• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!
  • Welcome to our archives. No new posts are allowed here.

Romney's New Strategy Turns Right “This is going to be a base election.” More God, l

areafiftyone

Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2012
Messages
84
Reaction score
36
Gender
Undisclosed
Political Leaning
Independent
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Mitt Romney's campaign has concluded that the 2012 election will not be decided by elusive, much-targeted undecided voters — but by the motivated partisans of the Republican base.

This shifting campaign calculus has produced a split in Romney's message. His talk show interviews and big ad buys continue to offer a straightforward economic focus aimed at traditional undecided voters. But out stumping day to day is a candidate who wants to talk about patriotism and God, and who is increasingly looking to connect with the right's intense, personal dislike for President Barack Obama.

Three Romney advisers told BuzzFeed the campaign's top priority now is to rally conservative Republicans, in hopes that they'll show up on Election Day, and drag their less politically-engaged friends with them. The earliest, ambiguous signal of this turn toward the party's right was the selection of Rep. Paul Ryan as Romney's running mate, a top Romney aide said.

"This is going to be a base election, and we need them to come out to vote," the aide said, explaining the pick.

Another adviser, who also discussed strategy on the condition of anonymity, described the campaign's key targets as Republican activists: "The people who are going to talk to their neighbors, drive them to the polls on Election Day, and hold their hands on the way in to vote."

Asked last week about Romney bringing culture-war rhetoric into his stump speeches, adviser Kevin Madden dismissed the notion that it represented a strategic shift, and said while the economy is still the primary focus, the candidate will continue to talk about other issues he finds "important."

This attention to the base is a flashback to the politics of the last decade, in which George W. Bush won a narrow re-election with the help of conservative voters. But some Democrats have recently begun to speak in similar terms: Democratic Governors Association Chairman Martin O'Malley told BuzzFeed last week that Democrats had abandoned the search for "the magic argument for the three percent that are undecided" and begun to "just tell the base why you're doing what you're doing and why you're better than the other guy."

Continue Reading Here: Romney's New Strategy Turns Right
 
Last edited:
Re: Romney's New Strategy Turns Right “This is going to be a base election.” More Go

I thought Romney had the base all sown up? This is what happens when you try to pretend to be something you are not. They see right thru you.
 
Re: Romney's New Strategy Turns Right “This is going to be a base election.” More Go

I don't think this is a conversation Romney really wants to have.

better than ted.jpg
 
Re: Romney's New Strategy Turns Right “This is going to be a base election.” More Go

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Mitt Romney's campaign has concluded that the 2012 election will not be decided by elusive, much-targeted undecided voters — but by the motivated partisans of the Republican base.

what the heck? they are just now coming to this conclusion? the Obama campaign figured this out months ago.


:mad: how the hell is this guy such an incompetent campaigner after running for 6 years???
 
Re: Romney's New Strategy Turns Right “This is going to be a base election.” More Go

I don't think this is a conversation Romney really wants to have.

View attachment 67134616

He's got 50 days left to get his message across. He's lost the Hispanic vote, the black vote, the woman's vote.... he's even starting to go down in the white male vote if you can believe the CNN poll of last week. He's getting desperate.
 
Re: Romney's New Strategy Turns Right “This is going to be a base election.” More Go

Romney's likely always known that was going to be the nature of this election season. The thing is that Mitt "I was an independent during Reagan-Bush" Romney absolutely cannot sell himself as a hardcore ideologue.
 
Re: Romney's New Strategy Turns Right “This is going to be a base election.” More Go

I thought Romney had the base all sown up? This is what happens when you try to pretend to be something you are not. They see right thru you.

Well, I'm not sure why you would think Romney has his base all sown up, but you know, there's always room for getting more people out to vote. Right? Heck, I think he's working a good strategy given the alleged fact that there aren't many undecided anymore.
 
Re: Romney's New Strategy Turns Right “This is going to be a base election.” More Go

what the heck? they are just now coming to this conclusion? the Obama campaign figured this out months ago.


:mad: how the hell is this guy such an incompetent campaigner after running for 6 years???

Because he's trying to be something he is not-- a social conservative. If you look at his record in Massachusetts - he never governed as a social conservative and he can't run on that because it would alienate the base. So which should he do? Alienate the base? Alienate the middle class? He's stuck between a rock and a hard place. He's flip flopping back and forth like a fish who just landed on the deck of a fishing trawler.
 
Re: Romney's New Strategy Turns Right “This is going to be a base election.” More Go

actually it's starting to narrow again, although only just. And if this is going to be a base election, then Rasmussen with the strictest "likely voter" screen is likely to be the more accurate pollster - and Rasmussen is the only one that has Romney in the lead. The one good thing about the Democrats base is, outside of a few high-net-worth counties, it generally doesn't bother to vote.
 
Re: Romney's New Strategy Turns Right “This is going to be a base election.” More Go

Well, I'm not sure why you would think Romney has his base all sown up, but you know, there's always room for getting more people out to vote. Right? Heck, I think he's working a good strategy given the alleged fact that there aren't many undecided anymore.

Well if you look at the polling most Conservatives have made up their minds already and from reading reactions on websites I can see that most of the base WILL vote for him because they cannot stand Obama. For them its not so much a vote for Romney - its a vote against Obama and to get him out of office. Sure they would have preferred a real social conservative this time around but they were extremely split on the candidates when they all ran. But from reading they want Obama out so badly they will hold their nose and vote for Romney regardless. He basically has it all sown up but that's not enough and he knows it. The base is not enough to win this election because the demographics are changing every time.
 
Re: Romney's New Strategy Turns Right “This is going to be a base election.” More Go

Well if you look at the polling most Conservatives have made up their minds already and from reading reactions on websites I can see that most of the base WILL vote for him because they cannot stand Obama. For them its not so much a vote for Romney - its a vote against Obama and to get him out of office. Sure they would have preferred a real social conservative this time around but they were extremely split on the candidates when they all ran. But from reading they want Obama out so badly they will hold their nose and vote for Romney regardless. He basically has it all sown up but that's not enough and he knows it. The base is not enough to win this election because the demographics are changing every time.

Ummm...

From what I got by reading the article, Romney is trying to INCREASE the number from his base who will actually go vote. Did I misunderstand something there? Don't you think that's a good strategy?
 
Re: Romney's New Strategy Turns Right “This is going to be a base election.” More Go

Ummm...

From what I got by reading the article, Romney is trying to INCREASE the number from his base who will actually go vote. Did I misunderstand something there? Don't you think that's a good strategy?

I don't mean to speak for the OP, but it's really not a good strategy for Romney.

Here's why.

 
Re: Romney's New Strategy Turns Right “This is going to be a base election.” More Go

Yeah, I don't think that many conservatives are going to suddenly turn around and reevaluate Romney at this point.
 
Re: Romney's New Strategy Turns Right “This is going to be a base election.” More Go

Ummm...

From what I got by reading the article, Romney is trying to INCREASE the number from his base who will actually go vote. Did I misunderstand something there? Don't you think that's a good strategy?

Sorry eveyone my Firefox crashed (as it often does at least 5 times a day!) :comp: Yes it is a good strategy but don't you think by now he should have had it sown up completely by now? Actually as soon as he was the nominee they should all have rallied around him. This should be a no brainer for him. By now he should be trying to get the Independents and maybe steal some of the Hispanic or women's vote from Obama. IMHO!
 
Re: Romney's New Strategy Turns Right “This is going to be a base election.” More Go

Sorry eveyone my Firefox crashed (as it often does at least 5 times a day!) :comp: Yes it is a good strategy but don't you think by now he should have had it sown up completely by now? Actually as soon as he was the nominee they should all have rallied around him. This should be a no brainer for him. By now he should be trying to get the Independents and maybe steal some of the Hispanic or women's vote from Obama. IMHO!

From the article, he still seems to be trying to get the undecideds...but is also spending time to increase the number of Republicans who will actually go vote. When we are getting this close to the election, that seems smart to me.

I'm not sure I understand you. Do you think he should promise everyone whatever they want to hear...just to get them to vote for him? That sounds more like a strategy Obama would use...like he did in 2008.
 
Re: Romney's New Strategy Turns Right “This is going to be a base election.” More Go

I'm not sure I understand you. Do you think he should promise everyone whatever they want to hear...just to get them to vote for him? That sounds more like a strategy Obama would use...like he did in 2008.

Sounds more like Romney's strategy, actually.

Watch the video.
 
Re: Romney's New Strategy Turns Right “This is going to be a base election.” More Go

Its a stupid strategy. The radical right-wing is not going to be motivated by Romney. They are already motivated by their hatred for Obama. They are already going to turn out to vote because of this....but hey....if Romney is dumb enough to pursue this strategy...more power to him.
 
Re: Romney's New Strategy Turns Right “This is going to be a base election.” More Go

I thought Romney had the base all sown up? This is what happens when you try to pretend to be something you are not. They see right thru you.

Don't worry he does

When Obama and the Democrats strike God and Jerusalem from their platform and boo them, as well as attack the religious liberties of all Americans with contempt, only a fool wouldn't go after the religious vote.
 
Re: Romney's New Strategy Turns Right “This is going to be a base election.” More Go

I thought Romney had the base all sown up? This is what happens when you try to pretend to be something you are not. They see right thru you.

While one could definitely make an argument regarding Romney and his appeal to independents, when you want to make a comment about what people are saying in politics it would benefit you to have an understanding of what the meaning is of terms they are using.

A "Base election" is not simply about whether or not that Romney has the "base all sown up". A base election is the notion of an election season where the independent / moderate vote is generally depressed in nature compared to the norm, showing less turnout than what you'd see in an "average" election and especially in elections where there was an independent boom. In such cases, the base of either candidate becomes exponentially more important. Why? Two reasons.

One, ease of turnout. With regards to the independents, not only do candidates need to convince them that they should get their vote but they must convince them they should actually go out and CAST their vote. With your own base, typically, all one has to do is rally them to get out to vote because they should theoretically already be more apt to vote for you than the other guy.

Two, less wild cards. With a depressed “fat middle” in terms of independents and moderates, you have less of those wild card votes who, come election day, could go either way. When that middle is depressed and their turnout is low, one of your base voters is far closer to being a direct cancellation of one of the other side’s base voters. It creates a situation where reality is closer to the idea of “Whichever side gets more of their diehards out wins”.

Romney does have the base “all sown up” in the sense of discussion regarding a base election. Or at least, he has it rather substantially sown up (There will be a handful across the nation that’d defect to Gary Johnson). Why’s that? Because the base isn’t going to vote for Obama instead of Romney. Romney’s issue is with enthusiasm from the base in actually GETTING out to vote…which is why he’s stressing the notion so much given that he, and many others, believe this is likely going to be a base election. That lack of enthusiasm is the precise thing he’d need to overcome within his base to have a shot at this.

It’s actually a rather smart strategy, and in reality attempting to get the base out to vote by saying “hey, this is going to be a base election, we NEED you all to get out there and vote because it’s going to rest on you if we want to get rid of Barack Obama” rather than trying to go “Hey, [Portion of the Base], I want you to come out and vote for me because of [Pretty hollow campaign promise that said portion will like]” is far more intelligent for him. Romney’s problem with “flip flopping” is well talked about and his believability on many issues is ridiculously low. He’s unlikely to motivate the base to go out and vote by trying to appeal to them in some way through promises or attempts to “identify” with them. He’s FAR more likely to motivate them by accurately and eloquently articulating the atmosphere of this election and how important their ability to not just get out to vote, but get others out to vote, is going to be in this particular situation if they want to vote out Obama. Given the massive depression in the fat middle this time around compared to 2008, and even I believe on average, gambling that it’ll be a “base election” is a smart gamble and his tactic for addressing it seems to … at this point … be a smart one. The only problem with it is that he’s waited till now to really start hammering it home.
 
Re: Romney's New Strategy Turns Right “This is going to be a base election.” More Go

Romney is failing miserably in running his presidential campaign.

How on earth is he going to run the US if he can't even run a campaign. It is not like he just started campaigning for president. He has been at it since 2007 or so.
 
Re: Romney's New Strategy Turns Right “This is going to be a base election.” More Go

Romney is failing miserably in running his presidential campaign.

How on earth is he going to run the US if he can't even run a campaign. It is not like he just started campaigning for president. He has been at it since 2007 or so.

Yea Obama is stellar...planned an outside event at the DNC.. canncelled it due to lack of attendees...had Russian ships in the video.. it was a radical elemenetarty school excercise for the zombies.. Bidens outright lying that GM is alive...brags about UBL spikign the ball over and over.. Obamavoted against the EIT and HSD... but takes the credit.. Sebelius broke the law.. Fluke tellign people Mitts going to cut out a womans reproductive organs... screaming and hollering from the stage like we are at a BLT church...

shall I go on?

PS: Just and FYI your opinion means zero to me.. but I love seeing you try to cover for your hero Obama..now scream you dont support obama..
 
Re: Romney's New Strategy Turns Right “This is going to be a base election.” More Go

Yea Obama is stellar...planned an outside event at the DNC.. canncelled it due to lack of attendees...had Russian ships in the video.. it was a radical elemenetarty school excercise for the zombies.. Bidens outright lying that GM is alive...brags about UBL spikign the ball over and over.. Obamavoted against the EIT and HSD... but takes the credit.. Sebelius broke the law.. Fluke tellign people Mitts going to cut out a womans reproductive organs... screaming and hollering from the stage like we are at a BLT church...

shall I go on?

PS: Just and FYI your opinion means zero to me.. but I love seeing you try to cover for your hero Obama..now scream you dont support obama..

I do support Obama but not because he is such a great president or that his policies are my policies, but compared to the presumptive loser that the republicans have put up, Obama is massively more talented/able/likeable than Etch A Sketch Romney, the man with no backbone to speak of.

And FYI, I am happy to report that your biased republi-goggle opinions means less than zero to me, defending a nobody like Romney must be quite a feat. At least I have something to work with, Obama has a personality, has points of view and has been president for 4 years now. You have to work with Romney and the Republicans :lamo :lamo

And people can keep going on defending Romney, or posting biased information, if someone writes something untrue (or that I think is untrue or unfair) I will write my opinions about it. People are free to disagree with me, tell me that or tell me that my opinion means nothing to them, I could care less. I am not going to stop giving my opinion no matter what anybody else says. :cool:
 
Re: Romney's New Strategy Turns Right “This is going to be a base election.” More Go

While one could definitely make an argument regarding Romney and his appeal to independents, when you want to make a comment about what people are saying in politics it would benefit you to have an understanding of what the meaning is of terms they are using.

A "Base election" is not simply about whether or not that Romney has the "base all sown up". A base election is the notion of an election season where the independent / moderate vote is generally depressed in nature compared to the norm, showing less turnout than what you'd see in an "average" election and especially in elections where there was an independent boom. In such cases, the base of either candidate becomes exponentially more important. Why? Two reasons.

One, ease of turnout. With regards to the independents, not only do candidates need to convince them that they should get their vote but they must convince them they should actually go out and CAST their vote. With your own base, typically, all one has to do is rally them to get out to vote because they should theoretically already be more apt to vote for you than the other guy.

Two, less wild cards. With a depressed “fat middle” in terms of independents and moderates, you have less of those wild card votes who, come election day, could go either way. When that middle is depressed and their turnout is low, one of your base voters is far closer to being a direct cancellation of one of the other side’s base voters. It creates a situation where reality is closer to the idea of “Whichever side gets more of their diehards out wins”.

Romney does have the base “all sown up” in the sense of discussion regarding a base election. Or at least, he has it rather substantially sown up (There will be a handful across the nation that’d defect to Gary Johnson). Why’s that? Because the base isn’t going to vote for Obama instead of Romney. Romney’s issue is with enthusiasm from the base in actually GETTING out to vote…which is why he’s stressing the notion so much given that he, and many others, believe this is likely going to be a base election. That lack of enthusiasm is the precise thing he’d need to overcome within his base to have a shot at this.

It’s actually a rather smart strategy, and in reality attempting to get the base out to vote by saying “hey, this is going to be a base election, we NEED you all to get out there and vote because it’s going to rest on you if we want to get rid of Barack Obama” rather than trying to go “Hey, [Portion of the Base], I want you to come out and vote for me because of [Pretty hollow campaign promise that said portion will like]” is far more intelligent for him. Romney’s problem with “flip flopping” is well talked about and his believability on many issues is ridiculously low. He’s unlikely to motivate the base to go out and vote by trying to appeal to them in some way through promises or attempts to “identify” with them. He’s FAR more likely to motivate them by accurately and eloquently articulating the atmosphere of this election and how important their ability to not just get out to vote, but get others out to vote, is going to be in this particular situation if they want to vote out Obama. Given the massive depression in the fat middle this time around compared to 2008, and even I believe on average, gambling that it’ll be a “base election” is a smart gamble and his tactic for addressing it seems to … at this point … be a smart one. The only problem with it is that he’s waited till now to really start hammering it home.

Excellent points all. The only nuance I would add is that it's less "get the diehards out to vote", and more "get the diehards to drag their family and friends with them when they do".
 
Re: Romney's New Strategy Turns Right “This is going to be a base election.” More Go

Don't worry he does

When Obama and the Democrats strike God and Jerusalem from their platform and boo them, as well as attack the religious liberties of all Americans with contempt, only a fool wouldn't go after the religious vote.


For the first time I am seeing huge Romney self made banners up on private industry here in NJ.. wow... if Im Obama Im concerned...the GOP base will be massive.. we did it with Christy.. and I think NJ is in play again..
 
Back
Top Bottom