Letters to the President #1107: 'The gathering storm'

Reporter's Note: Mitt Romney won the Florida Republican primary. President Obama wins another letter from me.

Dear Mr. President,

Here's the thing: I honestly thought for a little while that the Republicans might be losing some steam.

All the infighting, nasty ads, and sharp words at their debates had me wondering if they really were damaging themselves. Certainly they've tossed a lot of ammunition your way for the general election, and it did not seem unreasonable to wonder if they'd opened deep fractures in their own support.

But I met a woman in Nevada today who made me think to the contrary. She wants Newt Gingrich to be the nominee. Or Rick Santorum. Or anyone who will be a more dyed in the wool, hard core, Tea Party conservative.

And yet, for all her fervor on that subject, when I asked "So what will you do if Romney gets the nomination?" she did not hesitate a second. "I will get out there and campaign for him," she said. "I will go door to door, I will hand out flyers, I will put up yard signs. Because anyone is better than Obama."

Don't be lulled into complacency. Maybe the GOP will be battered by their selection process, but it looks like they'll come out battling...and united...just the same.

Regards,
Tom