Friday, January 18, 2008

Romney and South Carolina   [Byron York]

Kathryn, I think Romney's re-positioning himself on South Carolina leaves out a bit of the story.  He may be downplaying his chances here, but he has worked the state very hard for a long time – and he still is.  I've been coming here to cover this race since 2006, and it seemed like everywhere I would go, to cover McCain or Giuliani, someone would say that Romney had been there yesterday, or was coming next week.  He was in the state a lot.

I spoke last night to Richard Quinn, who is McCain's chief strategist in South Carolina.  "I think Romey's playing possum," Quinn told me.  "He has spent more money on TV, radio, mail, phone, staff, and consultants by at least ten to one than any other candidate running for president.  He only went black on TV for about three days.  This is all spin for them to say they're not playing in South Carolina."  Quinn might be exaggerating a bit, but if he is, it's not by much.

01/18 08:52 AMShare