This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/man-with-mitt-romney-face-tattoo-will-not-vote-for-him--despite-2012-republican-candidate-being-ahead-in-polls-9977979.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Man with Mitt Romney face tattoo will not vote for him - despite 2012 Republican candidate being ahead in polls Man with Mitt Romney face tattoo will not vote for him - despite 2012 Republican candidate being ahead in polls
(less than a minute earlier)
Two nuggets of news broke this week that may have struck Mitt Romney, the Republican Party’s 2012 candidate who is considering another run for the White House. One of them would have pleased him, the other would not.Two nuggets of news broke this week that may have struck Mitt Romney, the Republican Party’s 2012 candidate who is considering another run for the White House. One of them would have pleased him, the other would not.
The first item was the finding of a new poll conducted in Iowa by Townhall/Gravis Marketing that put Mr Romney ahead of all other potential Republican candidates. The poll among registered Republicans in the state which is first to vote in presidential primary elections put Mr Romney on 22 points, ahead of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush on 14, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker on 10 and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee on 9.The first item was the finding of a new poll conducted in Iowa by Townhall/Gravis Marketing that put Mr Romney ahead of all other potential Republican candidates. The poll among registered Republicans in the state which is first to vote in presidential primary elections put Mr Romney on 22 points, ahead of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush on 14, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker on 10 and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee on 9.
“Romney’s name recognition and the loyalty Republicans have for their last nominee give him a opportunity that no one else has,” said Doug Kaplan, the managing partner of Gravis Marketing, a Florida-based pollster. “The question is whether he will use or let the chance pass to others.”“Romney’s name recognition and the loyalty Republicans have for their last nominee give him a opportunity that no one else has,” said Doug Kaplan, the managing partner of Gravis Marketing, a Florida-based pollster. “The question is whether he will use or let the chance pass to others.”
Mr Romney, 67, lost in the Republican primary to Senator John McCain and, having won the primary in 2012, lost to President Barack Obama in the main election. Many had assumed he would not contest again. At the weekend he let it be known he “almost certainly will”.Mr Romney, 67, lost in the Republican primary to Senator John McCain and, having won the primary in 2012, lost to President Barack Obama in the main election. Many had assumed he would not contest again. At the weekend he let it be known he “almost certainly will”.
Mitt Romney has said he will likely make a third run for the White HouseMitt Romney has said he will likely make a third run for the White House
His announcement triggered a wave of comment that suggested Mr Romney would struggle to capture the nomination and that third time around would not necessarily mean lucky for him.His announcement triggered a wave of comment that suggested Mr Romney would struggle to capture the nomination and that third time around would not necessarily mean lucky for him.
One such indication of the struggle the former Massachusetts Governor would face in convincing voters that he is a winner came from Eric Hartsburg, a man from Indiana who in 2012 had Mr Romney image tattooed onto his face.One such indication of the struggle the former Massachusetts Governor would face in convincing voters that he is a winner came from Eric Hartsburg, a man from Indiana who in 2012 had Mr Romney image tattooed onto his face.
Just two years ago, Mr Hartsburg was passionate about Mr Romney’s chances, but now he feels he cannot win, so much so that he had decided he would not vote for him. He said he had become disillusioned by Mr Romney’s error-strewn campaign.Just two years ago, Mr Hartsburg was passionate about Mr Romney’s chances, but now he feels he cannot win, so much so that he had decided he would not vote for him. He said he had become disillusioned by Mr Romney’s error-strewn campaign.
“He’s going to say something later on to mess it up,” he told Buzzfeed. “You are waiting for him to shoot himself in the foot. It’s going to look real good and then - bam something else - he screws it up.”“He’s going to say something later on to mess it up,” he told Buzzfeed. “You are waiting for him to shoot himself in the foot. It’s going to look real good and then - bam something else - he screws it up.”
Mr Hartsburg was paid $15,000 by an anonymous Republican eBay user to get the tattoo, according to ABC News. Since the 2012 election, he said he has had two laser treatments to remove the now-faded tattoo from his face, adding that he’s ready to part with it.Mr Hartsburg was paid $15,000 by an anonymous Republican eBay user to get the tattoo, according to ABC News. Since the 2012 election, he said he has had two laser treatments to remove the now-faded tattoo from his face, adding that he’s ready to part with it.
He said if Mr Romney did ultimately run in 2016, his advice for him would be: “Keep your mouth shut. There is always someone recording. Don’t mess it up.”He said if Mr Romney did ultimately run in 2016, his advice for him would be: “Keep your mouth shut. There is always someone recording. Don’t mess it up.”