Mitt Romney: The 'Etch A Sketch' candidate?
A campaign aide makes an unfortunate comparison, reinforcing the perception that the flip-flopping Romney will say absolutely anything to get elected
It should have been a good day for Mitt Romney. He just won a commanding victory in the Illinois primary, and a huge endorsement from Republican kingmaker Jeb Bush. But instead, the GOP presidential frontrunner suffered an embarrassing setback when his top aide, Eric Fehrnstrom, compared Romney's campaign to an Etch A Sketch. When asked how Romney could succeed in the general election after moving so far to the right during the primary, Fehrnstrom told CNN, "Well, I think you hit a reset button for the fall campaign. Everything changes. It's almost like an Etch A Sketch. You can kind of shake it up and restart all over again." (Watch the video below.) Romney's critics seized on the comment, saying it was further evidence that Romney is a man of no conviction who will change political positions whenever expedient. Will the Etch A Sketch controversy hurt him?
Romney will forever be the "Etch A Sketch" man: Fehrnstrom just "dropped an anvil" on Romney's foot, says Joe Garofoli at The San Francisco Chronicle. "Romney's opponents — left and right — have crafted entire campaigns built on how Mitt is the consummate flip-flopper." Now his closest adviser "has tattooed him with a pop-culture image to match that perception." Rick Santorum will take every opportunity to remind GOP voters that Romney is hoping to "erase" the conservative positions he took during the primary, and you can bet the Democrats will also "be thumping this one for months." This is Romney's "worst nightmare."
"Mitt Romney's worst nightmare: He's the Etch A Sketch man"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
And he can't even erase his primary-season sketch: "Conservatives neither like nor trust Mitt Romney," and the Right has long feared that he'll "abandon his commitment to conservative rhetoric as soon as he becomes the nominee," says Jamelle Bouie at The American Prospect. But let's be honest: Conservatives are in "the driver's seat," and "it's well within their power to keep Romney from running too far to the center." Romney is trapped in the "persona he's built" during the nomination fight. To beat Obama, "he needs high turnout from the base, [so] what choice does he have" but to bow to their right-wing demands?
At least Jeb Bush's endorsement will help: The Etch a Sketch comment came at the worst time, just when finicky Republican voters were making "peace with the inevitable nominee," says Jonathan S. Tobin at Commentary. Romney will have to hope that the endorsement from the popular former governor of Florida "will take some of the sting out of" the scandal. The Bush political dynasty is essentially the embodiment of the Republican establishment — by endorsing Romney, and calling for Republicans to unite around his campaign, Jeb Bush "formally certified" Romney's nomination.
"Jeb endorsement may ease the sting of Romney advisor's Etch A Sketch gaffe"
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Big Tech's answer for AI-driven job loss: universal basic income
In The Spotlight A new study reveals the strengths and limitations
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
'I will not be silent' on Gaza, says Kamala Harris
Speed Read In a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Harris supported Israel's right to defend itself while expressing a desire to end Palestinian suffering
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
'How long can TikTok dominate as a social network?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Supreme Court rejects challenge to CFPB
Speed Read The court rejected a conservative-backed challenge to the way the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is funded
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published