Politics Now discussion: Polls, Rep. Akin and the hurricane
A USC Annenberg/Los Angeles Times Poll has the two presidential candidates nearly deadlocked in popular support as the Republicans prepare for their convention in Tampa.
Times political reporter Mark Z. Barabak and I talk about what Mitt Romney needs to do to push ahead of President Obama, after months of relative stasis in the race.
Conventional wisdom suggests that next week’s convention — and particularly Thursday night’s acceptance speech — presents one of the best opportunities for Romney to reintroduce himself to voters and to push ahead of Obama.
We discuss whether the Republican should talk about his Mormon faith and if that would hurt him among Christian evangelical voters, who are part of the party’s base. Barabak suggests that Romney should avoid falling into the same trap that Democrat Al Gore did in 2000. But what does that mean?
The video discussion also delves into the question of how much Republicans have been sidetracked by Rep. Todd Akin and his controversial pronouncement about “legitimate rape” and women’s ability to fend off unwanted pregnancies.
We close with some thoughts about what the GOP delegates and their 30,000 guests might do if Tropical Storm Isaac escalates into a hurricane — and descends on Tampa in time for the gathering, set to begin Monday.
Twitter: latimesrainey
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