Democrats should fear Mitt Romney more than they think. Laughing him off as a phony Ward Cleaver overlooks the upside of that image. Like the Dad on TV's "Leave it to Beaver," Romney offends no one. You can well imagine him also lounging around the house in a suit and tie dispensing platitudes to errant kids.
Most importantly, Romney endures such teasing without a hint of displeasure -- and then goes on being just as goofily unwrinkled as ever. People like that.
Romney is now effortlessly morphing from the fire-breathing social conservative wannabe of the early-state GOP primaries into the next phase of his shape-shifter candidacy. Before our glazing eyes, he evolves into the button-downed Republican version of an anti-Washington insurgent, evoking (if not consciously stealing) the stirring message of the Democratic Party's champion of change, Barack Obama. More on Craig Crawford's Trail Mix.
Also on Trail Mix: Romney Understands Layoffs
Florida Debate Reax: Romney Gets a Pass to the Top
A Democratic Proposal: Clinton-Obama Shotgun Wedding
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