Unfair Expectations?

No one thought that Mitt Romney had a chance in Iowa.  His last minute 14-day surge surprised everyone, (I am sure even the Romney camp).  Even bigger surprise however was an 8-vote victory over surprise newcomer Rick Santorum.  Mitt Romney won in Iowa?  Mitt Romney won Iowa?  This victory still blows my mind.  A predominantly Evangelical and very conservative base and Mitt won.  He won in Iowa!

The story however, was not Mitt's surprising surge or his shocking win, the story was that Rick Santorum came out of nowhere and only lost by 8 votes.  I can't help but wonder, if Santorum had won by those same 8 votes, would the story have been that Romney surprisingly lost by a mere 8 votes in a state were he campaigned only a handful of times?  Spent very little money?  Or quite frankly where no one thought he had a chance?  No way.  A Romney win or loss would have been discredited.

We see this happening in New Hampshire.  Romney's double digit lead is completely discounted because apparently the fact that Romney lives in a neighboring state and owns a home in New Hampshire is all that Romney needs to win the loyalty of New Hampshire voters.

Really?

Give me a break and more importantly, give the voters of New Hampshire some credit.  The majority of the people are supporting Romney because he is an amazing candidate.  His experience is impressive.  His leadership is inspiring.  They are supporting Mitt Romney because they recognize that America needs Mitt Romney.

History has demonstrated that New Hampshire's influence is critical to a presidential election.  Their voters are disciplined and careful in selecting a candidate.  This state carries weight because it is typically a gage for how the rest of the country will vote.

It seems strange that the media has always been willing to give New Hampshire voters credit as being influential until this time around.  Is New Hampshire being discredited because the voters are leaning towards a front-runner that the media doesn't like?

The news reports of the last few days are that unless Romney wins decisively in New Hampshire, then his win there should be considered void.  When was the last time that a candidate had to prove himself like this?  Last time I checked, a win = a win.

Are these unfair expectations?  Is the media afraid of front-runner Mitt Romney?

I believe they are because it is clear that a Romney candidacy is a threat to an Obama victory in the November.  Mitt Romney's experience is real.  His career is impressive.  His values are solid and his successes are praiseworthy.  He deserves more credit than the media is giving him.

Over the past few days, the attacks against Romney have been deliberate and the most brutal to date.  The biggest surprise is that these attacks are coming from his republican rivals.  I am confident however, that a New Hampshire win tonight for Romney--regardless of the margin of victory--will be decisive and impressive.

I'll be anxiously watching for the announcement of another Mitt Romney win...in another crucial state.

Go Mitt!