Quick Comment: Not So Super Tuesday.

Image courtesy of BU Interactive News Flickr

The votes are in, and the GOP candidates are no closer to the finish line.


Mitt Romney stood victorious in Ohio, although he beat Rick Santorum by a slim margin. He won 37.9% of the vote compared to Santorum's 37.1%. The delegate numbers are solid, and mathematically speaking, Romney is speeding ahead as front runner, but this race leads me to believe that despite all the over spending and investing in the campaign, he is continuing to fail at connecting with many voters. I doubt his talk of Ann Romney's numerous Cadillacs did much to salvage his reputation with blue collar workers. In the same respect, Santorum is suffering the same predicament, as voters may feel his religion dominates his views for the Presidency and his vision for America. The clash of extreme religious views and politics is a combustible coalition, as it creates issues with groups such as women voters and the right to birth control.


The electorate currently stands in a fragmented state, with no clear enthusiasm for one candidate. With all the money invested without accounting for the Super PACs, it is a clear indicator that like the old saying goes, money can't buy everything. Mitt Romney fared well in Super Tuesday, though with no majestic victory. The Romney team will have a harder challenge when it comes to taking on President Obama, although they're sure to attack the President's stance on Iran, the issue of rising gas prices, and the economy, Mr Obama has the ultimate political advantage. The power of the incumbent is a silent warrior in the battle for the position of the chief executive. Voters may feel a sting of disappointment towards the President's record, but many may feel the alternative would be much worse, and many may be disappointed in the GOP for the muddy battle the race has become. The President has recently built a record of withstanding negative blows, after responding to a heckler at a fundraiser who instructed the President to 'use your leadership skills, no war on Iran!'  Obama responded with "Nobody's announced a war, young lady, but we appreciate your sentiment. You're jumping the gun a little bit there." and a cautionary smile. The Presidency is very much like the role of the adoptive father, inheriting the needs of eager and impatient voters who set the role of the Presidency as that of a miracle worker, and are ultimately saddened at the result due to the hostile and unpredictable environment that the President must operate in. The essence of maturity seen recently in the public speeches of the President is the element the GOP race lacks, which is a fundamental problem for many Republicans. Mr Obama is also known for his communication and charismatic performances during speeches, his 2008 campaign speeches inspired passion and belief in the grass roots communities, which will be a colossal threat to Romney should he secure the nomination.

The President held his first news conference since November in the White House on Super Tuesday. According to Politico, the White House officials claim the timing was no more than coincidental, and Obama gave a brief but successful 45 minute conference while his opponents anxiously awaited the results of the Super Tuesday contests. When pressed on if he had any words for his possible opponent Mitt Romney, Mr Obama responded with a cool 'Good luck tonight. Really.' and with that, the President walked away.

The current delegate counts stand at:
Mitt Romney: 415 421
Rick Santorum: 176 181
Newt Gingrich: 105 107
Ron Paul: 47
(updated 9th March)

 The New York Times delegrate tracker can be found here
Check back for a post on Barack Obama and The Incumbant's Advantage.


Note: As someone who lives in the United Kingdom, I'd love to pay $3.77 for a gallon of petrol instead of sometimes £1.40 a litre. Petrol prices are affecting the world market, not just the United States. Just an observation, no one get prickly about it.