A Huge Win and Why This One is Different

Today is undoubtedly a good day for the Romney camp.  A pivotal corner was turned in Romney's landslide victory last night in Illinois.

Image from CBSnews.com

For days, critics were mounting pressure calling the Illinois race a "must-win" for the former governor.  The pressure was real.  The stakes were high.  The outcome was supposed to be a game-changer.

Illinois was supposed to be different.  The question is were they right?  Was it?

Because let's be honest, hasn't every race essentially been a "must-win" for the front runner?  Despite wins in other "must-win" contests, he continues to be labeled as a "weak front runner."

Was Illinois different?  Was it the game changer?

Getty Images

My answer is that they were absolutely right.  The game changed last night and whether or not the rivals want to see it, the writing is on the wall: Mitt Romney is the presumptive nominee.

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I think one of the most interesting factors in the Illinois primary was that it was really the first time that Republicans were offered a true one-on-one contest.  Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul had all but conceded the state to their rivals.  Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum were entering the state with impressive wins from last week, but it was hard to tell who really had the wind at their back.

Illinois is also a very diverse state where neither Romney nor Santorum had a predominant base.   It is a blue collar, industrial and a suburban rich state--demographics where each candidate seems to have a stronghold.

Truly, Illinois was either man's for the taking.

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So what happened last night?  The answer, Mitt Romney pummeled his rivals in nearly every demographic.  He won handily among blue collar, industrial, suburban, conservative, Tea Party supporting, Catholics, moderates, men, women, nearly every age group and income bracket over $50,000.

It was a landslide victory. Mitt Romney is closing the gaps.  Conservatives are coalescing around him.

CNN reported that among those who identify themselves as "True Conservatives" Mitt Romney won 43% over 39% for Santorum.  Among Tea Party supporters, Romney won 43% to 37% for Santorum.  This is significant because Romney has struggled with these conservatives, but it appears that his message is beginning to resonate.

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In his victory speech last night, Romney said, "Today, hundreds of thousands of people in Illinois have joined millions of people around the country to join our cause."  He congratulated his rivals for a hard-fought contest and then began confidently address President Obama--a fight Romney would argue he is best suited to fight in November.

In reference to Obama he said, "After the years of too many apologies and not enough jobs, historic drops in income and historic highs in gas prices from a president who doesn't hesitate to use all the means necessary to force Obamacare on the American public, but leads from behind in world affairs, it's time to say, "Enough."

One of the strongest messages of his speech was when he contrasted his experience to that of President Obama.  He said, "For 25 years, I lived and breathed jobs, business and the economy.  I had successes and failures, but each step of the way, I learned a little more about what it is that makes our American system so powerful.

"You can't learn that teaching Constitutional Law.  You can't learn that as a community organizer.  The simple truth is that this President just doesn't understand the genius of America's economy--or the secret of our successes."

Image from Washingtonpost.com

He warned that government regulations like Dodd-Frank have stifled the business culture in America.  He illustrated how much harder it currently is for the entrepreneurial spirit to thrive.  He confidently said, "When we replace a law professor with a businessman, that will end."

He invited others to join his cause,  "This election will be about principle.  Our economic freedom will be on the ballot.  I'm running for president because I have the experience and vision to get us out of this mess."

He ended by reminding us of his vision for America.  "I see an America where we know the prospects for our children will be better than our own...where the values we pass on to our children are greater than the debts we leave them, where poverty is defeated by opportunity, not enabled by a government check."

"I see an America that is humble, but never humbled, that leads but is never led.  Join us.  Together we will ensure that America's greatest days are still ahead."

It was a great speech.  It was inspiring.  It was presidential.

So, was Illinois different?  Absolutely.  Last night's victory was undoubtedly, a game changer.

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Romney now has 563 delegates.  The Washington Post reported today that he has won 55 percent of the delegates and he only needs to win 46 percent of the remaining delegates to win the nomination.

Santorum has vowed to fight, but sooner or later he will have to realize that his message is now muddied and is becoming less and less effective.  Saying, "Vote for me, I'll block Romney" doesn't feel inspiring.  It doesn't feel motivating.  It doesn't feel presidential.

History has shown that this approach is not how Presidential nominees are chosen.

AFP/Getty Images

Although this race is far from over and there are still many hard contests left, one thing is clear, the tide has shifted.  Romney's superior campaign, unparalleled organization, fundraising skills, lead in delegates, numbers of states won, and his growing number of supporters can give voters the confidence that he best suited to lead our conservative cause and restore conservative principles to the White House.

People are listening.  Perhaps that is why Mitt Romney won the coveted endorsement today of GOP favorite Jeb Bush. In his endorsement, Bush congratulated Romney on his impressive Illinois win and then said it was "time for Republicans to unite behind Governor Romney."

AP/Steve Senne/Wilfredo Lee)

As of today,  4 million people have voted for Mitt Romney--over 1 million more than those who have voted for Rick Santorum.  The surge is mounting.

It is about time.