Upside: As the GOP nominee, Romney would give many conservatives the opportunity to see the candidate they wanted from the 2008 Republican primary. Romney is a well-liked former governor who has shown a shrewd acumen for business and politics. As a prodigious fund-raiser, Romney could help motivate other Republican candidates nationwide. Romney showed during the 2008 general election that despite losing, he was willing to help his former rival disseminate his message (and he did an excellent job doing so). The 2008 primary also showed that Romney could win swing states, something McCain was unable to do during the general election. Converting crossover Democrats and Independents would be difficult but a lot less of a challenge for Romney than other candidates given his business background and former positions on issues.
Downside: Although Romney's popularity with conservatives is a well-known commodity, there are others who deeply mistrust him because he has shown a willingness to change his positions on conservative issues quite abruptly at times that are convenient to his own success. Furthermore, his history of switching positions on these issues will provide a generous target for the opposition. Like Palin in the 2008 campaign, Romney also would be targeted for his lack of legislative political experience.
PROSPECTS: EXCELLENT
Downside: Although Romney's popularity with conservatives is a well-known commodity, there are others who deeply mistrust him because he has shown a willingness to change his positions on conservative issues quite abruptly at times that are convenient to his own success. Furthermore, his history of switching positions on these issues will provide a generous target for the opposition. Like Palin in the 2008 campaign, Romney also would be targeted for his lack of legislative political experience.
PROSPECTS: EXCELLENT