With Economy Looking Shaky, Romney Stresses Business Background

This morning's stock market dip is bad news for most Americans, but there could be a silver lining for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

Throughout his campaign, and in a new ad that begins running today in Florida, Romney has spotlighted his business background. In the Florida ad, Romney opens by telling viewers, "today, our economy is slowing. Many feel anxious about the future."

He then goes on to say he knows "how America works because I've spent my life in the real economy," stressing how he ran a business and "turned around" the Olympics.

"My plan will make our economy strong," Romney continues. "We need to invest in people and businesses with tax cuts that will get us moving again."

If, as the Democrats suggested at last night's presidential debate, John McCain is now the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination, an economic downturn could benefit Romney because it takes the spotlight off of McCain's central issue (the war in Iraq) and puts it squarely on the economy, where Romney can claim the stronger resume.