Even though Romney's prospects look dismal by virtue of today's polling matchups with the President, I would not count him out. And anyone who thinks this election will be won by more than a few points in the national popular vote is dreaming. Romney may look like a lost dog but he will be rescued by Karl Rove, Frank Luntz and the Super Pac money crowd, as well as the unlimited wealth of the Koch Brothers funneled into the election on his behalf.

As was predicted on this site previously, the onslaught of negative advertising from both camps will reduce this election to a choice between which candidate one dislikes the least. Having said that, Romney's numbers (if you exclude what seems to be an outlier in Rasmussen's national polling) have deteriorated rather quickly. Whereas for the last three years Obama has been on the defensive, it is now Romney who must make a comeback---particularly with women and Independents. 

Unfortunately for Romney the typical appeal of an overcoming adversity story stems from a sympathetic view toward the protagonist---and who can have sympathy for a guy who strapped a dog to the top of his car and who has said he likes to fire people? In trouble? Who you gonna call?

As it is with a rescued dog after the the first visit to the vet reveals every dog disease known to exist---a successful dog rescue is in large part a story about how much money you're willing to spend. IMO, the financial crowd backing Romney is going to spend more money than anyone has yet envisioned---because the potential avoidance of tax increases on the wealthy under a Romney Presidency is huge, especially in relation to the mere $1 Billion it will cost to buy him the White House.

I have been curious about the gaffe-prone nature of Romney's campaign, one would think that the problem would have been corrected through experience. But the man just continues to be tone deaf. I think the truth is that Romney himself thinks gaffes don't matter. He is simply betting that heavy negative advertising, supported by limitless campaign funds, will win the election. 

And truly, based upon the manner in which Romney has upended his opponents by out spending them, it is tough to argue with his premise that the election will be won by negative advertising---even given the fact that he will have a more fair fight on his hands against Obama than he had with his Republican opponents. (Was this entire Republican primary a hoax with weak opponents staged to present the illusion that Romney is tough?)

In addition, I think Romney's premise---which might be called "rescue me cause I'm the only dog you got right now"---explains why Romney moved to the "right" on social issues during the primary while every pundit in the country was warning against the potential result of his now low numbers among women and Independents. Again, in Romney's mind the current polls don't matter. He will be able, through unlimited Super PAC money, to buy back his favorable ratings much like a financial transaction in which one buys back stock from the public---while at the same time he can trash Obama's stock just like any hedge fund manager short Obama's stock would do. 

To be sure, the traditional Karl Rove strategy of tarring the opposing candidate with the innate weaknesses of his own candidate will take its toll on Obama---especially given the money Rove will have through his Super Pacs. And word-smithing by Luntz, like re-labeling a Medicare "voucher"  a "consumer choice" will have more success against Obama than we think it should have. 

One of the best things Obama has going for him is that the Republicans in this cycle seem to have consistently overplayed their hand. They seem blinded by sheer animosity towards him and assume that, based on the results of the 2010 election, for example, everyone else is like minded. With the revival of General Motors and the stock market it isn't believable that there aren't at least a couple of things laudable about the man. 

I also think that Republicans are fighting yesterday's  economic and social wars. In my opinion, both the public's view on social issues and the bad economy as an election issue are morphing away from Republicans right now. For example, Santorum went too far out of the mainstream on things like contraception and people became alarmed. And, of course, the economy is in fact improving---witness the fact that the Fed is signaling that additional monetary easing will not be required.  

Even though it would give Obama a hall pass, perhaps instead of rescuing Romney folks will decide to rescue someone else, or some dog, who in fact does deserve a helping hand. Maybe doing so would be a lot more rewarding than enabling Romney and his friends' capture of the White House for the purpose of continuing, and even increasing, their special tax privileges.