Mitt Romney rocked New Hampshire last night, winning about 40% of the vote. Coming in second was Ron Paul, followed by Jon Huntsman, who had the support of many Democrats and independents. This makes sense because liberals think Huntsman is what a Republican should be. Finishing fourth was Newt Gingrich, followed by Rick Santorum. So what's next? It's painfully obvious that the GOP establishment wants Romney to win the nomination, which we outlined here. Even the media is pulling hard for Romney. These are major factors, but we're still months away from having a nomination. And the situation is likely to drastically change.
The next big primary is in South Carolina next week. Since 1980, every candidate that's won South Carolina goes on to get the nomination. And this is where we think the situation will change. It's been blatantly obvious that a large population of Republicans, at the very minimum a majority of them, are eager for a candidate other than Romney. For evidence, look at the roller coaster rides that nearly every other GOP candidate has went on for a short period of time, before the Romney machine ended their rise in the polls. They act very similar to the Obama campaign when dealing with an opponent.
Right now, Ron Paul, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Rick Perry are all getting pieces of the anti-Romney vote. Jon Huntsman won't make it much farther than South Carolina, if at all. He's too similar to Romney and isn't an alternative. Santorum will run out of money soon and his focus on social issues could abandon some voters. Rick Perry has had multiple chances, and as much as we like him, he has a tough path forward.
That leaves Ron Paul and Newt Gingrich. The Paulbots are crazy for their candidate, but is the rest of country interested in an isolationist America? Sure, his domestic policy that adheres to the Constitution is what we need, but his international stance is demented. He'll fight hard for awhile, but will eventually dropout as his national support will remain very low. That leaves Newt Gingrich to fight for nomination against Romney. Newt is far from perfect, but he has a track record of making big changes in the government. It's likely one of the reasons so many "conservatives" despise him. For big change, bridges are usually burned. He also has a new super pac supporting him, giving him an attack machine while he stays positive.
We feel the GOP nomination will come down to Romney and Gingrich. For those criticizing Newt's attacks on Romney, to that we say, cry me a river. Romney started the mud fight; he's gotten off way too easily thus far. Of the two, we don't know what will happen, as Romney has proven he will do ANYTHING to become president, which is not a good trait to have. He'll duke it out to the end because he has so much to lose: his pride. Running for president twice and losing is tough to stomach. It's going to get ugly, but that's always the case. Mitt will focus on his opponent more than Obama, showing how desperate he is. Assuming the other candidate focuses on Obama, it will turn voters off.
If we're wrong, so be it. We'll support any damn GOP nominee that gets this incompetent, empty suit out of office.
Chuck Justice is the editor-in-chief for Habledash.
