Romney Campaign Declaring Cease Fire on Health Care
Source: National Journal
Romney Campaign Declaring Cease Fire on Health Care
By Josh Kraushaar
July 3, 2012 | 6:52 a.m.
In the aftermath of the Supreme Court health care ruling, the early conventional wisdom was that an unfavorable health care ruling at the court would be good for Republicans politically, even as it was a serious policy setback for conservatives. But that's not shaping up to be the case. Mitt Romney, after giving a brief statement decrying the decision, has been virtually silent on criticizing the health care law. He's been on vacation and his campaign has been giving off clear signals that it doesn't want to make health care a major part of the election.
His senior adviser, Eric Fehrnstrom, went on MSNBC Monday and ended up agreeing with the Obama campaign's spin that, even though the Supreme Court declared the individual mandate a tax, it really still is a penalty. Significantly, his campaign appears to want to take the most potent argument against the president on the health care subject off the table, likely out of fear the Romney himself is vulnerable when it comes to his health care record. He, after all, supported a mandate as governor of Massachusetts, and doesn't want that to be considered a tax, either.
For an issue that's supposedly potent against Democrats, Romney's campaign is declaring a cease fire. This, even as the law polls unfavorably and it proved to be a motivating force for Republicans and disaffected independents in the 2010 midterms.
It's becoming clear that Romney has decided to focus on the economy at the expense of everything else, even issues that could play to his political benefit. He's avoided criticizing the administration's handling of the botched Fast and Furious operation, even as it threatens to become a serious vulnerability for the president. He's been silent in responding to Obama's immigration executive order, not wanting to offend receptive Hispanics or appear like a flip-flopper. He appears more likely to tap a safe, bland running mate like Ohio Sen. Rob Portman or former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty who won't do him any harm but won't benefit him much either. If the economy continues to sputter, that safe strategy might be enough. If not, his options are limited.
Read more: http://decoded.nationaljournal.com/2012/07/romney-campaign-avoiding-healt.php
nobodyspecial
(2,286 posts)It's basically his plan that he previously championed. This would make Republicans figure why bother showing up and/or further cement the fact that he's an opportunist, changing his stances not on principle but on what will get him elected.
JaneQPublic
(7,113 posts)His best bet is to keep giving speeches and interviews where he uses lots of words but says nothing at all.
He's good at that.
BeyondGeography
(39,374 posts)Love,
Your Nominee
CanonRay
(14,101 posts)He's running out of crap.
Hugin
(33,141 posts)They're expendable, anyway. Up there in their animal carrier.
Better to lurk in the shadows where an already dismal Favorability rating can't be damaged, by, say, appearing in public.
justabob
(3,069 posts)It has been coming for some time, not just on health care. Many other issues are the same way, or will be soon, for the GOP.
demwing
(16,916 posts)This latest abortion profiteering/Bain tenure lying scandal has legs. Legs that kick.
Fozzledick
(3,860 posts)He just keeps getting caught off-guard and unable to respond to anything. Seems like this campaigning business is a lot harder than he thought it would be.
randome
(34,845 posts)They have no 'strategy'. They're all over the map. Trying to paint the Romney campaign as being deliberate and calculating is hilarious.
Festivito
(13,452 posts)That's just the old party line: Not saying anything useful at all.
bloomington-lib
(946 posts)They move so far to the right that their original ideas look liberal enough to pass.
Tx4obama
(36,974 posts)Romney Campaign Says No Ceasefire On Obamacare, Remains A Central Issue In The Campaign
Article here: http://www.mediaite.com/online/romney-campaign-says-no-ceasefire-on-obamacare-remains-a-central-issue-in-the-campaign/