Headlining Politico this morning is a Jonathan Martin piece on Mitt Romney’s growing clout in the GOP as he prepares for his likely 2012 presidential candidacy. I pointed out yesterday that Romney deferred when asked on Meet the Press whether he would run, but every indication is he will. His former campaign staffers maintain close contact with one another, and top aides still advise Romney on a regular basis.
The takeaways from the article are precisely what everyone already knows. The 2012 climate, barring any new national crises, will play well to his issue strengths.
After the national security-dominated Bush years, the recession has brought the importance of economic issues into sharp focus.
Following a primary spent trying to navigate the politics of Iraq and a vigorous–and sometimes cringe-inducing–courtship of social conservatives, the issue matrix now favors Romney’s background as a turnaround specialist.
Of course, with many concerned over the recent GOP sex scandals, Romney is a safe bet for the party.
And while other potential 2012 contenders in the party are falling by the wayside because of adultery, Romney loyalists say the father of five’s straight arrow ways suddenly look even more appealing.
“We know everything about the guy,” said one former Romney campaign official. “The good, the bad and the ugly. And it ain’t that ugly.”
Even those who were once vehemently opposed to Romney are now pointing out his strength.
“He’s obviously the frontrunner,” said Mark Salter, a former top aide to John McCain who launched some tough attacks on Romney during the primary.