Fresh off his double-digit win in the New Hampshire primary Tuesday night, Mitt Romney wasted no time conducting a series of morning show interviews. And in the span of a few short minutes he succeeded in demonstrating the real venture capitalist behind the rehearsed smile and “average-Joe” campaign sound bites.
To recap:
Romney went on the Today Show Wednesday morning to celebrate his New Hampshire victory and during the course of his interview with Matt Lauer he was asked about his position on the issue of distribution of wealth and income disparity in our country. It should be noted that the Today Show is not 60 Minutes nor is Matt Lauer a “got you journalist” browbeating the guest with hard-hitting questions.
Towards the end of the interview Lauer asked a pretty straightforward question that should have been easily fielded by Romney.
Lauer asked, “Do you suggest that anyone who questions the policies and practices of Wall Street and financial institutions, anyone who has questions about the distribution of wealth and power in this country is envious? Is it about jealousy or fairness?”
Romney who is suppose to be a polished politician responded by saying, “I think it’s about envy. I think it’s about class warfare.”
Wow…
At this point in the interview (much to his credit) Matt Lauer provided Romney with the opportunity to clean up his response and clarify his position and take his foot out of his mouth.
Lauer asked, “Are there no fair questions about the distribution of wealth without it being seen as envy?”
Romany’s response, “I think its fine to talk about those things in quiet rooms and discussions about tax policy and the like. But the president has made it part of his campaign rally. Everywhere he goes we hear him talking about millionaires, billionaires, executives and Wall Street. Its very envy-oriented, attack-oriented approach and I think it will fail.”
Romney’s response has the virtue of demonstrating two points that speak to many questions about his character and fitness to be our nations next commander and chief.
First, Mitt Romney is clearly out of step with the American people. It may come as a complete shock to him and his campaign staff, but a presidential campaign is indeed the proper forum to discuss pesky little things like wealth distribution and tax policy, and the like. The American people are pretty smart, and we don’t appreciate venture capitalist with delusions of grandeur deciding our fate in nice “quiet rooms” or “members only” country clubs.
Secondly, Mitt Romney is an elite, robber baron who lacks anything in way of compassion and empathy. The occupy Wall Street crowds and all the people who lost their jobs on account of his company, Bain Capital are irrelevant in his world view. Mitt Romney only cares about Mitt Romney and his super rich buddies.
Is it any wonder why the Tea Party folk can’t stand him and the rest of the GOP is searching desperately for ABM….
Anybody But Mitt.
