Romney's 'Energy' Hits the Airwaves in Florida

Mitt Romney is continuing his pattern of being up on the air first in key early voting states, now expanding his advertising blitz to Florida, where he has been struggling to climb out of third or fourth place in polls.

His Republican rivals have yet to air a single ad, but Mr. Romney has poured out some $2 million each in Iowa and New Hampshire and recently made a significant media buy in South Carolina. In Iowa and New Hampshire, his investment has helped him to solid leads in the polls.

Mr. Giuliani has been leading in Florida, which is a cornerstone of his strategy leading into the mega-primary on February 5. While his more moderate views on social issues might be problematic in a place like Iowa, they could help him in Florida.

But Mr. Romney’s campaign is focused on doing well in the Sunshine State as well. They have built one of the state’s most elaborate ground operations and see the state as the all-important doorway into Feb. 5. Even with victories in Iowa and New Hampshire, stumbling badly in Florida could stymie any momentum leading into Super Duper Tuesday.

The ad that Floridians will see is Mr. Romney’s “Energy” spot, which features him jogging and flashes through his experience as governor of Massachusetts, running the Olympics and in the private sector. The ad debuted in Iowa and New Hampshire recently and was also introduced in South Carolina.

Mr. Romney is set to make a two-day fund-raising and political swing through Florida early next week, hitting Jacksonville, Boca Raton, Orlando and Miami.

The question at this point is: How much longer will Mr. Romney’s opponents allow him to have the airwaves to himself?