I could really only stomach ReThug Nation Convention for moments at a time. I just think when your entire campaign is about how much you hate the other guy, you've already lost credibility. As we head into Day 2 of the RNC, only Ann Romney seems to remember that folks are struggling for life and livelihood along the Gulf Coast. The apathetic callous disregard for regular folks continues.
And speaking of Ann... I've heard equal parts praise and condemnation of her heartfelt speechifying. From what I saw/heard/read/observed, she seems nice enough although clearly clueless and insulated from the reality in which most of us live. This is no political animal. She's no Hillary and she's no Michelle. If the best reason you can give me for voting for your husband is that he brought you home safe from the sock hop (where was it being held, Riker's Island?!) then I got nothing for you.
There was an opportunity here. I (and many others) have been saying for weeks that we just don't understand what the Republican message is. Ann had an opportunity to Sesame Street it out for us. Instead she wanted to let us know that her man is a swell husband and darn good provider. She loves her some Mitt.
Awesome, what's in that for me?
Ann's battle with MS would have been a great platform to explain what kind of healthcare plan Mitt foresees for the future of America. What is he going to do for people like me who came out of pocket to the tune of $22,000 in one year for healthcare? What about those who had to do without? What about job creation? Economic stimulus? Border security? Education? Senior care? Restructuring the NCAA BCS playoff system? I mean, throw us a bone Ann. Give me something so that I can find some commonality betwixt Team Romney and 90% of the nation?
As she stood there in her silk-suited, blond-haired, Botoxed glory; I shook my head. Bless her entitled heart. She doesn't get it. She shared some story about her and Mitt eating tuna fish in a basement apartment but um ur - you both came from families of means. If you are walking a tightrope that is only one foot off the ground with a safety net, restraints and a paramedic on standby - that's not struggle. Look, I don't need an "up from the streetz" story to get behind you, but I need you to say something that resonates. Hell, I didn't come from struggle. I'm not looking for an up-by-the-bootstraps story, I'm looking to see what you did with the boot once it was on your foot.
If her job was to keep Mitt from looking like Richie Rich sitting on stacks while the rest of us are trying to making a dollar out of fifteen cents - she failed miserably. If her job was to tell us how awesome being in love with a rich successful man who loves you back is, she wins.
But is that all you got? Alright then. I believe Mitt would make a great President... of the neighborhood association of whatever gated community they live in. And that's where he and his lovely wife Ann should stay.
Thoughts, comments, insights...
p.s. Did anyone else see Christie do a complete end around Mitt and post his bid for 2016? Whew!
p.p.s. How awesome is the DNC going to be when Michelle, Cory, Joe, Diamond Bill and Obeezy get to wig-snatchin'?