Rob Who? Cincinnati's Rob Portman Trails Badly In Cleveland GOP's Online Veep Poll

CLEVELAND (TDB) -- Former U.S. Rep. Rob Portman, a SW Ohio Republican who served in the Bush White House as budget director and trade representative, is faring poorly in the Cuyahoga County Republican Party's online veepstakes straw poll. Portman is currently in fourth place, trailing Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, and Condoleeza Rice in the 10-person field. Voting has not been brisk -- just 191 ballots to date. Perhaps the online contest will grab more attention, and more votes, after word spreads around the blogosphere.

Portman, who represented OH-02 in the House on the Ohio River, has been widely touted as a potential running mate for GOP presidential candidate John McCain. He is supposed to have the kind of Midwest cred that can help deliver Ohio, a crucial state. But he's clearly not striking any sparks to date in NE Ohio. Portman may have baggage from his days as trade representative -- Ohioans are not enamored with NAFTA and similar trade bargains. Polls of voters have indicated skepticism about globalization and its impact on the state's manufacturing economy.

In the days ahead, it will be both fun and interesting to observe the Cleveland GOP straw poll even though it is an unscientific beauty contest. The results could be manipulated -- after all it is an online vote with no real ballot security. But none of the 10 on the list has any kind of formal campaign organization to drum up supporters. And the Huckabee, Romney, Rice combo currently at the top may actually express some sensibility about the views of those who visit the Republican Party Web site in Ohio's most populous county. All three are well-known national figures. Portman is not widely known. And with 14.3% of the votes, he's not showing any signs of being a sleeper.

A Terse Summary Of The Candidates So Far: Courtesy Of Ohiosphere's Clark Street

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Clark Street's short guide to the 2008 candidates is wickedly satirical:

CLINTON: Is the applause meter on?
ROMNEY: Thanks to the Internet, my positions are now available in real time.
KUCINICH: We shall overcome, and we shall do it with drum circles.

There is wit aimed at all -- those still in and those now out this Super Tuesday morning. And Clark Street's Westender should be headed to Leno's side -- or perhaps get a grotto in the Will Rogers Hall of Fame -- as the creator of such pungently humorous prose.

Ohio's Sen. Voinovich: Romney Has Management Skills That McCain Lacks

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Republican U.S. Sen. George Voinovich wasn't very kind to his colleague John McCain today, whom he disparaged as lacking management skills: "We need somebody who knows how to run things."

Howard Wilkinson reports that Ohio's senior senator made it clear to the Cincinnati Enquirer's editorial board today that he favors Mitt Romney for the nation's highest elected office. Voinovich, however, stopped short of making an endorsement. But here is some of what Wilkinson reported he said:

"McCain keeps saying 'we need a leader; I can hire managers,' but we need a leader who understand management. There are big differences between being a mayor or a governor and being a legislator. We are facing some serious issues in this country. We need somebody who knows how to run things. There person in this race who has the most management experience in the private and public sectors is Mitt Romney."

[UPDATE: 5:02 PM -- Matt Hurley at right-leaning Weapons of Mass Discussion quips Voinovich just took himself off the short list for vice president by slamming McCain. Matt reared a scary thought: Will Ohioans have to endure more of those Washington wonk stories suggesting their governor, and now their senator, would be a great addition to the No 2 spot on national tickets of both major parties? That stuff comes up every presidential year; that an Ohioan on the ticket would guarantee Ohio's vote in November -- blah, blah, blah . . .]

Froggermarch To New Hampshire Dems: Cross Lines And Back A GOP Loser

Memo To New Hampshire Democrats:
Vote Romney

By froggermarch
Fellow Dems, it is time to come to the aid of the Mittster. And no, it’s not that I just love today’s “new-look” Mitt— the tie-less one with three hairs carefully tousled. That just makes him look like page 14, rather than page 4, of the Brooks Brothers’ catalogue. No, it’s because he’s lagging, he’s wounded and he needs us. That’s right, us.

And much more importantly, we need him.

Before you go thinking your favorite amphibian here has gone off the lily pad, consider: Any of the Democratic contenders can probably beat any of he current Republican contenders. With one exception: John McCain. McCain will offer a foreign policy advantage over Obama and Edwards and a personality advantage over Clinton. If McCain wins the New Hampshire primary he will quickly become the favorite to win the Republican nomination. Within days of that victory, Fred Thompson will abandon his run and throw his support to McCain (whom he campaigned for in 2000). Romney will have lost two straight and be abandoned by the pro-business Republicans to support the lesser of two evils in their opinion, McCain over Huckabee. McCain then goes on to win in South Carolina and Nevada and makes the Guliani strategy of waiting until February 5 seem to be even more quixotic than it does today.

But if Romney wins, McCain is in trouble. He will have failed to win either of the first two contests and history says that would be very hard to overcome. Romney would have momentum, attention and the wind behind his boneless back. He wins Michigan, South Carolina goes back to the Huckleberry and Fred Thompson hangs around to sleep another day. Guliani becomes just viable enough to keep this party going for months to come. The GOP turns to GOOP, forced to settle their grievances in a caged-match on the convention floor. Since Romney has the most money and fewest principles, it says here he emerges from the fray.

I know you may want to get in on Barackomania. You’ll have your chance in the general election, when it really counts. Edwards will finish third in New Hampshire no matter how many votes are cast, so no loss there. And if you like Hillary, and think this is the time to make a stand to keep her in the race, let it go. That dirge played Thursday night at the southwest corner of a weathered gym in a town named Waterloo. Besides, the ultimate victory here needs to be in the general election, and at this point nothing would threaten the opportunity to win back the White House than the anti-Hillary fervor that would rally the Republicans behind McCain against her.

So, down your Maalox and step up to the Republican ballot. And take one for the cause, by voting for (gulp) Mitt Romney. 'Tis a far, far better vote you cast than you have ever cast before.

Ohio Bizzyblog's Tom Blumer: Did He Write Today's DNC Mitt Romney Blast?

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Bizzyblog's Tom Blumer has been hammering Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney as "Unfit Mitt." The rap: Romney sounds conservative today, but didn't just a few years back. He seems to change his mind on political issues as often as he changes socks.

The Democratic National Committee has noticed, too. And it's out with a fresh collection of what it calls flip flops by "Massachusetts Mitt." The DNC's collection has a tone similar to Blumer's criticism of Unfit Mitt. Both conjure up visions of Romney as a figure who fits Kahlil Gibran's description of a babbler: "In much of your talking, thinking is half murdered."

Of course, the DNC hits Mitt from the left; Blumer pokes from the right. A good shot delivered by the DNC was about Romney's shifting view of President Ronald Reagan:

"Mitt Romney Today: 'The right way for America to proceed is to pursue the strategy Ronald Reagan pursued in the last century.' [NBC's Meet The Press, 12/16/07]

"Massachusetts Mitt Romney: 'I was an independent during the time of Reagan-Bush. I'm not trying to return to Reagan-Bush.' [1994 Senate Debate]"

[UPDATE: 10:00 pm -- Fred Thompson also weighed in with a Romney smackdown that recounts the shifts, along with the I-was-an-independent-when-Reagan-was-president bit of history.]

Mike Huckabee On Faith: Honest Atheists Are Better Than Phony Christians

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- GOP Iowa presidential frontrunner Mike Huckabee, an ordained Baptist minister, has refused to say if Mitt Romney's Mormon faith is a Christian religion. Meanwhile, The Daily Bellwether has noticed that Huckabee's official campaign Web site contains an essay in which he discusses his religious views. He writes that candidate religious views should be shared and debated. Huckabee says he prefers "honest atheists" over phony believers.

"We should not banish religion from the public square, but should guarantee access to all voices and views. We should share and debate our faith, but never seek to impose it. When discussing faith and politics, we should honor the 'candid' in candidate -- I have more respect for an honest atheist than a disingenuous believer."

Romney has scheduled a speech for Thursday that will discuss his Mormon faith, which many theologians describe as an offshoot from conventional Christianity. Its scripture is the Book of Mormon, which is not part of the Bible used in Protestant and Catholic churches.

Britain's Telegraph Sees An Alliance: Huckabee And Giuliani Vs. Romney

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- The Telegraph calls it a "non-aggression pact" between Mike Huckabee and Rudy Giuliani as they team together against Mitt Romney in the Iowa GOP primary. The plan is to eliminate Romney as a serious contender in the presidential race. The Telegraph says the strategy has risks for Giuliani because former Baptist minister Huckabee could emerge No. 1 in South Carolina, a southern state with a January primary that should be culturally comfortable with the former Arkansas governor. And if Huckabee wins big in South Carolina, he might gather a full head of steam for the other southern primaries and be unstoppable.

[UPDATE: 12 pm 12-3-07 -- There are reports of robo calls out of Ohio to Iowa for Huckabee. Some suspect the calls show Giuliani and Huckabee are in tandem to stop Romney.]

Meanwhile, an American Research Group poll of 600 likely Republican primary voters in South Carolina shows the race in that state has become a virtual dead heat between Romney, Giuliani and Huckabee. Last month, Romney had a 6 point lead over Giuliani and Huckabee was in the single digits. Romney appears to be fading, Giuliani is holding and Huckabee has the hot hand.

Mitt Romney's 'Brainwashing' Moment: Confused About Iraq Invasion

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Republican Mitt Romney -- whose lead in Iowa appears to be evaporating as Mike Huckabee gains ground in the polls -- has made an odd pronouncement about the war in Iraq. While campaigning in a small Iowa community Wednesday, Romney said Illinois Democrat Barack Obama would have pulled U.S. troops out of Iraq if Obama had been president. But there were no U.S. troops in Iraq until the war started -- George Bush sent them in April 2003 based upon inaccurate reports Saddam Hussein's regime had vast stores of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons. Obama would not have ordered the invasion.

What make Romney's reasoning seem totally confounding is that Obama has always opposed sending U.S. ground forces into Iraq. That opposition is a pillar of his campaign for the presidency. Thus, a President Obama would not have removed troops in 2003 or thereafter -- he would not have sent them in the first place.

Romney's comment and the Obama campaign's swift reaction is reported in the Des Moines Register. The Republican's words conjured up 1968, when Michigan Gov. George Romney (Mitt's dad) said on the presidential campaign trail that year he had been "brainwashed" about Vietnam. The comment was seen as showing he did not understand or comprehend the roots of the Southeast Asian war, and George Romney's campaign soon tanked. Mitt's presidential bid is stronger than his father's, but could be prone to the same kind of prattling as the Obama comment clearly reflects.

Here's what Mitt Romney said:

"We're fortunate we did not have Barack Obama as president. If he had been president, he'd have just pulled our troops out and al-Qaeda would have been a safe haven in Iraq."

Obama's spokesman Tommy Vincent's response:

"If Barack Obama were president, we never would have gone into Iraq in the first place. We would've gone after Osama bin Laden, finished the job in Afghanistan, and made America a lot safer than it is even after seven years of a divisive foreign policy that Mitt Romney apparently wants to continue."

Fla. Values Voters Straw Poll: Nobody Likes Romney

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Christian right political organizers have finished counting straw poll ballots cast by 340 delegates in Fort Lauderdale and report that former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee won 64% of the votes. GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who is courting values voters, skipped the event and collected zero votes in the straw poll. Some think that shows he's failed to connect with the religious right, an important GOP voting bloc. They point out that other no shows such as Rudy Giuliani received votes.

There is a huge amount of reportage and analysis available here. Be my guest and dive in.

Top GOP Prez Candidates Skip VFW Convention: Hillary, Obama, McCain And Thompson Salute The Vets

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- The Democratic National Committee accused Republican Mitt Romney of snubbing the nation's wartime veterans for skipping the VFW's annual convention in Kansas City this week. Citing a conflict, Romney turned down an invitation to speak. The DNC took potshots at Romney as weak on veterans' issues and said he idiotically had equated military duty in Iraq to working as a flunky on his campaign staff. In other words, he was both AWOL and insulting to those who wore the uniform of their country. Meanwhile, the two leading Democratic presidential candiates, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, were both present and accounted for.

The VFW's announcement of its invitations to the presidential candidates said it wanted to hear them discuss their plans for prosecuting the war on terrorism, plus their intentions for caring for those who served when called to defend the nation. VFW Commander-in-Chief Gary Kurplus -- a Vietnam combat vet --said:

"Poets and scientists and scholars help to define a great society, but our nation was created and continues to exist only through the service and selfless sacrifice of our citizens who don the uniform."

Sen. Hillary Clinton spoke Monday and received what some accounts described as applause in a half-empty hall. The New York Democrat emphasized health care for vets, and said it was time to bring U.S. forces home from Iraq. Sen. John McCain, the only presidential candidate who has actually served during wartime, acknowledged the Iraq War was poorly managed, but warned that withdrawal would only strengthen Al Qaeda. The Arizona Republican has favored adding troops to Iraq. He was a Navy pilot who spent years in a North Vietnamese prison after being shot down during the Vietnam War. McCain was tortured.

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama addresses the VFW Tuesday, as will former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, who is not a presidential candidate but is expected to enter the GOP primaries within weeks. The VFW invited the leading candidates from both parties. Obama and Clinton accepted. Rudy Giuliani and Romney begged off citing prior commitments -- which made it look like the GOPers blew off the vets during a war.

Here's a snippet about McCain's speech, and there is this news brief about Hillary's appearance, which did not go badly despite her stance that the troops must come home quickly. The VFW's leadership has supported Bush's surge.

Dig In Ohio: Republican Mitt Romney's Financial Disclosure Report Available Here

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- The Federal Election Commission has released Mitt Romney's 47-page financial disclosure statement. A complete version of the document is available here, and it shows assets the Republican presidential candidate holds, and others he has sold recently. It's a microscope into his reported $250 million personal fortune, and should be of interest to Republicans and Democrats alike.

A quick search discloses Romney has invested in Ohio companies including Cleveland's Forest City Enterprises and Cincinnati's Fifth Third, Macy's Inc. and Cintas Corp. He also put money into petroleum and natural gas interests, including Gazprom, the Russian producer. Romney's funds were in a blind trust. He made $15,000 to $50,000 in dividends on the Forest City holdings.

In Ohio, Romney and Obama Are Tops At Raising $$$$

COLUMBUS (TDB) -- A new Federal Election Commission data set for 2008 presidential fundraising shows the Democrats have raised more money in Ohio than the Republicans. In all, $2.7 million has been contributed through the second quarter of 2007. The Dems got nearly $1.5 million of the total.

Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., who is due in Cincinnati for a July 17 fundraiser, has picked up $491,014, which puts him atop the Demo field. Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, has $701,662 on the Republican side.

There is one Ohioan in the presidential race, U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich. The Cleveland Democrat has raised $15,376 in his home state, which is less than Republican long shot Ron Paul, a Texas congressman running with a libertarian bent. Most of the money Kucinich has gotten in Ohio, $8,400, has come from Cuyahoga County, where he lives.

One maxim of Ohio politics has been holding true, the data set shows. Cincinnatians like to write checks for Republicans. Almost one-third of the cash generated for the presidential candidates to date has come from Cincinnati area Zip codes. The FEC data comes in an interactive map that a fun tool to track fundraising.

Democratic National Committee: Romney Campaign Busted Like McCain's

COLUMBUS (TDB) --The Democratic National Committee said tonight Mitt Romney's GOP presidential campaign has been kept afloat with nearly $9 million in loans from the wealthy candidate himself. "In fact, were it not for the nearly $9 million Romney has loaned his campaign, he would have roughly the same amount of cash on hand as McCain."

In May, Romney loaned his campaign $2.5 million. He added another $4 million loan at the end of June.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., had about $2 million in the bank at the end of the quarter, according to a Federal Election Commission filing. Without the loans, Romney would have about $3 million cash on hand.

The DNC said Romney has spent about $6.7 on ads, which it described as barely keeping him competitive in the polls with the other top tier 2008 Republican presidential candidates.

"The ad buy hasn't brought Romney much credibility with the voters. According to Real Clear Politics average of five leading national polls, Romney supports among Republicans lags at 9.8 percent: far behind Fred Thompson, Rudy Giuliani and even the foundering John McCain."

On the other hand, Romney's personal fortune has been available to tap. Being rich certainly hasn't forced him to cut back staff and retool his campaign. The DNC's numbers just don't seem to make its point: That Romney is nearly running on empty.

DNC: Mitt Romney Finance Chief Tied To Hitler Ads In Michigan

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- The Democratic National Committee teed off on Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, saying a top moneyman helped finance ads that used images of Hitler and a Swastika in attack ads. The DNC called them "hate-filled" efforts in an unsuccessful campaign to unseat Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who won a second term. A story last week in the Detroit Free Press tracked down campaign finance reports about the Hitler ad. John Rakolta, the DNC said, is Romney's former brother-in-law.

Rakolta shows up in this campaign presser from January (scan down through it). Rakolta has served as Romania's honorary consul in Detroit, and operates a large construction company. An excerpt of the DNC's reaction today follows:

"It's been quite a week for smooth talking Mitt Romney. First he ignites a firestorm by quoting Fidel Castro in Miami. Now one of his leading fundraisers is linked to a campaign ad featuring Adolph Hitler. According to campaign finance records, Romney backer John Rakolta was one of the primary funders of a Michigan group responsible for hate-filled ads targeting Governor Jennifer Granholm in last year's election.

"The ads, purchased by a group called Voice the Vote, featured images of Hitler and a swastika alongside Governor Granholm and Democratic Presidents Clinton, Carter, Johnson, and Roosevelt. Rakolta, who serves as Romney's national finance co-chair and the co-chair of his Commonwealth PAC, and his wife each gave $5,000 to Voice the Vote last year.

"The news that one of Romney's leading fundraisers backed a racist ad in Michigan comes days after the Washington Post reported that Bob Perry, who gave $4.5 million to Swift Boat Veterans for Truth's campaign in 2004 to distort John Kerry's military record, is now raising money for Romney.

"Romney's decision to team up with Perry comes despite the fact that he once championed tough campaign finance proposals that would have limited the influence of people like Perry."

"DNC spokesman Damien LaVera said:

"With the voters rejecting his smooth talk, it looks like Mitt Romney's campaign will take a decidedly nasty and desperate turn. If Mitt Romney is serious about providing the American people an honest debate on the issues people care about, he needs to disavow the attack ads . . . "

Rasmussen On Minnesota Senate: Dem Al Franken Has Real Shot

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Minnesota freshman U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman has less than 50% support, and that means the Republican has a serious challenge on his hands from Al Franken, the comedian-turned-Air America talkshow host who is after Coleman's job.

Coleman holds a 10-point lead over Franken, which is slender for an incumbent seeking reelection. Franken could face opposition in Minnesota's 2008 Democratic primary, but the poll shows he's already competitive against the Republican.

"Generally speaking, incumbents who poll below 50% are potentially vulnerable."

That news today from Rasmussen Reports, a polling organization that said Coleman was up 46% to 36% in its first survey of 500 likely Minnesota voters. Rasmussen conducted the telephone survey March 7 and released the results today. It was encouraging news for Franken, who left Air America last month but has wondered aloud if voters are ready for a comedian. He first came to wide public attention on Saturday Night Live in the show's early years.

Although voters under 30 prefer Franken over Coleman, Rasmussen said Franken has a high unfavorable rating, 46%, which exceeds Coleman's by four points. The results are HERE.

Meanwhile, Rasmussen said the Republican presidential race is all Rudy, Rudy, Rudy. Sen. John McCain (16%) is slumping but remains No. 2 to former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani (37%), who is padding his lead. Newt Gingrich (11%) is third and Mitt Romney (10%) is on his heels.

Rasmussen said Giuliani beats everyone on the Democratic side in head-to-head matchups. And the polling organization delivered a downbeat assessment about McCain.

"This is the lowest level of support so far for someone who not long ago was presumed to be the front runner for the nomination."

Mitt Romney's 'Cult' Membership: An Issue For Southern Baptists?

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- The nation's 16-million Southern Baptists belong to a Protestant denomination that officially classifies Mormons as members of a cult or sect that denies or redefines "any or all essential Christian doctrines." And the Baptists could pose a huge problem for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who is a Mormon and hopes to appeal to religious and social conservatives.

Baptist pastor-turned-politician Mike Huckabee, a Romney rival who trails in the polls, says religious credentials are important in the race.

"I think it it fair game to ask a person about his or her faith. I mean, I'm asked about mine all the time. I don't find that offensive."

Former Arkansas Gov. Huckabee made the comment in a interview with The Salt Lake Tribune, which pointed out that the Southern Baptist Convention considers the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Mormons, a cult.

Huckabee hasn't said whether he personally considers the faith a cult.

"I don't know enough abut the Mormon faith. I rally don't know that much about it, other than I know Mitt's a nice guy."

But in the weeks and days ahead, you can bet that others will have a lot to say, and they can point to the Baptist's Web site for ammunition. That's where the church's North American Mission Board has its list of "Major Cults and Sects in North American." Who's atop the list? The Mormons.

Ohio GOP Straw Poll: Rudy Wins, McCain Pancakes

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Arizona Sen. John McCain, who has chosen former Ohio U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine to run his campaign in the Buckeye State, got clobbered in an annual straw poll that takes place during a Republican club pancake breakfast in suburban Cincinnati. Rudy Giuliani came in first, Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney tied for second, and McCain finished third.

Giuliani received 33.75% of the votes cast at the event, which was like a caucus.

The vote was at the Northwest Hamilton County Republican Club, in an area of Ohio that is diehard GOP. Eighty Republicans took part in the poll and all were activists or party workers. They humbled McCain, who received 10 votes. On a cold, chilly day, the the gathering had the flavor of an Iowa caucus, though months before Iowa has its caucuses. McCain barely had more supporters than Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback -- so far a non-entity who doesn't seem to be going anywhere. Yet Brownback wound up breathing down McCain's neck.

McCain was in Cincinnati the day before the straw poll, but kept a low profile and met with GOP heavyweights to raise money. Then he skipped the Saturday Senate vote on Iraq, opening himself to heavy CRITICISM from national Democrats. McCain headed to Iowa, where he campaigned and said the Senate vote wasn't really important important. The Democrats issued this statement:

"It's not called the Bush-McCain Iraq war escalation plan for nothing,"said Democratic National Committee spokesman Luis Miranda. "McCain's refusal to show up for a vote on his own Iraq plan doesn't bode well for his presidential ambitions. While conservatives still don't trust him,McCain's decision to campaign instead of vote offers the American people an unflattering glimpse at an establishment candidate who will do anything to win the Republican primary."

Giuliani leads the GOP field in most national polls, though he's not in step with Ohio conservatives on gay rights or abortion. But he is viewed as a competent leader, and his name recognition is off the charts. Some dismiss the straw poll Saturday as merely a beauty contest, but the people dissing it are the ones who got ugly results. Hamilton County is the seat of social conservatism in Ohio -- the home of Phil Burress' Citizens for Community Values, the birthplace of National Right-to-Life, the home of former GOP Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, the state's most outspoken conservative leader. Giuliani had deep support in the activist crowd, and it's a sign he has political muscle in unexpected places, and it demonstrates McCain's weakness at the moment.

And plenty of Cincinnati Republicans heard that McCain skipped the Senate vote -- they wanted him there on the job. HERE's the Cincinnati Enquirer's version of the story written by a freelance reporter. The headline is what sticks out: "Giuliani Favorite of Local GOP Club."

Romney's '08 Republican Ramble: ReWriting History?

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- When Mitt Romney jumped into the Republican presidential contest, he tried to get some mileage out his dad's role in the U.S. automobile industry. He recalled that George Romney, the former Michigan governor who ran American Motors, pioneered the concept of high-mileage cars. That statement is not quite correct, a bit shifty like saying a little old lady only drove this baby on Sundays.

Still, it was not a total "Would you buy a used car from this man?" blunder. But one has to wonder: How could Romney be so in error about the history of the U.S. automobile industry, an industry he grew up in?

Here's what the candidate said in his speech upon entering the '08 GOP contest: "The Rambler automobile he [George Romney] championed was the first American car designed and marketed for economy and mileage. He dubbed it a compact car, a car that would slay the gas-guzzling dinosaurs. It transformed the industry."

But historians know that Powel Crosley, an Ohioan who once owned the Cincinnati Reds and became wealthy manufacturing radios in the early 20th Century, was way ahead of George Romney. The Crosley Automobile Co. started building small, lightweight cars in the late 1930s and they cost less than $400. The mileage: Reportedly anywhere from 35 mpg to 50 mpg. Although never wildly popular, the cars were said to be in demand during World War II when gasoline was rationed.

The Crosley never caught on and the company ceased production around 1952. Americans loved bigger vehicles, as George Romney himself learned at American Motors, a company eventually swallowed up by a financially healthier Chrysler Corp. Crosley built less than 100,000 cars.

A collectors' Web site is HERE and there is plenty more available on this INDIANA HISTORY portal that describes the sad fate of the nation's first economy cars. Crosley tried to sell the vehicles through department stores like Macy's. And there are those who suggest he was copying the Volkswagen, which was growing popular in Germany as a mass-produced form of cheap transportation.

Mitt Romney's presidential announcement says George Romney used to teach him about automotive history. "Dad and I loved cars. Most kids read the sports box scores. Dad and I read Automotive News. We came here together, him teaching me about cars that we built before my time."

Wonder how he missed the lesson about the Crosley?