The Obama campaign launched a preemptive strike against Republicans on the eve of their nominating convention, attempting to cast doubt on whether the four-day gathering in Tampa, Fla., would do anything to improve Mitt Romney’s chances of winning the White House.
In a briefing with political reporters in Washington on Thursday, advisors noted that despite millions already spent on the campaign and the nonstop efforts on both sides, the race has remained remarkably static. With the Democratic convention set to begin immediately after the Republicans finish, any bump Romney might receive could be short-lived.
A Gallup study released Thursday found that presidential candidates have, on average, seen a 5-percentage-point jump in support after their parties’ conventions, which was in line with the Obama team’s thinking.
The campaign expects the Romney team to use the convention as an opportunity to redefine the former Massachusetts governor as the race turns toward the finish. But, as one aide put it, “It may be that their best outcome will be to survive the week because of all these sideshows” – such as gatherings of Ron Paul backers in their own shadow convention, and other events featuring former GOP hopefuls like Herman Cain and Michele Bachmann.
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