1. Mediaite
  2. Gossip Cop
  3. Geekosystem
  4. Styleite
  5. SportsGrid
  6. The Mary Sue
  7. The Jane Dough
  8. The Braiser
Advertisement

Chris Wallace Asks Panel: If Mitt Romney Loses Michigan, Will Another Candidate Enter The GOP Contest?

video
» 57 comments

Is the almost-assured Republican primary contest victor no longer as assured? That seems to be the general consensus going around about Mitt Romney recently, as his polling numbers have dropped in the wake of a powerful Rick Santorum wave that has completely eclipsed the GOP field. On Fox News Sunday today, Chris Wallace asked his panelists what will happen to Romney’s candidacy if he loses Michigan, an important state for him to snatch in the primary season.

RELATED: ‘Top GOP Senator’ To ABC News: If Romney Loses Michigan, ‘He Will Publicly Call’ For Jeb Bush

One of Romney’s ads says that “this is personal,” but his appeal to the state that he used to call his home has been for naught, as Santorum currently leads him by eight points in the latest statewide polls. The Wall Street Journal‘s Kimberley Strassel argued that Romney’s whole case at this point is electability, and if he can’t win Michigan it will undermine his whole argument in the facce of two strongly social conservatives. She added that the only problem with Santorum plowing on ahead is that he doesn’t have the kind of money the other candidates do to press on, but all Romney is doing is “running on biography.”

Might speaking at the stadium where the Detroit Lions play help Romney’s campaign? Wallace and Strassel said it was doubtful, with Wallace saying he has been told Romney has no plans to make an economic announcement of any kind at the event, contrary to prior reports. Kirsten Powers pointed to not just Santorum’s resurgence as hurting Romney, but millions of dollars flowing into Newt Gingrich‘s campaign of late.

Karl Rove was the most blunt in his assessment of what would happen if Romney loses Michigan. He said it would be “damaging,” and acknowledged that because the state has an open primary, unions will likely try to cause mischief in the primary by voting against Romney. Wallace asked Rove what the chances would be of a late entry into the race. Rove previously dismissed the idea, but given what has happened in the last week, coupled with the fact that several key states have ballot deadlines down the road, and Rove admitted that this race was getting stranger by the second, with a late entry most definitely coupled with a brokered convention in the fall.

RELATED: Bulletproof: Why Rick Santorum Will Be Tough For Mitt Romney To Wipe Out

But Rove doubted a late entry would even happen, calling it “as remote as having life on Pluto.” Joe Trippi predicted a “trainwreck” if it actually happened, which he thought was incredibly likely in this race. Strassel asked who the GOP “savior” would be. Rove and Wallace went down a list of names, which shows even if a late candidate did emerge, there might still not be enough to satisfy voters.

Watch the video below, courtesy of Fox News:

Follow us on Twitter.

Sign up for Mediaite's daily newsletter.

Email Twitter Facebook Digg Reddit Stumble Upon Yahoo Buzz LinkedIn Tumblr Delicious
  • Gloves Cledus Donahue

     Dumb question, Chris.  The Dems/Obama media/unions are working hard to get Obama the weakest candidate, and that’s not Romney.

  • Carl Emmoth

    Karl Rove? Wow! He’s a criminal. Remeber watching Bush’s Brain on swedish national television. You should too!

    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0403910/reviews 

  • Anonymous

    Rich Santorum 2012.

  • Anonymous

    Michigan is where Romney’s Oedipal Agony, as much a part of his Conehead disconnect from Life In This Galaxy As We Know It as his bad faith renunciation of the wellsprings of his spiritual being (ie, his Mormon faith), comes home to peck his eyes out.

    How tragic. 

  • Anonymous

    Who are they going to call? Ghostbusters. Oh, I forgot about that Constitutional amendment limiting a person to two terms. Do you know whether it would apply to Ronald Reagan’s ghost, because Ronnie is their only chance.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Bart-Morgay/100001554351938 Bart Morgay

    The christian conservatives should go off and form their own party and take their nutjob followers with them.

  • http://twitter.com/12barbluz Lightnin’ James

    The GOP are completely screwed for 2012.

  • Anonymous

    The Republican­s should concede that this crop of candidates is a “wash” and take the next 4 years to try to groom some people that are sane! 

    The T/GOP have made their “mission and mantra” to making Obama a one term President. They have not created an agenda to accomplish their sentiment only mindless rhetoric, that does not include the “bettermen­t of America or her Citizens”.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WH3ZLMM7CUKUHUIMK4TKXW6SQE John

    It’s too late to enter other than a brokered convention.  If a brokered convention does happen we could get Jeb Bush or Rand Paul.  If no brokered convention we have to wait for Rand Paul in 2016.

  • Gloves Cledus Donahue

    If no Dems will support TheBarry’s budget, will he step aside and let a decent Dem take his place on the ticket? Why will Reid not allow a vote?

  • Anonymous

    The campaign for the
    Republican nomination for President of the United States in 2012 reflects the
    difficulty Republicans primary voters are having with the conservative
    credentials of the candidates. What is a true American conservative? How do we
    reliably tell the difference between someone who has the heart and soul of a
    true conservative and those who wear the conservative label when it benefits
    them but will find excuses to shy away from it when they are in office? There
    is one sure-fire test. http://ewross.com/what_is_a_true_american_conservative.htm

  • Anonymous

    Let’s see Sonya Henne’s out,so it’s up to Jeb “My last names not Bush”,the Alaskan Shinooki,or some lower primate.I’d say go with the lower primate.

  • Anonymous

    Alaskan Snooki 2012! 

  • Anonymous

    Will Romney lose Michigan?  I don’t know.  My guess is – he will NOT lose in Michigan. 

    But, if he does – I don’t think another candidate will jump in.  For one thing who would it be. And isn’t it late for getting the money and organization he would need? 

    The Republicans believed from the beginning, that 2012 was going to be the reverse of 2008 – an easy win for any candidate with an R after his name.  That was before the economy started picking up – and yes, it has showed some sign of recovery – albeit small.

    The “anybody but Obama” is not the sure thing it was once thought of as a winner.  This election is still about the economy.  I believe Romney the best to turn this economy around.  That he is clumsy and ill-fitted as a politician is unfortunate – but he still is the best for the job at hand.  IMO

  • Anonymous

    Right pick Jeb Bush… because the last Bush didn’t destroy the economy enough…. No New Bushes! how about the Alaskan Snooki ?

  • Anonymous

    The premise of your post( that the republicans thought it would be an easy victory) is flawed. No incumbent election is ever “easy” and smart republicans knew that from the beginning. Why they ran these bozos against Obama well im sure someone has a good book in the works regarding that.

  • WiddleBabyDanielson

     Too much of a RINO for T/GOP.

  • News Of The World

    Have you learned your lessons yet, GOPBaggers?  You can’t let a bunch of crazy, backwards far-right wing hacks fumble around for a year as if they had any chance at the White House in the first place.  You need someone SANE.  Not INsane.  Get it?  I know the two words are very similar, but try to understand the difference.  SANE Vs. INsane.  Now get to work for 2016 (not that it’s going to really matter then, either).

  • Anonymous

    So if Romney loses Michigan (30 delegates and proportional)and wins Arizona (29 delegates and winner take all)can we start saying that he’s inevitable again?

  • http://mcstumpy.myopenid.com/ Stumpy McGrumpy

    Romney would be the strongest candidate the GOP could field against the President, but it isn’t Dems/Media/Unions that are undoing him; the Republicans are doing it to themselves.

  • Anonymous

    Ho Ho, a real comedian……..

  • Anonymous

    Ho Ho, a real comedian……..

  • Anonymous

    Not only are the lefties afraid of Sarah Palin, so is the elite GOP Establishment, mum is the word around these genius round table Permanent Political Class Pundit chats.

  • Verreauxii

    Precisely! 

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Carolyn-Dixon/100000062171632 Carolyn Dixon

     why do you hate christians so much? whatever have we done to you? we pay taxes same as you, base our lifestyles upon the Creator (God) of the Bible.  Why does that offend you so much? you offend me by saying we should have a say in who the nominee will be.  We care about the future of our children and grandchildren.  I for one am tired of democrats and republicans pushing candidates down our throats that don’t represent conservative ideals. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Carolyn-Dixon/100000062171632 Carolyn Dixon

     no, romney is not the strongest candidate.  he is the weakest and that is why the dems and media were pushing so hard for him to be the nominee. he’s got romneycare which is the basis for obamacare.  do some research and get facts.

  • Anonymous

    HAhahahahahahaah

  • Anonymous

    Really? Churches pay taxes? I mean, they SHOULD since they’re now involved in pushing politics…

  • Anonymous

    Enough political dynasties! We don’t need Bush Clinton Bush Clinton Bush

  • Anonymous

    FROTH NEED MONEY GIVE FROTH MONEY!!!!!!

  • Anonymous

    Democrats would LOVE to see the ol’ snowbilly-grifter enter the race!

    I mean, she’s as unelectable as Trump!

    http://hotair.com/archives/2011/05/05/q-poll-is-sarah-palin-unelectable/

  • BooBoo Bear

     Don’t tell me that you support Santorum, he’s the absolute worst of the field.

  • BooBoo Bear

     Carolyn,
      Let me guess that your Church has selective amnesia when it come to the long list of Abominations (361+1). Your Church only see’s Homosexuality, right?

    When I’m 100% sure that you are guilty of at least one of the following.

    Wearing two different fabrics at the same time. That means no Latex Bra under your Cotton Blouse/Dress or T-Shirt. No more Spandex panties, under almost everything you wear.

    No more eating Hamburgers while drinking milk or having a milkshake.
    No more Lobster, Clams, Oysters or Shrimp.
    No more planting a garden with two different crops next to each other.(same applies to farmers)
    Your husband/boyfriend/son’s not allowed to wear underwear with an elastic waistband. They along with you aren’t allowed to wear sweat shirts or pants. Mixed fabric.

    Your husband/bf/son no longer allowed to watch sports on Sundays. Football, Basketball, Baseball, Golf, Hockey and back to Football. As they will be forcing someone to work on the Sabbath. They need to go and smite them. Just let them know you’ll visit them while they are in prison doing 25 to life.
    No more going out to eat after Church on Sunday since you are forcing someone to work on the Sabbath. This time you can smite thee (them). You might want to see if your family can all stay at the same prison.
    Also your son won’t be able to play football since he would be touching pig skin.
    Your husband/bf won’t be allowed to wear a Cotton shirt with a Silk or Poly blend tie.

    It should also be mentioned that they aren’t allowed to wear a Wool sweater while wearing a Cotton shirt underneath…Santorum is guilty of this Abomination. Please let him know this. I’m sure a letter coming from a Church will have more clout than me sending him a list of his abominations.
    No more wearing jewelry except for a spartan (plain) wedding band. Abomination. The list could go on…but I think you see where I stand..All of these Abominations are true and valid or none of them are. That means that you cannot say homosexuality is, while the others are not.

    You might also want to read Ezekiel 16:49 to learn why Sodom & Gomorrah were destroyed.
    {hint it wasn’t because they were homosexuals..they basically were neocons-Tea Partiers.
    They didn’t care for the visitors, the elderly, the sick, the poor and needy.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_2K6LL4WPUTAY6TKG2VG3SYFA5M Erlinda

    Lol, Lefty and GOP Establishment afraid of Sarah Palin? She who have no brain, see Russia from her house. In one of her speeches she said all of the uneducated women look up to her because they think, wow one of us actually gets to be in the White House. Not a very bright crayon there. Again, afraid of her? Only in your dream!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_2K6LL4WPUTAY6TKG2VG3SYFA5M Erlinda

    I love Karl Rove, the Architec. Go Rove!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_2K6LL4WPUTAY6TKG2VG3SYFA5M Erlinda

    Liberal media pushes so hard to say Romney is the weakest because they know Obama with his trillions in spending is the weakest spot for Obama to lost this election. Do your research. America make Obama a One term president.

  • Anonymous

    You speak in cliches, and platitudes, its from the same tired false playbook, of the last three years. If you were intellectually honest you would see the movie “The Undefeated” by Steve Bannon. By the way it is a fact she never said you can see Russia from her house, it was Tina Fey who said that, in a very unfunny comedy routine.

  • Anonymous

    i’m with you mr. chops. the  first female potus

  • Anonymous

    you are scared to death

  • Anonymous

    no we want a tested candidate and it won’t be mittens.

  • Anonymous

    he is one , the nominee has not entered yet

  • Anonymous

    yes mr chops. the next potus

  • Anonymous

    Yep please bring her down from Alaska. Please make Bachmann her VP. We’re afraid of her too!

  • Charles Ulysses Feney

    A brokered convention will give us JEBUS Bush 
    and the Snowbilly Grifter – Miss White on Rice – Alaska Snooki!

  • Чёрт Возьми

     What is there about Sarah Palin to fear?

  • Чёрт Возьми

     Churches do not pay taxes, but people in churches pay taxes. Even preachers pay income tax on their earnings as preachers. The church as a business does not pay taxes on its income, but anyone who earns an income from church activities must pay taxes.

  • http://www.facebook.com/katnkda Angelica Sellers

     it is because you want to force your lifestyle on everybody else, no matter what. The constitution grants freedom of religion – for EVERY citizen, not only for Christians. Religion needs to be completely and entirely separated from the government in order to create equality for all religions. I am so tired of religious fanatics of all kind, the majority of Christians does not follow Christ’s teachings but only man made doctrines, what is all right – as long as you don’t expect everybody else to follow your doctrines as well. While other religious fanatics are also a bother – the Christian sects are by far the most annoying and hypocritical bunch who cause nothing but strife in this world ever since they exist.( btw. God was not the creator of the bible, it was mankind, many different authors from different time periods.)

  • shonangreg

    Carolyn, Bart may hate Christians, but I don’t think that is the context of what he is saying here. Just as rich people are not the problem with the 1%, Christians are not a problem. The problem is favoritism toward these two groups. The 1% can commit crimes, hire expensive lawyers, and get off of most charges that 99% of us would probably just be told by our cheap lawyer to plea bargain.

    Christian extremists wield much too much power in the Republican Party, and they never want to lose. They want to make everyone else lives by their own religious rules — a sort of Christian sharia. No abortions. No birth control. No atheists in public office. And on and on.

    This is what I’m guessing Bart is referring to. But you knew that, didn’t you?

  • http://gregingleright.weebly.com/ Greg

    Took the ladies on a day trip to the city of St. Joseph on Sunday… A bit of a bitter wind riding off the great lake but wonderful otherwise. Stopped to visit kin folk before a speedy return to Chi City and got some insight. My kin are devoutly Roman Catholic, Guns… More please and Fox News all day. They are to a citizen displeased by the options. Three early ballots with two votes going to Rick and one toward Newt. Mitt has not connected. His campaign ads frustrate. If he can’t fix the campaign the contested convention a certainty IMHO.

  • http://profiles.google.com/gotpups terry ward

    “Will Another Candidate Enter The GOP Contest?”
    Impossible.
    There were only three Stooges.

  • Anonymous

    At first I thought you were an just an idiot but at second look you are a conspiracy idiot.

  • http://twitter.com/Darr247 Darr Darr

    It makes Sarah’s panties wet thinking about the ‘baggers begging on their knees.

  • Larry Linn

    Is there another jester in the GOP Clown Car?

  • Dale Hogue

    Your post was long and boring and irrelevant to anything that has ever been a topic for discussion on this page.  But you do type well, I didn’t find any typos, so that is a feather in your posting cap.  I suppose you think it was cleverly done.  That might have been true, but it didn’t impress me that much or make me angry at you, so how clever could it have been?

    However, having criticized your ability to write clever posts without offering any suggestions on how to improve it may be a bit snobbish on my part, so I will make this statement inside of a question to change the subject: I’m not sure why you’re upset at the Tea Party members. Most of us – maybe even all of us – are loyal to our political philosophy as well as being very patriotic American citizens. And you can’t get more American than that.

    We don’t really dislike Barack Hussein Obama as a person, but we do dislike his brainless attitude toward American values, American political traditions and how he keeps getting our presidency mixed up with his love for third-world dictators like that Chavez guy who honestly believes that the people of in his little South American country love what he is doing to them.

    Tea Party members pray every night that nobody – who is white – will get so upset with our Muslim president that he or she will think it is a good idea to remove him from office in the typical manner that South American dictators are traditionally removed from office.  We Tea Party members also pray that Obama will finally realize that there is a big difference between running to be elected president and actually working at being the president once he was elected to that office.  I’m not sure that we can count on him being smart enough to realize that there is, in fact, a helluva difference. 

    But, be that as it may, Obama Hussen Obama can count on the vote of every Socialist and Communist and Muslim and Anti-Jew and Anti-Christian and Pro-Hollywood Celebrity and most every Progressive person whose skin is black and all those Progressives who wish that their skin was black because it is the proper color to be in this day and age.

    Does that last part sound racist?  I guess it does, doesn’t it.  Oh well, we’ll just let that last paragraph stay as I wrote it so I we can see how many philosophical feathers will be ruffled in the Democratic Socialist Party.    

  • Anonymous

    Sure – GROVER NORQUIST.  He has been telling all the republicans how to vote anyway.  Plus, he says that whoever is president just needs to know how to sign their name so they can sign where he tells them.
    AND, all the republicans already owe him – I guess.  At least they have signed pledges giving their soul to him.

  • Anonymous

    Come on.  All those union people in Michigan are waiting to figure out who the weakest candidate is.  I say it is the religious right crazy Santorum. 
    But then again, Mitts is really a strange guy with his own healthcare bill and flips and flops on everything from abortion to gays.  Well, I’m sure someone will figure out who the weakest candidate is.  Looks like to me that both of them are.

  • Anonymous

    This is all so preposterous. Bring in the witch, Christine O’Donnell and watch her ride in on her broomstick. No need for Air Force One. See, I’m saving the country money already.

© 2012 Mediaite, LLC | About Us | Advertise | Newsletter | Jobs | Privacy | User Agreement | Disclaimer | Power Grid FAQ | Contact | Archives | RSS RSS
Dan Abrams, Founder | Power Grid by Sound Strategies | Hosting by Datagram