Mitt Romney's 'awkward, delusional' unemployment gaffe
The GOP presidential candidate worth $200 million tells a group of jobless Floridians that he's unemployed, too. Will voters get the joke?
![Mitt Romney](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/noEHE4F2EdMMWbGgnehEv6-415-80.jpg)
Speaking with a group of unemployed Floridians on Thursday, Mitt Romney offered to "tell my story," too, starting with the fact that "I'm also unemployed." Romney chuckled, and so did the group of eight Florida voters. Democrats were less amused, pointing out that a full-time presidential candidate worth $200 million, while technically looking for work, probably shouldn't compare himself with struggling Americans. Romney's "brand of aw-shucks, cornball humor" has long been hit or miss, says Jonathan Weisman in The Wall Street Journal. Will this particular joke come back to haunt him?
Yes. Romney clearly isn't ready for prime time: The Republican frontrunner's "gift for odd, awkward, delusional gaffes" is almost unparalleled, says Tom Levenson at Balloon Juice. It's no wonder the "ridiculously wealthy Romney" can't persuade "the common clay that he is just like the least among us." He isn't. Stick to attacking President Obama, Mittens.
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.
Give Mitt a break: It's true that Romney is playing the same "silly political games" with some of Obama's verbal miscues on unemployment, says Jay Bookman at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. But still, "give it a break, people. Seriously." Mitt "was actually being kind of funny" here. But more importantly, it's a long time between now and the election, and we should let the candidates "be human between now and then."
"In defense of Mitt Romney, amateur (unemployed) comedian"
Joke or not, Romney messed up: "I realize he is joking," says Steven L. Taylor at Outside the Beltway. But, as jokes go, it was neither smart nor accurate. "He seems to have a job, after a fashion," since he's been running for president for four years, with "donors paying for a lot of his expenses." And unlike his companions at the coffee shop, if Romney wanted a more traditional job, "I expect he could get one. Today."
"Things not to joke about when you are a multi-millionaire..."
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
-
'Democrats now have a chance to present a vigorous, compelling case'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What has Kamala Harris done as vice president?
In Depth It's not uncommon for the second-in-command to struggle to prove themselves in a role largely defined by behind-the-scenes work
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
How Black organizations quickly pivoted and mobilized for Kamala Harris
In the spotlight Harris has a shot at being the first Black woman to lead the Democratic ticket
By Theara Coleman, 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