Two Surprising Gifts from President Obama to Mitt Romney

The last few weeks have been a gift for the Romney camp---and who would have guessed that the gift would come straight from his rival, the president himself.

For starters, President Obama launched his highly anticipated reelection campaign and by all accounts, it was a flop.  His speech was a far cry from the "brilliance" we saw in 2008.  His message lacked substance and absolutely no specifics for what his second term agenda would be.  It left many supporters and members of the media scratching their heads saying, that's it?

 CBS image.  Haraz N. Ghanbari/AP Photo

For weeks, we have watched our president jump from issue to issue, (War on Women, Gay Marriage, Fairness, Evils of Bain Capital, etc) each time hoping that he'll identify the right hot button topic to rally his base and weaken his opponent.

His strategy has not worked.

Mitt Romney is surging in the polls---many polls show him leading the president nationally and tied in most swing states.  Independents and women appear to be abandoning the Obama ship and then, given the president's recent evolution to support gay marriage, the evangelical right are now firmly rallying behind Mitt.

It goes without saying that Obama's campaign is off to a rocky start.  His fundraising dollars were down from last months'  fundraising totals and to make matters worse, his totals for the month were nearly equal to the amount raised by Mitt Romney.

It is only May and yet, this is happening for Mitt Romney, the "weak" Republican candidate who was supposed to be "too damaged" from the primaries to rally his base.  The candidate who is "too out-of-touch" and "too wealthy."  Mitt Romney, the candidate who was portrayed by the media as never standing a chance to go up against this popular president and his fundraising machine.

MSNBC Image / Reuters

I guess they were wrong.

But in the past 10 days, there are two surprising gifts that the president and his team have handed to Mitt Romney.  Namely, they have revoked two weapons from their arsenal that can be used down the road to discredit Mitt Romney.

What are these gifts?

#1 They can no longer brand Mitt a "Flip-Flopper"

The Obama campaign strategists have aggressively tried to portray Mitt Romney as a "flip-flopper."  White House spokespeople and Democratic Strategists have jumped at every opportunity to brand him as an uncommitted politician who lacks conviction and core principles.  They are quick to remind voters that Mitt Romney's change of position on key issues reflects and individual who panders to voters to win elections.

Problem?

From now on, thanks to the President's evolution to support gay marriage, Mitt Romney simply needs to respond to the attacks as a "misunderstanding."  He can simply say, "Oh, I am sorry, the White House misspoke.  I didn't "flip-flop," I simply evolved."

The media and the Obama team have given Mitt Romney the best rebuttal possible to the flip-flopping title.  "Evolving."  Brilliant.

(The Mitt Romney camp and his supporters express their gratitude).

***

#2 Attacks on Religion are now off limits

On Thursday, New York Times reported that a Conservative Super PAC, though not affiliated with the Romney campaign, was planning to run a negative ad focusing on controversial statements made by Obama's spiritual leader and former pastor, Reverend Wright.

Image from Businessinsider.com

The backlash from the left was quick and relentless.

Starting at 5:42 AM, Obama campaign chief strategist David Axelrod tweeted, "Will Mitt stand up, as John McCain did? Or allow the purveyors of slime to operate on his behalf?"

Throughout the day, dozens of tweets and countless statements were released from Democrat operatives.  Brad Woodhouse, Communications Director for the DNC tweeted, "If @MittRomney can't clearly denounce the type of scum bag tactics planned by his allies as outlined by the NYT he's not fit to lead."

Even White House spokesman Jay Carney jumped in.  He said, "To launch a multimillion dollar divisive attack campaign is not what the American people want.  I think there are moments when you have to stand up and say that is not the right way to go."

Clearly, the left has a problem with using a candidate's religion or their religious leaders in attack ads.

Problem with all of this outrage?  Mitt Romney completely agrees---Romney would also appreciate attacks on his religion to stay out of this election cycle.

ABC News Image

Mitt Romney refused to engage in the controversy.  When asked about the Reverend Wright ad he simply reminded the media that the Super PAC is not affiliated with his campaign and by law, he cannot interact with them.  Then he confidently said, "I want to make it very clear: I repudiate that effort.  I think it is the wrong course...I hope that our campaigns can respectively be about the future and about a vision for America."

Mitt Romney is being praised for his response and even Wolf Blitzer of CNN says that Romney's approach is "smart politics."  (Click here to read article).

I am sure the Romney camp would like to thank David Axelrod and the DNC spokespeople for setting this precedent so early in the election season:  Attacking religion is dirty politics.

They are right.  It is.

(Mitt Romney and members of the Mormon faith would like to thank them).

***

Two invaluable gifts for Mitt Romney.  Thank you Mr. President.

Now the election can stay focused on the issues.  No more talk of flip-flopping, no attacks on religion.  Just the facts.  Just the issues.  Just the economy.

Perfect.

Mitt Romney can now stay focused on reminding Americans how little has progressed since Obama took office.  Although Obama will complain about how bad things were when he took office, Mitt Romney is going to remind people how bad things have remained since he took it.

Getty Image

Mitt Romney is going to talk about the trillions of stimulus that failed to stimulate.  He is going to talk about the high unemployment.  He is going to talk about the president's inability to lead a divided Congress to find real compromises.

Mitt Romney can continue to argue that this election needs to turn on who has the best plan for jobs?

As President Obama avoids running on his record and tries to somehow inspire us to look "Forward," voters will fail to be inspired and will see that it is just a desperate plea for us not to look back at all that has failed in 3 1/2 years.

Mitt Romney is going to show his plan for a better America.  He is going to show America that real "Change" is possible---but this time around it will be change for the better.

Our president appears to be a little disoriented.  His rock star status has diminished and he is trying to re-establish what he stands for.  But the danger for his campaign?  If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything.

We deserve better.

Go Mitt!