The Romney-bot bites the dust

It was just a week ago that Mitt Romney had a double-digit in the South Carolina polls. The presumed front-runner, who had been declared the winner of the first two contest (Iowa and New Hampshire), was about to run the table and lock up the nomination early.

But with tonight’s second-place finish in South Carolina — by an embarrassing 14 points — Romney could be looking at a long fight that he may not be able to win.

If nothing else, the fact that just over half of South Carolina voters said in exit polls that they made up their minds at the last minute shows just how fluid and restive the Republican electorate remains — a troubling sign for Mr. Romney that Mr. Gingrich is now poised to capitalize upon.

And after being so confident just 10 days ago — before its declared victory in Iowa was rescinded and Mr. Gingrich began his rise — the Romney campaign is now not only fighting the perception that Mr. Romney cannot consolidate broad support among conservative voters, but also at least one troubling fact of history: No Republican has gone on to win the party’s nomination without winning South Carolina since before 1980.

And even if he manages to snare the nomination, he will limp into this general election a wounded candidate knowing that he will likely face more attacks on his past — his days at Bain, his excessive wealth, his constantly shifting positions — that are also likely to be much more aggressive.

Ultimately, the primary fight offers a clear demonstration of the massive cracks in the Republican coalition and the party’s purging of moderates.

Author: hankkalet

Hank Kalet is a poet and freelance journalist. He is the economic needs reporter for NJ Spotlight, teaches journalism at Rutgers University and writing at Middlesex County College and Brookdale Community College. He writes a semi-monthly column for the Progressive Populist. He is a lifelong fan of the New York Mets and New York Knicks, drinks too much coffee and attends as many Bruce Springsteen concerts as his meager finances will allow. He lives in South Brunswick with his wife Annie. View all posts by hankkalet