"a really bad Stephen Colbert parody of a Republican"

[babylonsister]

'What's wrong with this guy?'
By Steve Benen
-
Thu Feb 2, 2012 8:00 AM EST


Mitt Romney suffered another self-inflicted wound yesterday, telling a national television audience, "I'm not concerned about the very poor." As First Read noted, everyone makes gaffes, "but in politics, what becomes damaging is when a verbal gaffe fits a pre-existing narrative."

This one certainly fit the bill. In seven words, Romney reinforced doubts about his candidacy -- he comes across as an out-of-touch elitist; his agenda is heavily stacked to help the wealthy; he's indifferent towards Americans struggling most -- in the clumsiest way possible.

What was especially interesting about yesterday, however, was that Romney didn't just face criticism from the left; the right seemed dumbfounded, too. The Weekly Standard's John McCormack called the former governor's comment "the most stunningly stupid remark of his campaign."

It's obvious that Romney's statement that he's "not concerned about the very poor" is incredibly tone-deaf. A candidate can say he's "focused" on the middle class without saying he's "not concerned" about the very poor, just as a candidate can say he's "focused" on the economy without saying he's "not concerned" about national security or even less vital issues like education.

But Romney's remark isn't merely tone-deaf, it's also un-conservative. The standard conservative argument is that a conservative economic agenda will help everyone.... Had Mitt Romney picked up his conservatism sooner, perhaps he would know these arguments by heart.

McCormack wasn't alone. Michelle Malkin was dismayed, as was The American Spectator and Rush Limbaugh. One conservative joked that Romney came across as "a really bad Stephen Colbert parody of a Republican," while Jonah Goldberg simply asked, "What is wrong with this guy?"

more...

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/02/10298290-whats-wrong-with-this-guy

[tanyev]

1. Even Michelle Malkin and Jonah Goldberg know that is something you say in your quiet rooms,

not in a televised interview. Geez, Mitt.

[baldguy]

2. Is the Romney campaign - like Herman Cain's - just an elaborate piece of performance art?

[greiner3]

3. "elaborate piece of performance art?"

http://performingmales.blogspot.com/2009/07/nude-performance.html?zx=730dd928c3a8bbad

I couldn't post the pictures because of nudity but I SURE AM GLAD Mitt and/or Cain chose THIS type of performance art!

[DCKit]

4. Even if you consider the rest of his statement about the safety net...

he still comes off as clueless and out-of-touch with reality.

Republicans are all about cutting holes in the safety net, and what's left is stretched to the limit because of what they allowed the banksters, Wall St. and the corporate vultures do to the economy.

[zipplewrath]

7. Exactly

This isn't the first "gaffe". It probably doesn't even really qualify as one. In the end, it appears it is a fairly accurate representation of where his attention is. "The poor" are someone elses job, something to be delegated so far down the management chain he doesn't even see it.

[DCKit]

9. Funny you should mention that. We were watching the news tonight....

and Newt said something along the lines of "Rmoney comes off as a stereotypical, elitist Republican."

No shit Newt. He's the real deal, and he can't hide it.

[Ebadlun]

5. Stephen Colbert is a really good parody of a Republican

Romney's not in the same league.

[RockaFowler]

6. What Safety Net??

The one Repukes are trying to destroy

[Ruby the Liberal]

8. "Let Them Eat Food Stamps.”

I can't believe I just quoted Michelle Malkin here, but what can I say - that line rocks.