A wild card awaiting Romney (Gergen / CNN)

[pinto]

Despite his political affiliations, I think Gergen is a pretty articulate and knowledgeable commentator on national politics. ~ pinto

By David Gergen, CNN Senior Political Analyst
updated 10:56 AM EST, Wed January 11, 2012

If our politics weren't so fluid and volatile, one would think, now that the votes are tallied in New Hampshire, that the race for the Republican nomination is virtually over. But for better and worse, we are living in a new era.

<snip>

So, by the normal rules of politics, Romney holds a commanding position heading into the next primary on the docket, coming up in South Carolina on January 21. Someone has to beat him there or it's game over.

But -- and this may be a significant but -- there is a new wild card in play: a PAC supporting Newt Gingrich allegedly has enough money and enough buys to pour in $3.5 million worth of negative advertising against Romney in the next 10 days. As their blood feud heats up, the Gingrich forces clearly hope to destroy Romney as effectively as they believe the Romney PAC destroyed Gingrich with a barrage of negative advertising in Iowa.

Can a huge block of ads in a small media market, trashing Romney as a predatory buyout tycoon, do to Romney what the candidates haven't been able to do on their own -- bring him down?

http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/11/opinion/gergen-romney-wild-card/index.html?hpt=op_t1

[Sherman A1]

1. The next 2 weeks will be interesting.

In a twisted sort of way.

[wandy]

2. Go Newt! Like watching a man do what he does best.

Gosh November is going to be all reruns.

[JDPriestly]

3. This will test Citizens' United's impact.

I think Romney will lose some advantage. The unemployment rate in South Carolina is higher, much higher than it is in New Hampshire. People in South Carolina will be more receptive to the ads against Romney's job-destroying career at Bain.

[pinto]

6. Yep. Seems a likely scenario. (nt)

[barbtries]

4. just think how pretzelated gingrich will be

after that. ha

[roguevalley]

5. Newt won't quit and here is my opinion why beyond he's a vengeful kind of guy.

He decided to become respectable. He converted to Catholicism, likes it and has a family going on. He's comfortable in his wealth and feels his oats. Ego to the bone. He decided to run his campaign in Iowa, which surprised him because of shooting up to 31% in keeping with his new image: respectful, upbeat, not negative. He has this new image in place that he believes. He got gutted. That surprised him and that is the source of all his anger. He kept talking about how he was amazed that they all acted that way to him. They didn't respond to his new image of himself, one he truly believed he now was. Now its on. This is for blood.

[pinto]

7. Agree. His professorial persona is a front, for the most part. His agenda is something else.

It's Gingrich.

[Lisa D]

9. I agree.

His goal now is to take down Romney no matter what the consequences may be for the republicans.

[roguevalley]

11. If he can do that I think he feels he is the next most electable candidate and

can take Mitten's place. Delusion aside, who else could do that if Mitt fails and he will be BRUTALIZED in the south. Mormon, dickishness, looks like the guy who fired your dad. All of it for the next several months. That guy who is bankrolling Newt is looking for return on his investment and he thinks Newt can do it. No matter what happens, Mitt falls and Obama benefits the most.

[TheCowsCameHome]

10. He'll fight right down to his last ounce of fat,

which means he's in for the long haul.

I'm lovin' this - two smug (R's) in a battle to the death.

[TheCowsCameHome]

8. GOP $$$ being burned like a forest fire - Priceless.

Spend, baby, spend.

[MjolnirTime]

12. Now I have some inkling of the glee Repukes must have had watching Hillary and Obama go at it.

[Bake]

13. Newt is dangerous to have as an enemy.

I don't mean a political rival, I mean a PERSONAL ENEMY. And Romney is at the top of that list for Newtie.

Oh yes, there will be blood.

Aint' it cool?

Bake