Romney Campaign Spins Another Defeat
DERRY, N.H. -- Mitt Romney's candidacy was built on the premise that the former Massachusetts governor needed to win early and often in order to build momentum. He is now 0 for 2 in Iowa and New Hampshire, but Romney's campaign shows no signs of giving up.
Saying that John McCain has been referred to as the "President of New Hampshire," due to his solid base of supporters here, Romney's national press secretary Kevin Madden told reporters tonight, "We were running essentially against an incumbent here."
Madden floated the idea that McCain may have benefited from independent voters who assumed that Barack Obama had a safe lead on the Democratic side and turned out to vote for John McCain in the Republican race.
"Worrying is for those without a plan," Madden said. "And our plan is to continue to be competitive in these early primary states."
Standing on stage along with his wife Ann and other family members, Romney delivered a very brief speech after the New Hampshire results came in tonight. The former Massachusetts governor reiterated his new campaign message that Washington is broken and touted his record as a successful manager and turnaround artist.
"Look, if people wonder what direction America is gonna head if they choose a Democratic leader like Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton, all they have to do is look at a state like Michigan, which has had Democratic leadership, where taxes have been going up and jobs have been going out and where the industries are struggling," Romney said, as he looked ahead to the next primary contest. "We want to make sure that we strengthen our economy, and finally when we strengthen our military to make sure we're safe here and abroad."
