Mitt Romney? He lost. Why is that empty barrel still making noise? According
to Ashley Parker’s article in The New York Times (11/15) the occasion was a
conference call with fundraisers and donors to his presidential campaign. Mr.
Romney was attempt-ing to explain why they got nothing in return for all their
millions. Something that, to his credit, he never had to do at Bain Capital.
His lack of experience shows.
Mr. Romney
attributed his loss to strategic “gifts” from President Obama to young people,
African-Americans and the Hispanic community. Loan forgiveness, free
health-care and amnesty for the children of illegal immigrants, respectively.
The word “gift” is doubly significant. First, it means an outright bribe or
trading favors, ward-heeler style (“Vote for me and I’ll see that my friend,
the banker, loses the paper-work on your loan.” The only thing missing is a
glad-handing clap on the shoulder and a schooner of beer.) Mr. Romney clearly
intended that because he drew a direct connection, “A big gift to young people.
They turned out in large numbers, a larger share in this election than in
2008.” Second, it implies that education, healthcare and citizenship are
privileges that the powerful may choose to bestow on certain groups. Given that
Mr. Romney has already stated outright (to the same audience, no less) that
forty-seven per cent of the people in this country are lazy slobs who pay no
taxes and gobble up government largesse, that also seems like a good bet.
Okay, he’s good at blaming the other guy and heaping contempt upon minority groups, but did Mr. Romney say anything
positive? Did he learn anything? Should the Republicans give
away their own “gifts” in
2016, adopt a counter-strategy or do something entirely different? Mitt Romney
doesn’t know and doesn’t care. “Frankly, we’re still so troubled by the past, it’s hard to put together our plans for the
future.”
