Romney speaks in Scottsdale on April 20 (image: Joshua Lott/Reuters)
In an attempt to put the fractious primary season behind him, presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney made a pilgrimage to the annual RNC meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona. His tone considerably more conciliatory since he denounced Newt Gingrich as an “influence peddler” who “resigned in disgrace” from the speakership, Romney praised the entire field of candidates, claiming that “each contributed to the process.” Paul and Gingrich, who are still officially battling Romney for the nomination, might not feel so great about being called part of “this extraordinary team.” (When in his life has Ron “Dr. No” Paul ever been a team player?) I suspect both men would also be surprised to learn they will be playing “a vital role in making sure that we win in November,” but who knows. Stranger things have happened. Perhaps even Gingrich will embrace the “George Soros-approved candidate” by the time Fall 2012 rolls around. Politico reports:
Mitt Romney thanked all of his vanquished GOP opponents by name at a Republican National Committee unity lunch here Friday.
“You know their names, but it’s a long enough list I wrote it down,” he said, proceeding to list them — from Herman Cain to Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry.
“Some still running, some have gotten out of the race, but each contributed to the process,” he added, including Ron Paul and Newt Gingrich. “Thank you to this extraordinary team. We have all fought hard and well.”
Eight names is “a long enough list” that Romney had to write it down? He had more debates with these folks than some couples have dates before marriage. Seriously, who was he afraid he’d forget — Tim Pawlenty? Just getting past three names would give him an edge on Rick Perry. Oops. And even with a list, Romney managed to snub pie-in-the-sky candidates Buddy Roemer and Gary Johnson, who hardly need salt rubbed in their wounds.
Most damningly, however, Romney is asking voters to trust him with the presidency. Will the leader of the free world need crib notes to remember the difference between Khomeini and Khamenei? (Hint: one of the ayatollahs died in 1989.) How about Cabinet members? (After all, sixteen is twice as many as eight.) At the United Nations, will Romney take a page from the Herman Cain playbook and draw a blank when asked about the president of “Ubeki-beki-beki-beki-stan-stan”? (Islam Karimov, FYI.)
In the four short years since George “C-Student” Bush occupied the White House, Americans have let out a collective sigh to find that President Obama’s malapropisms are usually restricted to small South Atlantic islands. (OK, that and “57 states.”) The last thing we need is a Commander in Chief who writes the answers to the test on the palm of his hand.
. . . So Well Read. . . 