Halperin’s Take: Why this bad stretch has been Romney’s worst of the campaign:
• Widespread Old Media and blog condemnation of — and late-night comic mocking of — his first TV ad
• First debate performance in which he wasn’t generally perceived as the winner
• Perceived flip floppery over amnesty dust-up with Gingrich
• Massive press coverage of Democratic flip flop attack ad
• Union Leader endorsement of Newt, treated also as shot at Mitt
• Iowa expectations raised by spokesperson gaffe
• Disastrous Fox/Baier interview and even worse follow up stories about complaints about questions, in Old Media and conservative quarters
• Rising meme that Romney is not very accessible to the media (despite Fox interview) — and doesn’t tell the truth about it
• Cain collapse sends supporters to Newt
• (Some) Florida polling shows Newt rocketing to massive lead, calling into question Romney NH-FL strategy
• Lowest Gallup positive intensity score of entire campaign
• National polls chip away at perception of electability edge over Newt
And/but: the Establishment is closing ranks, Boston has only begun to fight and the Romney bank account and Super Pac are waiting in the wings.
