Here two articles suggesting that Mitt Romney's defeat yesterday in three states to Rick Santorum might indicate a shift - even if it is a temporary one - in the narrative defining this election.
- Forget Jobs.
- Minnesota, Missouri and Colorado results: panel verdict.
The election has been all about the economy recently, but the jobs report released last week, which showed the unemployment rate dropping to 8.3%, has undercut the argument that the state of the economy is the most important problem facing the nation. This played into Romney's strength. As a businessman he could argue that he had the background necessary to fix it, but if the numbers continue to improve, there's no need.
Recent stories touching on cultural issues have raised the profile of the culture wars. These include the federal courts overruling California's ban on gay marriage, Obama's decision to force churches to provide birth control coverage in their insurance plans, and the decision (reversed) of the Komen Foundation to defund Planned Parenthood. These issues are strengths for Santorum, and his success yesterday may be a reflection of a shift in the electorate about what issues are most important in their minds.
