Iowa governor: Mitt Romney’s campaign has ‘East Coast mentality’
WASHINGTON – Governor Terry Branstad of Iowa today targeted Mitt Romney’s Boston-based campaign team, insisting that the former Massachusetts governor is “making a big mistake’’ by largely shirking the Hawkeye State in his bid for the Republican presidential nomination.
“I think that the advisers in Boston don’t get it,’’ Branstad told reporters in Des Moines. “They’re too far away from the reality. They have that East Coast mentality.’’
Branstad said he has pressed the Romney campaign about putting more effort into Iowa, whose Jan. 3 caucuses kick off the presidential nomination process, but they have mostly tuned him out.
He also criticized Romney for skipping two noteworthy events in Iowa this weekend: a Christian conservative candidate forum and a birthday party fund-raiser for Branstad himself.
“Iowans don’t like being ignored, they don’t like being ignored,’’ the governor said. “I think he’s missing an opportunity to be here this weekend and also to spend more time campaigning in Iowa.’’
The Romney campaign noted they would be back in the state next week.
“Governor Branstad is a great governor and a strong advocate for Iowa,’’ said senior Iowa adviser David Kochel. “We look forward to campaigning in Iowa next week and after, debating in the state, and competing in the Iowa caucuses.’’
During his 2008 presidential run, Romney spent considerable time and resources in Iowa, virtually staking his candidacy on the state only to endure a deflating second-place finish in the caucus vote.
Four years later, he’s mostly focusing his efforts on New Hampshire – a Bay State neighbor whose GOP primary voters often go for more moderate Republican candidates – and only makes sporadic appearances in Iowa.
Still, a recent Bloomberg News poll showed that Romney is very much alive in Iowa.
The survey found that he was in a statistical dead heat with Herman Cain, Ron Paul, and Newt Gingrich – although only 29 percent of voters said they’ve made up their mind.
The volatility of the GOP race thus far – especially in Iowa – has prompted some to speculate whether Romney will make a late push before the Jan. 3 caucuses without unduly alienating his strong base in New Hampshire.
With Christian conservative and Tea Party support split among multiple Republican candidates in Iowa, Romney could conceivably eke out a win there.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com