Why Romney Lost

Townhall ^ | 08/08/2013 | Jack Kerwick

[SeekAndFind]

In his latest book, Collision 2012, Dan Balz, a Washington Post writer, expresses his incredulity over “the inability” of Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign to “humanize” its candidate.

This is one reason why, in Balz’s estimation, Romney lost the 2012 election to Barack Obama.

Yet there are two other reasons that he supplies to account for Romney’s defeat. The one pertains to the “technically superior” character of his rival’s campaign. The other is in regard to Romney’s “ambivalence” concerning his bid for the presidency.

The first thing that should be noted is that if Romney’s consultants had difficulty in “humanizing” their man, it’s because those at places like the Washington Post were more determined to see to it that he was dehumanized. This, after all, is exactly what their man, Obama, wanted.

Second, as far as technical finesse goes, if there were differences between the campaigns, they were negligible: Obama was more successful in conveying his message because of the ubiquitous and overwhelming media bias that sought to dehumanize his opponent.

As for Blaz’s third contention, it is superfluous to note Romney’s “ambivalence” toward his political fate, for Romney is a Republican and Republicans, as a rule, can be counted upon to act as if they are ambivalent toward the political fate of their party. However, of the three reasons that Blaz submits for Romney’s misfortunes, this is the only one that takes.

It is not, as many “conservative” media personalities insist, that Romney is a “RINO” (Republican-In-Name-Only). It isn’t that he is a “moderate.” And it certainly isn’t that he is “too far to the right,” as those in the Democrat-friendly press maintain.

Though more difficult to accept, the truth is far less dramatic, and much more simple, than any of these fictions.

And the truth is that Romney lost to Obama because he is just another typical Republican.

To see that this is so, we need only ask ourselves: Politically—that is to say, substantively, not stylistically—how is Romney any different from, say, John McCain and George W. Bush? For that matter, with the exception of Ron Paul, how is Romney any different from any of his competitors in the GOP presidential primaries of 2008 and 2012?

The answer is obvious: Romney is not at all significantly different from any of his colleagues.

Not unlike the Bushes and McCains of the world, Romney generously pays lip service to the standard GOP slogan of “limited government” and its ancillaries. And, not unlike the Bushes and McCains, he favors a robust, activist military to reinforce America’s “exceptionalism” around the globe.

In other words, Romney, like his fellow partisans past and present, appears at best incoherent—Big Military, being Big Government, is radically incompatible with “limited government.”

At worst, he seems dishonest, talking one way out of one side of his mouth while talking an entirely different way out of the other.

Yet there is more.

We now know that the GOP has been hemorrhaging white voters for the last two presidential election cycles. While Romney needed 46 percent more of the Hispanic vote to win, had he garnered only three or four percent more of the white vote and he would’ve won comfortably.

Many of these same whites who are now cold toward the Republican Party weren’t always so. Having experienced what they rightly take as one too many betrayals, they have either sat out the last couple of elections or they have cast protest votes.

Interestingly, the disenchantment with the GOP that has overcome ever-growing numbers of the conservative and libertarian-minded is the mirror image of the disinterest of independents and others in it. For those on the right, Republicans’ rhetoric is fine and good; it’s their Big Government policies that are the problem. For those in the center and on the left, it is primarily Republicans’ rhetoric that frightens them.

Mitt Romney exemplified the contradictions of his party. Thus, their dilemma became his.

This is why Romney lost the race for the White House of 2012.

[Sacajaweau]

Demographics....

[Mr. K]

because he didnt have the balls of someone like Sarah palin

[DManA]

Talk like us, rule like them - worst of both worlds. Good job Karl.

For those on the right, Republicans’ rhetoric is fine and good; it’s their Big Government policies that are the problem. For those in the center and on the left, it is primarily Republicans’ rhetoric that frightens them.

[Yosemitest]

Someone once wrote:

"Stolen?
Then you should get right on this and prove it."

First watch 8 minutes 16 seconds of video titled Romney defeated Obama - if not for voter fraud.

Then ... read and think about this. Someone wrote:

"I believe there was voting fraud,
but that it was not the reason Romney lost.
Even without fraud he would still have lost. "

I don't completely agree.

Someone said, "We’re not victims or battered wives as someone else suggested"
Playing the victim? Really?

Yes we had a weak field.
Only about 38 percent of the Republicans supported Romney in the Primary.
So 62 percent voted AGAINST "Establishment Republican" Romney.
Who was it that dumped all those negative adds on Conservative Candidates in the primary?
Who was it that constantly battered each leading Conservative in the primary with an average of three to one negative ads against our real candidates?
Who's money was dumped against the conservative choices?

Victim? Do you really believe that Romney got ZERO votes in 68 Precincts?

Odd? Romney Got ZERO Votes In 59 Precincts in Philly, and 9 Precincts in Ohio

Do you really believe it was an accident that when some people voted for Republican candidate Mitt Romney, the machine appeared to change it to the Democrat candidate Barack Obama?

I believe there WAS ENOUGH Voter Fraud to throw the 80 Electoral College Votes from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Florida.
I also believe that had Romney SAVAGED Obama, like he SAVAGED the Conservatives that ran against him in the Primary,
Romney would have gotten more votes in the General election.
So yes, it's Romney's fault, but there WAS ENOUGH VOTER FRAUD to steal the election for Obama.

Why Are N.C. Early Voting Machines Changing Romney Votes to Obama?

More Electronic Voting Machines Changing Romney Votes to Obama: We Looked Into It and Here’s What a Vendor Told Us

Do you really believe that Democrats didn't intentionally vote more than once for Obama?

Read more: Voter watchdog says it's uncovered absentee ballot fraud in Florida, New York

Denying being a victim of voter fraud doesn't help.
But getting the criminal enterprise of the Obama Judicial System to prosecute the guilty who stole this election, is a lost cause.
Remember, it doesn't matter who has the votes, it matters who COUNTS the votes.

Obama ordered ACORN Steals Votes For him during presidential run.



"It's not the people who vote that count.
It's the people who COUNT the votes."


(Josef Stalin)

URGENT: ELECTION FRAUD VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN WI, OH, PA, VA, FL

Maker of Unskewed Polls Creates ‘Obama Voter Fraud’ Map — See Which States He Thinks Should’ve Been Romney’s

Why There Won’t Be a Presidential Recount

None Dare Call it Stolen Ohio, the election, and America’s servile press

www.unskewedpolls.com

Black States = States Obama won by Voter Fraud. Click the state for more information.

Voter Turnout figures for 2012 indicate possible voter suppression and fraud

Vote Scamming in Philadelphia

Vote Scamming in Cleveland

Was Virginia won by vote fraud?

Vote Scamming in Florida

Question: Should President Romney Pardon Treasonist Barack Hussein Obama II, a.k.a. Barry Soetoro ?

Romney might have won, but with Obama's Criminals running the "Justice Department", they'll never admit Romney won.

Black States = States Obama won by Voter Fraud. Click the state for more information.

Photo Credit: Barackofraudo.com

[GraceG]

because he didnt have the balls of someone like Sarah palin

Bingo!

Sarah has a pair of Ov’s on her that would make the manliest man go winmper in a corner!

They are made of titanium and backed up by a crystal diamond spine!

[Trapped Behind Enemy Lines]

exactly!

[cdcdawg]

same reason that GHW Bush lost, and Bob Dole lost, and John McCain lost, and Gerald Ford lost...

[Antoninus]

Yup. White voter here who is now cold toward the GOP because the party has failed to advance conservative issues in any meaningful way over the past 12 years. Meanwhile, our opponents make huge strides, some even with the help of our supposed allies in the GOP.

That sort of track record will dampen anyone's ardor for a political party.

[nascarnation]

All of those “fraud” states have Republican SoS, right?

[Trapped Behind Enemy Lines]

Romney’s biggest mistake:

Not playing Bruce Springteen’s song, “Born in the USA” out on the campaign trail at every stop.

[Vaquero]

HE LOST THE REPUBLICAN BASE

yes, I am yelling, sorry, sue me.

[BenLurkin]

[Windflier]

"It is not, as many “conservative” media personalities insist, that Romney is a “RINO” (Republican-In-Name-Only)."

Yeah, it is. The reason Romney lost, is because he's a liberal, plain and simple.

Some folks still insist upon blaming Romney's loss on Republican voters, but the fact is, many of them took a hard look at his record and realized that the GOP-e was trying to sell them a Democrat In All But Name Only.

Had our nominee been a reasonably passable conservative, he (or she) would have beat Obama soundly.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Obama turned out the low-info voter (particularly minorities and single women under 30 who are terrified by Rush Limbaugh) twice in a row, in defiance of all previous turnout models.

If this is the New Normal we are all SOOOOOOOO SCROOOOOOOD!!

[Colonel Kangaroo]

In other words, Romney, like his fellow partisans past and present, appears at best incoherent—Big Military, being Big Government, is radically incompatible with “limited government.”

Amen to that. Robert Taft, a real conservative, looks better every day. The Cold War is over, time to revert to our conservative non-intervention inclinations.

[Jeff Chandler]

"Where the white votes at?"

[captnorb]

Confusion? Which picture is Crowley?

[Yosemitest]

SoS? I'm lost.
I don't understand the abbreviation, but I'm thinking "same ole' $hit"

[Don Corleone]

Romney NEVER had a chance. He was out organized, out financed, and out maneuvered at every turn. Especially when half of his own party wasn’t in favor of his nomination. JMHO but the next presidential election will be fought under the same handicap unless the Republicans wise up and wise up fast.

[stephenjohnbanker]

” The reason Romney lost, is because he’s a liberal, plain and simple. “

Nuff said

[Cicero]

“Betrayals,” yes.

But this guy never even touches on what some of those betrayals were.

Romney was pro-abortion, despite his denials. He was pro-gay-marriage. He was pro government spending. And he didn’t give a damn that Obama won with the help of massive voter fraud, as well as Romney’s complete failure to attack Obama where it would have hurt. He attacked the conservatives in the primary, but then he shut up and closed down his campaign after he won the primaries.

The voter fraud in certain cities was massive, undeniable, and widely known even before election day was over. What did Romney do in response? Nothing.

[Jeff Chandler]

A Tale Of Two Fatties

[nascarnation]

Secretary of State

the govt official at the state level who is in charge of election oversight

George Soros began a program to elect Dems to this position in states around the country (termed the SoS Project).

It backfired bigtime resulting in the election of Republicans in many states, including the “black” ones shown here.

[bobo1]

I will disagree with the analysis on one point.

The evangelical vote is important. If Romney believes in such a fantasy as mormanism, what other lies will he believe in?

I voted for Romney, but, in the evangelical realm, the pubs nominated a religious imposter.

Blessings.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

He didn’t get the base.

[Yosemitest]

I remember now.
But like McCain, don't you think a lot of those were Democrat plants, calling themselves Republicans (RINOs) ?

[GeorgeWashingtonsGhost]

Romney lost not because of anything HE did or didn't do, but because of the CRIMINAL ACTIVITY his opponent engaged in.

0bama used Facebook user information ILLEGALLY, in violation of the CFAA (Computer Fraud & Abuse Act). Mark Zuckerberg is complicit by allowing 0bama access to proprietary and confidential Facebook user's data and statistics. 0bama ILLEGALLY used the IRS for political purposes, suppressing the Republican vote by stonewalling Tea Party/conservative group's applications. Lois Lerner was his henchwoman in this task. The FEC was also involved in illegal IRS activity, by order of 0bama. 0bama ordered Eric Holder to vigorously challenge ANY State law which made voter fraud more difficult, such as Voter ID Laws. Holder SUED many States, applying pressure to keep the flood gate of voter fraud open, not closed. Holder was also ILLEGALLY spying on Fox News and other conservative players to learn of Romney strategies and schedule for the purpose of successfully countering them ahead of time. 0bama used the NSA ILLEGALLY for his re-election campaign, cultivating intelligence data on the opposition's plans (makes Watergate look TRIVIAL), spying on Emails, phone calls, Internet activity of the Romney camp and gathering data on voters aimed at targeting the opposition and growing voter fraud. Romney's ORCA computer network to be used for campaign purposes FAILED the night of the election. Who killed ORCA? 0bama's NSA probably killed ORCA. 0bama committed numerous serious crimes and there are even more we don't know about. Throw a few Benghazi LIES into the mix and voila!

Romney lost because his opponent is a Chicago thug with no moral compass who engaged in numerous FEDERAL CRIMES, INCLUDING VOTER FRAUD and other illegal activity to ensure his re-election. The entire Team 0bama SHOULD be in a Federal prison for their crimes, but instead are running the country for another three horrific years.

[Uncle Miltie]

RomneyCare

[dfwgator]

He lost because he sucked.

[Atlas Sneezed]

” The reason Romney lost, is because he’s a liberal, plain and simple. “

---

Run two liberals against each other, and the better liberal will win.

[Sopater]

Who?

[Buckeye McFrog]

The Dems did use his Mormonism against him in subtle and below-the-belt ways.

For example that bumper sticker claiming to portray “Romney’s View of Traditional Marriage” which was one male stick figure + three female ones.

That mysteriously turned up on walls and telephone polls around churches just before the election.

I am sure many older voters coming out of my Catholic church saw that and assumed that Mitt was actively practicing polygamy. There is no bottom to the level the Dems will stoop to in order to win.

[Jeff Chandler]

2014 Republican Candidate

[Rusty0604]

Even though Romney was not the ideal candidate, I think enough conservatives voted for “anyone but Obama” and enough independents had enough of Obama’s anti-business and socialism. Obama won by fraud.

[Yosemitest]

How would a Secretary of State find out about crooked poll officials and city ballot officials throwing republican ballots in the trash ?
The Secretary of State would probably never know until well after the ILLEGAL ALIEN IN CHIEF had been sworn into office.

[Jeff Chandler]

2014 2016

[Rusty0604]

The only reason that the media didn’t talk about Romney’s great-grandfather practicing polygamy is because Obama’s father was a polygamist.

[stephenjohnbanker]

” He lost because he sucked.”

Uh....yeah.

[Yosemitest]

I agree.

[bobo1]

That is true.

However, the DOC supports this (polygomy), although the BOM does support it.

The truth is, pubs should not nominate a morman. Anyone that believes in this nonsense will not receive a vote from those that are Bible believers, or believe in families.

[stephenjohnbanker]

” Even though Romney was not the ideal candidate, I think enough conservatives voted for “anyone but Obama” and enough independents had enough of Obama’s anti-business and socialism. Obama won by fraud.”

We lost 4+ million conservative /Christian voters.

A very rich, very liberal, Mormon is the worst person we could have run. Obama sucked for 4 years. He should have lost easily, fraud or no fraud.

[GeorgeWashingtonsGhost]

I’m a bit shocked that any FReeper would overlook the degree to which 0bama engaged in ‘abuse of power’ to win re-election. Looking at ANYTHING Romney did or didn’t do is USELESS. With our entire government (NSA, DOJ, IRS, EPA, FEC, etc.) and the news media working 24/7 to PIMP for 0bama, Ronald Reagan would’ve lost against 0bama.

[Thunder90]

There are five reasons that Obama beat Romney
1. Obama had a far superior ground game in GOTV, including the use of microtargeting and social media data-mining strategies.
2. Romney did not keep up the pressure on Obama after the first debate, and fizzled in the 2nd and 3rd debates.
3. Hurricane Sandy, and the aftermath. Romney still had momentum after the debates, but lost it all due to Sandy and Obama’s response, and MSM coverage of it. Furthermore, Romney and the GOP significantly curtailed campaign activities for the week surrounding the storm while the Democrats went into overdrive.
4. Too many down ticket weak candidates. Akin and Thompson are the few that come to mind.
5. No effective strategy to counter the MSM’s outright bias for Obama and the Democrats.

[stephenjohnbanker]

” There are five reasons that Obama beat Romney”

Just one....Romney.

[GeorgeWashingtonsGhost]

"Obama had a far superior ground game.."

If you consider illegally using Facebook data, the IRS, the FEC, the DOJ, and the NSA as campaign headquarters then, so.. Yeah right. "Superior"??? Obama had an egregiously criminal ground game and should be in federal prison.

The IRS scandal is 10x more serious than Watergate because it deterred Republicans from getting donors. I don't consider 'superior' as the proper label for brazen and widespread federal crimes committed by an incumbent president.

[Count of Monte Fisto]

Romney deliberately took a dive just like Juan McLame took a dive in 2008. Romenycare didn’t want to be President, per his son, ran a phoney campaign, sabotaged his own supporters, and said nothing about Obama’s election fraud. Obama is so terrible, so disliked, such a talentless, worthless, meritless punk that it took the combined efforts of the Obama and Romney machines to get Barry back into the White House.

[BuddaBudd]

Nice guy finishes last,,,, again

[catnipman]

Romney lost because he played the nice guy. I personally could have come up with a dozen TV ads that would have gotten almost ANY Republican candidate elected against Obama.

[Boogieman]

Didn’t read the article I guess.