health (breast exams, Komen, Planned Parenthood; birth control, abortions) has been good for the Democrats.  It has energized the women's vote and raised lots of money.  Petitions have been pouring in to Democratic campaigns.

3.  Rick Santorum's foot in mouth disease is spreading to his staff.   Yesterday, his press secretary was being interviewed live by Andrea Mitchell when she made a slip of the tongue -- but it's very very telling.   She referred to "Obama's radical Islamic policies."   She called back minutes later, while Mitchell was still on the air to say that she had misspoken and hadn't realized her mistake until someone pointed it out to her.   She had intended to say "Obama's radical environmental policies."

I'm 100% sure she did not consciously intend to say it;  but the thought was in her mind as a well-grooved association.

4.  Meanwhile, Republicans are beginning to panic.   Economic indicators continue to improve, and their political analysts know that this means their chances of beating Obama are plummeting.   That's why Boehner caved on the payroll tax;  it's why the candidates are hauling out the social issues and making lots of noise about them, especially Santorum.  But Newt too. 

And now they've trotted out Franklin Graham (far more outspokenly right wing than his father) to slyly cast doubts on whether Obama is really a Christian, reviving the "Muslim" rumor. That's despicable.  Franklin Graham has destroyed his credibility and trashed his father's bipartisan image as unofficial "pastor to presidents." 

That's OK.   Let them go ahead and nominate Santorum and run on social issues and returning to the 19th century. That's a good winning strategy for the Democrats.  Just ask the Independents whom they would choose in such a match-up.

Ralph