I have been one of the few defenders of the Romney Campaign operation as being good enough for a presidential campaign. Perhaps not as tactically competent as other Republican campaigns we've seen in the past, but good enough. I pity them a bit considering the rather awful politician they are committed to electing. But this ad is one straw too many. Now I feel it is safe to say this campaign is turning into a clown act, replete with big floppy shoes, squeeze horns, and big round red noses galore. Bottled selzer sprays and hand buzzers are sure to follow.
Set aside all the auto bailout policy particulars and think with me for a minute.
First, I don't understand what message they are trying to send. Is it that Obama shouldn't have bailed out the auto industry because car dealers lost? Do they really think that when people think of the auto industry decline in America, they think of car dealers and not plant workers?
But secondly, and more importantly, the auto bailout was the one thing that Obama has done on the economy that has been a big success. Why bring it up? Why remind voters of it? What's next? Are they gonna show pictures of the wreckage of the one helicopter that was lost during the Bin Laden raid?
This ad illustrates a stunning lack of political imagination and acumen on the part of the Romney Campaign. Tactically, it makes no sense. Strategically, it only benefits Obama. As a negative ad, it is weak because it highlights an unsympathetic demographic. There are just not that many voters who want to identify with car salesmen.
I don't know whose idea it was, but if you're a Democrat you've got to be smiling after watching the Romney Campaign fumble the ball over and over again.