Iowa Caucus: Ron Paul's Distinct Advantage Over Gingrich, Romney (ContributorNetwork)

COMMENTARY | During last night's debate, the Republican candidates spent most of their time discussing their electability, according to an observation by Fox News. As a political consultant, I see Ron Paul having a distinct advantage right now over both Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney. While I doubt this advantage would help him to win the Iowa Caucus, I can see it giving him a strong showing and opening more people's minds going into 2012.

I find it interesting how Fox News made the observation pointing to the fact last night's debate essentially came down to electability. When talking about the differences between Romney, Gingrich and Paul, two of the candidates are forced to argue theory while one is simply able to define his logic. Two are forced to argue what the Republicans need while one is able to argue what the country needs.

I see Romney being the most moderate of the Republican candidates. He needs to argue the theory of a moderate candidate being stronger in a national election than someone who is a hardliner. He has to prove the theory of a moderate candidate pulling votes from the middle and from the opposition. His people need to explain why the Republicans need to worry about pulling votes from the middle and the Democrats.

Gingrich is a true hardliner when you look at his overall history in government. He needs to state a case in which Americans are portrayed as being tired of Democrats. He has to win people over on the theory of a hardliner needs to be in the election to completely balance against President Obama's extreme liberalism. He needs to show how the hard-line base of the party will be enough of a base to take him to the White House.

Paul has the advantage as he does not have to win over votes by arguing political science and political theory. He has to continue what he has been doing since he tossed his hat into the race. He needs to continue to explain the logic behind his ideas. Paul moved up the polls when many of the other candidates canceled themselves out by crazy ideas or quotes. He will continue to increase in the polls by allowing Romney and Gingrich cancel each other out. He will continue to be able to argue content instead of theory.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/gop/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20111216/pl_ac/10693217_iowa_caucus_ron_pauls_distinct_advantage_over_gingrich_romney

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