What to Make of Mitt Romney's Birther Joke?

[TroyD]

Romney is not himself a birther. He was engaging in ironic post-birtherism—showing solidarity with birthers by making a humorous remark that can be plausibly denied as a joke later. This is a necessary device for a Republican politician who wants to rile up the base without seeming like a lunatic, because the belief that President Barack Obama was not born in the United States is still held by nearly half of self-identified Republicans even after the very public release of the president's birth certificate.

SNIP

Romney's claim about never having been asked for his birth certificate is almost certainly false. Romney holds a US passport, and for a first time applicant naming the hospital where you were born will not suffice. It's far-fetched to imagine Romney did not intend to reference birtherism, especially given his embrace of political allies (such as Donald Trump) who have expressed sympathy for it.

More here:


http://www.motherjones.com/mojo/2012/08/romney-birtherism-joke-michigan

[Enrique]

1. it means, us white people have to stick together

especially when I have literally zero support from blacks.

[elleng]

2. Not a joke,

a FAIL, EXCEPT to racists who won't vote for President Obama under any circumstances.

[bmbmd]

3. I think his grandmother would be ashamed.

And his grandmother. And his grandmother. And his grandmother.

[polichick]

4. He was saying, "I'm a legitimate American, just like you."

[C_U_L8R]

5. He certainly didn't tell it like a joke

his tone was nasty as you can get.

Mitt Romney is a genuinely bad person.

[polichick]

6. I agree - he is a hateful person...

All you have to know is what he did to that long-haired kid in school to know how sick he is.

[TroyD]

7. Donna Brazile

I got the idea to post this article from Donna Brazile. She recommended it on her Twitter feed:

https://twitter.com/donnabrazile

[Agnosticsherbet]

8. Romney felt a need to make a statement to hold his radical right wing base together.

It isn't a joke. It is to convince his base that he is with them.

It is telling that at this point in the campaign, he needs to reassure his base rather than say something that would appeal to the independents that all the talking heads say determine the election.

Besides, no one seriously believes its a joke, because Romney hasn't got a sense of humor.

[BlueStreak]

9. Remember, he's a funny guy

This is a joke in the same way that his America the Beautiful is a patriotic ballad. It is the best he can do at appearing somewhat normal. The guy is pretty darned good at cheating on taxes and screwing other people, but he just cannot relate to people on a human level.

Of course, if he had any kind of a human side, he probably wouldn't be nearly so good at screwing people over.

I doubt that he intended to reignite the crazy birther stuff. Just like he didn't go to England with the idea of insulting our closest ally. He just doesn't get it. He doesn't even understand why he is so offensive, much less understand why it is a huge international blunder to move the Israeli capitol.

And considering he has been in this business for a decade now, he will not get any better at it. This guy would be a real danger on the international scene.

[bigdarryl]

10. Like Joe Madison says tell it where the goats can get it

It was racist and it was a CODE word that he's different from us white people that's what he reminded that audience of he knew what the fuck he was saying

[TroyD]

11. Applause vs. Laughter

There was also more applause/cheering than there was laughter.

[bigdarryl]

13. There was even a fucking NUN laughing in the back ground

[AlinPA]

12. It was not a joke. It is part of their strategy to use the birther stance through the rest of the

campaign. Trump will lead that work in Tampa.

[Jennicut]

14. It was supposed to be a clever attempt at a dog whistle.

Accept Romney is anything but clever.

[Kalidurga]

15. His hood slipped. NT.

[TroyD]

16. CNN is doing a story on Ann Romney's MS

Looks like CNN's main priority tonight is to talk about Ann Romney's health struggles.

I just turned on the t.v. and they were interview Mitt about it.

[AtomicKitten]

17. Let's not mince words: He's a dick.

[Nancy Waterman]

20. That was exactly my reaction.

This doesn't prove he is a birther. It proves he is a dick. Period. (As if we needed the proof, but still...)

[dimbear]

18. He is humor impaired. Not to be prejudiced, but a lot of fundamentalists are.

In my experience. Just sayin'.

[Zoeisright]

19. Here's what I make of it:

Romney is a fucking asshole.