Time for Mitt Romney to take on Newt Gingrich?

With Newt Gingrich passing Mitt Romney in the polls, some politicos say the affable Romney must ramp up attacks on Gingrich. But others say that could ruin Romney's brand.?

To attack more forcefully or not? That?s the dilemma former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney faces as former House Speaker Newt Gingrich surges in polls and threatens Mr. Romney?s grasp on the Republican presidential nomination.

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Four weeks before the first nominating contest ? the Iowa caucuses ? differing views are emerging. Some Romney supporters quoted in the media say it?s time for the mild-mannered Romney to get more aggressive. He can?t count on Mr. Gingrich to self-destruct or on other candidates to take Gingrich down for him, the thinking goes.

He needs to show he?s a fighter, because that will demonstrate he?s up for the task ahead: taking on President Obama in what will surely be an epic battle against a highly organized incumbent.??

But others suggest Romney has to be careful. He has kept his message focused on the economy, his strong point as a former businessman, and he doesn?t want to take his eye off the ball. He also doesn?t want to bathe himself in negativity right as many GOP voters are beginning to pay attention to the race in earnest.

When asked Tuesday whether it?s time for Romney to attack Gingrich, one Romney adviser said no. ?I don?t think that he fundamentally changes his strategy in the direction of an attack on Newt,? former Rep. Vin Weber (R) of Minnesota told Andrea Mitchell on MSNBC. ?He?s building a campaign capable of defeating President Obama.?

In particular, Gingrich?s rocky personal past ? marital infidelities, two messy divorces ? is best left for others to discuss, says Stephen Wayne, a political scientist at Georgetown University.

For Romney to go there ?lowers him a notch in the eyes of voters,? says Mr. Wayne. ?He?s got an economic focus going against Obama, and he should stay on that route. The moment people turn from the economy to social conservatism or other issues, Romney loses his advantage.?

Republican strategist Ford O?Connell agrees that Romney has to be careful.

?Romney?s caught between a rock and a hard place,? says Mr. O?Connell, head of the CivicForumPAC. ?He can?t rely on Newt being Newt. But if he goes after him, he looks like a whiner and out of character. He?s got to hope another person or organization comes up with information on Gingrich.?

In a mild way, Romney has already upped his game against Gingrich, calling him a Washington insider who isn?t the sure-thing nominee that Gingrich has portrayed himself to be.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/iVvqGEt6ilc/Time-for-Mitt-Romney-to-take-on-Newt-Gingrich

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