April 26, 2012--"It's the Economy And We're Not Stupid"

Thus spoke Mitt Romney Tuesday night after winning a spate of northeastern primaries.

Along with my progressive friends, I made light of these wins (after all, who was left to run against--Ron Paul?) and reminded myself that he's the one who pandered to southern voters by talking about how he loves "cheesy grits" and drove to Canada with the sick family dog strapped to the roof of his car. In other words, don't worry, he's a loser.

Here's a sample of reaction from the left-wing blogosphere:

So Mitt Romney won five states last night, finally breaking the 50 percent mark in a primary and officially becoming the presumptive Republican nominee. On the other hand-- A Smart Politics review of Republican primary election data since 1972 finds that Mitt Romney's performances in Delaware and Pennsylvania mark the first time a GOP frontrunner has failed to reach the 60 percent mark in a contest conducted after his last major challenger dropped out of the race. That's not exactly shocking given Mitt Romney's electoral track record: he lost his 1994 Senate race by 17 points despite running in the best year for Republicans in generations, he didn't run for reelection as governor of Massachusetts because he would have lost, finished third in his 2008 presidential campaign (Mike Huckabee was second), and he managed to become the weakest major party presidential nominee on modern history. 
It's no wonder that President Obama isn't exactly shaking in his boots.

On the other, other hand, if I were Obama I would be worried.

Not because the economy might not continue to improve through the summer and gasoline prices are likely to rise again as the holiday driving season begins, but because Romney is not the doofus progressives have been chortling about and might actually turn out to be a formidable candidate.

Take Tuesday's victory speech, for example. 

Here are Romney's opening remarks.

We launched this campaign not far from here on a beautiful June day. 

It has been an extraordinary journey.Americans have always been eternal optimists.  But over the last three and a half years, we have seen hopes and dreams diminished by false promises and weak leadership. Everywhere I go, Americans are tired of being tired, and many of those who are fortunate enough to have a job are working harder for less.

For every single mom who feels heartbroken when she has to explain to her kids that she needs to take a second job … for grandparents who can’t afford the gas to visit their grandchildren … for the mom and dad who never thought they’d be on food stamps … for the small business owner desperately cutting back just to keep the doors open one more month – to all of the thousands of good and decent Americans I’ve met who want nothing more than a better chance, a fighting chance, to all of you, I have a simple message: 

Hold on a little longer.  A better America begins tonight.

Pretty good, don't you think? 

Romney's campaign is already cleverly conceding that Obama is likable and a gifted campaigner; but, they are saying, when it comes to the economy, if you want to get the job done, hire a pro.

If Romney can stay on the high road, stay out of unscripted town meetings and diners, and speak only via a teleprompter he might prevail in November.