Romney Ruined?

The lead article in today’s New York Times, “Tightening Race is Abrupt Blow to Romney Team,” describes the almost unbelievable turnaround in the Republican presidential primary in South Carolina.

Just a week or so ago, Romney appeared to be the odds-on favorite to win and complete a three-contest sweep, for the first time ever. Then, the Iowa Elections Board declared Santorum the winner in that primary where Romney was previously touted as the leader by eight votes. And Gingrich began his super PAC attack ads on Romney’s tenure as CEO of Bain Capital.

Since then, Gingrich has excelled at televised debates while Romney has hemmed and hawed about releasing his tax returns. And the ability of Gingrich to pivot on a question about his ex-wife, to transform it into an attack on the media, was nothing short of masterful.

Now Gingrich is ahead in the polls, and the Romney camp has switched to a long-term strategy, to grind it out in the hunt for delegates. Romney still possesses the lead in organizational strengths, but then so did Hillary Clinton in her battle with Barack Obama.

The candidates are already starting to look ahead beyond Florida (January 31) to Nevada (February 4). I’m glad not to be living in those states where the citizens will be bombarded by ads day and night.