Ex-president and former Homer Simpson rival George H. W. Bush will endorse Mitt Romney Wednesday afternoon, continuing Romney's roll of meaningless if not harmful endorsements.
Romney's endorsements--which include Bob Dole, John McCain, Jeb Bush, and other boring rich white establishment men--show that the GOP establishment is closing ranks around the candidate. But that was never Romney's problem: the establishment isn't in love with him, but they much prefer Romney to culture warrior Rick Santorum, scorched-earth zoo poet Newt Gingrich, or golem understudy Ron Paul.
Romney's problem is with the base of the GOP, whether they be evangelicals, blue collar voters, libertarians, or the others who have sought refuge from the winds of Obama under the Republican tent. Are any of these voters likely to be swayed by a one-term President from the early 90s who was never very popular, and whose two primary legacies are raising taxes after promising not to, and saddling us with a dud of a son. Oh and whose recent public appearances involve Bill Clinton? For that matter, do Bob Dole or John McCain sway any of the base, either?
Romney needs more endorsements along the line of Chris Christie, who remains popular with the GOP base, mostly because much of the base doesn't know what he believes beyond his headline causes. Until then, endorsements like George H. W. Bush only show Romney to be the desultory choice of a resigned establishment. That won't drive turnout in November.
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Related: Game Over: Jeb Bush Endorses Mitt Romney
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