Team Mitt appears to be catching a wave that swelled up after the first Republican candidate debate. According to the Boston Herald,
“In the wake of a solid showing in the first Republican presidential debate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has surged to the top of the pack of GOP contenders in the 2008 New Hampshire primary, according to a new poll.
The Survey USA/WBZ TV poll shows Romney with 32 percent of the vote, followed by former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani with 23, and Arizona Sen. John McCain at 22. Actor Fred Thompson, who hasn’t formally announced his candidacy, garnered 11 percent of the vote, the poll shows.
The poll also stands in stark contrast to a CNN poll released yesterday that shows Giuliani with 25 percent, McCain with 22 and Romney at 10.
“We don’t put too much stock in polls this far out from the election,” said Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom. “We continue to work hard on building support around the country for Mitt Romney’s campaign, and we’re delighted with the response we’re getting.”
I am glad to see the Romney spokesman say they don’t put too much stock in the polls this far out. I don’t think polls are to be trusted, as evidenced by the CNN poll mentioned in the article. Those who put their faith in polls and bank their political future on them, usually end up looking like John Kerry (pass the syrup). Romney will probably pick up more steam from his debate performance and I think he is a very strong candidate for the Republicans.
Romney is a very strong option for Republicans who do not wish to settle on a middle of the road, moderate candidate. The next month or two is going to be very telling for Romney and the rest of the Republican candidates. Most of the polling has Romney behind Newt Gingrich and Fred Thompson, neither of whom has entered the race.
The Florida Legislature just approved a new primary date of the last Tuesday in January. Whether we like the “fast track” election season or not, it is reality and time is running out on possible candidates who are still contemplating a run. Florida’s move makes the decision making process for Gingrich and Thompson tougher.
I think the true conservatives out there are passing on Giuliani and McCain in favor of what they want, a true conservative. I think those are the folks that are driving Gingrich and Thompson’s poll numbers. Let’s say Gingrich and Thompson decide to sit this one out, who will the true conservatives throw their support behind? I think the answer begins and ends with Mitt Romney. If this happens, Romney’s support will probably launch him over McCain and put him even with Giuliani, if not ahead of him.
Filed under: Conservative, Election, Election 2008, History, Politics, Republicans
