He and other Republicans said they expect Romney will now respond to Santorum’s revival as he has to surges by Newt Gingrich: by launching a fearsome barrage of attacks.
Yesterday, Romney’s campaign began the assault, accusing Santorum of being a Washington insider and supporter of pork-barrel spending. Romney’s well-financed super PAC may amplify those arguments on the airwaves.
Republicans were bracing for the attacks with some trepidation. Many are eager to end the intraparty fighting and begin directing the party’s energies toward ousting President Obama.
Some polling data also suggest that the harsher tone Romney adopted in Florida as he fended off Gingrich may have tarnished his standing in a general election contest with Obama.
“There’s always danger if you go too far,’’ Wadhams said. “You’ve got to make sure the attacks are credible and reach a standard of fairness. And it’s always a fine line.’’
Romney was understandably eager to begin focusing on Obama after he dispatched Gingrich in Florida. At the time, it seemed Santorum’s candidacy was all but moribund and Romney’s path to the nomination was clear. But in racing toward the general election, Romney may have lost sight of the unease he continues to stir among some Tea Party adherents, evangelical voters, and conservatives, who hold sway in the primaries and caucuses, some Republican leaders said.
“His message is almost a general-election message but the nature of the race is such that, while you’re doing that, you have to lock up your base,’’ said David A. Keene, who is president of the National Rifle Association and was chairman of the American Conservative Union. “He really hasn’t gotten the enthusiastic support of the Republican base. He’s making progress, but he hasn’t gotten there.’’
