How Did Mitt Do?

Tonight was the second debate of the GOP primary season--the first one with all of the major committed candidates. This is what the pundits watching thought of Romney' performance:

"Mitt Romney came across like a frontrunner, taking the debate directly to the president — serious, steady, generous, and respectful of the rest of the Republican field."

"Romney was on his game — smooth, relaxed, and unflappable."

"...I think Romney has come across well. He knows how to handle himself..."

"Half an hour into this debate, Romney is shining as the most polished candidate with the smartest, most well-considered answers. He looks like the adult in the room."

Romney Lives More Like Us Than You Think

This bit of news about how Romney flies coach (isn't the first time I've heard of this) reminded me of a Romney-siting my father told me about. My parents used to live in Heber, UT, which isn't too far away from where the Romneys used to own a home (the Park City, UT area).

My dad went into a hardware store one day, only to be told that Romney had just left driving his jeep (yes, jeep--not a BMW or Mercedes or Humvee). Mitt had been in to buy some part because his wife was having him fix something that broke at the house. How many multi-millionaires do you know that do their own home repairs, and fly coach. One could argue that the latter act was for show, but it is hard to argue the first was, and together they form the pattern of a man who is wise with his money, and lives a lot like everyone else does.

I wouldn't mind having someone like that in the White House.

Romney Most Qualified According to New Poll

A Fox News poll has found that Romney is perceived as the most qualifed GOP candidate:

Percent Who See the Nominee as Qualifed--

Romney:  68%
Gingrich:  58%
Pawlenty:  43%
Palin:  41%
Cain:  32%:

Looking at Just Republicans:

Romney:  85%
Gingrich:  81%
Palin:  67%
Pawlenty:  57%
Cain:  49%

Romney is also the most preferred nominee among Republicans:

Romney:  23%
Guiliani:  13%
Palin:  12%
Cain:  7%
Pawlenty:  7%
Paul:  5%
Bachmann:  4%
Santorum:  4%
Huntsman:  2%

Romney Looks Strong in SC

Romney's faith contiunes to not be an obstacle in South Carolina, where he finished fourth in 2008.  A new PPP poll show him up by 9% over Palin:

Romney: 27
Palin:  18
Gingrich:  12
Cain:  12
Bachmann:  9
Paul:  7
Pawlenty:  4
Huntsman:  2

And SC isn't an outlier, with PPP reporting:  "Our most recent polls have him leading by 6 in Iowa, 15 in Nevada, and 23 in New Hampshire."

These are the first four primary/caucus states, and victories in at least a couple would put Romney in a very strong position. Victories in all four would likely end the primary contest.

Hat Tip:  Evangelicals for Mitt

The Economy is Worse than You Think

An article in the Wall Street Journal by Martin Feldstein starts out:

"The policies of the Obama administration have led to the weak condition of the American economy. Growth during the coming year will be subpar at best, leaving high or rising levels of unemployment and underemployment."

Which candidate, Republican or otherwise, has the most experience in business, particularly turning things around?

The answer to that should be obvious.

Romney campaign slogan suggestions

Romney. Change...but, for the better

Romney:  the economy isn't above his pay grade

Romney Ties or Bests Obama in Latest Poll

Romney faired the best of any potential GOP candidate in a new poll from ABC News/Washington Post tying Obama 47-47 among adults. Obviously some of the other candidates suffer from a lack of name recognition, though no other candidate was within 10 points of Obama.

When looking at registered voters, Romney bests Obama:

Romney:  49, Obama:  46.

No other potential GOP candidate comes close. Some other interesting insights:

"OBAMA/ROMNEY – With Romney matched against Obama, most Republicans and

conservative groups rally. Romney hauls in 87 percent of Republicans, 71 percent of

conservatives and evangelical white Protestants alike, and two-thirds of “very conservative”

Americans. No candidate does better against Obama among any of these groups.

Romney gains 72 percent support from the 46 percent of Americans who describe themselves as

supporters of the Tea Party political movement. But, showing breadth, he also draws in 48

percent of independents, the key swing voters.

Romney currently fares better against Obama than John McCain did in 2008 among several

important groups, and some surprising ones. Romney and Obama run evenly among women, a

group Obama won by 13 points in 2008; among white women, while McCain won by 7 points,

Romney leads by 18. McCain won white Catholics, an important swing-voting group, by 5

points, while Romney leads here by 19.

Romney runs about evenly with Obama in the Midwest, a region Obama won by 10 points in

2008. While 18-29 year olds still overwhelmingly favor Obama regardless of the Republican

candidate, his margin against Romney is 23 points, vs. 34 points against McCain. Even among

liberals, Obama’s edge is down – 79 points vs. McCain, 61 vs. Romney."