Mitt Romney's blowout win in Florida on Tuesday provided almost a mirror image of the results just 10 days ago in South Carolina, a head-spinning reversal that underscored the continuing turbulence of the most volatile Republican presidential race since 1940.
In Florida, Romney consolidated and widened his advantage among the groups that have consistently favored him, while narrowing Newt Gingrich's edge among the constituencies at the core of his competing coalition. That was exactly what Gingrich did to Romney in South Carolina.
Romney's rout highlighted his financial and organizational advantages, and may have left some lasting scars on Gingrich. The next month of contests run mostly through states that favor Romney; Gingrich isn't a clear favorite to win another state until Super Tuesday on March 6.
But the continued resistance to Romney among the party's most conservative elements suggests that the race, which has stubbornly resisted order for over a year, may have more twists in store. For now, however, Florida gave Romney a sweeping victory that restored him as the clear front-runner. Read more
—Ron Brownstein
NATIONAL JOURNAL'S PRIMARY REPORT
Romney: "I'm Not Concerned About the Very Poor"
Romney took a victory lap on TV early Wednesday to tout his win and say that he was more focused on America’s middle class than the poor: "I'm concerned about the very heart of America, the 90, 95 percent of Americans who right now are struggling."
Will Obama’s Fundraising Numbers Give Him the Advantage in 2012?
The Obama campaign announced that it raised $68 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, while Romney raised just $24 million. But the margin may not be enough to carry Obama to victory.
Gingrich Can’t Count on Dixie to Rescue Him
The results from the Florida primary suggest that, as he tries to resurrect his campaign on friendlier turf in his native South, Gingrich will face an uphill challenge.
Will Florida Victory Finally Give Romney Some Momentum?
Romney won a huge victory in Florida, beating Gingrich by nearly 15 points, and, with 46 percent of the vote, came close to an outright majority in the biggest, most diverse primary yet. But will he get a bounce out of it?
The Rich Fantasy Life of Newt Gingrich
Gingrich exhibits bouts of grandiosity that go beyond the normal dose of narcissism that ordinary politicians exhibit – which suggests that Gingrich’s enduring fantasy of himself as a great figure in history may drag out the race.
Pro-Romney Super PAC Warchest Signals Rough Road Ahead for Gingrich
If the financial state of the pro-Gingrich super PAC Winning Our Future is any indication, Gingrich is in danger of running out of gas long before the summer.
How Romney Came Back in Florida
Romney consolidated and widened his advantage among the groups that have consistently leaned toward him, while narrowing Gingrich's edge among the constituencies at the core of his competing coalition -- which is exactly what Gingrich did to Romney in South Carolina, as National Journal's Ron Brownstein reports.
GOP Women in Florida Spurn Gingrich
Exit polls of Florida's Republican primary voters exposed a distinct gender gap between reinvigorated front-runner Romney and Gingrich, writes National Journal’s Jackie Koszczuk.
GOP Candidates Face Nevada's Busted Economy
Nevada's unemployment and foreclosures are the worst in the nation -- something candidates will have to address as they compete in Saturday's caucus.
Your Favorite Vice
Hotline takes a look at the possible VP candidates: On paper, Rubio is a no-brainer, but Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell might give the freshman senator from Florida a run for his money.
Bachmann Denies Report of Romney Endorsement
The Boston Globe reported that Romney's trip to Minnesota could coincide with a possible endorsement from Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn. But she has since denied the two are discussing an endorsement, and has called for the Globe to retract the article.
Singling Out Islam: Gingrich’s Pandering Attacks
Gingrich’s bigotry over this campaign cycle has gone largely ignored by both the mainstream press and the movement-conservative organs that were most vocal condemning Paul’s newsletters – because Muslims are the target.
Obama Fundraising Advantage Disappearing
The Republicans' adept and aggressive use of super PACs to even the financial playing field and blunt the money advantages that an incumbent president has at his disposal could be a game-changer this campaign season, as National Journal’s Josh Kraushaar writes.
Santorum Finally Finds the Right Message?
The Sunshine State's third-place winner argued Tuesday that Gingrich can't claim to be the strongest alternative to front-runner Romney after such a crushing loss. Disaffected conservatives, he said, have only one last place to turn.
Romney Doth Protest Too Much
In his victory speech in Florida, Romney delivered his familiar broadside against Obama in the usual, over-the-top way -- but will this argument fly in a general election? National Journal’s Michael Hirsh weighs in.
Threading the Needle: What Romney Must Do to Win in November
So now that Romney has won two primaries, it’s time to start talking about November. The Atlantic’s Conor Friedersdorf describes what Romney has to do to beat Pres. Obama in the general election. The election, he writes, will be much more difficult than previous Republican nominees.
PRESIDENTIAL RACE NEWS SUMMARY
Romney, Paul Hold the Cards in Nevada
[Wall Street Journal, 2/01/12] Romney and Paul were the top two finishers in Nevada in 2008, and both have maintained their ties to the state. This can be seen as an advantage in a state where the caucus format gives an edge to candidates with a superior organization.
Romney's Florida Win Won't Seal the Race
[Los Angeles Times, 2/01/12] Romney may have won a significant victory in the Sunshine State, but a revolution in campaign financing, voter dissatisfaction, and delegate math make it practically impossible for Romney -- or anyone else -- to secure the race until mid-April at the earliest.
Gingrich Pins Hopes On Super Tuesday
[New York Times, 1/31/12] Gingrich's loss in Florida was a profound rejection of his candidacy by voters in one of the biggest, more important swing states. But if he can hold on until Super Tuesday, Gingrich could still get a jolt of energy from Georgia.
Who's Financing the Super PACs?
[New York Times, 2/01/12] As super PACs filed reports on Tuesday detailing their activities in the final three months of 2011, the Times tracked donors to these independent groups. Here’s a deeper look at the individuals who gave big.
Gingrich Lagging in Nevada Air Time Purchases
[Las Vegas Sun, 1/30/12] Romney, Paul, and the pro-Romney PAC Restore Our Future have already started spending big on air time in Nevada, but the Gingrich machine has yet to purchase time on the state's airwaves.
Florida Primary Shows Rubio's Influence
[Roll Call, 2/01/12] Gingrich and Romney tried to woo the rising GOP star all the way up until the last poll closed in the Sunshine State.
Pro-Romney Super PAC Raises $17.9 Million
[Washington Post, 2/01/12] Restore Our Future released the names of its mega donors in a federal filing Tuesday night after the polls closed in Florida. The group raised $17.9 million in the last half of 2011.
Florida Fight Rattles GOP Leaders
[Politico, 2/1/12] Judging by the tone of Gingrich's speech last night, the Republican presidential race is not close to being over. But turn to negativity in campaign rhetoric has Republican leaders worried.
Mitt Romney Misquoted Thomas Paine In Victory Speech
[BuzzFeed, 2/1/12] In his victory speech last night, Romney misattributed Thomas Paine when he repeated the phrase, "lead, follow, or get out of the way." Paine never said or wrote those words.
Column: Romney's Ideas are Wrong for Nevada
[Las Vegas Sun, 2/1/12] As Romney shifts his focus, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and two influential state Democrats greeted the former Massachusetts governor with a strongly worded column.
Candidate Code Names: Fun with Anagrams and the 2012 Republican Field
[University of Minnesota, 1/31/12] Mitt Romney or "Memory Tint." Rick Santorum or "Iran Must Rock." Here is a list of hilarious anagrams derived from candidates' names. And speaking of nonsensical words mixed with the Republican field, Bad Lip Reading did a new video featuring Santorum.
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