Romney tops in ill will among GOP rivals
Strategists say his attack ads may be the prime reason for the scorn
By Michael Luo
The New York Times
updated 5:17 a.m. ET, Thurs., Jan. 24, 2008


Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, right, greets supporters Wednesday during a campaign stop in Tampa, Fla.

TAMPA, Fla. - At the end of the Republican presidential debate in New Hampshire this month, when the Democrats joined the candidates on stage, Mitt Romney found himself momentarily alone as his counterparts mingled, looking around a bit stiffly for a companion.

The moment was emblematic of a broader reality that has helped shape the Republican contest and could take center stage again on Thursday at a debate in Florida. Within the small circle of contenders, Mr. Romney has become the most disliked.

With so much attention recently on the sniping between Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama on the Democratic side, the almost visceral scorn directed at Mr. Romney by his rivals has been overshadowed.

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