(Hat Tip TNWAHM) Mittens has the money to run TV commercials in every Florida media market and he is doing that right now.  In addition his ‘Restore Our Future’ SuperPac is also running major TV ads and direct mailers in almost every media market.  But faced with a serious defeat in South Carolina, and the recognition that he lost Iowa, Romney is panicking.  He is justifiably under fire for his flawed positions and character issues.   He’s facing adversity and what does he do?  He ducks for cover and turns to the party bosses to save him from upstarts  and from recalcitrant lessers, aka voters.  Romney doesn’t turn to us when he needs help, he turns away from us.  This is exactly what to expect when you consider how he will govern.

If Mitt can’t take the heat with when facing his fellow conservatives and give Florida voters something else besides SuperPac ads, then how would he ever be counted on to stand up to Obama?  This is not a good sign of Mitt’s backbone strength.   Newt at least had the guts to stand on stage Thursday night knowing the assault what was coming after him.   If Romney can’t deal with this pressure then how the flip will he deal with the Obama assault?

(The Hill) Mitt Romney’s campaign has not said it is committed to Monday night’s Republican debate in Tampa, Fla., leading to speculation the former governor will not be participating.

NBC News has not canceled the event, but a statement from a network spokeswoman suggests Romney has not signed on.  “Preparations for the NBC News, National Journal, Tampa Bay Times debate continues. We fully intend to proceed with this long-planned event and we hope and expect all the qualifying candidates will participate,” a spokeswoman said.

The Romney campaign did not respond to The Hill’s request for a comment.

Romney is coming off two shaky debate performances this week, fumbling questions about releasing his tax returns. His main rival, Newt Gingrich, is pushing past Romney in the polls and has demonstrated time and again he’s a strong debater.

In the most recent debate, held Thursday night in Charleston, S.C., the former Speaker combatively deflected questions about his past marriage by attacking the media, earning him a standing ovation from the crowd.

It would not be the first debate Romney has skipped. He missed the very first event of the cycle — a Fox News event held on May 5, 2011, in Greenville, S.C.

Romney also has an advantage his rivals don’t in Florida — plenty of campaign funds. The Sunshine State has some of the most expensive media markets in the country, and Romney is the only candidate on the air there. Also, Restore Our Future, a pro-Romney super-PAC, is advertising in the state on his behalf.

If Romney doesn’t attend the debate and NBC cancels it, it would deny Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul some much-needed free air time.

While NBC said preparations continue, The Tampa Tribune reported Friday the network sent local affiliates a message saying the debate has been replaced on that evening’s schedule with “Fear Factor” and “Rock Center.”

Adding to the uncertainty is a convoluted message from a top Romney adviser.

Stuart Stevens told reporters in the spin room after Thursday night’s debate that the former governor “will debate in Florida” — although he didn’t specify what debate or when or where.   “We’ve had four debates so far this month,” Stuart said. “We’ve had what, 15 debates?”  (read more)

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