ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines some of the key strategic and tactical factors that led to Mitt Romney's nomination and general election run for the White House. It discusses the field of possible candidates, including those who ultimately decided not to run. The chapter analyzes the primary debates and examines the role these played in helping to narrow the primary field. It explores the party's rules on primaries, including how delegates are apportioned and the scheduling of the primaries. The chapter looks at the strategy of selecting Paul Ryan as the vice-presidential candidate. It reviews the dynamics of the general election. The general election debates are common for the media to focus most of its debate attention and analysis on "Who won?" Many of the criticisms used against Romney in the general election were first heard and seen on TV ads sponsored by the Super Political Action Committees supporting his primary opponents.
