Skipping States -- Not Just a Democratic Idea

Many Michigan residents complained when Democratic presidential candidates pledged not to campaign in this state after state leaders moved up its presidential primary to January 15 in violation of national party rules. And primary day coverage this week noted voter anger about Sen. Barack Obama's and former Sen. John Edwards' names not appearing on the ballot.

I've wondered how that would play out in the general election. Would Michigan voters hold that against Obama or Edwards if they appear on the presidential ticket in November.

But really, it appears Republicans have ample reason to be angry about candidates skipping their states, too. In fact, Republicans are playing hop-scotch with the primaries.

John McCain pretty much skipped Iowa to concentrate on New Hampshire. Rudy Giuliani skipped Iowa, New Hampshire, and Michigan, and now is skipping South Carolina in order to focus on Florida. Fred Thompson appears to be skipping all the states, based on his single digit performances in states so far.

Today (January 17, 2008) comes news that Mitt Romney, fresh off his win in Michigan, is skipping South Carolina in order to focus on Nevada. Just yesterday, Romney was reported to be on his way to South Carolina.

There's a whole lot of skipping going on among Republicans. For example:

--Republicans tried to skip the youtube debate.
--Republicans skipped debate on African American issues in order to concentrate on raising money.
--Republicans skipped a meeting with teachers.
--Republicans skipped a meeting with Latino leaders.
--College Republicans are skipping non-partisan voter registration drives because they're afraid the people they register will vote Democratic.
--Some Republicans skipped a forum on urban issues.

Republicans seem to be vying for an Olympic medal in skipping. But why?

First, they have less money to spend that Democrats so they can't afford to compete everywhere. Second, competing only where they are certain to do well is an attempt to grab headlines as "winners" and avoid ones as "losers." Third, their messages and personnae are frankly not popular everywhere. Romney will not do well among evangelicals in South Carolina so he wants to concentrate on Nevada, where he hopes Mormons will turn out for him. Fourth, they are so desperate for support within their own splintered party that they cannot afford the time to try to reach out to people outside the party -- such as African Americans. Fifth, their message is so offensive to huge segments of voters that they don't want to risk a public humiliation by appearing before them. Think Latinos and the GOP stance on immigration.

In other words, all the skipping going on demonstrates that Republicans are candidates incapable of uniting Americans. They are not national candidates. They are niche candidates.