Why Is It Close?

A prominent Democrat asked this question: “With the economy so bad, why is Obama even close in North Carolina?”
 
Three theories: (1) Voters like him; (2) they don’t like Romney; (3) they’re afraid the Tea Party has taken over the Republican Party. Maybe all three are right.
 
A poll found Obama leading in three big battleground states – Ohio, Florida and Pennsylvania – because of “his empathy and personal appeal.”
 
Romney may have a lot of good qualities, but empathy and personal appeal aren’t it. The more he campaigns, the more he looks like a rich, ruthless, unprincipled, cold fish.
 
Then you have Republican primary races like Texas and Wisconsin, where conservative Republicans with impressive credentials lose to or lag behind Tea Party candidates who are way more conservative and totally uncompromising.
 
Being likeable can go a long way in politics. (See Ronald Reagan.) Sometimes likeable is better than capable. (See, again, Reagan.)
 
Romney may be capable, but he sure isn’t likeable.
 
And, to most Americans, there’s nothing capable or likeable about the Tea Party.
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Gary Pearce

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Why Is It Close?

A prominent Democrat asked this question: “With the economy so bad, why is Obama even close in North Carolina?”
 
Three theories: (1) Voters like him; (2) they don’t like Romney; (3) they’re afraid the Tea Party has taken over the Republican Party. Maybe all three are right.
 
A poll found Obama leading in three big battleground states – Ohio, Florida and Pennsylvania – because of “his empathy and personal appeal.”
 
Romney may have a lot of good qualities, but empathy and personal appeal aren’t it. The more he campaigns, the more he looks like a rich, ruthless, unprincipled, cold fish.
 
Then you have Republican primary races like Texas and Wisconsin, where conservative Republicans with impressive credentials lose to or lag behind Tea Party candidates who are way more conservative and totally uncompromising.
 
Being likeable can go a long way in politics. (See Ronald Reagan.) Sometimes likeable is better than capable. (See, again, Reagan.)
 
Romney may be capable, but he sure isn’t likeable.
 
And, to most Americans, there’s nothing capable or likeable about the Tea Party.
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Gary Pearce

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