Romney must stay on point, observers say

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- The campaign of Republican U.S. presidential candidate Mitt Romney experienced a few missteps this week, exposing possible signs of strain, observers note.

GOP hopeful Newt Gingrich climbed in the polls and Democrats picked up their attacks on the former Massachusetts governor, taking him to task for flip-flopping on issues and critical of an ad his campaign he admits is misleading. He also showed irritation during a national interview.

Strategists said Romney shouldn't experience any long-term damage, but cautioned he needs to get back on message soon, especially with the Jan. 3 Iowa caucus and the Jan. 10 New Hampshire primary looming, The Hill reported.

"It certainly hasn't been a good week," said Al Cardenas, who worked for Romney in his unsuccessful 2008 presidential bid but is officially neutral in the 2012 race because he heads the American Conservative Union.

Observers noted Romney's strength is in his ability to stay honed in on his economic message and avoid being sucked into other battles.

"He's run an almost flawless race up to this point, and this week for the first time you saw a series of missteps by the campaign and the candidate," one unaffiliated GOP strategist told The Hill. "What led him to have the bad interview [on Fox News] is what's dangerous -- getting concerned about Gingrich, not being as disciplined and getting agitated.

Romney has to correct his course in coming weeks or "he could have a problem," the strategist said. "His strength is his [message] discipline and being able to talk about the economy. If he gets undisciplined and talks about other things -- that's going to be a problem."