Former George W. Bush staffer and DC-based literary consultant Matt Latimer dispels in a recent Washington Post column what he calls the “myths about the Republican race” and offers insight into what we might expect to see in the coming months.
Latimer puts the kibosh on the speculation that Mitt Romney might run again, detailing that while he has topped the charts in nearly every poll taken since this summer, he is too calculating to risk becoming the thrice-defeated Republican presidential nominee.
Likewise, as we have seen posited recently, that there is a clear frontrunner (i.e. Jeb Bush) is hogwash according to Latimer. Bush’s command of only 25% in the polls reflects that 75% of the GOP does not want him as the nominee.
Third among the myths is that the nominee will be the moderate in the crowd. Whether Jeb Bush or Chris Christie, thumbing one’s nose at the heavily conservative GOP base isn’t a recipe for success, a tact even John McCain was careful not to employ.
Latimer goes on to discount the idea that Chris Christie’s prospects were destroyed by Bridgegate. Referring to voters outside of DC, he points out, “Mention ‘Bridgegate’ to most of them and they’ll think you’re referring to tires.”
Finally, he slaps down the idea that a wide field of candidates will lead to a brokered convention with no clear nominee beforehand. History rarely lies, and Republicans have nearly always been quick to unite behind the clear frontrunner soon after the initial run of state primaries leading up to Super Tuesday.
