If Robomney can do it, he would pose the greatest threat to Obama. I think it's abundantly clear now that Santorum is out - calling college grads snobs, and picking a fight with the ghost of JFK cemented what we already knew - which is that he's totally nuts. That and more things but no need to list them all, we get the idea. But, Romney if he can become somewhat human in his appearance instead of the robotic corporate machine that he is, could pose a real threat to Obama.
Elections unfortunately aren't always won by the issues. Personality, timing, perception, and stage presence can be all you need to waltz into White House and take power. So far, Obama, despite losing some of his initial excitement from 2008 has kept in good spirits and is an appealing candidate. He still speaks optimistically, he has grown into the job, and I think despite so much dissatisfaction over so many issues, Republicans have yet to offer truly valid alternatives to the Democratic model.
Occupy Wall Street may have saved Obama a second term. By doing the heavy lifting for him and featuring this idea of the 99% he doesn't need to endorse the movement just provide the red meat in his speeches to those frustrated by corporate greed and power screwing over the little guy.
Romney is not in a good place when it comes to this battle. A Bain Capital job-slasher with a cold, corporate demeanor isn't exactly what wins over an on-edge American public. Concerned about a still questionable economic situation, the looming threat of us getting wrapped up in more warfare, and a general sense of unease over a rapidly changing global landscape, I'm not so sure Obama - who initially seemed so foreign to so many Americans seems so out of touch at this point. He's the guy we have who gets the world outside the states a little more than previous candidates. The one who can help America navigate this new rapidly changing, technologically connected World 2.0. Romney is of the old-money era. The good ol' boys club - and it shows.
Romney will make his points. He'll try to paint Obama as being weak on national defense. He'll say Obama has been naive economically, and is inexperienced, even though he's now more experienced having actually served as President. However, if Romney really wants to present a challenge, luckily I don't think he's capable of doing it - he would have to learn how to come across as somehow more compassionate and more humane than Obama. Slapping a dog on a roof during a road trip doesn't help. I see Dog Lovers for Obama ads here on the KOS web site and can already see that it's a direct swipe at Romney. I don't suspect he really wants to talk about dogs too much in this campaign cycle, or road trips. So, the main thing to look for is not going to be the issues, but if the robotic candidate learns how to be.... Human. If he dose that, he's got age, a Presidential look and Jack Donaghy power-player X factor. He looks and feels Presidential.
A looser Romney could be a serious threat to Obama. Especially as Obama over the years has become more guarded, more serious, and less playful than he was as a Senator or as a candidate. As much as we have big issues on the table, I almost wonder if the real battle in this election will be who can win the game of being cool. Luckily Obama's got some access to some great mentors here - like Bill Clinton. Romney. I'm not sure. He'll have to watch old Reagan movies or something because I don't think he's going to learn Charisma 101 from Gingrich. Maybe Trump knows a thing or two.