Mitt Romney's Cadillacs boast: Gaffe or 'brilliant pander'?
During a big speech on the economy, the wealthy Republican tries to win over Michiganders by reminding them that his wife drives not one, but two Cadillacs
![The revelation of Ann Romney's two luxury Cadillacs has sparked debate over Mitt Romney's wealth versus the importance of driving American.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f49V499vK2EfxqU6kTRWVi-415-80.jpg)
Mitt Romney gave a big speech on reforming entitlement programs and the tax code to 1,200 members of the Detroit Economic Club on Friday, but the punditry isn't buzzing about Mitt's financial ideas. Instead, Mitt was mocked for holding a 1,200-person speech in a near-empty 65,000-seat football stadium and the media seized on an off-the-cuff remark in which Romney said he drives Detroit-made cars — a Ford Mustang and Chevy pickup — and "Ann drives a couple of Cadillacs." Apparently forgetting that most Americans are lucky to own a single car, Romney sure got "people talking about his wife's two Cadillacs," says Mark Trumbull in The Christian Science Monitor. (Apparently, the two Caddys are kept at separate houses.) On Sunday, Romney shrugged off the criticism, telling Fox News Sunday, "If people think there's something wrong with being successful, they should vote for the other guy." Is casually mentioning his wife's two $35,000-plus luxury cars an unforced error ahead of blue-collar Michigan's big primary on Tuesday? Or is driving American always good politics in Detroit?
This could play well in Michigan: Reporters are treating this "oddball moment" as a gaffe, says David Weigel at Slate. But it might actually be "a brilliant pander." Romney's wealth is hardly a secret, and "shaming wealthy people for doubling up on luxury American cars doesn't make a ton of sense," especially in the Motor City. Besides, Romney is running for such an elite job that, if he wins, "he gets his own plane, and we pay for it."
"'Ann drives a couple of Cadillacs'"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
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.
Actually, this tone-deaf gaffe will hurt Mitt: Romney infamously argued that the feds ought to let Detroit's auto industry go bankrupt, so for him to brag about his two Caddies now, well "that's rich, literally," says Charles Blow in The New York Times. Mitt's "wealth-tainted aside" was probably quite jarring for residents of Detroit — which has the highest poverty rate of any big U.S. city — particularly because it came amidst Mitt's explanation of a plan that would effectively raise taxes on poor families. That's not exactly a favorable contrast.
"Mitt, Michigan and a couple of Cadillacs"
The press is showing its anti-Romney bias: Reporters hounded Romney to outline his agenda, and when he complies, what does he get? asks Jennifer Rubin at The Washington Post. Snark about empty seats and "feigned horror" over his wife's cars. "The press is so anxious to find 'gaffes' that they seem oblivious to the fact that Michigan natives want lots of people to own Cadillacs."
"Even if the coverage is inane, Romney should get out more"
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
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
-
Paris Olympics: will it be a success?
Today's Big Question Organisers hope the 'spectacle' of the 2024 Games will lift the cloud of negativity that has hung over the build-up
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 20 - 26 July
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Week Unwrapped: The dark world of illicit gambling
Podcast Plus, the pension pot shortfall and Obama's silence on Harris
By The Week Staff 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