For a minute, at least, the Republican machine’s rage has turned from President Obama to its own impotent, emotionally and intellectually barren candidate, Mitt Romney.  How can we be losing, they wonder, mystified.  Look at the economy!  Look at the job numbers!  Look at the godlessness!  Just look!

From Laura Ingraham (“If you can’t beat Barack Obama with this record, then shut down the party. Shut it down . . . .”) to Joe Scarborough (“If you don’t start telling people what you believe . . . Romney’s going to lose”) to Bill Kristol (“It’s not enough to float like a butterfly. You have to sting like a bee . . . .”), Republicans are flat out skeptical that Romney can win.  And well they should be.  Let’s face it, when even hard right conservatives are noting the glaring absence of anything specific Romney stands for, it’s time to beat a hasty retreat and retrench.

But from an objective standpoint, I’d like to helpfully offer the Republicans some possible reasons why Romney might be losing.

Because we count our money for bus fare, while Romney’s counting how many off-shore locations he has his money stashed in and his wife is counting her dressage horses.

Because it doesn’t concern Romney that his money was earned destroying the lives of people he wants to now lead – and, in fact, he’s bewildered that people would see it that way.

Because we can’t trust someone who pals around with misogynists (like Pat Robertson) and Islamophobes (like Rep. Steve King) simply to get votes.

Because we, as Americans, respect people who take a stand and don’t back down.  A Jello spine and teeter-totter views are not appealing to us.

Because liars aren’t cool.

Because healthcare is important to us.

Because many women rely on Planned Parenthood for basic healthcare, as well as for contraceptives and abortion, and a dismissive “I’m getting rid of it” is abusive.

Because we don’t want to have to explain our sex lives to our bosses in order to get contraceptive coverage under our health insurance policy.

Because an ability to offend multiple foreign leaders on one simple trip overseas is not the way to win friends or influence people – or keep our country safe and well-respected.

Because birther jokes are so 2008.

Because my tax money isn’t going to be spent giving billionaires another tax reduction.

Because his vice-presidential pick is a psycho.

Because his wife has a queen complex.

Because . . . come on, matching outfits?

Because he’s insulting and boorish and rude and unpleasant.  

In short, Mitt Romney – you’re losing because you’re an asshole.