Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, the Republican so called “establishment” candidate for President, who would, in theory, based on party history, be seen as the likely front runner to be the next GOP nominee, seemingly had good news this past weekend, as he “won” a New Hampshire straw poll conducted by that state’s Republican party, a full year before the New Hampshire presidential primary that, in theory, he should win handily.
But upon second thought, is his win a good sign? No, in actual fact, as the New Hampshire Republican Party has chosen a Tea Party favorite as its state party leader, and the Tea Party activists are no fans of Mitt Romney.
It is however, interesting, to notice who received votes in that straw poll in New Hampshire. Romney was way ahead with 35 percent of the vote, with Texas Congressman and libertarian and Tea Party favorite Ron Paul second with 11 percent, former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty 8 percent, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin 7 percent, Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann at 5 percent, South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint also 5 percent, and others even lower.
When only Tim Pawlenty is the other mainstream Republican who scores in the straw poll, and all the others are Tea Party favorites, that makes one realize that New Hampshire might very well become the center of a right wing radicalization of the GOP for the Presidency, with the Tea Party leader in New Hampshire making clear that mainstream Republicans are persona non grata! 🙁
If that is the case, then Mitt Romney has a lot to worry about, because if he cannot count on New Hampshire, then his candidacy is a losing cause in 2012!