What Happens if Romney Loses?

Today, the media and pollsters are to blame for Mitt Romney's political troubles, according to Romney's fans. But if Romney loses, blame will quickly shift to the candidate himself, his shortcomings, and his ability to articulate a conservative vision for the country.

And the fallout from a Romney loss has the potential to reverberate through the Republican Party for a decade.

One can imagine the thought process: Romney, the moderate Massachusetts flip-flopper, was insufficiently clear in articulating the views of the conservative movement and allowed his own shortcomings to distract from the cause, both of beating Obama and of advancing the agenda.

The blame game has already begun in some quarters. The anger within the activist class has already caused political casualties, from Utah?s Bob Bennett to Indiana?s Richard Lugar. It has also forced incumbent Republicans to change their tune, in hopes of avoiding the same fate.

If Republicans do lurch to the right, history suggests they will be vindicated in the near-term. By 2016, Republicans searching for a presidential nominee may incorporate two lessons from the previous two election cycles into their decision: 2012 will hint that moderates unable to articulate the most conservative vision can't win nationally, and 2014 will show conservatives can win. That would seem to buoy any of the more conservative candidates who might run for president.

The reinvention of the Republican Party that has been underway since the end of George W. Bush's term is far from complete. Romney's loss would make the violence of the internal struggle all the more dramatic; it would steal influence from those arguing for a middle path, and hand influence to the conservative factions already on the ascent. Read more

?Reid Wilson, Hotline editor-in-chief

NATIONAL JOURNAL?S PRESIDENTIAL RACE REPORT

Election Year Economies: All How You Look At It
[National Journal, 9/27/12] Both Obama and Romney have cherry-picked statistics to suggest their own economic plan will result in growth, but whoever wins may have a problem: If wrong, the victor will have both destroyed his credibility and failed to solve the problem voters care most about.

In 1985, Romney Said Bain Would ?Harvest? Companies for Profit
[Mother Jones, 9/27/12] The left-leaning magazine has obtained a video from 1985 in which Romney explains that Bain?s goal is to identify potential and hidden value in companies, buy significant stakes in these businesses, and then ?harvest them at a significant profit.?

Romney?s New Message: I Care
[National Journal, 9/27/12] Romney launched a new charm offensive on Wednesday meant to appeal directly to those who were turned off by his 47 percent comments. The message takes a page out of the 1992 George H.W. Bush playbook: I care.

Samuel L. Jackson?s Expletive-Filled Obama Ad NEW!
[Business Insider, 9/27/12] The web ad, released by the Jewish Council on Research and Education, features the actor warning against a Romney presidency. ?I strongly suggest you wake the f--- up,? he intones. ?

Super PACs Finally a Draw for Democrats
[New York Times, 9/26/12] Democratic super PACs are finally drawing the kind of wealthy donors who have already made GOP outside groups a pivotal force in the campaign. But the money is not coming from the expected places, like gay donors and wealthy liberals ? it?s coming from the party?s traditional, pre-Obama sources like trial lawyers, unions, and Hollywood.

Netanyahu to Press for Iran ?Red Line? in U.N. Speech
[Reuters, 9/27/12] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will argue for the need for the international community to set a ?red line? for Iran?s nuclear program in his U.N. speech on Thursday. As Netanyahu, a longtime friend and former colleague of Romney, pressures the president in an election-year campaign, the speech is aimed as much at Obama as the U.N.

Electoral Drama Shifts to Ohio
[Wall Street Journal, 9/27/12] Romney went back to basics ? vowing to cut the deficit and revive manufacturing jobs, while pushing his tax plan ? and Obama tailored his message to issues that resonate locally ? trade with China and the auto bailout ? as both candidates rolled into the crucial swing states. ?

China Issue Fires Up Crowds in Ohio
[National Journal, 9/26/12] Ohio has become the main presidential battleground over the last few weeks, particularly on China?s trade practice ? and Obama is now surging in Buckeye State polls. NJ?s Coral Davenport writes that this could be due to Ohio?s Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown?s advocacy of protectionist bills against China.

Opinion: Romney Looking to Make Up Ground in Ohio
[Washington Post, 9/26/12] The Post?s Dan Balz writes that Obama and Romney?s separate appearances in Ohio on Wednesday highlighted the changing trajectories of the race: Obama looked to seize on his advantages and drive them forward, while Romney hoped to provide a shot of energy to his flailing campaign.

Absentee Voting Under Way in Virginia
[Richmond Times-Dispatch, 9/27/12] As the candidates head to Virginia on Thursday, absentee voting is now under way in the state for those who meet certain criteria. So far, data shows in-person absentee voting may outpace the early days of absentee voting in the 2008 election. ??

Republicans Intensify Drive to Win Over Jewish Voters
[New York Times, 9/26/12] The Republican Jewish Coalition, backed mostly by Zionist and casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, has begun spending $6.5 million on an effort to reach Jewish voters who may view Obama as unreliable on Israel, particularly focused on South Florida, Ohio, and Nevada.

A Young Mitt Romney?s Other Mission: Romance
[Time, 9/27/12] A surprisingly adorable photo from 1968 shows a rarely-seen personal side of the candidate. ?

Freeing Paul Ryan?
[New York Post, 9/26/12] Many in the business community fear it may be much too little, way too late for Paul Ryan to change the Romney campaign?s vision. The Romney camp has been fielding calls from business leaders demanding to know why Ryan hasn?t delivered the dose of testosterone they believe the ticket needs to win.

Romney Cites Massachusetts Health Care Law as Sign of Empathy
[Boston Globe, 9/26/12] Romney cited his much-discussed record in shepherding the Massachusetts health care law as a sign of his empathy for all people ? even though up till this point Romney has largely stayed away from his ties to the law some say was a model for Obamacare.

Obama Pitches Platform in New Two-Minute Ad
[National Journal, 9/27/12] The Obama campaign on Thursday released a new two-minute television ad, during which Obama, speaking directly to the camera, lays out his platform on issues ranging from the national debt to education.

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Source: http://news.yahoo.com/happens-romney-loses-093649572--politics.html

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