The Republican Establishment is counting on Obama hatred for a Conservative turnout in November. The results of the Iowa Caucus says otherwise. Turnout was up slightly due to increase number of Independents attending due to the lack of a Democratic primary. However turnout for registered Republicans was down. Clearly Conservatives are demoralized about the prospect of supporting Romney.
DES MOINES, Iowa – Mitt Romney may have good reason to believe that his narrow victory in this year’s Iowa caucuses will help propel him to the Republican nomination. But the deeper results should worry Republicans hoping to beat President Obama in November.
Romney boosters have always argued that should he become the nominee, the desire to defeat Obama will be the only motivation the GOP base needs to become active, whatever its lingering doubts about Romney’s conservatism.
But this year’s caucuses not only confirm that many conservatives are still reluctant to embrace Romney, they suggest that the party regulars aren’t very energized.
[….]
It isn’t clear that Romney’s problems with these groups would disappear were he the nominee. I spoke to a number of supporters of other candidates who said they weren’t sure that they could vote for Romney — even in a general election against Obama.
This is a warning to the GOP elites. Conservati9ves don’t like Mitt Romney. Don’t count on Obama hatred to win.
Tags: Rockefeller Republicans
