Romney and Paul

[retro]

Romney only pays attention to those who can actually challenge him.

Didn't stop him from taking shots at Bachmann :24:

 

[Pat1]

Who didn't take a shot at Bachman?

 

[Big Al1]

She is definitely an easy target.

 

[retro]

It looks like Paul and Romney have a bit of a bromance going on

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/17/u...n-paul-friendly-amid-the-rivalry.html?_r=2&hp

 

[retro]

Another take on the situation... as well as Paul's dislike of Santorum and Gingrich.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...ikes-santorum/2012/02/23/gIQAMbLaXR_blog.html

 

[retro]

and now Santorum is whining that Romney and Paul are ganging up on him, and called Ron Paul a fake :24:

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/25/santorum-says-hes-being-tag-teamed/

 

[Accountable]

Another take on the situation... as well as Paul's dislike of Santorum and Gingrich.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...ikes-santorum/2012/02/23/gIQAMbLaXR_blog.html

This is a good analysis. Good find, Retro.

But stepping away from the personal aspects for a moment, consider things from Paul’s perspective. He’s been a candidate who has openly said he wants to get as many delegates as possible — to win if he can or to influence the party and its platform if he can’t. If he thinks Gingrich and Santorum, like Rick Perry and others before him, are going to flame out, doesn’t he want to be on firm ground with the man who is best positioned to win a multi-state, long campaign?

And consider as well that Paul speaks of himself as the grandfather of the Tea Party. If he’s not going to get the nomination, does he want a Gingrich or a Santorum to crash and burn, taking with them the reputation of the Tea Party? Or would Paul prefer a Romney figure, who will either win (and then take his advice and calls in the White House) or lose and not be seen as confirming the Tea Party’s demise?

There is an additional factor at play. The Tea Party, Paul has repeatedly said, has brought the party closer to him, meaning it has been focused to a greater extent than in the recent past on individual liberty, limited government and sound fiscal policy. Gingrich’s erratic policy positions and personal instability would place that progress at risk. Santorum’s zealous interest in pronouncing on personal morality would shatter that alliance as well. So, from Paul’s vantage point, better to have a stable businessman who is not obsessed with contraception than either of the other two.

If he can’t win the nomination, Paul’s interests at this point are threefold. He wants: 1) to be influential on issues he cares about (the Fed, fiscal sobriety); 2) to been seen as a responsible figure who brings his followers into the party; and 3) to leave his son Rand in a position to lead his segment of the party. With Romney, those are within his grasp. With the other two, they become increasingly remote.