While I was on vacation, Santorum failed to close the deal.
He was too scary even for the Republicans. Of course, saying that Romney closed
the deal may be overstating the case. His inability to garner more than 50% of
primary voters in any state until the sideshow geeks were the only opposition left
standing would be troubling except for the fact that Republicans are herd
animals.
Herd animals stand on the sidelines while adversaries for
top dog duke it out, then fall in line docilely behind the winner. It would
seem that the herd scenario is being played out by the Republicans, but there
may be a caveat or two to consider. Can Romney run away from Romneycare, from
the perception that he’s just another effete, privileged Massachusetts liberal
in Tea Party clothing? Will the Tea Party rally back to him? Does the Tea Party
matter anymore?
Don’t be silly. Of course the Tea Party matters. If nothing
else, the Tea Party has pulled the Republican Party hard right and taken the
national conversation along with it.
Anybody but Obama. That will be the subtext – and in some
cases the explicit message – to every bit of advertising, every speech,
every Fox News commentary for the next five months.
Will it be enough? Predictions will have to wait just a bit
longer. Right now? Too close to call.
