Romney's $10,000 mistake
Jonathan Jones 7:04pm
This was, by some margin, the most talked about moment of Saturday night's Republican debate. Accused by Rick Perry of changing a passage in his book advocating an individual health care mandate, Mitt Romney stretched out his hand to the Texas Governor and said 'I'll tell you what, ten thousand bucks? Ten thousand dollar bet?'
For Romney's opponents, the bizarre challenge provided the perfect clip with which to attack him. It combines Romney's biggest negatives into one neat sound bite: his record on healthcare, his flip-flopping, and the idea that he's an out-of-touch Wall Street millionaire. And, just as when Perry got a rise out of him over immigration in October, it calls his temperament into question.
Immediately, Jon Huntsman's campaign bought 10kbet.com ('Why Mitt Romney owes Rick Perry $10,000'), Democrats put together a web video labelling him 'Simply out of touch – ten thousand times over', and Rick Perry released this ad, declaring 'One bet you can count on... the truth isn't for sale':
Just how bad a blow this is for Romney remains to be seen, but those betting on the outcome certainly seem to think it hurt his chances. After all, the most deadly gaffes are usually the ones that confirm what people already think.
Previous
Jeremy
December 12th, 2011 7:14pm Report this commentNit Rimpy or Nat Pimpy? Who's it gonna be?
Right On
December 12th, 2011 7:19pm Report this commentIt's highly unlikely that this will play any role whatsoever in the outcome of the primary or General Election.
Nobody cares if Romney's rich (pretty sure everyone knows he is, as is Gingrich, as is Perry, as is Huntsman and for that matter as is Barack Obama), a large number of Primary voters are concerned over whether he's a genuine conservative.
It's easy for the press to catch on to these things and over analyse them - think they'd be better spending their time preparing for a long primary battle between Romney and Gingrich which might stretch through the summer!
Vulture
December 12th, 2011 7:21pm Report this commentRomney is a serial election loser: he lost against Ted Kennedy in the year dot...he lost against John McCain last time round..and it looks like he's going to lose again now.
No-one has ever explained to me the logic of choosing a candidate who lost to McCain - who lost to Obama - and hoping that the triple loser would win this time round (for a change).
Surely the lesson is that rich liberal Reps lose elections. Especially in a recession.
Verity
December 12th, 2011 7:42pm Report this commentI like Rick Perry, although my closest friend, who lives in Texas, of which Perry was Governor, thinks I am daft. I think Perry swung back and landed a very tidy punch in that clip. And he waited a few seconds before delivering it, giving Romney's gaffe time to sink in.
David Lindsay
December 13th, 2011 12:59am Report this commentI thought Mormons didn't gamble? Seriously, this is as odd as if a Muslim had done it. It's just not allowed in Mormonism, any more than in Islam. In practice (like drinking), probably even less so.
Pot Head
December 13th, 2011 9:13am Report this commentVerity- Perry *is* Governor of Texas. Do you actually know anything about US politics? That's a pretty fundamental mistake
http://governor.state.tx.us/
James Strong
December 13th, 2011 11:04am Report this commentSo the MSM run with this, leaving policy issues ignored.
The talk is of Romney, a flip-flopper; Perry, a man who can't count to 3 and Gingrich,a pandrerer to the Zionist lobby.
Ron Paul is hardly reported even though his policies have been consistent for decades and in places he's showing very strongly.
The Establishment REALLY doesn't want him or his policies to be discussed.
Verity
December 13th, 2011 3:31pm Report this commentPothead ... slip of the finger. I lived in Texas for years but more recently, I've lived in France and SE Asia, so Austin is a long way from the front of my mind.
Back to top