Romney Finally Gets it Right on Personal Wealth
Mitt Romney's interview with Megyn Kelly yesterday was criticized by more than a few people, but I have to hail him for finally getting something right: how he ought to talk about his personal wealth. This is maybe the best he's been on that topic yet, and while it's not yet fully formed or as good as it could be, it's so much better than some of the other approaches he's had, it deserves to be highlighted. Here's the video.
Here's the transcript:
KELLY: You've been making some gaffes, governor. You've been talking about -- people ask about football, you talk about how you know the NFL owners, they ask about how NASCAR, you talk about how you know some racing owners. You talk about Anne's two Cadillacs, and people say "He can't relate -- he's so rich, he can't relate to the rest of us." Why do you keep doing that?
ROMNEY: Megyn, guess what: I made a lot of money. I've been very successful, I'm not going to apologize for that, I know the DNC tries to push this out, and they get it into the mainstream media networks, and that's where you guys see it, and everybody laughs about it... In this country, we want someone who can help other people become successful.
Here's what I wrote in The Transom on March 5th, in response to Ann Romney's “I don’t even consider myself wealthy” line:
Look, I see what you were trying to say here, but you flubbed it again. Someone please help these folks talk about being rich? The ability to go "severely capitalist" would actually help you – and seem more authentic than some transparently false narrative involving bootstraps.
Just say it: “I am very rich. I do not apologize for it. My goal in life is to give you every opportunity to get rich, too.” Remember your Coolidge: “I want the people of America to be able to work less for the government and more for themselves.” How hard is that?
Authenticity matters. If Romney can truly own this aspect of himself, to turn it into an advantage as opposed to a disconnect, it would be a major improvement in his ability to take his case to the people.
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Comments:
Oct '11
Re: Romney Finally Gets it Right on Personal Wealth
Ben! This is not the first time Mitt Romney has said this.
Jun '10
Re: Romney Finally Gets it Right on Personal Wealth
It's also a situation where he could bring up his religious faith in a very positive way. The LDS Church does a great job of using the material blessings of today to prepare for a rainy day (or rainy year,) and to help people in poverty. They did a lot for Katrina victims for example. No matter how wealthy you are, you don't get to take any of it with you when you die. You use it to support your family and to build your community. "I'm going to hand out some fish, because I can, but I'm also going to teach people to fish, because that's more valuable. Knowledge lasts for years--fish do not."
Re: Romney Finally Gets it Right on Personal Wealth
One of my favorite things about Romney is that he's wealthy and I think it's something to be proud of.
I know he's wealthier than most but so was George Washington.
I thought he handled this interview great, which is significant since he hasn't fared that well in some contentious interviews.
Being a bit combative, without being rude, is good. If he can also talk about the underlying principles in wealth creation, that would be even better.
Jul '11
Re: Romney Finally Gets it Right on Personal Wealth
Nov '11
Re: Romney Finally Gets it Right on Personal Wealth
http://hotair.com/archives/2012/03/14/romney-very-conservative-voters-might-not-be-with-me-now-but-they-will-be-in-november/
In a nutshell. I cannot believe we are nominating romneycare to fight obamacare. It's a foregone conclusion, and I'll vote him (as they know we will) but since it's my birthday I am commenting about this for the last time.
Re: Romney Finally Gets it Right on Personal Wealth
A.J. Chianese
Somebody get Mollie on the phone to the Romney campaign. He needs to start name-dropping our first president on this issue (and other wealthy and well-liked presidents who would make the point well).
Romney was good here, though. · 22 minutes ago
This list of the presidents by wealth is fascinating. It's fascinating just how wealthy Washington was. Worth over half a billion. Kind of awesome.
Feb '12
Re: Romney Finally Gets it Right on Personal Wealth
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
A.J. Chianese
This list of the presidents by wealth is fascinating. It's fascinating just how wealthy Washington was. Worth over half a billion. Kind of awesome. · 50 minutes ago
Of Course, Romney's never been shot at by men in Red Coats, isn't so admired by the people that they'd have him be king, and couldn't pull off wearing a wig while still looking manly. Other than that, though....
Edited on March 15, 2012 at 4:25pmAug '11
Re: Romney Finally Gets it Right on Personal Wealth
Unless one does it well, it's probably best if one doesn't try at all. Romney speaking of his own wealth plays right into the hands of the enemy.
Yes, yes, I know . . . we shouldn't play by their rules. But we need to be aware of how they play.
Edited on March 15, 2012 at 5:31pmApr '11
Re: Romney Finally Gets it Right on Personal Wealth
This is true; he talks about this all the time, has done for years, and Ben has followed his words more closely than most over that time.
Nonetheless, I appreciate Ben's efforts. I think that this was a back handed compliment that contained more compliment than bile. That's about as good as I get when I'm talking about candidates I loathe (I don't loathe either of the candidates in the race now), so I'd be hypocritical to complain overly.
May '10
Re: Romney Finally Gets it Right on Personal Wealth
"...in this country, we want someone who can help other people become successful."
That's a good line, but he should have stopped there. Half of giving a good interview is knowing what to say. The other half is knowing when to shut up.
Reporters want the candidates to blather on. Long answers are more likely to include weak, throwaway points and gaffes. And the end of one's statement is what sticks in listeners minds. As Bill O'Reilly used to say, "Keep it pithy."
Jun '10
Re: Romney Finally Gets it Right on Personal Wealth
It is true and simple. In case there is anyone who doesn't yet know it, I am very wealthy. I am not the wealthiest person in this country, be they Republican or Democrat, but I have been very successful making money. I did inherit some money from my parents, but my wife and I gave all that away. What I have is mine and I earned it. So what are our choices as Americans? Do we elect a financial failure or ne'er-do-well? Has President Obama been so successful in creating envy and class division amongst Americans that I must be ashamed of my financial success? By the way, don't we need some financial success in this country right now? Isn't this exactly the right time, as our country flounders and gasps in low to no growth and oceans of debt to elect someone with the financial credentials which I bare? Elstwise who is it we may elect? Is the Presidency now only available to a Harvard academic, no one else need apply? Isn't that exactly our problem?
Maybe he could say something like that next time he is asked.
May '10
Re: Romney Finally Gets it Right on Personal Wealth
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
A.J. Chianese
Somebody get Mollie on the phone to the Romney campaign. He needs to start name-dropping our first president on this issue (and other wealthy and well-liked presidents who would make the point well).
Romney was good here, though. · 22 minutes ago
This list of the presidents by wealth is fascinating. It's fascinating just how wealthy Washington was. Worth over half a billion. Kind of awesome. · 3 hours ago
Of course, George was a bit like John Kerry. It was Martha who was rich when they were married.
Aug '10
Re: Romney Finally Gets it Right on Personal Wealth
I want to cheer. I'm so tired of people acting like they feel a need to apologize for being successful. Watching this, you suddenly like and respect the man.
May '10
Re: Romney Finally Gets it Right on Personal Wealth
On second thought, I don't like that line so much. In this country, we want someone who will not prevent other people from becoming successful.
As Reagan put it, "The scariest words in the English language are, 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.' "
Don't help me, Romney. Just stop other politicians from trying to help me.
Apr '11
Re: Romney Finally Gets it Right on Personal Wealth
Aaron Miller
On second thought, I don't like that line so much. In this country, we want someone who willnot preventother people from becoming successful.
As Reagan put it, "The scariest words in the English language are, 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.' "
Don't help me, Romney. Just stop other politicians from trying to help me. · 14 minutes ago
I'm pretty sure that that's what he meant. For the definitive take on Romney's statement, though, see this Onion video. "America deserves the best".
Oct '11
Re: Romney Finally Gets it Right on Personal Wealth
Duane Oyen
Of course, George was a bit like John Kerry. It wasMarthawho was rich when they were married. · 5 hours ago
Not exactly. George Washington's older brother died and left him Mount Vernon, so Washington was a wealthy landowner before he married Martha. But I think she was more wealthy, and he might have had to sell off his land without her money to maintain it. But he was also savvy and bought more land. He was much better with money than Jefferson. That's not actually saying much, though. Most people are better with money than Jefferson.