by Fareed Zakaria, 9/26
As President Obama has surged in the polls, Republicans have been quick to identify the problem: Mitt Romney. Peggy Noonan eloquently voiced what many conservatives believe when she said that Romney’s campaign has been a “rolling calamity.” Others have been equally critical of his candidacy. And yet, shouldn’t it puzzle us that Romney is so “incompetent” (also from Noonan), given his deserved reputation for, well, competence? He founded one of this country’s most successful financial firms, turned around the flailing Salt Lake City Olympics and was a successful governor. How did he get so clumsy so fast?
In fact, the problem is not Romney but the new Republican Party. Given the direction in which it has moved and the pressures from its most extreme — yet most powerful — elements, any nominee would face the same challenge: Can you be a serious candidate for the general election while not outraging the Republican base?’
Fox News anchor Brit Hume got specific in his critique, saying this month that “Romney’s got the presidential bearing down. . . . What he [hasn’t done is] dwell at length on the economic policies that he would put in place.” Why won’t Romney, an intelligent man, fluent in economics, explain his economic policy? Because any sensible answer would cause a firestorm in his party.
So is this really the problem? It sounds like Mitt Romney isn’t the problem. but his political party is. The New Republicans who think they own the party have made it so divisive that no one can run for office and win. What is it going to take for Republicans to come together behind one candidate? Is it time for the various factions in the Republican party to form their own separate, ind
Funny…. Romney was behind but now tied…..
http://politics.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474981664435
And THAT is supposed to be an Obama surge?
I see that Fox is being balanced as opposed to the Obama cheering section in the other networks, though….that’s good to see. And Romney does need to step it up. But, I think that it doesn’t matter. Those that care, already know who they are voting for. The fact that this president, with his record, is above 30% is a horrible indictment on the press and on the judgement of the electorate.
Faux news just makes stuff up as they go along. What are they saying now?
I dont know what you are reading but the various polls are showing anywhere from 4-14 point spread.
I am one of those who believes polls are dangerous. They make people quit and they give others a false sense of security.
We shall see on election day.
I will point out the irony of MH saying Fox News made up something on a thread by a columnist who was suspended for making stuff up. Oh sweet sweet irony. You are a cruel twisted temptress.
It was an issue surrounding plagiarism. It was an unintentional omission which was isolated. He was reinstated. He was not accused of making stuff up.
That’s quite a stretch from a news organization that repeatedly makes up facts to support its point of view.
An excellent piece by Mr Zakaria. The republicans are going to get their butts whooped come fall. Maybe then they will figure out that they’re a party of extremist idiots.
There is still over a month to go — an eternity in politics. As Obama’s failures become undeniable even to the media, the race should tighten. The news today was that 2nd quarter GDP growth was revised downward to an annual rate of 1.3% and orders for durable goods fell by 13.2%. So the statistics do not support Obama’s statement in July that the economy is getting better.
@kelly_3406
And if you take the actual rate of inflation, including food and fuel, instead of the “core” rate put out by the BLS, the real GDP would be negative.