Unifying Message Likely to Produce GOP's Standout

Video

A Day at the Beach With GOP Voters

South Carolina Republicans vote in a primary this Saturday in a presidential contest that is still wide open. We spent a day with GOP voters in Myrtle Beach. Many of them haven¹t settled on a candidate.

» LAUNCH VIDEO PLAYER

In recent weeks, Huckabee has tried to expand his base beyond conservative Christians, at times emphasizing his anti-establishment credentials, other times discussing his proposal to create a consumption tax that would replace federal taxes. But none of those moves has broadened his base.

Huckabee aides thought his message of economic populism might sell in Michigan and help him vault to second place. But he finished far behind Romney and McCain. His advisers say he will sharpen his critique of "Washington insiders" and create an us-against-them narrative that they hope will appeal to voters in the South, sounding the same themes of change as Edwards, Obama and Romney.

"It's the establishment attacking our values," said Bob Wickers, a Huckabee adviser.

Romney tried to capitalize yesterday on his Michigan win by saying that his themes of easing residents' economic anxieties and frustrations with Washington resonate across the country. In an event at the Sun City Hilton Head retirement community in Bluffton, S.C., he told the crowd he is committed to fighting for all American jobs, not just those in the auto industry. While working as a consultant, he said, he created jobs by spotting opportunities in the marketplace.

"You know, we fought every time, trying to take advantage of change and opportunity," he said. "I'm running for president to lift up our eyes again."

In a news conference after the event, Romney said he believed voters were responding to this sunny, broader message. "People want to think of the future as being bright," he said. "My campaign will be optimistic, uplifting."

Romney all but conceded South Carolina to his rivals Wednesday, saying he will campaign for the next two days in Nevada, which has a caucus Saturday. He said the Nevada contest -- where no GOP candidates have campaigned -- will choose more delegates for the party's convention than South Carolina.

"I'm planning to get the nomination. I'm not looking for gold stars on my forehead like I'm in first grade," he said. "I'm looking to rack up the delegates I need to win the nomination."

McCain, who traditionally appeals to national security conservatives within the GOP, has stuck to a national message rather than tailoring it to one state. But it remains unclear whether he can use that message to win over economic or social conservatives, the two other wings of the party.

Mark Salter, a top McCain aide, said Wednesday that the senator's "straight talk" on the war in Iraq, energy independence and taxes is not designed for any particular state and will help him win the election if he becomes the nominee.

"Straight talk has gotten him quite far," Salter said.

GOP pollster Whit Ayres, who is unaffiliated in the race, said it is understandable that Republicans have relied on niche appeals, given the crowded slate. "As long as there are multiple candidates running for the nomination, they're each going to play to their specific strengths," he said.

And several Republican analysts said the coming two weeks might resolve the matter because primary results in South Carolina and Florida could winnow the field.

"The one-two punch of South Carolina and Florida will combine to produce the strongest Republican candidate for the fall," said Scott Reed, a GOP consultant. "The fact that we've had three different primary winners in a row just puts the added pressure on someone to win two in a row."

Staff writer Perry Bacon Jr. in South Carolina contributed to this report.