"Slick Dancing Mitt"

The leak of another Republican presidential candidate's strategic documents gives insight into the potential weaknesses of Mitt Romney.

Published February 27, 2007 4:35PM (EST)

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney may be a little too much like another presidential candidate from Massachusetts, and that reportedly has Romney's advisors worried. The Boston Globe reports today that it has obtained a copy of the vulnerability study Romney's advisors did on the Republican presidential candidate, and the Globe says that while the study calls for Romney to position himself as the counterpoint to famous Massachusetts liberals like Michael Dukakis,Ted Kennedy and John Kerry, it worries that Romney will fall victim to the same "flip-flopper" charge that dogged Kerry throughout 2004. Romney, who is currently attempting to position himself as the candidate for GOP social conservatives, has changed his position on several issues key to that constituency, among them abortion and gay rights.

The study also reportedly calls on Romney to define himself at least partially by his opposition, and to decry "jihadism," Sen. Hillary Clinton, "European-style socialism," Washington and France.

Also included are looks at the strengths and weaknesses of the other Republican front-runners, including Sen. John McCain and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. The study reportedly says McCain is an "uncertain, erratic, unreliable leader in uncertain times" and worries that if Giuliani is the nominee, Republicans will no longer be able to hit Democrats like Clinton on social issues.


By Alex Koppelman

Alex Koppelman is a staff writer for Salon.

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John Mccain R-ariz. Mitt Romney Rudy Giuliani