Republican and Conservative political analysis and commentary

You have predicted Romney's downfall at every turn. Eventually you may be right. It seems though that there is an appeal for a conservative powerhouse executive. I would think that after a week where Romney came out as the leader in Iowa and New Hamshire you would improve his chances not continue to predict the end to Romney right around the corner.

Back in March I had choice words for U.S. Rep. Jimmy Duncan, who retracted his support for Mitt Romney's presidential campaign:

"'As expected, Republican Tennessee Congressman Jimmy Duncan has jumped ship from the Mitt Romney campaign and is now backing former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson for president - even though Thompson hasn't even said if he's going to run,' Elephant Biz reports.

"I can abide many things, but disloyalty insn't one of them. I might - might - be willing to cut Duncan some slack if ol' Fred had announced that he's fo' sho' going to run for president. Thompson could well decide that he simply hasn't the stomach for a presidential run. What a damn dirty trick Duncan's defection will be at that point."

Now comes word that Rep. Marsha Blackburn has ditched Mitt Romney and is now in the Draft Thompson for President camp. Elephant Biz has the scoop on her damn dirty trick:

"Fred is definitely running. If there was absolutely any doubt in anyone’s mind about Fred’s intention it should be removed now. Marsha Blackburn got way out in front in supporting Mitt Romney for President the fact that she has flipped means Fred is in for sure."

Yes, it's looks more and more likely that Fred Thompson is going to run for president. Thus, it's not a shock that Marsha Blackburn has jilted Mitt and is now behind ol' Fred. Blackburn has her eyes on the governor's mansion; since there's a bandwagon upon which Tennessee Republicans are jumping, Blackburn doesn't want to be seen as the only member of the GOP who ain't climbing aboard.

The question at this point, however, is this: Would Blackburn really've been hurting herself, politically, if she'd stuck with Mitt Romney? Of course not. Blackburn has a lot of supporters in Tennessee, and it's hard to imagine that they would have abandoned her because she decided to stick to her word and stay with Mitt. If anything, Blackburn would've received a big bunch of statewide media attention if she'd remained the highest-ranking elected official in Tennessee who was supporting Mitt Romney. (Isn't statewide media attention just what a prospective gubernatorial candidate should be ginning for?)

Expectations for Fred Thompson are, ahem, very high. If his campaign doesn't launch and thrust with all the intensity of a Saturn V rocket, Blackburn's - and Duncan's - damn dirty trick is going to look most unprincipled, indeed.

http://nighseencreeder.blogspot.com/2007/05/damn-dirty-trick-part-deux.html

Joltin' Django,
Blackburn was taking a large hit, not only from her district voters, but from the TN State GOP. First off, she shouldn't have taken the first opportunity and run with it. Secondly, Mitt should've been well aware that by starting his campaign so early he was running the risk of getting egg on his face. He failed to realize that instead of going for the kill early, he could've sat back and let more chips fall. People would've come to him, but by aggressively persuing support so early, he had no idea who or what could eventually hurt his campaign. It wasn't unexpected that a southern conservative would enter the race, instead of waiting, he tried to silence any alternatives, and it has backfired.
Another point, everyone mentions the Frist/Alexander machine, but they tend to forget that the Don of the TN GOP, Howard Baker, is still the behind the scenes force of the party. Romney never had the support of the TN party, so he took the risk of playing that game. Blackburn knew that if she wanted backing for any future goals, she needed that support, or else she'd end up another Van Hillary. You don't succeed in TN Republican politics if you're not supported by the big fellas, and Blackburn was aware of this.

Could you do me and other Romney supporters a big favor: Come January 2009, re-post/reprint this in a national blog or newspaper. And please “fess” up as the owner of it when it’s reprinted.
Please practice to say “Ooops” in all different ways; you will need it!