There once was a candidate who said he was running a 50-state strategy in this election. Then there was Mitt Romney, who actually is. Everybody thought it was big news when Romney paused the airing of his SC ads last week — pundits said he was giving up on the state, even though he was moving more staff and volunteers there as they wrote their stories.
Well, now news comes that Mitt Romney is back on the air in South Carolina today – and will be back on the air in Florida soon.
South Carolina is shaping up to be quite possibly the most interesting state in the primary season thus far… Iowa was Mitt vs. Huck; New Hampshire was Mitt vs. McCain; Michigan is Mitt vs. McCain II — and South Carolina will be Mitt vs. McCain vs. Huckabee vs. Thompson.
The mere fact that Romney is still in the running after losing IA and NH shows the historical nature of this primary. The fact that Huckabee is still competitive nationally and in SC after a distant 3rd place loss in NH and probably an equally distant 3rd in MI, as well as Thompson being in contention in SC despite losing all three of the first states (and 2 of them very badly) just shows that we ought to throw all the conventional wisdom out the window from here on out.
January 15th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Mattc, I think you forgot to close your “a”.
January 15th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Sure enough, EGS. Got it now.
January 15th, 2008 at 11:31 am
If Mitt wins Michigan, he has a real opportunity in South Carolina, otherwise, he probably won’t win it, but could make the outcome more interesting. I’ve been waiting for him to start advertising in the state again….it shows a real commitment to the campaign.
January 15th, 2008 at 11:35 am
BEWARE……
The RETURN of the ROMNEY!!!
Run for your lives…Huck, McCain, Rudy, & Fred (your political lives)!!
Rated: AWESOME!!!
January 15th, 2008 at 11:52 am
This is why the strategy of Fred supporters voting for Mitt in Michigan is so dumb. Romney’s voters are the types of voters Fred needs. Looking at the Rasmussen poll, if Fred gets Romney’s voters, he wins. So voting to give Romney a boost is just, well, not a bright move. If McCain wins, that sinks Romney for all practical purposes and his support could go to Fred in South Carolina — McCain is already doing well in South Carolina and Fred still survives if he finishes a strong second to McCain. However, he can’t survive a third place finish behind Romney and McCain, I don’t believe.
January 15th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Obviously, I was deeply disappointed to read this story. A cornerstone of my theory that a potential loss tonight might finish off Mitt completely, has been invalidated… and to Mitt supporters, I’m sure it’s a welcome story…
January 15th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Abe, and other Romney supporters: CORNBALLS!!
January 15th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
“This is why the strategy of Fred supporters voting for Mitt in Michigan is so dumb. ”
No it’s not. Thompson said he was making his stand in SC.
If McCain wins in MI, its over, both Romney and Thompson are flattened both.
If Romney wins in MI, the race still is a jump ball, with Romney the leading contender, but with everyone else still in the mix.
Moreover, it is *Huckabee* who has the votes Thompson needs to get. Thompson really needs to beat Huckabee head-to-head, and then to build on that by getting the Huck voting base to his side.
January 15th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Joe M,
I’m sorry you are VERY wrong…..
I am no “cornball”!!!
As was pointed out to me very accurately the other day…..by Jonathan I believe….
I am a NUTBALL….there is a difference….
Get it straight, Man….
January 15th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
mike k,
I agree with patrick. either way thompson has as tough road. if mccain wins michigan the steamroll just continues, the momentum will build. he already has the lad in sc and noobdy is challenging him, his is going untouched froma all fronts. fred’s hesitancy to take mccain on will do him in.
fred needs mccain to be stopped to continue the hodgpodge and uncertainty that exists now in florida and south carolina. the race becomes more clear if mccain wins michigan.
also if mccain loses and romney win, this also is hard for him. he is tied or behind romney in support. romney will likely get some type of bounce and possibly push him to a fourth place finish.
so either way, thompson has an uphill battle. but the least worst scenario for him would be a slim romney win. giuliani needs romney to win as well.
January 15th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
[...] than it expanded while setting Mitt Romney up as the next victim/frontrunner. Romney just went back on the air in South Carolina so it is evident he feels a win in Michigan puts him right back on [...]
January 15th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
The next few hours – if Mitt wins – could very well determine the final outcome. S.C Nevada Florida are all ties at this point. Two weeks of Mittmania could bring him all three states. That’s wild momentum into Super Tuesday and lets face it the average republican has no damn idea WHO to be for as of today. They’ll be getting a strong hint over these next ten days. If Mitt wins today, the dominoes may well be unstppable. Odd ain’t it?
January 15th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
#12 Copp
Amen to that!, It all depends on Mitt pulling off Michigan. I don’t think he will be out of the race with a 2nd place finish but it will sure hurt if McCain is allowed to gain momentum. Keep your fingers crossed, I’ve already said a prayer for Mitt!
January 16th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
First domino now falling……..watch out Nevada, S. Carolina!