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Subscribe to RSSMitt Romney may have a difficult time righting the trajectory of his campaign in Florida following a tough primary defeat in South Carolina, Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith said Monday.
"Right now, I think Romney is going to struggle in Florida. He may have the resource advantage going into this in terms of just the funding for an expensive state to run in," Smith said during an appearance on Andrea Mitchell Reports. "[But] you know Florida is funny, you go south to go north and you go north to go south. And in my neck of the woods, which is north Florida, I think people don’t relate very well to Romney, there’s a distance."
Although a protracted Republican primary race can arguably help the Democrats in the general election, Smith pointed to the former Massachusetts gvernor’s stance on immigration as a factor in his performance in the southern part of the state. South Florida has a large number of immigrants from the Caribbean and Cuba.
Specifically pointing out Romney’s opposition to the DREAM Act, a proposal that would provide a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children. Smith said Romney will find that “Florida is very different on the issue of immigration than some of the states he’s been campaigning in” and indicated that reaction to his stance on the issue may not be well received.
On President Obama’s chances in Florida during the general election, the state’s Democratic Party chairman was predictably more optimistic saying he’s never seen a more energized democratic base.
Despite an unemployment rate hovering around 10 percent, and a high number of housing foreclosures in the state, Smith said the economy is going in the right direction and the Florida electorate knows that.
“It’s going to be a slow recovery but people remember how we got here and where we were when we took office,” said Smith. “I look for him to do well in Florida.”
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And dude must know of what he speaks.
That last governor race didn't turn out so good for him, eh?
Why would those in a republican primary even care what the democrat chairman has to say about the matter? I know, MSNBC needed a fill in story with no bearing on anything, no reason for it coming out or necessity for it.
This is MSNBC Brian. Where else are their reporters going to go?
Point being this guy didn't seem to have a good handle on the electorate as a whole just a year ago.
But sure, now he must be an expert on the GOP.
I wonder what Cink is up to these days.
Hey BB---Why would a Republican even waste his or her time posting on First read when they must know us commie,, socialists, Kenyans could care less what opinions they spout?
If Romney can't make it in Florida he will have a tough time of it in any state. At least, as far as things go this week!
this Fla DEM predicts a tough time for Obama
He ain't the only one...
Mitt's strategy for 2012 as for 2008 was to sit on his lead and run out the clock: Four years ago, that strategy died in New Hampshire; this time round it died one state later. Congratulations! Years ago, I was chit-chatting with Arthur Laurents, the writer of West Side Story and The Way We Were and much else, about some show that was in trouble on the road that he'd been called in to "fix." "The trouble with a bad show," he sighed, "is that you can make it better but you can never make it good."
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/288873/man-who-gave-us-newt-mark-steyn
But in the last two weeks, Newt Gingrich has shown at least two of the Romney storylines to be myths- at least as to electability. And Newt accomplished this not with his double digit win in South Carolina, but with his attack on Romney's experience at Bain Capital, combined with Mitt's notable ideological flaws. .
While the GOP establishment has been busy denouncing Newt as promoting "class warfare" by his attacks on Mitt and Bain, they've missed the bigger picture issue that rank and file GOP voters have responded to: Mitt Romney's experience doesn't make him the anti-Obama. Rather, Mitt's Wall Street past, combined with his record as governor of Massachusetts, represent the alliance between government and business that has led to runaway spending no matter which side has been in power.
http://finance.townhall.com/columnists/johnransom/2012/01/23/romneys_crony_capitalism_problem/page/full/
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Hey SPANX!
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Good morning Spanky!
As to beating me up over my prediction on Monday, do you REALLY think THAT will be the loss everyone is talking about? Unlike my Giants (or any sports team) That IS a sure thing!
Giants 24-17
• !
#3.9 - Fri Jan 20, 2012 7:01 PM EST
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dangerfield,
Do you suppose Spanky knows how much the GOP governor of Florida is disliked? Even the Tea Party here isn't that taken with him anymore.
I only know that I apparently mistook Spanx for an honorable, honest man, who would be as quick to congratulate in DEFEAT as he would have been to gloat over a victory...live and learn...;-)
Defeat danger?
What did I lose, and who beat me?
As for your predictions - nice job. Very close to the actual scores. Great games too. I was hoping for a Pat/Giant rematch, and that's what we got.
Shows that it is ofter better to be lucky than good.
And of course the current gov was not well loved when he ran phinep, but still managed to win.
FLA is a tough state for dems given all the bad mortgages.
Spanky,
You just proved by your own words how little you know of Florida.
OK dangerfield - are the Giants gonna win the superbowl? You gotta have a prediction by now... LOL! Personally I hope they cream New England... the one team I absolutely hate.
I certainly am not expert in things FLA.
In fact I have not been there since the early '90s.
But it seems to be a tough state, or at least not an easy win for either party. Certainly Obama is no lock, unlike my great state where he literally cannot lose.
Oh and not to get techincal, but I think danger said Pats in a blowout.
I predict that I will be a tad inebriated by kick-off...
Spanx-
In my experience it is better to be LUCKY and GOOD!....
(Nice walk-back on your Florida analysis)
Spanky is either a Defense attorney or a catfish.
All I know for sure is I hope to see Brady flat on his back - a lot! Gotta love the Giants D!
dangerfield,
I will be smiling happily in my chair from all the adult beverages and food I will have consumed before kick off!
Victor Cruz is a hottie!..Oh, and he's a great player too.
I think I have it figured out. One is a bottom feeding scum-sucker and the other is a fish.
Spanky
You THINK? haha! I did, but so what?
Classy to a fault!
They won. Mitt lost. I nailed it and that's it...
Neither Tom.
But you know who is a defense attorney? Our very own Anna Molly.
Oh and you know who else? Elizabeth Warren. Yeah, it seems she used to represent some big insurance companies against cancer victims.
So don't be too hard on defense attorneys. I'm sure they mean well.
You bet danger - I think is as far as I'd go. It was the weekend. Let's just say I had a really good time.
Ouch Tom - so you are calling our very own Anna Molly a bottom feeder?
Shoot Tom, she's pulling in $250-$300 per hour. Not sure how you define bottom feeder, but I'm sure she has very good intentions.
Like Holder. Did you know his old firm used to represent all the big banks? Seems like some think that's why he has not gone after all the horrid practices of robo signing and foreclosing without proper documentation.
Might cause some discomfort to his old partners and who knows what he did for those same clients.
Oh and Tom - Steeler Fan is an attorney, as are both Obama. Fish or bottom feeders?
Spanky--- Point taken. You are the only scum-sucker I speak of.
We must look to Grimey for guidance. He's the only Republican in Florida we know!
Amy,
Depends on what part of the state he is in. Each part of the state seems to have a different view of each GOP candidate.
I agree phancy.... when it comes to politics in FL, it's very diverse. While J-ville is mostly conservative, WPB is overrun with liberals. The various ideologies seem to group together in geographic locations. You wanna swap houses? LOL
BB
We can always confuse everything with the I-4 corridor!
Phinephancy, It's always about the I-4 corridor.
Florida is different Phinephancy,
Part redneck Florida crackers, part jewish, part latino, repatriated New Yorkers and Chicagoans. Just a big strange mix. How do you stereotype something like Florida?? You can't.
J-E-B....
sitting in the catbird seat...
J-E-B
grinning like the cat who swallowed the canary! (And to think, he didn't have to do all that fund raising or endless debates)
No matter what happens tonight, Jeb is a winner. He called for Mitt to release his taxes, and Mitt is going to release something tomorrow. He has also preempted the high road by coming out against violating the 11th commandment (that "circular firing squad") He remains above, apart and behind that glass one breaks during an emergency...
Do you folks think Jeb can be evaluated on his own merits or will people have scary flashbacks to his brother?
Steeler,
One thing I do know for sure about Jeb, he is definitely the smart Bush. While I disagreed with him on a lot of things, he did go against his brother about protecting our beaches and saying "NO" to off shore drilling. And he really stepped up to the plate after all the '04 hurricanes (he actually helped my little cul-de-sac get our power back on with FPL)
Phinephancy, He is also widely recognized in the hispanic community. It would be an interesting twist to the race.
"Romulian Romney fights like a "Punchless Poodle!" The Vulcan half of his personality shows up in his boring unmotivated responses. The "Romulian" is already having a tough time, and in Florida his poltical life will be getting rougher. How tough has the "Romulian's" Bain Capital Policies been on hard Working Americans? Does the "Romulian" even understand how tough it is for unempleyed Americans? How tough was it for the "Romulian" to outsource American Jobs to other nations?? How tough was it for the "Romulian" to destroy companies? Destroy the Health Care of American Workers?? How tough was it for this Bain Trained Romulian to put profits over people?? These things are not tough at all for the "Romulian" to do. He enjoys being economically tough on those citizens that cannot defend themselves. That is fact!!
I like your Star Trek analogy PF.... rather unique and humorous.
An educated voter is the Republicans greatest fear. An informed citizen is their second most feared voter. The most dangerous voter is one from a minority population. Are there enough Evangelical heretics, life-long habituates, smug wealthy, Ditto Heads, and dirty tricks to win the general election?
If Willard Romney did NOT give his church 10% of his GROSS INCOME EACH year, he cheated his church…. and Gordon B. Hinckley WILL KNOW for sure !! OMG !
To be of good standing, all Mormons MUST tithe, or give 10 percent of their GROSS INCOME to the church.
Have you wonder WHY HE STUMBLES AND REFUSES TO SHOW THE LAST FEW YEARS OF HIS INCOME TAX RETURN?? 10% of any figure is EASY TO CALCULATE- WILLARD MAY BE DISGRACED !!
FORBES MAGAZINE IS REPORTING THE IRS IS GOING TO SEIZE HIS FOREIGN BANK ACCOUNTS IN THE CAYMANS for tax fraud and money laundering
GOOGLE IT .
Romney has been running for president for five years. He has promised to release his 2010 tax return. Dividends and just a little money from speaking ($375,000) are not the issue. His tax returns from his Bain years are being kept like top secret CIA files. He believes in transparency for only food and product packaging. Count on the Newt to make that an issue. Mitt will claim that Newt is in favor of transparency in women's clothing.
Progressive Power hearing about many reports of the tax fraud and money laundering done by the Bain Trained CEO "Romulian Romney." The IRS is getting all of the "Romulian's" Tax information together First, and then they will go over this "Troubling" Tax Issue for the Romulian. It is also being reported that this is exactly what the "Romulian" is nervous about, and what he is trying to hide at all costs.
Dems continue to campaign against Romney because they know he is the only threat. Newt would be a cake walk for the Dems.
Has anyone noticed how quiet gov Scott has been? After being shunned by Perry and sinking to the lowest approval rating in the country, he hasnt done much but give himself a makeover. There are some hard core tea party nuts in ne fl but the crowds have dwindled alot. Like Phinephancy, I have seen alot of signs for Paul. I just dont think the senior crowd here trusts Mitt when it comes to their social security and medicare.