Dan Balz's Take
Romney Looking for an Obama Shield Against Rivals
Barack Obama and Mitt Romney confer onstage between debates. (Reuters).
By Dan Balz
MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Among the gawkers on the street around the corner from Barack Obama's first campaign event here Sunday morning were four of the most senior members of Mitt Romney's campaign: Stuart Stevens, Russ Schriefer, Alex Castellanos and Ron Kaufman.
It was coincidence that brought them to the blocked off street where Obama's motorcade was idling. They were gathered to film a two-minute closing television ad for Romney.
But their presence -- and their absolute conviction that Obama will win the Democratic primary here on Tuesday -- neatly symbolized the former Massachusetts governor's current plight. He desperately needs Obama's help.
Romney's high command may be right or wrong about Obama's prospects here, but there is no question that they are all rooting for a big Obama victory over Hillary Clinton and John Edwards.
The better Obama does, they believe, the more independents votes he will deny John McCain, the current GOP front-runner in New Hampshire. The fewer independents who vote in the Republican primary, the better Romney will do.
It has come to that for Romney, once the solid leader here in New Hampshire, just as he was once the seemingly solid leader in Iowa. Now he is struggling to head off a second straight defeat that could doom his candidacy.
His downward slide has produced an almost ghoulish glee among his rivals. Romney has turned out to be the unifier in the Republican field, disliked by all his rivals in a way that is rarely seen in presidential campaigns. The collective disdain for Romney may have been the most arresting story line coming out of Saturday's GOP debate at Saint Anselm College.
Candidates travel in a collective bubble for months before the first contests. They intersect at a distance in small towns and familiar venues in Iowa and New Hampshire. They study each other's moves. And they get a sense of each other's characters and personalities through their many hours of debates and joint appearances.
Friendships form in the holding rooms at debates as familiarity grows. Cliques develop that you can see on stage. Sometimes it is for strategic reasons, as was clear when John Edwards turned into Obama's wingman against Clinton in Saturday's Democratic debate. Sometimes it is admiration, sometimes it is just finding someone who can share a joke over the bizarre process they are all going through.
Whatever the case, Romney has found himself on the outside of the GOP candidate circle and treated by some of the New Hampshire press with a disrespect approaching contempt. The Concord Monitor endorsed McCain and called Romney a "phony."
The Union Leader, the conservative beacon in the state, unexpectedly endorsed McCain -- never a darling of the right -- and has shown the power and persistence of the print media with daily editorials on the front page boosting his candidacy. On most days, those editorials praise McCain by attacking Romney.
On Saturday the candidates joined in. "Governor, don't try to characterize my position," Romney lectured Iowa winner Mike Huckabee.
"Which one?" Huckabee shot back.
"You know we're wise to talk about policies and not to make personal attacks," Romney pleaded.
Romney spent the evening attempting to argue that he is, among the Republicans, the change-oriented candidate and therefore best able to run against Obama if the Illinois senator were to win the Democratic nomination.
Toward the end, a sarcastic McCain deadpanned, "Governor, we disagree on a lot of issues but I agree you are the candidate of change."
Romney at first didn't seem to get it, but as the laughter from others on the stage made clear that McCain's words were not intended as a compliment, he responded, "The continued personal barbs are interesting but unnecessary."
Why does he draw such attacks? "Because he is very willing to hit them, often throwing the first punch, and they think he is throwing stones from a glass house," one GOP strategist not affiliated with a candidate, wrote in an e-mail Sunday. "They perceive that he is criticizing them for taking positions that he himself held only a couple of years ago."
From other strategists, some with a stake in the outcome, come words like "arrogant" and "entitlement." From a Romney loyalist came this explanation: "Perfection. He seems perfect. And perfection is so rare and so difficult, especially in human beings, that it is resented. Perfection = false. A man who doesn't sweat is resented. It all seems to come easily to him. Of course, the inner turmoil isn't evident."
The Romney advisers on the street corner in Manchester Sunday morning offered additional explanations. Romney, they said, has taken from both McCain and Giuliani at different points in this campaign what they assumed was theirs. Each was a front-runner and then he wasn't, thanks in part to Romney.
They also argued that Romney is the lone candidate who had multiple paths to the nomination. Huckabee banked everything on Iowa and had to take Romney down to win. McCain must win New Hampshire and needs to take Romney down to do so. Romney was the favorite in Michigan because he grew up there, and other candidates have made him the target there.
But there is more than strategic necessity that has brought the collective derision down on Romney's head in the final days here in New Hampshire. It is payback in a competition that can be brutal when the stakes are as high as they are in the GOP race. Entertaining to some in rival campaigns, it must be misery for Mitt.
So his team stands now cheering on Obama in what may be the most ironic twist of the strange Republican campaign.
Posted at 1:59 PM ET on Jan 6, 2008
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Posted by: vote4mikehuckabee | January 7, 2008 7:02 PM
I'm a lifelong Democrat, but I'm thinking Romney is a good bet for this November. I was really impressed with his analysis of our healthcare crisis during the Saturday night. He just seems like someone who is very, very smart and good at solving problems--that's the sort of leader we need right now, IMO. (He can't help it if he looks so perfect!)
Posted by: Anndougherty | January 7, 2008 2:44 PM
Warren Tompkins is a senior advisor for Romney's campaign.
Warren Tompkins (according to Will Folks on PBS NOW this week, Dirty Politics 2008) was responsible for the notorious "illegitimate black baby" push-poll that sank McCain in South Carolina in 2000 after he had beaten Bush in New Hampshire (McCain skipped Iowa).
If that's how Romney wants to play, he can hardly expect the rest of the guys to "play nice".
http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/401/index.html
Romney's a shark. Throw him back.
Posted by: TomJx | January 7, 2008 1:58 AM
Bush promised McCain the presidency. Watch and see if he delivers.
Posted by: Katy7540 | January 7, 2008 12:02 AM
Fact is, I and almost every other republican that I know simply will not vote for McCain, and if I even am presented with the choice of Huckabee I will probably leave America (ok that part wasn't true).
My point is that if John McCain or Mike Huckabee are nominated the will not win. Its as simple as that.
Every person has a breaking point - that point where they go from "I guess he will have to do", or "at least he's better than..." to "I cannot, in good conscience vote for a person who has done so much to damage the cause I believe in."
Mike Huckabee is way over that line (in fact, I would probably donate a token dollar to Hillary or Barack just to show my disdain).
John McCain isn't so much, but I would definitely place my vote for a meaningless third party or perhaps a "mickey mouse" just to keep my grandma happy.
Why am I bothering to write about it? Well perhaps a couple of NH voters are looking at this and are thinking "Hey, I like McCain, I'll bet if he wins NH he might go all the way." I'm here to tell you that I have voted in every election since I turned 18, and (obviously) I get involved in doing what I feel is my moral obligation. There are many people out there like me. We will make damn sure your candidate (if McCain or Huckabee) will not win in the end.
I'm not trying to bash anyone. I understand that there are people out there who are die-hards for every candidate. Those who will stand by even if they know that their vote is being wasted (like so many Ron Paul supporters (which I may join if McCain is nominated, not Huckabee, remember, I go 360 if he gets nominated)) I am just saying that if you are sitting on the fence about these two candidates, you should think about so many of us who you will loose if they are nominated.
Consider your chances of victory, especially since the democrats are mustering such unprecedented amounts of support. Do you want to have a candidate that many will not support, or worse, that part of your own party will fight against. I clearly remember in 2004 when DEMOCRAT Zell Miller got up to support Bush. We will never win if that happens to us, and it will, I guarantee if Huckabee get the nod, and probably even if McCain gets it.
Don't take my word for it though. You found this comment, there are tons more like it (only thankfully not as long).
Posted by: scardston | January 6, 2008 11:54 PM
It's funny that people call Romney a flip flopper, just because he is the only one that will admit that he changed his mind or that he made a mistake. The others are so stubborn (and stupid) that they'll keep telling lies to make it look like they didn't change their minds. Truthfully, I'd rather a president change his mind as he gets more truth rather than stick with what he said in the first place just to not be a "flip flopper" even when he knows he's wrong. Huckabee, I'm sorry, but you're a salesman; not a president.
Posted by: gbnield | January 6, 2008 10:50 PM
Romney is the only person that makes any sense to people that have common sense. Huckabee and McCain keep whining about how rich Romney is, but why do you think he's rich? He's smart and he's a hard worker. If he worked so hard to raise so much money for his campaign, why would he not use it? If America's going to move forward, then we've got to use some common sense and vote for the only one that has common sense. If Romney weren't running for President, I think I'd move to Mexico right now.
Posted by: gbnield | January 6, 2008 10:46 PM
Romney can not be trusted. He is a known flip flopper and is constantly rambling on with a billion words a minute trying to confuse the audience that he knows something. Others take time to ponder their question to answer intelligently, whereas Romney spits out so many words someone thinks maybe he knows the answer.
Romney has a habit of reversing. He spends more millions of dollars attacking his opponents in TV commmericals than everyone combined, but then acts like he is the one getting attacked and rambles on a billion words to make it look like he knows what he is talking about.
Just as the NH newspaper accurately stated, Romney is a phony. He is more concerned about his $400 haircut that he keeps talking about that he doesnt want anyone to mess up. Romney is extremelly wealthy with some $250 million in his bank account. Romney really can not connect with the average New Hampshire american.
Don't be fooled by Romney's fast firing words, whoever fires off that many words so quickly, is naturally trying to hide his inexperience in solid understanding. Romney is trying to fool everyone's perception of him by talking so quickly. If Romney loses $30 million in just a few months of his bases money in Iowa losing there how in the world can we trust him to manage the government spending over 4 years?
Posted by: vote4mikehuckabee | January 6, 2008 10:19 PM
The problem with the republican candidates is that regardless of which one of them wins, you can be sure that any healthcare plan they implement will have provision for a walking stick, a pace maker and a hearing aid to be given to everybody. On top of that during Christmas you will also be eligible for a glass cup to put your dentures in.
The biggest problem facing the republicans is how do you vote for somebody who has already picked the design for their own coffin.
Posted by: JohnMcCormick | January 6, 2008 10:18 PM
With Romney's performance in tonight's debates he will scoop up any undecided voters. That, coupled with McCain's bungling of Saturday's debate ought to give him the Republican vote. As long as independents remain smitten with Obama, Romney should earn a well-deserved victory in New Hampshire.
Posted by: billlava | January 6, 2008 10:15 PM
When you're filling your car with $3 gas and buying some $2.65 a dozen eggs, remember who is running on stopping deficit spending. The war for oil is what caused prices for anything that eats grain to skyrocket. When THOSE prices rise, the fresh fruit seller raises his prices again, now you have some nice $5 a pound grapes in the market. Laugh all you want, it's YOUR money being spent. YOU'RE the one going to pay $250 a week for groceries. Still think Ron Paul sounds like a bad idea? He's the ONLY candidate, Republican or Democrat that is running on reducing your cost of living. Maybe you have plenty money. Me, I'm not so rich.
Posted by: lnardozi | January 6, 2008 9:05 PM
This is how good Romney is at change: He can laud the incumbent to the skies in order to attack Huckabee, and having portrayed the current administration as absolutely NOT in any need of change, then proudly position himself as the candidate BEST able to bring about that change, which, of course, he is sure isn't necessary.
I want Romney to play the AUH2O role in this replay of 1964. Maybe then even Hated Hillary or Unelectable Obama (certainly not my description, but regularly posted on this blog) can post a 70+% win in the general election. Edwards or Richardson could likely pull 75% of the votes.
From the Democratic point of view it now ought to be "Who has the longest coat tails.?"
Posted by: ceflynline | January 6, 2008 8:20 PM
The Republicans are nuts if they think McCain or Huckabee is the answer. Either Romney or Rudy would defeat either Obama or Hillary. Huckabee's a complete joke and McCain is a proven loser. And he is petty, and bitter, and seethingly disaffected and, frankly, just not very bright.
Couple with these sad attributes the fact that both McCain and Huckabee are liberal Republicans who take every opportunity to pander to liberal power-holders, and that's how we elect President Obama or President Hillary. Why? Because actual Republicans would rather have Democrats doing Democrat things in the White House than Republicans doing Democrat things in the White House. In other words, Republicans like me simply won't vote for my Party's nominee if his name is Huckabee or McCain.
Watching Hickabee win Iowa was no big surprise--disappointing, but not a surprise given the demographics there: liberal state, large bible-thumper population that is heavily blue-collar...just the kind to lap up the populist drek Huckabee peddles. McCain looks like even money against Romney. This, too, is because of secondary circumstances: independents, as this article describes. Will they be more moved to join the flock behind Obama, or a stale loser from 2000?
Who knows, but the one certain thing is that Huckabee and McCain are trying to benefit from unRepublicanism in a Republican process by hypocritically calling Romney negative and alleging he's distorting their records, even though they for some reason cannot dispute the charges or bother to point out what is distorted. Will both guys be able to extend their momentum to serious states? Or will their games end in the hokey processes of Iowa and New Hampshire? It's my opinion that the RNC will not nominate either of these guys, which is exactly why many are thinking the GOP nomination will play out until the convention, which means it might actually mean something this cycle. That is, they would draft a candidate, and the only ones worthy of being drafted are Rudy and Romney.
Posted by: dsstanton | January 6, 2008 7:36 PM
It is unfortunate that politics is so brutal. The other Republican candidates know that if they don't take Romney now he will win the nomination. Romney has the most ideas for change. He bridges the gap between the fiscal conservatives and the social conservatives. He is open minded and will listen to the people. He will balance the budget and get us back on track. The others are big talkers but lack real plans.
Posted by: JohnJacobs99 | January 6, 2008 7:26 PM
Barack Obama for President of the UNITED States of America.
Posted by: PulSamsara | January 6, 2008 7:16 PM
No Republican can win in '08. In Iowa, that hot-bed of socialist activity and thought (kidding!), the Dems turned out TWICE the number of voters at the caucuses. TWICE. On he best day (2000), with a "morally" challenged administration and super motivated voters, Rove still had to cheat to steal the election. The Republicans are demoralized because they've screwed up the war, the government, the economy and they've lost any pretense of claiming to be fiscally sound, constitutional supporting or competent governors. America wont fall for the same trick again. 40 years in the political wilderness for worshiping false idols. Maybe Mitt can find some new tablets.
Posted by: thebobbob | January 6, 2008 7:11 PM
LOL! This latest Photo of Obasama in Mitt's Ear, and Pretty Boy laying something onto Huck, Is PRICELESS!
Not only are the Top Exects the same Hiegth, so are the potential Veeps!
What I see are Gloves being Slapped!
Gentlemen, Turn and wait 10 Paces(Months),
And Fire!
January, February, March...
Posted by: rat-the | January 6, 2008 6:45 PM
Isn't it great how life sometimes works? Months back it seemed like there was a small spat between Romney and Obama. Only recently he attacked Obama's plan on Iraq. Now he needs Obama to win big so that he can take on McCain. Who would have thought?
Posted by: painintheass97 | January 6, 2008 3:16 PM
McClown did himself a bad blow last night.
He was petty, arrogant, childish, vindictive, arrogant, and generally very Un-Statesman!
Garbage like that, is going to come back and huant the Repubs.
It will label the entire collection:
RepubliCANTS!
Wake-up Call!
The Dims are getting TWICE the Turnout!
If it keeps up, November will be the biggest Socialist Landslide in HISTORY!
But, as McCain shows his true Colors, as the Dim Hatchet-Man, he is doing his role perfectly!
Posted by: rat-the | January 6, 2008 2:41 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Don't be fooled by Romney. He wants to buy Americans, not earn their respect. Romney will say anything to get elected and change his mind over and over again. Romney can't balance a budget. Just look at how much he lost in Iowa of his own base's hard earned money flushed down the toliet. He got hammered in Iowa after millions and milions of dollars of negative TV ads.
On the other hand, Huckabee's likeability, his honesty, his optimism, his humbleness, his trustworthiness are all character traits that define him.
American voters are thrilled to have a presidential candidate who not only has experience on running a government, but also someone who has integrity and charm.
That's why Huckabee is skyrocking in the polls and now taking over # 1 position in the nation. Everybody can feel the energy when Huckabee talks, they feel at ease when he speaks with them.
Huckabee is like no other candidate in the last 100 years. His charm, his down to earth speak, his witty style makes people feel good about themselves in side. Someone they want to hang around with and chat wtih.
Huckabee is going to revolutionize America with his optimism for all not just a selected group. Huckabee appeals to all types of groups. He is going to lead this nation up to higher ground creating a new America spirit to be born.
This is a great time to be an American!