Romney Turns Down DeMint Invitation

Mitt Romney will not be attending a conservative forum organized by Jim DeMint in South Carolina on Labor Day. But Rick Perry, Michelle Bachmann, Ron Paul, Herman Cain, and Newt Gingrich will be there. I don't think Romney has to be there just because the others will be, as he may be focusing on New Hampshire more to ensure victory there.

But it's also possible that Romney is "playing it safe." It's also possible that he will aim for the independent voters, and would rather not be seen with the more conservative branch of the GOP.

Let's hope he's not playing it safe. In most elections, that's good enough to win it. But 2012 is a year for being bold. If Romney moves to the middle, he runs the risk of losing to someone like Ron Paul, who doesn't know the meaning of safe.