For months, Mitt Romney has been contradicted by Republican governors in key swing states -- he's trying to convince voters to feel depressed and pessimistic; they're doing the opposite, talking up the improvements in their states' economies.
The conflict reached a new level with reports that Romney urged Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) to "tone down his statements heralding improvements in the state's economy because they clash with the presumptive Republican nominee's message."
By yesterday afternoon, the relevant players were denying such talks took place, but whether you believe the accounts or not, it's worth noting that the far-right Florida governor doesn't seem to mind stepping all over Romney's message. Just yesterday, Scott's state Republican Party sent out a press statement along with this chart, showing the growth in Florida's private-sector job market.
Florida Republican Party
It was accompanied by text heralding the "increases in job creation and economic growth" in Florida, the drop in Florida's unemployment rate, and the boast that Florida "is heading in the right direction."
Of course, the GOP statement credits Rick Scott for the developments, not President Obama, but the point is, the Florida governor wants voters in the nation's largest swing state to feel great about Florida's growing economy -- and Romney doesn't.
Remember, it's not just Florida. Maddow Blog has been documenting the trend for over a month, but as other news outlets pick up on this, we see the examples of conflict between Romney and his ostensible gubernatorial allies grow. The New York Times reports today that the Republican presidential nominee is "on a collision course" with GOP governors in states like Virginia, Ohio and Iowa. The Daily Beast noted the concerns in Wisconsin, too.
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"Of course, the GOP statement credits Rick Scott for the developments..."
Of course Rick Scott is going to "talk up" the economy, he may not currently be running for office, but he's looking down the road at his political future and self preservation rules! It's not personal Mittens, they just can't speak against their own political ambitions.
"ambitions," perhaps, but I would term it "survival." Scott cannot get out of the mid-low 30% approval ratings (though he showed in one recent poll a curious spike to 39%); he is losing as of July 1 the Chief of Staff specifically hired over a year ago to raise his favorables (amid a contracting dustup) and he is facing the potential of being primaried by the incoming State Senate President who can match him in being able to expend personal wealth, can exceed him in being able to raise outside funds, who possesses after years of nurturing a vast network of present and former political figures in the state and who managed and directed the smoothest and most controversy-free Legislative and Congressional reapportionment process ever in the State since the battles for one-man one-vote began in the mid-1950's.
He has not said he is running, but the prospect for Scott is pretty daunting should he decide to.
It is too late for Romney to retool his campaign to match the emerging reality. Our economy is seeing slow but steady growth. That growth is beginning to be noticed. Republican governors naturally want to take credit.
What is emerging reminds me of the Reagan Mondale race. Early in the year people thought Mondale had a chance. As the year worn on the economy picked up pace, and Reagan won in a giant landslide.
Saying Rick Scott's message "Clashes with the presumptive Republican nominee's message" implies that Romney actually has a message of some sort. The only thing I've ever heard Romney unequivocally say was "The trees are the right height." And he probably said the same thing again at his next campaign stop.
Excuse me? What conflict?
Romney is certainly on board with no state income tax and declining public sector expense. Florida is a perfect demonstration project. Like Wisconsin.
And maybe, just maybe, some of the growth in these r inflicted states has been aided and abetted by federal stimulus monies?
Only bad news is good news for Mittpox.
Only in the world of partisan politics can moving backwards be interpreted as good news. The US is still not creating enough jobs to keep up with inflation but yet we tout job creations like it is great news.
Granted, it means we aren't moving aren't moving backwards as fast, but if you aren't creating enough job to keep up with population growth (of age moving into the job market) then you are moving backwards.
(Note this comment doesn't not attempt to say who is to blame or who has the better fix, just that we are still moving backwards.)
That's what Romney would have you believe. Last time I checked the Earth was still spinning in the right direction.We are still progressing whether Romney and his people like it or not. We may not be progressing as monetarily that he would like, but, physically, spiritually, and emotionally a lot of people are progressing. The Middle Class and the poor have now entered into the survival mode. We know that there is no real help yet for all of us, but, it is coming as long as we keep moving up and not back down, where Romney will surely lead us. He only knows down as far as getting his way. Lies and Deceit have brought him this far. But, I do believe this is the end of his travels. The buck stops here. No more juice in these turnips.
Seems to me that rising job rates in the is a double edged sword. In Scotts case, he claimed during his campaign that he had a plan that would create x number of jobs. Now that the jobs seem to be happening... why is NOT valid for him to say ... "told ya so"?
Hard to understand Floridians, but I must say that the auto industry bail out is working here in Northern Illinois. Just ask anyone who was added on with the new shifts at
the Chrysler plant. Good pay, good benefits. Manufacturing in America. Seems like
capitalism to me.