Way back on August 29th, I wrote an article detailing why I believed the Grand Old Party conceded the 2012 presidential election to current President Barack Obama during their party convention.
At the Tampa Bay Times Forum, each speaker who lifted their shoes to step to the dais during the RNC gave a grand articulation about Republicans, themselves and how they have aided the middle class and small business in the states and districts that they represent.
Oh, and Mr. Romney? He was a mere footnote.
Following that insipid assemblage, Romney promptly saw a full point bump in national polls. His train was slowing and now it may have finally come to a screeching halt.
This week, a recording was released of Governor Romney stating that those who vote for Obama are government dependent. Within that statement, Romney said that 47 percent of Americans will “vote for the president no matter what” and “47 percent…are dependent on government, who believe that, that they are victims…”
Thus, the 47 percent nation is born.
Oh, and Romney’s train is teetering on the edge of completely falling off of the tracks.
According to the latest Pew Research Poll, Obama has opened an 8 point lead nationally over Mr. Romney.
Which leads me to a listing of Romney’s most recent gaffes and why I believe his chances of occupying the White House are about as likely as…Well, about as likely as him occupying the White House.
Romney’s “I’m running for office, for Pete’s sake, I can’t have illegals” comment is the first that comes to mind.
Back during primary season, Romney was accused of hiring illegal aliens to mow his family’s lawn. When confronted by former presidential contender and Texas Governor Rick Perry, Romney said that he had never hired an illegal in his life.
The two went back and forth for a little while before Romney unleashed his now infamous “I’m running for office” comment.
It was the first of many slips that would come to define Romney and his train wreck of a campaign.
The second one deals with Palestine and their so-called lack of interest in peace. On the back of his comments regarding 47 percent of Americans and their nature of being victims, Romney made an interesting statement regarding Palestine and Israel.
He first said that Palestinians aren’t interested in peace with Israel and that trying to get Israel to agree to a two-state agreement with Palestine was “the worst idea in the world.”
Lastly, Romney made a visit to London for the Olympic Games and failed to put a gate around his words and tongue.
When asked about London’s preparedness for the games, Romney said that he saw a few “disconcerting” things regarding security and that it was “hard to tell how well it will turn out.”
In response to his comments, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, David Cameron, said that it is much easier to host games “in the middle of nowhere.” Cameron was speaking of the Salt Lake City games, where Romney was in charge.
If Romney isn’t having the worst week of his political career now, it may very well appear come the week ending November 10th.
To give further proof as to where some may be leaning, Russian political scientist Boris Mezhuyev recently published an editorial detailing why Russian leaders should choose Mr. Obama over Mr. Romney.
New Mexico Governor Susanna Martinez has distanced herself from Romney’s comments as well as Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown.
Besides his fellow party mates, Romney is also losing support with a key demographic: Women. Obama has a 19-point lead over Romney with women and that lead should grow.
In speaking with a fellow voter earlier today, she revealed to me that if the election were held before Romney’s 47 percent comments were leaked, he would have had her vote. Now she feels as if Romney is an elitist who cannot connect with everyday people.
That just may be game, set and match for Mr. Obama.
-JH
