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It is not a good sign when your high profile political allies have to spend their day explaining and clarifying what you said.

But that's what happened in conversation after conversation with Republican senators on Wednesday as they tried to verbally navigate their way through requests for reaction to Mitt Romney's secretly recorded comments writing off -- and dismissing - 47% of Americans who will support President Barack Obama "no matter what."

"I think what he was saying is the fact that over the last four years the government is playing a bigger and bigger role in our lives because the economy is weaker and weaker and he wants to turn that around," said Senator Rob Portman, R-Ohio, a close Romney ally who is helping him prepare for next month's debates.

"I know him personally and I know that he does care," said Sen. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire.

Ayotte and Portman both represent critical swing states in the November election.

"I know that he cares about every American and I know his vision is one where he wants every American to have opportunities and a good paying job, and to make sure that their families are safe and protected," said Ayotte.

Portman and Ayotte fell into the camp of cautious defenders, playing damage control by trying to better articulate comments Romney said were "not elegantly stated."

But other GOP lawmakers didn't even try to sugar coat how politically problematic Romney's "47%" remarks, made during May fund-raiser, were.

"The comments are very unfortunate," said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. "It clearly isn't helpful and it's surprising that a disciplined candidate would make those kind of comments," she said.

"I think that Mitt will be able to recover from this, but he would be well advised to talk about his economic plan, the need for more jobs and perhaps explain what he was trying to say, which I think was that we need comprehensive tax reform, which most Americans are for, but certainly it was not helpful at this critical time," said Collins.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, predicted people won't change their votes based on an "ill conceived analysis at a fundraiser."

But Graham was still critical of the Romney campaign, saying he is doing too much fund-raising in safe states like Utah and not enough retail campaigning in critical swing states.

"I think what Romney needs to do is get into Virginia and run for sheriff. This is not rocket science," said Graham, meaning that Romney should be shaking every last hand in those states that could determine the election.

Some Republicans in tough races of their own went out of their way to distance themselves from Romney's comments

"I have five brothers and sisters. My father was an auto mechanic; my mother was a school cook. I have a very different view of the world and as a United States senator, I think I represent everybody and i think every vote is important," said Nevada GOP Senator Dean Heller.

"I don't write off anybody," he remarked flatly.

Heller is in a tight campaign against Democratic challenger Shelley Berkley and was candid about the link between Romney's fate and his own.

"At this point I believe that if Mitt Romney wins Nevada, I win Nevada," said Heller.

Heller noted that he doesn't "make a habit of responding" to what Romney or others say on the campaign trail but that he felt compelled to speak out about Romney's comments that Obama voters believe they are victims and the federal government has a responsibility to take care of them.

Heller noted that his father needed government assistance when he was unable to work because of back surgery.

"One of the responsibilities of the federal government is a safety net. I believe in a safety net. I believe that's one of the responsibilities of the federal government," said Heller.

A day earlier, two other Republican Senate candidates -- incumbent Scott Brown of Massachusetts and Linda McMahon of Connecticut-- released campaign statements denouncing Romney's comments.

"We have a long line of people who are running from Romney as if the Olympics are still on," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. "We have lots of people running from him and obviously there is a good reason for running."

The most telling moment of the day was not what was said, but rather what was not said by Senate Republican leaders.

Instead of taking questions from reporters as he almost always does after his party's weekly policy lunch, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell left the microphones after quick remarks.

Other members of the GOP leadership did the same thing -- walked away instead of being in a position to defend -- or explain -- Romney's controversial comments. http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/19/politics/romney-tape-republicans/index.h
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His foot-in-mouth disease is hurting down-ticket candidates, and don't they know it!

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Nevada Sen. Dean Heller on Wednesday became the latest Republican Senate candidate locked in a competitive race to distance himself from GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney's "47 percent" remarks, which came to light after the wide release of a hidden camera video that documented Romney's appearance at a Boca Raton fundraiser. Heller joined Connecticut Senate aspirant Linda McMahon and Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown in disowning Romney's take on the portion of the electorate he deemed to be "victims" who could not be convinced to forego government assistance.

Well, Hawaii Senate candidate Linda Lingle lingered a little longer without making a comment on Romney's lapsus linguae, but now she, too, has parted ways with him over the "victims" flap. The Honolulu Star Advertiser has the story:

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'I am not a rubber stamp for the national party and I am not responsible for the statements of Mitt Romney,' Lingle said in an email. 'With that said, I do not agree with his characterization of all individuals who are receiving government assistance, as I know many of them are driven, hard-working individuals who are actively working to better the situation of their ‘ohana. It is not fair to place these individuals into any one category. The people of Hawaii know I don’t believe in labels and I know they don’t either.'

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Lingle, a former governor of Hawaii, is facing a steeper climb in her Senate bid than any of the other Republican candidates who have come out against the remarks of their party's standardbearer, but her Democratic opponent, Rep. Mazie Hirono, had swiftly criticized Romney, so it seems that Lingle had no choice if she wanted to keep the race competitive. The last time Hawaii voters were polled, Hirono was up by 19 points.

In addition to Lingle, former Virginia Sen. George Allen, running against former Gov. Tim Kaine in a bid to return to the Senate, also distanced himself from Romney's remarks in a debate Thursday, saying that he has "his own point of view" on the matter, and that Americans "don't look at themselves as victims." http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/2012-speculatron McMahon, Republican Senate candidate in Connecticut, was worried enough to issue a statement criticizing Romney.

“I disagree with Governor Romney’s insinuation that 47 percent of Americans believe they are victims who must depend on the government for their care. I know that the vast majority of those who rely on government are not in that situation because they want to be,” her statement said.

McMahon, who lost a 2010 Senate bid in Connecticut, is in a close race against former U.S. Representative Chris Murphy.

Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown, running a tight race against Harvard Law professor Elizabeth Warren to retain his seat in a traditionally Democratic state, sounded a similar theme.

In statement to The Hill, a publication specializing in Congress, he said of Romney’s views: “That’s not the way I view the world. As someone who grew up in tough circumstances, I know that being on public assistance is not a spot that anyone wants to be in. Too many people today who want to work are being forced into public assistance for lack of jobs.”

It is axiomatic that a strong presidential nominee can boost the chances for other party candidates, particularly those in close U.S. Senate races.

But the presidential candidate can also hurt those farther down the ticket.

While a single comment might not alter particular races, a lagging campaign could.

Republican Representative Tom Cole of Oklahoma called Romney’s remarks “an unfortunate choice of words,” but predicted the comments would be “a one- or two-day story.”

“The election is going to turn on the economy,” Cole said.

University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato, whose “Crystal Ball” blog closely tracks congressional races, said Romney’s performance would be particularly influential in Senate races in Virginia, Connecticut, Montana, North Dakota and Florida.

“Scott Brown can’t survive much more undertow in Massachusetts,” he said.

George Allen, the Republican Senate contender in Virginia, “depends on a Romney win,” Sabato added.

“As I go through the states, I’d say Romney’s performance will help to determine most of the close Senate contests,” he said in an email interview.

“It’s going to be very difficult for Republicans to take over the Senate if Romney doesn’t capture the White House. That’s a different evaluation than a year ago when the GOP looked to be a good bet to grab the Senate.” http://www.ldnews.com/politics-national/?third_party=will-romneys-trou
bles-hurt-congressional-candidates

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I loved the "one- or two-day story". How many days has it been already? Let's see...the tape came out on Tuesday, it's Thursday now...oops, I guess it'll go away today. Riiiight... Any chance Romney secretly works for the Democrats?

Oh, my, I'm enjoying this WAY too much. I should send Romney a "thank you" card...

Yeah, I know it's still early and anything can happen, but lately, I've been doing a lot of smiling...