Home-State Newspaper Rejects Romney

Although he is still touted as the frontrunner in the Republican race for the presidential nomination, Mitt Romney just can't seem to get any respect. I'm beginning to think he's the Rodney Daingerfield of Republican candidates. For months he has hung around in most polls in the low to mid-twenties, and so far, has shown no ability to gain more support (even after most of the other candidates have imploded from self-inflicted wounds).

In the Iowa caucuses, he finished in a tie with Rick Santorum (who had polled in single-digits before all the other candidates imploded). Those caucuses made it clear that Romney is having a lot of trouble winning over the party's base of teabagger/evangelicals, who still view him as a flip-flopping liberal. He should do a little better in New Hampshire, since that's sort of home territory for Romney (having been the governor of neighboring Massachusetts).

But Romney may be weaker in New England than people think. One would expect that he would get the endorsement of his home-state newspapers, but the largest newspaper in Massachusetts has decided to endorse a different candidate. The editorial board of The Boston Globe has officially endorsed Jon Huntsman, former governor of Utah, instead of Mitt Romney. Here is some of what they had to say:

Whoever gets the Republican nomination could easily become president. Among the candidates, only two stand out as truly presidential, Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman. Both have track records of success, and both, through their policies and demeanors, have shown the breadth of spirit to lead the nation. But while Romney proceeds cautiously, strategically, trying to appease enough constituencies to get himself the nomination, Huntsman has been bold. Rather than merely sketch out policies, he articulates goals and ideals. The priorities he would set for the country, from leading the world in renewable energy to retooling education and immigration policies to help American high-tech industries, are far-sighted. He has stood up far more forcefully than Romney against those in his party who reject evolution and the science behind global warming.

With a strong record as governor of Utah and US ambassador to China, arguably the most important overseas diplomatic post, Huntsman’s credentials match those of anyone in the field. He would be the best candidate to seize this moment in GOP history, and the best-prepared to be president.

NOTE -- In 2008, The Boston Globe endorsed John McCain over Romney.