Romney's Resurgence

Yesterday I posted about the self imposed issues the Obama campaign is suffering. I will revisit this shortly today. The morning has the feel of an approaching hurricane--you know the storm is moving your direction and things will surely move because of it, but you don't know exactly how. In this case, it is the candidacy of Mitt Romney.

Like Senator Clinton, Governor Romney was left for dead after Iowa. After sinking millions into the state, he finished behind the trailer park raised, squirrel eating, lower class bred man from a little town called Hope in Arkansas--no, not President Clinton--Governor Huckabee. Senator Clinton finished third to national neophyte who speaks in grandiose terms and switches between bombastic tones and dove language to titillate his audience and a one term guy who couldn't hack it in the Senate or as a Vice Presidential candidate. Romney won the silver, Clinton the Bronze. New Hampshire was more of the same for Governor Romney, although Senator Clinton brought home the gold. Romney went west like the young men of old to score gold in Wyoming and then in Michigan and Nevada. Three weeks ago, Clinton and Romney were left for political dead--two weeks ago, the Romney campaign was alone in the heap on the side of the primary road.

A funny thing happened on the way to tonight's debate--Romney found his own voice. That voice was distant after the early states, but has overtaken the shrill of the dying Guiliani campaign and can be heard like approaching footsteps to the McCain camp. In mid December, Romney trailed the leader (Guiliani in this case) by 9pts. Immediately after Iowa, he trailed by 11; last week it was a 1 pt deficit, and now he has overtaken Mayor Guiliani by 5 and Senator McCain by 4 points.

What's behind the resurgence? First, experience. Campaigning in Michigan, Wyoming, and Nevada provided the Romney camp friendly and safe experience. With the victories came confidence and a know how to communicate. They learned what messages worked for their candidate (the most difficult task for a political consultant) and their audience. It is on full display here in the delegate rich Florida--where it isn't about religion, it is about protection and protecting the Republican tradition. Second, the team. Romney assembled the most impressive staff of Floridians from the last 14 years. He has Governor Jeb Bush's chief advisers, current Governor Charlie Crist's inner circle, and strategists (read: lobbyists) with connections all over the state at his disposal. Unlike traditional Democrats who use political endorses to convince voters, Romney picked up the Florida Sledgehammer of political staffers and is using it liberally across the state. Congratulations Governor Romney, you may finally have the gold in a televised event.

Current Medal Count

Recommendation to Camp Romney: Refine your message and use key concepts that will play well on February 5. Find the common ground between Florida and the 22 states and use the debate tonight to both secure the state and launch yourself ahead in the upcoming states.

Recommended Reads:
Rudy's Big Gamble
Florida Republican Debate