Romney Leads in Ill Will Among G.O.P. Candidates

[RedEarth]

Source: nyt

— At the end of the Republican presidential debate in New Hampshire this month, when the Democrats joined the candidates on stage, Mitt Romney found himself momentarily alone as his counterparts mingled, looking around a bit stiffly for a companion.

The moment was emblematic of a broader reality that has helped shape the Republican contest and could take center stage again on Thursday at a debate in Florida. Within the small circle of contenders, Mr. Romney has become the most disliked.

With so much attention recently on the sniping between Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama on the Democratic side, the almost visceral scorn directed at Mr. Romney by his rivals has been overshadowed.

“Never get into a wrestling match with a pig,” Senator John McCain said in New Hampshire this month after reporters asked him about Mr. Romney. “You both get dirty, and the pig likes it.”

Mike Huckabee’s pugilistic campaign chairman, Ed Rollins, appeared to stop just short of threatening Mr. Romney with physical violence at one point. “What I have to do is make sure that my anger with a guy like Romney, whose teeth I want to knock out, doesn’t get in the way of my thought process,” Mr. Rollins said.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/24/us/politics/24romney.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

[Bicoastal]

1. For a second, I thought this said Romney was leading among the GOP in Illinois...

...I'm betting McCain has the edge among Illinois Repubs.

[verges]

2. Wait, Wait...

Peter Sagel made that observation to Paul Begala on "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me" on NPR a couple of weeks ago. Begala responded, saying something to the effect of "They all think he's a huge phony."

[Sacajawea]

3. verges....welcome to DU!!!

I very much enjoy "Wait, wait...", but I must have missed that show. I certainly would have enjoyed hearing Begala say that.

[jzodda]

4. LOL I love that analogy!

Never get into a wrestling match with a pig, You both get dirty, and the pig likes it

First time I heard that one..Now I will save it for a good time to use it :)

I remember watching one of the debates and the whole time that slime Romney was speaking McCain had a snarl on his face like he wanted to kill em. It made me laugh out loud. They are all right about that guy...He's just too polished, like he is a robot or a clone programmed to act like the "perfect" politician

[AlinPA]

6. I also like "never get into a pissing match with a skunk". nt

[LiberalFighter]

5. when the Democrats joined the candidates on stage?

Were the Democrats there at the Republican debate? Or did writer screw up the story?