Romney Adviser Likens Him to ... 'Etch a Sketch'

If you're Mitt Romney and weary of fending off flip-flopping accusations, this is probably not what you want a top adviser to say on CNN. Asked whether Romney has gone so far to the right in the primaries that he might alienate moderate voters in November, adviser Eric Fehrnstrom said this, notes Think Progress:

• "Well, I think you hit a reset button for the fall campaign. Everything changes. It's almost like an Etch a Sketch. You can kind of shake it up and we start all over again."

The reaction has been swift:

• Santorum camp: "We all knew Mitt Romney didn't have any core convictions, but we appreciate his staff going on national television to affirm that point for anyone who had any doubts." More at Los Angeles Times.
• David Axelrod: "Forget everything you know," he tweeted. "Forget everything you've seen. Coming soon. Mitt 5.0!"
• Jamelle Bouie, American Prospect: "Fehrnstrom and the Romney campaign are probably kidding themselves if they think they can flop back to the center this fall. ... Conservatives will make their demands and Romney will go along for the ride. After all, in an election where he needs high turnout from the base, what choice does he have?"

(More Mitt Romney 2012 stories.)