In a bruising presidential primary, Florida Republicans signaled they care more about winning the White House than defying the establishment.
Though state GOP voters have been rebellious of late, they went with the insider candidate in Mitt Romney by a sizable margin.
It was a sensible choice. Romney may be cautious, stiff and sometimes mutable on the issues, but the former governor also is well-financed, disciplined and smart. He's an astute business-man who understands that freedom leads to prosperity. His character is above reproach.
We worry that Romney's Massachusetts health care plan will weaken his arguments against President Barack Obama's massive entitlement expansion. But Romney makes clear he believes in federal restraint, in contrast to Obama's ceaseless activism.
Romney may instill confidence, but he has yet to inspire much passion. His triumph had the feeling that it was the result of voters making a rational choice, not mobilizing for a cause.
Gingrich is not out of it, but the lopsided loss returns him to the long-shot role he seems to relish. The constant barrage of negative ads - one analysis found that 92 percent of all Florida primary ads were negative - obviously deflated the momentum Gingrich enjoyed after his surprise win in South Carolina
Florida, with its large and diverse population and troubled economy, was the first real test for the candidates.
There may be surprises to come in the primary season, but in Florida, Romney showed he has the toughness and widespread appeal needed for the November showdown.
Tampa Tribune
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