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DES MOINES-- Without media or fanfare, last week Mitt Romney took yet another quiet, but meaningful, step towards making a full-fledged play to win Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucuses: his campaign opened an official headquarters office here in the Hawkeye State.
“We’ve got a lot of volunteers and more activity as the caucuses approach and we thought it was time to get a little more space," David Kochel, Romney's top adviser in Iowa, told NBC News. "We opened the office several days ago. We don’t plan any grand opening events there.”
Romney's five paid Iowa staffers had previously been operating out of a small workspace at Kochel's consulting firm. Paid staff in Iowa will not be expanding, Kochel also noted.
The decision not to open the office with a ribbon-cutting rally or a stirring speech by the candidate is in keeping with Romney's demonstrated Iowa strategy thus far: keep the people wanting more.
Romney has campaigned in Iowa only three times since announcing his current run for the presidency, a far cry from his immersion strategy of 2008, in which he spent north of $10 million dollars and much of his time in Iowa. Romney, then a little-known former governor from a Northeastern state, had work to do just to raise his name recognition. Now, despite his comparative scarcity in the state, Romney leads or sits in a close second in nearly every statewide poll.
Romney's Iowa strategy has been the subject of reams of criticism, speculation and analysis by media pundits and other politicians. This week, the state's long-time Governor Terry Branstad, whose weekend birthday party will be attended by every candidate, save Romney, took a shot of his own.
“The advisers in Boston don’t get it,” Branstad said Wednesday in Des Moines. “They have that East Coast mentality... I think he’s making a big mistake by not coming here and spending more time."
Doug Gross, an unaffiliated Republican consultant here, who ran Romney's Iowa effort in 2008, believes the former Massachusetts governor's decision to not to run a more traditional ground-game in Iowa will hurt him with the state's voters, who take their role in vetting candidates very seriously.
"When a candidate like Mitt Romney only comes out here very infrequently, tries to ride sort of on the national polls and national debates, and then comes out here and doesn’t take questions or answer questions of the media either, it doesn’t suit us well," Gross said. "We think that person is, in a job interview, refusing to answer questions.”
Slowly but surely, that approach seems to be changing. Romney's campaign did not dispute reports they were shooting a television ad on their last trip to Iowa, and this Wednesday, when most candidates will be "down" for Thanksgiving, Romney will return to the Hawkeye state once again to campaign. The caucuses will be forty days away.
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To better understand why Romney can’t get his poll numbers out of the mid 20’s all you need to do is read this article from Politco.com that talks about the people he is hiring including 3 former Bush-era officials whose recent records include lobbying for Solyndra and advocating on behalf of cap-and-trade legislation and carbon taxes.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1011/67110.html
George Will in the Washington Post “A straddle is not a political philosophy; it is what you do when you do not have one." And he calls Romney’s shifting positions “a policy pretzel.” And also says this "Romney is a recidivist reviser of his principles who is not only becoming less electable; he might damage GOP chances of capturing the Senate...Republicans may have found their Michael Dukakis."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/mitt-romney-the-pretzel-candidate/2011/10/28/gIQAPEQ8PM_story.html
Hi Dennis, Romney even flipped flopped on his Iowa strategy, he will never win over republicans, he will only get the nomination by default, he will not win a general election, because he has taken every position on every issue, including social issues which are important to the republican base. His constant flip flops and pandering to the audience of the moment leaves him in doubt, with republicans, independents, and democrats, the fact that he has been trailing buffoons at times proves republicans really don't want him. It's getting late, and they are trying to get drunk enough to ask the last homely girl left if she would like to dance.
Well Dennis I guess these two posts by you and me represent all the excitement Romney generates, ha this is too funny.
Dennis -- Excellent post with a great excerpt. Romney has always struck me as a spoiled child, but the lack of spot light on him makes me think of when a child is quiet that's when they are probably up to no good.
Romney will not win the Republican primary. Why? He's a Mormon, and we all know how much the Bible Belt hates that.
He may not get the nomination, but if he don't it won't even be close, he is the only candidate that even comes close to making it a competitive race. I agree his religion hurts him with many republicans, who feel that a vote for him is not a vote for Jesus, and what kind of person would not vote for Jesus. His religion is a much bigger issue than many republicans would like to admit. Ha before it's all over he may pull the ultimate flip flop and convert to Christianity, I would not put it past him, he has changed his mind about everything else, two or three times.
Interesting side note here, we have a lot of Mormon's here in NE Florida. Don't know what that will do for Romney here. Just a bit of FYI for everyone.
Unlike Romney's lack of core convictions, Mormons will be more interested in a candidate who reflects their views (or at least any way they should). They more than anyone don't want to see him become POTUS and then be a disgrace.
The Mormons that my hubby works with are Progressive leaning. Again, not a scientific poll, but just interesting information.
Just a little bit of info for everybody, Mormons ARE Christians. You should check out the official name for their church and find out a little bit about what they believe before you start criticizing Romney.
I'm not criticizing Romney for his religious beliefs. I can assure you 100%, however, that the Bible Belt is. That area is extremely important for Republicans, and if he fails to get their support, he cannot win the nomination.
Looks like it comes down to two fine candidates. Mitt Romney, and Newt Gingrich.
Both are acceptable to me. Newt has much more experience, and many fresh ideas, while Romney is a solid, well spoken, business entrepener, and he looks Presidential.
Maybe the best choice is a combined ticket of either Gingrich/Romney, or Romney/ Gingrich. Either way is a winner. They will wipe their butts with Obama in a debate and flush the pitiful Obama remains down the political toilet. KER-FLUSSSSH. LOL
Now that it is obvious that one of these fine, learned, gentlemen will be our President for the next eight years, it is time to focus on their policies that will bring America back to it's former greatness.
They both have vowed to repeal Obamacare. So that's a given. They both would stop much of the insane Obama spending and eventually end the Great Obama Depression. They both will bring a sense of National pride back to Americans, and national energy back to the business community. Prosperity will be the rule for our cities, rather than the exception.
The Occupy protests will be replaced with National Pride celebrations.
This is but a glimpse of what life in America will be like without Obama and the Democrats.
ABO 2012.
Good luck with Gingrich Joe republicans already ran him out of Washington once before, and they turned down Romney for McCain, neither will win a general election, did you not see what happened in Ohio, do you realize WI will probably recall Walker, no republican will be elected to the Oval office, and the republican controlled Congress will make sure of that.
Righty O' Forrest!
You want to talk about people revving up?
Things are 'humming' along smoothly with my neighbors to the North & Walker is already 'wetting' himself! ;o)
Alas, we are pouting here in the sunshine state that we can't recall Rick Scott. Trust me, had we a recall law, Scott would be gone.
I think the President can really make a big play for Florida. Shoot, even a lot of the tea party is mad at the republicans in this state.
Newt is incapable of brining any unity to our great nation. He has been nothing but controversial his entire career (not in a good way) which is why he will never be president.
Anyone want to bring up the topic of Newt and the ethics committee story? And being kicked out of the speakership? I bet the Romney people will.
Acceptable? Gawd, write-in a name if you must, but vote FOR something.
That seems to be the theme from the right. They are against everything but not for anything.
It is not obvious that either of those gentlemen will be the next President; it is not obvious either one will even be nominated.
But it is nice to know that if that happens, each of them has the magic wand that will break gridlock, create jobs, and restore prosperity.
Plenty of Americans have national pride-that is something that is not exclusive to conseratives. By the way, what day will be National Pride Day; what day will we choose for the Gingrich-Romney Youth to march on--May Day?
comfortablynumb, I live in the state where the happiest place on earth has its home. Lots of magic there. I don't think that anyone on the GOP side has that kind of magic.
For the May Day rally, does that include a parade of military weapons?
You betch'a phinephancy--lots'a guns 'n stuff!
With Sarah riding on the cannon of the first tank!
I wonder if Mittens has "daddy" issues like Dubya did? Senior Romney did run for the GOP nomination in '67 - '68. He had a problem with flip flopping on issues, especially the big one of the time - Vietnam. Mittens may just be trying out do Daddy.
Romney is ready to show more of a presence in Iowa because he is suddenly feeling a little heat in New Hampshire from other pretenders.
Willard is doing this quietly in case he gets romped. So that if he does get romped, he'll say he never really thought about winning in Iowa. 2008 Iowa was not kind to Romney and he never forgot it. As this article points out, he spent $10 mil. there in '08.
"You wouldn't believe the stories I'm hearing" (Chris Matthews said today - referring to President Obama).
Perhaps Mr. Matthews, the journalist, ought to tell us the stories he's been hearing. (Most likely from fellow Pennsylvanian Fineman's ever present "sources"). Are they similar to stories to those of Chris's own special heroes JFK and Clinton? You know, the presidents who used the White House as a Playboy Mansion?
If not, what exactly are the stories you've been hearing? And Chris, if you're going to expect 100% perfection from President Obama, then expect the same of yourself as a writer of history. According to reviews of your JFK love letter book, you made quite a few very obvious errors. In particular, what number president JFK was. How could you get that wrong? Everybody knows that.
And the right wing didn't assassinate JFK. There was a newspaper or two that went after JFK upon his arrival to Texas, but the people themselves showed up in droves for JFK and his wife Jackie, who as First Lady btw was never really happy in the White House as First Lady. She wasn't interested in American politics or her duties as First Lady, and was happiest traveling abroad during her White House years.
Greece, Italy, India, London, Paris, Vienna, etc.
She was enamoured with Europe and Europeans. Remember? A lot of her clothes were from French designers. And didn't JFK date a suspected spy? Was she Russian? I can't remember for sure. And his PT boat should never have been hit. His father saved JFK's hide on that one.
Barack Obama 2012.
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I'm sorry everybody. But I just can't be quiet about BS aimed at President Obama on 24/7 cable. It's high school stuff they're throwing out there.
Now they say he should be in DC dealing with this budget. Can't any adults in DC do anything without President Obama having to hold everybody's freakin' hand?
Grow up for Gsakes.
Beware President Obama supporters. Beware.
I just finished reading an article written last year about cable, and specifically about MSNBC and Phil Griffen. MSNBC are all about ratings and nothing else. Griffin actually said cable is all about white male anger. The middle class white male anger I will add. In other words, sports talk shows that cater to the guys who are always mad about something and will always be mad about something. They are selfish and self-centered and do not give a hoot about anyone but themselves.
So just like sports radio, MSNBC just generates white male anger, at our and our president and our nation's peril.
I guess no one else matters. Except white male anger. Which explains Buchanan, Matthews, Gregory, Finemann, and that stupid ex-gov. of Pennsylvania. It explains their love affair with Christie.
And then you have the women journalists who will cater to them - Andrea Mitchell (another Pennsylvanian) and that new lady Alex whatever her name is. She's awful.
Anyway, as the country grew tired of the GOP, MSNBC filled a viewer void with Keith Olbermann, who was able to intelligently and I might add sincerely lay out how bad the GOP has been over the years for our Nation.
But that's over. This is what Griffin said in the article:
And wisecracking, high-spirited Phil Griffin, though his patron Jeff Zucker is gone, and new bosses at Comcast are on the way, knows which side his bread is buttered on. “Barack Obama was good in the lead-up, but I do think that in life, in Paradise Lost, Satan comes across much better than God. Evil is always more interesting than good,” he says. “I’m not passing judgment. It’s just a fact.”
They are making our President our Satan now. One "progressive Lean Forward journalist" at a time.
Beware of what you see and hear. Evil is always more interesting than good. It just makes for better tv. Who needs the truth? Not their viewers evidently.
btw, President Obama had a great trip.
May I add a thank you to Mr. Griffin for stomping on the viewers who made MSNBC. Typical corporate hack.
WOW Pat!
Just WOW!
You need to post that daily around here & any place else you participate in!
I couldn't agree more about the daily MSNBC line-up. The only exception for me, is Martin Bashir.
He comes across as the real deal in my book. He was a little slow out of the gate but, has only gotten better with time! ;o)
Someone needs to knock Tweety down a step or too!
I'll start by NO longer tuning into his delusional, self-absorbed rants!
I'm just trying to picture Mitt "reving up",what's he doing,scotch taping his tassels to his loafers.....I am sure Peter Pander is studying BOTH sides of all issues,so when he flip flops at least he'll know what he's talking about....
cowboy, he sure needs to be able to flip flop better than he did in Ohio. And about "reving", I often wonder if he can rev up or if his favorite gear is 1st gear. Never have seen anyone as boring as he is. Unless he gets mad, For Pete's Sake
Pat, I think that I have said about a dozen times in regards to the super committee and the GOP whiners that say the president needs to be there, the should try today's technology. A person doesn't have to be in the same room to share ideas or even argue and pout!
A sex scandal would be the best thing for his campaign right now !!! Like...one time at band camp....I'm just sayin',it worked wonders for Hermy until he opened his mouth.....
I'm sure he will feel about as comfortable as a Mormon in Iowa.......Doh!!
DO YOU REALLY CARE ABOUT WHATS HAPPENING TO OUR COUNTRY ,Watch the video THE AGENDA -GRINDING AMERICA DOWN ( U-TUBE ) go to the information sites , Obama is their man , The Democratic party has become their party , the republicans are not innocent they have their people there as well , DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH
The internet is a wonderful thing...you can find ANYTHING you want on it......kinda like FOX news...
You tube, your home of real news. Exactly like Fox.
Yea,he forgot to mention that the "documentary"was narrated by Hank Williams Jr...." that dern obamer,he is like hitler playin golf"
Can you imagine being like,China....are you gonna take some guy named MITT seriously.....I'll take the guy that got Bin Laden and his buddies any old day of the week!!!
No Mitt Romney, but this was a really good debate, and I loved the format. So doees anyone think there was a clear winner?
POLL: Who won the 11/19/2011 Thanksgiving Family Forum GOP debate debate in Iowa?
Vote:
Romney is a truly great man and he will be the next President Of The United States Of America ! He is the moral equal of our founding fathers ! It is only the stupid , the bigoted , And the blind who refuse to acknowledge this reality . I truly feel sorry for people who can not or will not see greatness when it is right in front of them . It is time for people to grow up act like real American patriots and support our generation's Thomas Jefferson !