This article is an almost perfect follow up to my last post about the GOP debate in New Hampshire last week. Romney has used those strong performances in the debates as a means of pulling head in Iowa and New Hampshire among Republicans. His previously strong fundraising looks to continue and may even be bolstered by his new status in the polls. He’s using his bankroll to start TV advertising in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. I’m still skeptical of his ability to attract southern Baptist support, but if he can somehow create an aura of inevitability by kicking ass in Iowa and New Hampshire, he may pull in the nomination. i’m a long, long, long way from predicting that at this point. Even if he wins the nomination, it’s a whole other thing to get those southern Baptists to actually walk neighborhoods and turn out to vote for him. The semi-famous county by county electoral map from 2004 shows that the south is a lot closer than most people think. If the nuts stay home, the Democrats win a couple more states in the south, maybe the majority of it. On the other hand, I think Romney would appeal to a lot of moderate suburban voters in the region who were skeptical of Bush and may be skeptical of McCain or Thompson.
