John Cassidy, of the New Yorker, pulls no punches in Why is Romney Such a Loser? Seven Theories. Cassidy writes small essays exploring each hypothesis in detail. Loosely paraphrased, Cassidy's view boils down to these seven hypotheses:
1. The Romney campaign is incompetent.
2. Mitt Romney is incompetent.
3. The GOP sucks with outdated policies, people, and ideology.
4. President Obama is great and people love him too much to consider a substitute.
5. The economy isn't bad enough to get voters to change horses.
6. Demographics. By opposing women, the GLBT, Hispanics, other minorities etc. too few voters are left for GOP contention.
7. Maybe it's not as bad for Romney as we think.
If you've been moved by Ann Romney's plaintiff plea, "stop picking on Mitt!" this is not the article for you. But, if you find extensive analysis of the many shortcomings of Mitt Romney, his campaign, the Republican Party, and Karl Rove, and you are in the mood for a little Sunday afternoon schadenfraude this may be the article for you.