Mitt Romneys Big Butthurt

While I am not too attached to the idea of Rick Santorum as the next President, I have a crush on him this morning.

He walloped the hell out of Romney yesterday. 

And I get the impression that Mr. Mittens does not like to lose.  He gets all sullen and dark circles appear under his eyes.  This causes me joy to see.

The thing is that Mr. Mittens has put himself in a bit of a tight spot.  He went all scorched earth negative against Rick for half a minute right around Iowa and South Carolina, which made Rick very petulant.  Then he focused like a laser on Newt, and UNLEASHED in a way probably never before seen in a primary.  It was ugly, it was excessive, it was dishonest and misleading.  Romeny has bared his soul, showing no vision – only derision.

And Santorum has reaped the benefit.

H/T Legal Insurrection:

In Colorado, 65,479 voters turned out versus 70,229 in 2008.  In Minnesota, 47,836 voters turned out (95% reporting) versus 62,828 in 2008.  In Missouri, 251,868 turned out versus 588,720 in 2008.

Now, the problem for Romney, as we all know, is all he’s got is the negative attack for his game. 

Recall how he condescendingly chided Newt for being a baby about being pissed at having his personal life, past and present, shredded – at having his record as Speaker dishonestly portrayed.  Romney also attacked Newts income from consulting, while excoriating  anyone that pointed to some of the less than lovely things that Bain did.   We all listened, appalled, while much of “conservative” media helped Mr. Mittens out with that.  They supported Mitt when he said that Gingrich was whining, complaining, etc, about being attacked.  They helped spread the meme that Newt was being a poor sport about it all.

That didn’t earn Mitt any love from the public.  Now, we might not like a poor sport, but we simply can’t stand a bully.  And please give us credit for knowing one when we see one.

It hurt Mitt, but it also roughed Newt up pretty badly.  Newt did let it rattle him.  I’ll say that I was a bit surprised by that because I thought Newt was tougher than that.  Newt should have responded by a concise dismantling of each negative charge made towards him by Romney.  It should have been done in a strong, forceful and honest manner.  Hell Newt, you’re a Professor – you should have used your educator skills!

Now, since Romney put the shame on Newt for complaining at being sliced and diced, he can’t very well pull the exact same game on Santorum.  Nor can he go the same blatant scorched earth attacks he used on Gingrich, to do so will validate Newts complaints about the nasty tactics Romney employed.

No, Romney will try to use surrogates and he has already begun.  T-Paw.  Meh.  Good luck with that.  Mitt has to go hard after Rick now, and I think the temptation to use his tried and true negative attacks will get the upper hand.  And I think it will earn him the middle finger from America.

Read more at my very own point of view