Cry Baby

Mitt Romney and his Super Pac backers spent tens of millions of dollars trashing all of his Republican opponents throughout the primaries and with devastating effect.  Just ask Newt Gingrich who complained bitterly about the $15 million worth of Romney attack ads in Florida alone that knocked him out of the running.

When the former speaker and other Republican rivals grumbled that over 90 percent of the Romney ads were negative, the former Massachusetts governor replied with a version of Harry Truman's favorite rejoinder about folks who can't take the heat staying out of the kitchen.

But now that he is the one feeling the heat from Obama and the Democrats, Romney is bawling like a baby. 

The latest thin-skinned name-calling offensive is said by political insiders to be a response to polling showing voters like Obama more than Romney and the gap is growing.

Both sides have been assaulting voters with  attack ads but Romney wants us to believe his hands are clean and all he wants is a lofty discussion the issues.

Howard Fineman of Huffington Post said Romney's new approach reminds him that "the people who commit the most fouls are usually the ones who cry the loudest to the ref."

Romney's feigned outrage has led Democrats to respond that he's becoming "unhinged."

He's not, of course. Maybe a bit anxious about setbacks like his gaffe-prone foreign trip, the improving economy, pressure from right and left to release his tax returns and his failing popularity.  He's hoping these attacks on the President will help rescue his campaign the way they helped defeat his fellow Republicans earlier this year. 

Maybe Mitt, who likes to dish it out but can't take it, should remember what he when his rivals were the ones complaining about him: If you can't take the heat, you don't belong in the kitchen.

About the Author
Douglas M. Bloomfield is a syndicated columnist, Washington lobbyist and consultant. He spent nine years as the legislative director and chief lobbyist for AIPAC.
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