Al Hunt: Obama campaign still thinks Romney is the "likely nominee"

[DCBob]

from Bloomberg..

“The one who can beat Obama: Rick Santorum,” the television commercial proclaims. That boast brings cheers from two quarters: the faithful followers of the conservative Republican presidential candidate, and the Democratic president’s political strategists.

The former Pennsylvania senator is on fire in the Republican contest, threatening the front-runner, Mitt Romney, in the critical Michigan primary next week and nationally.

Still, President Barack Obama’s campaign, the super-PACs supporting it and the Democratic National Committee are targeting Romney. They still believe the former Massachusetts governor is the likely nominee, though they are less certain than they were a few weeks ago. And they calculate, despite the shortcomings Romney displays as a candidate, that he would be more competitive than Santorum in the general election.

more: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-19/santorum-s-surge-raises-cheers-from-camp-obama-albert-r-hunt.html

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I think the best case scenario now is for Santorum to do just well enough to keep this clown show going and force Romney to make more and more dumb statements which will make for some juicy ads once he locks down the nomination.

[Cooley Hurd]

1. Reccing for your analysis

I agree...

[JohnnyRingo]

2. Romney still has a strong suit in the November election

It's his dark Armani with a blue tie, and he looks so presidential in it.

When all the fervent smoke and brimstone settles, an empty suit with distiguished gray temples is all the current line up really has to run on. I don't know exactly how they'll do it, but I believe the GOP will put Romney on the ballot regardless the will of the religious right.

It's his turn.

[DCBob]

3. Romney is the epitome of an "empty suit".

The "stepford candidate".

[madinmaryland]

4. I agree with your best case scenario. As long as these guys continue to anhilate each other,

it can only be good for Obama.

[Zorro]

5. No doubt it drives the Republicants crazier

to see it written that the Obama campaign thinks Mitt is going to win the nomination.

[Grateful for Hope]

6. Totally agree.