It’s On: Showdown in Michigan Begins With Romney Super PAC Attack Ad

Earlier today I wrote at Red Alert Politics that Romney was ready to “let slip the dogs of war” in Michigan – much like he did in Florida:

Next on the schedule is the Michigan contest – long considered a Romney lock. Not anymore. Santorum is now up over Romney by 15 in the state where Mitt’s own father was once governor. Much like Florida, Michigan is a state Romney can’t afford to lose if he wants to maintain his position on high – if he even still has it.

So prepare for Romney to let slip the dogs of war, to take out Santorum while he’s still just a giant thorn in his side rather than a ball and chain on his ankle. He’ll attack him on his past comments on social issues (although subtly enough to avoid ticking off the base), right to work votes in the Senate (which Ron Paul already tried), and Rick’s time in DC (which helps Romney paint himself as an outsider). It will be relentless.

Either Romney’s Super PAC is a fan, or I predicted the obvious. I’ll let you decide which to save my ego from any injury.

Below is what I suspect is the first of many attack ads against Senator Santorum. As I said, relentless.

Interestingly, Allahpundit at Hot Air notes it should be more than just Santorum’s polling in Michigan that should be worrying Team Mitt:

[Santorum's] now making electability a core component of his pitch. No other Not Romney has been in that position before — but the numbers do back him up, for now:

One thing that has remained constant in the ever changing GOP Presidential race is that Mitt Romney is the strongest candidate against Barack Obama…at least until now. PPP’s newest national poll findsRomney trailing Obama by 7 points at 49-42, while Santorum trails by only 5 points at 49-44…

Santorum’s net favorability is 21 points better than Romney’s. Santorum’s at -7 (39/46), while Romney is at -28 (29/57). That’s mostly because Republicans like Santorum a lot better (+40 at 62/22 to Romney’s +2 at 43/41). But Santorum also does a good deal better with independents, coming in at -6 (40/46) to Romney’s -23 (32/55). In the head to heads Obama leads Romney by 9 with independents, but has only a 4 point advantage on Santorum with that group.

Santorum’s also viewed slightly more favorably by independents than Romney is, and his favorable rating among Republicans is now a point better than Mitt’s — thanks to a 13-point surge since last month among Republicans who lack a college degree.

Uh oh.