Nyhan notices that "Romney’s manner on the campaign trail, which has previously been derided as wooden and inauthentic, is now being described as more 'confident'":
Ask yourself this: How often is a losing candidate portrayed as confident? The reality is that politicians tend to seem confident and persuasive when the political wind is at their back (see, e.g., George W. Bush 9/11/01-11/2/04). By contrast, candidates facing poor fundamentals seem hapless and unable to connect with voters. Journalists love to tell a story of how a politician’s personal style is the reason that her campaign has surged or declined—it creates an easy-to-understand narrative centered on the events that reporters cover every day.
(Photo: Republican Presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney speaks at his last campaign rally as he completes a five day bus trip in Holland State Park June 19, 2012 in Holland, Michigan. By Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
The Dish 