Mitt Romney basks in Republican accolades – for now

If Mitt Romney’s smile looks a little less forced these days it is because he has received some much needed respect from Republican grandees at different ends of the party.

First came the begrudging endorsement of Senator Jim DeMint, the Tea Party’s patron saint, who said: “I feel comfortable with Romney as the nominee.” It wasn’t exactly a bear hug, but Mitt has learned not to be too picky.Then Jeb Bush – George W’s younger brother, often described as “the son who should have been President” and a former governor of Florida – gave his nod to Mitt via Twitter. Again, as endorsements go, this was about as perfunctory as it gets.

Now mom and pop have weighed in. George H W Bush and the irrepressible Barbara will appear on camera to salute Mitt Romney the nominee. This is the equivalent of getting a knighthood. The senior Bushs represent the country club wing of the Republican Party. Their voice still carries weight. When Barbara Bush appeared on TV last month declaring that the current campaign for the Republican nomination was the shabbiest she had ever seen – and she has seen a lot – the party faithful sat up and paid attention. There was genuine panic amongst the upper echelons of the Grand Old Party that they were about to throw this election away.

By the way, the endorsement of George W Bush has so far been conspicuous by its absence. In fact, you could be forgiven for thinking that W has gone into a witness protection programme. In a country where ex Presidents strut the stage, he has been the single missing man, graciously accepting the fact that an endorsement from him is still considered a kiss of death.

The final nod for Mitt came from one of the rising stars of the Republican Party, Senator Marco Rubio. The 40-year-old fresh-faced son of Cuban migrants, who combines the soft cheeks of a matinee idol with the sharp tongue of a Tea Party stalwart, declared on FOX TV that Mitt was his man. Immediately and inevitably speculation began whether Rubio, who represents the all-important swing state of Florida, might become Mitt’s running mate.

Immediately, and inevitably, Rubio denied such ambitions while admitting that he was flattered  Watch this space. Rubio would be an attractive Vice Presidential pick for the Republicans. He reeks of fresh blood. He is a good campaigner. He might even use his Spanish to persuade a few Hispanic voters to swallow their anger at the Republican Party, who they see as prejudiced, and vote against Obama.

So, Mitt Romney’s is still like an arranged marriage: loveless but unavoidable. The haggling over the dowry has been longer and more bruising than expected. And, after the fleeting fireworks offered by Herman Cain – remember the pizza mogul Rick Perry?, remember the Texan who couldn’t remember his third point?, Newt Gingrich – the man who is more likely to go to the moon than to the White House, and Rick Santorum , the Zombie of this campaign (suggested movie title: Dead Man Campaigning)….the chips have fallen for Mitt.

We can all go to sleep now until the Convention at the end of August, after which the real campaign kicks off. Until then, we are bound to hear more Mittisms that are “so 1 per cent.” However hard he tries, Romney can’t sound anything but rich. Money is in his blood. You can take the man out of Bain Capital but you can’t take Bain Capital out of the man. He should stop trying.

In fact, Mitt too should take the next four months off and save his powder for prime time in the autumn. Ultimately this election will be a referendum on the incumbent and his record in office. The economy is improving, which is good news for Obama. But petrol costs around $4 a gallon and is set to rise further. Although the current administration can hardly be blamed for rising global demand, the cash-strapped voters will hold them responsible.

This week, at the end of March, I would bet a small amount of money on Obama getting re-elected. But from Israel/Iran to petrol prices to the Euro, to Angela Merkel, to North Korea, and to hurricane season, there are simply too many known unknowns this year to take anything for granted.

This will always be a tight race decided in the last few weeks in the swing counties of Ohio, Florida and Colorado.

Follow @mattfrei on Twitter.