2012 Election Results...

The Amazing Awkwardness of Mitt Romney

I don't know if it's his breathless exhortations of how much he likes trees and clouds and lakes. I don't know if it's his oddly inhuman (and often inappropriately timed) chuckle. I don't know if it's his completely obvious difficulty relating to people on a human level. I don't know if it's his anachronistic phrasings, like "aircraft" for airplane, or starting sentences with "why," and ending them with "if you will." But there is something that is just off about this dude. There's a reason that it is popular to compare Willard Mitt Romney with C. Montgomery Burns of The Simpsons. Both are deeply out of touch with ordinary people, and both deep down don't really care.

 

I have figured out who can play Mitt in the movie version of this campaign, though: Ty Burrell of Modern Family. His Phil Dunphy character is equally awkward and clumsy with his speech, they have a similar look about them. But Ty/Phil are far, far more human, so maybe not.

Mitt Romney Consistant on Gay Marriage. . .Since He's Been Running for Office

Image from source, TPM.

I find it amusing that in the wake of President Obama's pro-marriage equality announcement, the right is trying to paint him as a "flip flopper." Because immediately after the "turning your opponent's strength into a weakness" ploy, their favorite tactic is to paint their opponent with their own weakness. It's the "I'm rubber, you're glue" gambit. Mitt Romney isn't just known for flip flopping, it pretty much defines him. Pick an issue, and he's been on both sides of it. Sometimes more than once.

I wasn't happy with Obama's previous stance on the issue of gay marriage. But I've grown to grudgingly accept that politicians--no matter how well intentioned--have to hedge. As distasteful as it is, they have official policy positions, and wink-wink, nudge-nudge, what I really think positions. George W. Bush was on board for some serious gay bashing in his campaigns, but allegedly wasn't really homophobic behind the scenes. At least President Obama has been pro-gay rights, even if it took him a while to have his private opinion square with his public one.


[Excerpt]


Romney: I’m Consistent On Gay Marriage … ‘Since Running For Office’

Mitt Romney responded to President Obama’s personal support for the legalization of gay marriage Wednesday by reaffirming his opposition to legalized same-sex unions of any kind, and suggesting Obama is a flip-flopper for “evolving” his stance. . .

Read more at: Talking Points Memo