By Dan Kennedy • The press, politics, technology, culture and other passions

Romney’s speech and the dispiriting politics of 2012

In my latest for the Huffington Post, I attempt to deconstruct Mitt Romney’s cynical, dishonest victory speech in New Hampshire last night — starting with his amnesia regarding the economic collapse that swept Barack Obama into the presidency.

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8 Comments

  1. Mike Benedict

    Seems Ole Willard the Dog Abuser was for the economy before he was against it.

  2. Tom Underwood

    Remember his 2008 Republican Convention speech? He blatantly pandered to conservatives including veering off into talking about pornography in our schools. Last night is was Obama’s “bitter policies of envy.” WTF?

  3. Off your points, but the other thing I found interesting about Romney’s speech was his total lack of acknowledgement of his rivals. The usual is to at least give a polite nod to your opposition, some graciousness in victory. Paul at least called to congratulate Romney, mentioning such in his concession speech, proving, at least for the nonce, that he is more of a gentleman.

  4. Larz Neilson

    Great piece, Dan. I recognize that it takes some good note & quote-taking to be able to nail down his … errors. His nose is growing.

  5. L.K. Collins

    That’s ok, Larz, the size still has a way to go to catch up with Dan’s.

  6. Ben Starr

    My take on Romney’s stump speech was similar to yours, with his forein policy statements the most onerous. However, I think any positive spin on the “stimulus” (“safety net” probably more accurate) takes away from your position.

  7. Mike Benedict

    Now that Willard the Dog Abuser is acvtually speaking, Americans are NOT going to like what he has to say. The man’s incredible arrogance is shining through:

    To wit:
    “I believe in a merit nation, an opportunity nation where people by virtue of their education, their hard work and risk taking and their dreams — may be a little luck — could achieve great things.”

    1. Nice thoughts, except once we start looking at what “merit” means to the recent Republican standard bearers. Romney – son of a former governor and business leader. McCain – son of an admiral whose legacy kept the worst ensign in history from being kicked out of school. Bush – son of a former president and grandson of a US senator. Did they earn their success? Not hardly.

    “You know, I think it’s about envy. I think it’s about class warfare.” So when Americans rightfully question why millionaire bankers are allowed to game the system and get off scot-free while honest blue-collar folks get their homes taken away and their credit ruined, that’s envy. Uh-huh. Calling Americans jealous lazy-asses is no way to get elected.

    Willard better wake up. His East Coast elitism will not play in Peoria.

    • Dan Kennedy

      @Mike: This is not to say that Obama’s going to win — the economy could very well defeat him. But running against Romney is going to be ridiculously easy. The storyline writes itself. The anti-Romney Republicans themselves understand it, which is why they’re still flailing around looking for an alternative.

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