Why Mitt Romney Can’t Wait

The most recent Fox News polls from Florida and Ohio are telling, and offer clear instruction for the Romney campaign about what needs to be done– and needs to be done urgently.

According to the latest Real Clear Politics average,   the former Massachusetts Governor trails the President by a narrow, 3.1 point margin nationally — well within the typical margin of error.

At the same time, Romney is still trailing with key groups such as women minorities and younger people —  groups he has to improve his showing with, at least to be elected.  According to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll — conducted April 13-17, 2012 — the President leads by six points ( 49%-43%) among women, by eight points among those under 45, and by ten points among those who make fifty thousand dollars or less annually.

Moreover,  the Fox News Ohio and Florida polls underscore a larger problem, and one that goes to the heart of the challenges facing the Romney campaign.

Mitt Romney presidential campaign, 2012

Mitt Romney presidential campaign, 2012 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In both states, a clear majority of Romney’s voters say that they are voting against President Obama, rather than for Governor Romney.

In Ohio, 63% of Romney voters say that they are voting against Obama, with just 29% voting for Romney. And in Florida, a majority of Romney voters (52%) are voting against Obama as well.

The implications of this are clear, as my colleagues on Sunday afternoon’s Fox Insiders, John LeBoutillier and Pat Caddell both made clear. Romney needs to articulate a vision for what he is going to do for America, how he is going to offer leadership.  This is the only way he will be able to begin to get votes for himself, rather than just votes against Obama.

Fox News Sunday

Fox News Sunday (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Read more at Forbes.com