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Mitt’s Magnificent May

Just how good was the month of May for the Mitt Romney campaign? Count the ways: He officially clinched the Republican nomination for president. For a politician who, as late as 2002, described himself as “progressive” and, even later, favored abortion rights; for a Mormon in a party planted thick with evangelicals; for a moderate […]

Just how good was the month of May for the Mitt Romney campaign?

Christopher Halloran / Shutterstock.com

Count the ways:

He officially clinched the Republican nomination for president. For a politician who, as late as 2002, described himself as “progressive” and, even later, favored abortion rights; for a Mormon in a party planted thick with evangelicals; for a moderate governor who signed into state law the template for a national health care law his party believes is an unprecedented assault on individual freedom; for a man whose father defined his political identity in opposition to the Goldwater right — for a guy with this record and background, plus an utter lack of personal charm, to become the nominee of the Republican party in the era of the Tea Party is nothing short of astonishing.

He survived with flying colors the Obama reelection campaign’s first sustained assault on his career at Bain Capital.

He made significant gains among women voters.

He is now within striking distance in three swing states — Iowa, Colorado, and Nevada — that are critical to President Obama’s reelection’s chances.

He has opened up a slight lead, on average, in Florida.

He has secured the support of donors like Sheldon Adelson and other megarich Republicans who are prepared to spend an ungodly sum of money to ensure his victory in November.

With an unplanned assist from the Obama camp on the issue of same-sex marriage, he’s well on his way to shoring up support among evangelicals.

Oh — and this is certainly not coincidental — the jobs picture is looking bleak and the capital markets had an absolutely horrid month.

Add Europzone troubles to the mix, and you’ve got one Magnificent Month of May for Mitt.

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