The disconnect between the average Republican voter and the Republican elites is turning into a huge rift. A new survey of Republican insiders claim the GOP will be better off with Mitt Romney as the nominee and not Rick Perry. They claim Romney is a centrist and will appeal to Independents and swing voters. Clearly they are delusional. Mitt Romney is exactly the type of Republicans Independents hate. He’s elitist, aloof and doesn’t understand the average Joe. Clearly the GOP elites don’t live in the real world.
Many Republican Insiders acknowledged Perry’s appeal to conservatives but questioned his ability to win over independent voters. “Perry can fire up the base, but this election will be won in the middle, not on the fringes,” said one. Said another, “Having trouble ID-ing a single independent who’d vote for Perry.”
Democratic Insiders echoed that assessment by an even larger majority. “This election is sitting on a platter for Republicans if they do it right,” said one. “Romney is probably good enough. Perry will get drilled by independent voters and women.” Another quipped, “Rick Perry is all base and no swing.”
Insiders in both parties raised questions about Perry’s durability under the intense scrutiny of a presidential campaign. “As a conservative Republican, I love Rick Perry,” said one Republican Insider, who added “but as a campaign strategist, I know the degree to which a few self-reinforcing oppo-hits can devastate a candidate.” A Democratic Insider said plainly, “Perry’s mouth will do him in.”
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Still, some Republican Insiders see Perry’s outsized personality and ability to appeal to the party’s base as beneficial in a race against Obama. “Romney can’t match Obama in personality, but Perry can,” said one. Another added, “Perry excites the base and unifies the Reagan coalition. Romney doesn’t.”
One Democratic Insider agreed, warning against underestimating Perry. “It’s 1980 again. Some think Perry is too extreme, but it is his ability to appear genuine and confident that voters will remember.”
The only reason Democratic insiders think Romney would be better for the GOP is because he is exactly the straw man Obama wants. Romney’s actions at Bain Capital, where he made money outsourcing jobs overseas will be used against him. Obama will run a demagogue campaign and Romney is the perfect straw-man for this.
This survey exaplisn why Karl Rove and his minions are attacking Rick Perry. They know Romney will be destroyed over Bain Capital in a general election. They want a Romney defeat so their anointed one, Jeb Bush can run as a different and Compassionate Republican in 2016. We tried that show 2000-2008.
No thanks guys.
Tags: GOP 2012 Nomination, Republican Insiders, Rick Perry, Rockefeller Republicans
