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Unbelievable: Is Romney Really Conceding Florida?

By: quill67 (Diary)  |  January 21st, 2012 at 12:45 AM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

The Romney campaign has not yet committed to Monday’s NBC debate.

This week, Romney strategist Stuart Stevens told the Washington Examiner that the campaign was becoming wary of debates. The Tampa debate would be the 18th major debate of the primary season, though just the second among the four remaining candidates — Romney, Gingrich, Texas Rep. Ron Paul and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.
“There are too many of these,” Stevens was quoted as saying. “We have to bring some order to it. We haven’t accepted Florida. … It’s kind of like a cruise that’s gone on too long.”

What is going on? This would be political suicide. Romney would lose Florida and then be a laughing stock. I posted on Redstate my belief that once Romney’s electability was questioned that he would be done as a candidate. But you would think he try to find traction among Northern voters, so why scuttle your campaign before trying?

Could Romney know he is doomed and be thinking of running as a Third-Party Candidate? I doubt this, but what is his campaign thinking? Sure Newt has been dominating the debates, but to skip a debate? It looks cowardly. Of course, Romney was the only candidate unwilling to debate Newt one-on-one.

I have to say, it would be a much more interesting race if Romney were to drop out. Gingrich versus Santorum. But, alas, I assume Romney will show up anyway. If he doesn’t debate. I’m sure he will say “I have to work to release my taxes by Friday Night excuse”.

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  • sethellis

    I think the idea here was he would skip the debate if he won in SC. At that point he’d pretty much have this wrapped up.

    Not that I really care. It’s an NBC debate after all. I can’t believe we let them sucker us into the other NBC debates.

    • quill67

      They can’t be expecting to win SC and then to even talk about not debating in Florida is very odd. Couldn’t he at least fake a illness or find someone’s funeral to attend?

  • http://www.RightonMainSt.com Mike Merrill

    Romney isn’t close to conceding in Florida. Quite the contrary. He knows debates help Newt, and lately they’ve hurt him. On the flip side, Mitt has a much bigger war chest for TV ads in Florida, a very expensive media market, so relying on more ads and less debates would seem to favor him.

    Unfortunately, there are two problems with that strategy:

    (1) The issue of the tax returns won’t go away until he actually releases them. Instead of apologizing for his wealth, he needs to stress that he didn’t inherit it- he earned it. Romney could turn the issue to his advantage, much like Newt did with the ABC expose, but he can’t do that by hiding from it.

    (2) The debate problem won’t get better later. If he doesn’t do well debating Newt, why would he do better later debating Obama?

    • nocontest

      Romney does not have to apologize for being wealthy. He should use this to his advantage.

      However the longer he waits to release his tax returns the more it looks like he is hiding something. I can’t believe how he has handled this.

  • wbf

    I don’t always agree with Charles Krauthammer but I believe he is right in saying that by making Romney’s tax returns an issue Republicans are moving the narrative of the campaign towards class warfare and to Obama’s advantage.

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/republicans-legitimize-obamas-reelection-rhetoric/2012/01/19/gIQA5pB5BQ_story.html

    As to the debates, I stopped watching them three debates ago.

    • elayman

      The format has a lot of downsides but it does offer a valuable window into the ability of a candidate to deal with media criticism and respond rationally to aggressive verbal assaults. If Romney cannot handle these stooges on FOX, what makes you think he can beat Obama? He can only “fight” for the nomination by avoiding direct confrontation with his opponents while giving evasive answers. The more people see of this strategy, the more they don’t want.

      Besides, the vast majority of voters are obviously not hanging on these politicians’ every word. They have been ignoring the debates up to now and are only just beginning to tune in. .

      • Ausonius

        if they had any courage!

        Imagine Republican ads as an expose’ of all the billionaires (led by Soros, whose accent could not hurt Republicans, along with Pritzker, Immelt, Allen, Buffett, etc.) supporting the Dems and MAObama, not to mention “Big Union Money,” corrupt Hollywood/New York socialite types, etc.

        It would be just too much fun!

        But don’t expect anything even close to that! Our side – so far – lacks the courage to run such things nationally. Still, I hope to be disappointed in my prediction!

        • jakeofalltrades

          Because you can do class warfare on the right, focusing on the cleptocrats in power (on the left – always on the left) and their crony capitalist puppetmasters. Show us how much money the Democrats have stolen from your retirement plan, your work, and therefore your pocket and your children’s futures. Then show them the filthy lucre accumulated by the corrupt left – maybe Immelt has a 300 ft “yacht”?

        • Ann_W

          This is important. Reality is on our side. We need to MAKE our case.

          We need the conservative version of the Daily Show.

          Who’s going to start making good YouTube videos for us?

    • Common_Cents

      As the field went from 7-8 now to 4, we get more reasoned thought out long answers. No longer do we get as many short sound byte answers. As the field narrows Romney is getting exposed on not being prepared for long form expanded answers.

      Issues and vetting changes as the campaign goes on and we need to see how the candidates handle them.

      Debates are a test of the candidates to be able to handle issues at any given time and to be able to think on their feet. How decisive are they?

      Each new state/region should be able to see the candidates go head to head.

      NOT doing debates reveals timidity. A death blow to a campaign. A candidate that skips a debate will become largely radioactive.

      • nocontest

        Now is the time to have debates and not hide behind an ad or robo-call.
        If Romney bows out of the debate or anyone for that matter what does it say?

        See this is why Romney isn’t our man he doesn’t know what he believes in.

        Rick Santorum was more impressive in the debates than Mitt was in the last debate.

        I understand why he wants to run but he can’t do that and newt should jump on this.

      • lizzie

        “…I’m shocked how rattled he appears.”
        http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/01/romney-campaign-curling-up-in-a-ball-on-floor.html

        I usually avoid Jonathan Chait like the plague – and was happy when he exited The New Republic for the trash that is now New York Magazine.

        But, I could not resist that title when I scanned RealClearPolitics this morning.

        Shocked that Romney is rattled? Gives you some idea of how liberal Obama-bots completely misread Romney – and all else in the GOP contest.

        And, Romney’s tax returns will haunt him.

        At some point, the concept of Presidential Leadership may finally appear: who has the resilience, takes every punch with unflinching grace, lives “No Excuses. It is what it is”

        and then the punditheads from left to right will realize that is Rick Perry,.

        I viewed the field looking for those qualities. I still wonder why Romney always got “looks Presidential” after every debate, for Pete’s Sake.

        ok, still recovering from SC’s The State’s article this morning wherein Ron Paul says Perry supporters will vote for Paul because he is also a Texan (yeah, from Pennsylvania via Michigan).

        This is what passes for reporting and analysis in America?

        No. Romney is not conceding Florida. He thinks he can buy that primary with paid media, and ground operation. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen endorsed Romney a while ago – to my disappointment – so I assume all that Romney micro-targeting is fully funded, and I just want to see how my birthplace, now Little Havana, votes on January 31. To see the Ileana-impact.

        Perry had some former Rubio GOTV operatives on staff – I wonder if they are now going to work for Gingrich.

    • WillWong

      I used to like this guy but i noticed that he has been in the tank for Romney and I stopped giving too much weight to what he’s saying lately!

      If you can find some of his articles condemning Romney’s Super PAC negative attacks on Newt the few weeks prior to Iowa, i might be persuaded of his impartiality. Likewise with people like Ann Coulter, Fred Barnes, William Kristol, etc.

      • wbf

        I think he is right on this one. Maybe he was not so much “in the tank” for Romney as he honestly thinks Romney is the one to beat Obama. Who knows? Krauhammer has often irritated me and I think he does have an “inside the Beltway” mentality.

        I just saw his article online. I have stopped watching Fox News.

    • clintonformccain

      I believe that many people have simply thrown in he towel on this nomination battle. Make iit stop. My only interest is somebody successfully beating Barack Obama in November and this nomination fight has stopped doing anything to help further that cause for the Republicans. It’s pretty much a train wreck at this point.

      Krauthammer and Noonan have it absolutely right. I mean, my god…half the remaining candidates couldn’t even manage to get on all the ballots. And, of the two who could, one of them is Ron Paul.

  • snowshooze

    And the rest of us are just dying to hear some adult conversation.

    • quill67

      Skip Monday’s debate and demand a one-on-one debate. No Moderator just a time keeper.

      Do you think Romney would agree??

      • nocontest

        No

        • snowshooze

          Gonna be a hoot.

    • Common_Cents

      It’s about time they are confronted. Gingrich is tapping into the frustration the country has w/ the left wing media. It will be soon cool to bash the media and be skeptical. Good things will come of it.

      Gingrich is going to start a revolution against the biased media in the general. They will have targets on their back and will back down if confronted.

  • nocontest

    that he isn’t believable. We all know why he doesn’t want any more debates but Romney seems to think he can fool us by saying there have been too many debates. This is why he will lose because he thinks he can get away with fool the
    voters.

    As to his tax returns he brought this on himself. He gives the impression that he is hiding something. If he isn’t then he really has messed up hasn’t he?

  • Common_Cents

    If Romney skips I hope they give Newt the air time.

    It just shows that Romney has a glass jaw, he has been the coddled establishment candidate.

    Romney is incapable of giving a straight answer on nearly anything. Good thing this is coming out now.

    This looks terrible. Just like how Obama will look TERRIBLE dodging Gingrich in the general.

    • nocontest

      fits in this case and if that term sticks then this it is over for Mitt.

  • WillWong

    Chris Christie said that Romney should release his tax returns immediately a day after the first SC debate.

    Romney told the audience that he does not want to release his tax returns in a piece meal manner because he does not want Obama people to pick through his records! What a baloney of an excuse! So in essence, by not releasing his tax returns, he is not only depriving Obama the chance to examine his returns but also depriving his opponents in tne primary the opportunity to do so as well!

    Another tone deaf comment…he said that he will release his returns when he becomes the nominee.

    If it is true that the Republican Establishment is hell bent on shoving down Romney through our throats, then either they think we are that stupid or they are really that tone deaf or both!

  • jakeofalltrades

    He has double Gingrich’s support there. Debating Gingrich in Florida would be retarded. Come to think of it, debating Gingrich is always retarded.

    • http://lukos.com Ed54

      Most people over 18 know not to use the word “retarded” as an insult.

      • liberty17

        should know not use “retarded” as an insult! I do!!

        • http://lukos.com Ed54

          Was not my intent to insult youthful posters. Only to point out that we are sometimes willing to overlook juvenile behavior in juveniles, but we expect adults to act like adults.

  • tngal

    “Yeah, yeah, I’ll be doing the debate on Monday,” he said Saturday morning. “Yeah, I’m in.”

    Also theres a debate thursday and they went ahead and confirmed that as well.

    http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2012/01/romney-commits-to-nbc-florida-debate-111720.html

    • Common_Cents

      Will we have to drag Romney to lower taxes? yeah yeah I’ll think about lowering taxes.

      Will we have to drag Romney to repeal obamacare? yeah yeah, I’ll think about repealing.

      Will we have to drag Romney into cutting govt regulations? yeah yeah, I’ll think about cutting govt regulations.

      WYSIWIG, what you see is what you get.

      • nocontest

        imagine having to debate rather than just place ads I mean this isn’t the presidency we are talking about, oh wait yes it is and if Romney is tired now what will happen when he gets into the ring with Obama?

        • lineholder

          I think Romney and his team thought the “electability” and “inevitability” memes would be enough to get him through the race and allow him to win the nom. Especially if they got the backing of high-profile establishment Repubs.

          It is not now nor has it ever been part of Romney’s public persona to be a fighter. The kinds of words that have been used to describe Romney have been “milquetoast”, “wooden”, “plastic”, etc. If the man has things he truly believes in, and if he’s the kind of person who is capable of being passionate about the things he believes in…he’s not displayed very much of that part of himself to the American people.

          The plurality of people in this nation believe our country is on the wrong track, heading in the wrong direction. What they want is someone with the will, determination, and perseverance who will alter this reality in our lives…someone who still passionately and adamantly believe that we have what it takes to turn things around.

          As long as Romney stays within his “milquetoast” persona, all they will see is someone who is more likely to “tread water” than to make headway in altering this nation’s course.

      • lizzie

        even Obama does not like being President. always whining.

        Romney is in this for personal ego, not a deep belief that the USA is heading in the wrong direction.

        I would believe his claim that only he knows how to fix the economy if he had spent the last five years doing ANYTHING except run for President.

        Why did he not start a new company?
        or start a foundation to address even ONE problem?
        or join Peterson’s Concord Coalition to help address our debt crisis?

        Plus, I still find it very disturbing that he is dragging Mrs. Ann Romney through this. Multiple Sclerosis does not always stay in remission.

        don’t get me started on chickenhawk embrace of full metal neocons.

        Just to show how the media distorts everything: when Perry first entered the contest, and mentioned how he had volunteered to serve in the USAF, I knew he was drawing a contrast with Romney and his five sons, but the media immediately jumped all over Perry with questions to make it seem as if Perry was solely ‘attacking’ Obama.

        Romney’s well-oiled machine for a job no one should WANT.

        Some of our best presidents were accidental, and reluctant. Coolidge, Truman and Eisenhower come to mind.

    • tngal

      its hard to tell if he was being less than enthusiastic . As in – Yeah, fine, whatever I’m in.

      Or if they didn’t properly express his remark. -Yeah! Yeah I’ll be doing the debate Monday!

      Politico didn’t say one way or the other and there was no audio so its hard to differentiate if the writer didn’t take the time to add additional punctuation or if no further punctuation was necessary.

  • txpat

    Mittens got stomped by Newt in SC
    I wonder how fox will try and spin it??

    • liberty17

      I am so mad with faux news I had better not talk about it.
      I did write about it yesterday, though, and I got a little of my anger out!!

      http://www.redstate.com/liberty17/2012/01/20/is-there-a-doctor-in-the-house/

  • lizzie

    “…The [cigarette] tax increase would generate $73 million in additional revenue, and be dedicated to the Commonwealth Care Trust Fund to cover half the cost of accepting legal immigrants into the state?s subsidized insurance program as mandated by a recent Supreme Judicial Court Decision. …”

    http://www.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/20120120cigarette_tax_hike_among_260m_in_revenue_proposals_sought_by_gov_deval_patrick/srvc=home&position=recent

    Yes, a new fifty cent per pack tax on cigarettes that is solely targeted to help fund Romneycare. Was checking to see if it is targeted solely for LEGAL immigrants, and the Boston Herald complied.

    plus, it seems that Rainy Day Fund Romney brags about has also disappeared.

    I add that many of us buy our cigarettes in New Hampshire, which is not that much cheaper anymore, but, I always wonder when I am going to get stopped by the Mass State Police for buying four cartons at a time, at a border store.

    yes, my sole remaining drug of choice: nicotine.
    I love being part of the last legal minority with zero rights in America, sarc –

    just wanted to prove that Romneycare IS top-down, and includes state-subsidized insurance.

    everyone I know complains about how much their work-health insurance premiums have gone up since Romneycare.

    No bending of that health care cost curve either…

  • lizzie

    “…The [cigarette] tax increase would generate $73 million in additional revenue, and be dedicated to the Commonwealth Care Trust Fund to cover half the cost of accepting legal immigrants into the state?s subsidized insurance program as mandated by a recent Supreme Judicial Court Decision. …”

    http://www.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/20120120cigarette_tax_hike_among_260m_in_revenue_proposals_sought_by_gov_deval_patrick/srvc=home&position=recent

    Yes, a new fifty cent per pack tax on cigarettes that is solely targeted to help fund Romneycare. Was checking to see if it is targeted solely for LEGAL immigrants, and the Boston Herald complied.

    plus, it seems that Rainy Day Fund Romney brags about has also disappeared.

    I add that many of us buy our cigarettes in New Hampshire, which is not that much cheaper anymore, but, I always wonder when I am going to get stopped by the Mass State Police for buying four cartons at a time, at a border store.

    yes, my sole remaining drug of choice: nicotine.
    I love being part of the last legal minority with zero rights in America, sarc –

    just wanted to prove that Romneycare IS top-down, and includes state-subsidized insurance.

    everyone I know complains about how much their work-health insurance premiums have gone up since Romneycare.

    No bending of that health care cost curve either…

  • tngal

    You demand my tax returns I’ll get you with Freddie Mac correspondence!

    Newt swears up and down he was an historian and never lobbied and tried to push this back days ago but Romney’s doubling down on it.

    This campaign trail will be built on a paper trail it seems.

    Would you two please just announce your VPOTUS selections and I’ll make my selection based on them. Thanks in advance.

    http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/gop-presidential-primary/205547-romney-demands-gingrich-release-freddie-mac-reports

  • cheetah2

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/post/romney-to-participate-in-florida-debates/2012/01/21/gIQAcYu8FQ_blog.html

    Guess he realized it was a bad idea to skip them. Better get some new coaches, Mittens.

  • txpat

    signed up on a liver transplant list because he may need one after the Florida debate.
    Maybe someone can email his campaign the list so he can sign up.
    Tee hee!

  • duramater

    Good points in all above posts. Just wanted to address the original question posited by quill, “Is Romney conceding FL?”

    With or w/o the 2 FL debates, it is entirely possible that Romney etal possess confidence that he already has it wrapped in a bow down there. Here’s why.

    There is a rumor that in early 1980s, Mitt Romney was brought down to Miami to present a pitch to some Central American financiers for seed money to kick-start Bain Capital. The intercessor in this arrangement was a part-time Miami, p.t. central American coffee magnet. Supposedly, some 20% of start up cash for Bain Cap. came from this source. Some names of original investors are known and on record, some, allegedly remain unknown.

    Over the past 30-35 years, Latin American business and financial influence has exploded in SoFla and along with it, Hispanic dominance in the political arena. Right at the moment, I am hard pressed to recall many politicos from the Miami-Dade county area and associated municipalities which DO NOT have an Hispanic surname.

    Contrary to popular myth, Anglos have not become extinct in SoFla, nor have they all been displaced by other ethnic groups, except in politics. This is seen at local, state and federal level. Though not a monolith by any means, with Cubans, PR, So and Central Americans all in play, there is still a strong undercurrent of Hispanic tribalism, especially where money and power come together.

    Early, very early and continuously through to today, Mitt Romney’s name alone has been on the lips of the major players in the SoFla political class. Among those players are career congresspersons who like to refer to themselves as “The Three Amigos” and at the time they announced their support also reminded the audience that they always pick the winners.

    Though vehemently denied, pressure to push the FL primary date forward was made by one of Marco Rubio’s former associates, with the presumption that it would prove advantageous to Romney. I know there is room for some plausible deniability here. But the question still nags the minds of many voters.

    Any of the scenarios I’ve read in your posts today are reasonable but I offer the above for your consideration as well. Florida does have some interesting politics.

  • Juggernaut

    Hooray! This jerk is still ranting anti-capitalist stupidity saying newt should give back his consulting fees.