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Paul Begala: Romney’s Dixie Debacle in Mississippi and Alabama Primaries
The Daily Beast ^ | March 13, 2012 | Paul Begala

Posted on 03/14/2012 8:19:39 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet

One of the great legends of political consulting is the Dog Food Problem: an apocryphal tale of a company that had the best packaging, the best advertising, the best marketing. But there was only one problem: the dog wouldn't eat it. Forevermore we should no longer call it a Dog Food Problem. We should call it a Mitt Romney Problem.

In truth Romney is still probably the most likely GOP nominee. He has the most money, the best organization, the most endorsements, and the best hair. There is only one thing wrong with the Mitt Romney campaign: Mitt Romney. If he were smart he would do nothing but run ads and run away. Let the very impressive Ann Romney do the person-to-person campaigning, because the hard truth is the more voters see Mitt Romney, the less they like him.

Before the polls closed on election day, the oh-so-smug millionaire arrogantly dismissed the plucky former Pennsylvania senator, telling CNN's Wolf Blitzer that Santorum is a politician at the "desperate end" of his campaign. Instead, it was Romney and his team who were desperately trying to explain away their debacle in Dixie.

Mitt Romney is certainly cheesy, but it's Rick Santorum who has the grit. Santorum was outspent five-to-one by Team Romney in 'bama and two-to-one in Mississippi. Romney's Super PAC hammered the former Pennsylvania senator unrelentlessly (as George W. Bush might say). Romney locked up the endorsement of Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant, and with it the powerful machine of former Governor Haley Barbour. And yet he came in third.

When will politicians learn that "electability" is not a compelling reason to vote for a presidential candidate? Hillary Clinton's campaign ran aground on the shallow shoals of "electability," and now Romney's yacht has done the same. Turns out that when you write "Surrender, Dorothy" across the sky, Dorothy actually doesn't surrender. In fact, it makes her even more determined to resist.

(VIDEO AT LINK)

In his victory speech, Santorum cemented his David versus Goliath narrative, proclaiming, "In spite of all the money that's been spent—all the money—and all the support of the establishment, you stood with the grandson of a coal miner who is always gonna fight for you." Santorum's passion, like his conservatism, is authentic. Perhaps that's why he has been able to overcome Romney's massive advantages in cash and establishment endorsements.

What's even more impressive, Santorum beat Romney despite Newt Gingrich claiming a substantial chunk of the conservative vote. If Santorum had been able to face Romney one-on-one it would have been a wipeout. Republican mandarins will likely tug on their beards and call for Gingrich to exit the race. They should be careful what they wish for.


TOPICS: Alabama; Mississippi; Campaign News; Parties
KEYWORDS: begalasalyingwhore; gingrich; kenyanbornmuzzie; mittromney; mittwonmostdelegates; newt; newtgingrich; ricksantorum; romney; santorum

1 posted on 03/14/2012 8:19:49 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

I don’t like Begala, but he’s pretty much on the mark here.


2 posted on 03/14/2012 8:24:37 PM PDT by ChildOfThe60s (If you can remember the 60s....you weren't really there)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Begala - Santorum beat Romney despite Gingrich winning a chunk of the conservative vote. If Santorum had faced Romney one-on-one, it would have been a wipeout.

We see the Forehead thinks Newts playing the c block to Romney in favor of Santo.

3 posted on 03/14/2012 8:29:35 PM PDT by Red Steel
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To: Red Steel

Begala? What’s next, Chomsky?


4 posted on 03/14/2012 8:33:50 PM PDT by JmyBryan
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

“Cheesy Grits” isn’t a dish from the deep south. Best stay away from terms until you get it right.


5 posted on 03/14/2012 8:37:17 PM PDT by eyedigress ((Old storm chaser from the west)/?)
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To: JmyBryan

Begala is not the only one that thinks this. A few and some polling data I heard quoted say that Romney would get a large percentage of the general Gingrich voters, but I doubt that represents FReepers.


6 posted on 03/14/2012 8:40:10 PM PDT by Red Steel
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To: JmyBryan

Exactly, Begala is part of a filthy phalanx of excrement that oozed out of the Clinton scum house to hurt people, especially women and to advance a destructive far left attack on America.

You don’t have to like Romney but Paul Begala is the enemy of all that is good.


7 posted on 03/14/2012 8:41:07 PM PDT by Williams (Honey Badger Don't Care)
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To: ChildOfThe60s
I don’t like Begala, but he’s pretty much on the mark here.

The democrats don't want Romney to win and the republicans don't want Romney to win. That's weird.

8 posted on 03/14/2012 8:45:22 PM PDT by oldbrowser (They are Marxists, don't call them democrats)
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Comment #9 Removed by Moderator

To: Williams
>>> "You don’t have to like Romney but Paul Begala is the enemy of all that is good." <<<

Yeppers. Begala was, among other things, Clinton's butt boy. He probably still uses a couple tubes of Preparation H every day. Plus, he no doubt has a few dozen 'stained' shirts and ties hidden in his closet, that he fantasize's over.

10 posted on 03/14/2012 9:59:39 PM PDT by jmax (SLUTS AND HO's LIKE MAKING IT ON SLEEP NUMBER BEDS)
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To: oldbrowser

I understand James Carville is working for the Romney campaign.


11 posted on 03/14/2012 10:47:28 PM PDT by SatinDoll (No Foreign Nationals as our President!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Mitt Romney is certainly cheesy, but it's Rick Santorum who has the grit.

Okay, that's a pretty good line.

12 posted on 03/14/2012 10:56:20 PM PDT by Yardstick
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