Romney’s Feb. 5th Strategy: Unite The Base

From CBS News' Scott Conroy:

ORANGE COUNTY, CALIF. -- In a strategy memo sent to “interested parties,” Romney campaign strategist Alex Gage argues that although the former Massachusetts governor trails in many Super Tuesday states, “we are now in a two-man race and a few points’ movement among conservatives is all that’s needed to tip the scales in favor of Gov. Romney.”

The Gage memo points to exit polling in New Hampshire, South Carolina and Florida, which indicated that McCain’s victories were due to heavy support among moderates and independents. Gage argues that McCain will no longer benefit from a fractured conservative vote.

The Romney campaign expects to compete in California and to have very strong showings in other states west of the Mississippi River, including Colorado, Utah, Montana, Missouri, Idaho and Alaska. Romney also hopes to do well in Georgia, Connecticut and his home state of Massachusetts.

“The map looks very good for Governor Romney,” press secretary Eric Fehrnstrom told CBS News.

But after his big victory in Florida, McCain’s momentum heading into Feb. 5th is undeniable, and even the Gage memo admits that Romney’s path to the nomination is an “uphill battle.”

Though Romney once told reporters that Feb. 5th would provide a clear picture of who the nominee would be, the campaign is now looking past that magic date and is gearing up for a long battle ahead.

“This isn’t going to be decided on Feb. 5th,” Fehrnstrom said.