Why is Mitt Romney so unlikable?

[PatSeg]

Evidently no one on the right or the left likes Romney, except maybe his immediate family. I can't quite put my finger on why he is universally unlikable, though I think last night he showed a side of him we hadn't seen before.

I've watched him speak on the campaign trail and he comes across as that over-eager kid in high school who tries too hard to please everyone and ends of pleasing no one.

[n2doc]

1. He's phony, believes in nothing, stands for nothing

Even the repubs recognize that. He is the ultimate panderer.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

22. +1

Exactly my thought!

[Old and In the Way]

27. He'll run to the left of Obama...just like he tried to do in the 94 Senate race against Ted.

Yeah, he is a shameless opportunist who adjusts his principles to fit the audience he is playing to. I think, of all the candidates, Mitts nomination is the one most likely to generate a 3rd Party effort by extremists in the right wing.

[PatSeg]

65. So he'd risk losing the right

in order to win the middle?

I agree that if he is nominated, we'll see probably see a 3rd party candidate.

[Old and In the Way]

75. Perhaps not quite as extreme...obviously, Massachusetts GE voters are more to the left

than the country as a whole...but I fully expect Mitt to preach a new moderation and walk back a lot of hard right positions he's having to take in order to win the nomination. I believe that Mitt is more socially progressive than the typical Teapublican and I think that's where you'll see him tack left. This will piss more than a few of these 'value voters' off...probably won't take much to push them into a 3rd Party movement. If he starts changing his tune on Republican ideological policy positions, he'll lose even more of them. Will his candidacy attract more Indies and conservative Democrats by appealing to the middle? I think that is debatable. The Washington media establishment and their conventional wisdom dispensers, like George Will and David Brooks, will try to spin it this way, but I'm not so sure.

[PatSeg]

80. Well, he certainly has a lot of practice

"walking back" on his positions. His reputation for flip-flopping is so widespread now, I don't see how he can overcome it. Of course, he could always do what GW did and just cheat.

[WI_DEM]

111. It's unlikely he will run to the left of Obama--the USA as a whole is not Massachusetts.

[ThomWV]

138. Shit, Richard Nixon was to the left of Obama

The EPA came into existence under Nixon's pen, Obama has been working hard as a Republican to defang it. Maybe the phrase "coal ash" says it all.

[Bozita]

150. Amen!

[uponit7771]

59. ***BINGO***

[yeswecanandwedid]

116. +1

[vets74]

132. And he's black...

hearted.

[sandyj999]

2. Slickness

[joeybee12]

14. Yes! +1

[Hepburn]

3. Because, IMO, he is clueless.

He is just one of those guys that makes one feel embarassed for him because he seems to be an overgrown, clumsy puppy who thinks he is a show dog.

[PatSeg]

13. Yeah

I've been embarrassed for him too. I can't believe he can keep making the same awkward blunders over and over again. Its like he's never interacted with real people in the real world.

Also he comes across like GW, as the son who could never live up to his more successful father.

[kiranon]

107. Agree. n/t

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

4. I think he's really cool as demonstrated on this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDwwAaVmnf4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H8Nq7BglIg

:rofl:

[PatSeg]

15. That's a classic

And needs to be played over and over again for the next 12 months. "Look at me, I'm mixing with the little people!"

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

20. Of all the things he could have said. Really???!!! That's the best he could come up with??1! I mean

he could've gone really old school with "Whoot there is!" :+

[PatSeg]

25. And he was obviously

very pleased with himself too. He had no idea how goofy he looked.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

32. I think that's the best part of it. And by "best" I mean horrible. The thing about Mittens is that

he seems like the embodiment of all the cartoonish slimy traits most of us see in the shittiest politicians. It's almost like he's walking satire but doesn't realize it.

[PatSeg]

38. Like parody of himself

On SNL, they don't come close to making him look as socially awkward and inept as he is. Guess it wouldn't be believable.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

39. That's what I was clumsily trying to articulate. One look at this guy and

it's like "Come on! Nobody would act like that in real life!". it's like all the politician jokes personified.

[PatSeg]

42. Exactly!

I know I've seen characters like him in B-movies, never meant to be taken seriously.

[Arugula Latte]

50. Check him out now. The funk soul brotha.

:rofl:

I like how he tries to shake the woman's hand and she keeps her hands in her pockets.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

53. Awkwaaaard (in a low

pitched voice) :evilgrin:

[Aerows]

67. My word

I don't think I've ever seen a dorkier moment in American politics as that, and I lived through the Bush years AND lived in Florida as a voter.

[fishwax]

77. .

:rofl:

[JI7]

109. HAHAHHAHA, the first time Romney met black people video

who let the dogs out, bling ..........

[yeswecanandwedid]

117. Who let the fucking dogs out. Classic. nt

[Worship Money]

5. I couldn't count all the reasons, but..

I think a big part of it is that he just seems so fucking pathetic.

Most politicians are in it for themselves of course, but he has apparently no core political beliefs and has just decided to shift over to the far right because he thinks that will make him president. Plus, he's not charismatic in any way, so he can't really get away with this kind of persona.

Just a selfish, empty person that ALSO has no charm or no guts/courage. Not a good combination.

He is a shitstain.

[tridim]

6. I used to compare him to Guy Smiley, but not any more.

Guy Smiley was much more authentic and realistic looking.

[AleksS]

7. Smarmy.

He is the embodiment of "smarm." He's condescending--remember: "Corporations are people, friend." He's pandering, taking any position and saying anything he thinks the guy in front of him wants to hear. He's shameless to the extreme. Sheesh, even his hair screams "smarm."

[FSogol]

10. +1 n/t

[Hepburn]

12. You hit it right on...

...great description: Smarmy panderer! :hi:

[SpiralHawk]

8. smarmyness and smirkyness (R)

America got a wazoo-ful of smarmy smirking with the last Republicon chickenhawk FAIL-freak 'leader,' George AWOL Bush (R), and so are sensitized to those crappy 'eeleetist' Republicon traits.

[WinkyDink]

9. Because it is evident he thinks he deserves success because he's handsome.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

11. He's kind of like Michael Scott in "The Office."

Smarmy, overeager, thinks he's charming and funny; too clueless to see that he's neither charming nor funny.

[Ship of Fools]

16. Yes! and Michael Scott character wants people to envy him. Mitt, however,

thinks he already is envied. Weird.

[PatSeg]

18. He is!

And no one liked Michael Scott either, they just tolerated him.

[tridim]

23. I'm waiting for Mittens to fall into a coy pond.

[Arugula Latte]

60. *Snort* YES! He IS Michael Scott.

:rofl:

[Atman]

17. Because he's a dick.

Everyone knows he is a smarmy liar who will say anything to anyone to advance himself. That is how Republicans work. The END is the means. Say anything, do anything, just make a profit off of it (and by profit, I don't mean necessarily money). That is how Willard grew up. Do what you gotta do. He is a shallow hull of a human. I actually feel sorry for him. He has a lot of money, but nothing else.

[PatSeg]

24. Kind of a "Poor little rich kid"

He reminds me of guys who are emotionally stuck at 13 or 14 years old. He comes across as so immature.

[Mz Pip]

19. Someone once described him

as looking like the guy that fired your dad. I think that description stuck. He really does have that smarmy arrogant jerk look about him.

[redwitch]

68. There's a good possibility he IS the guy that fired your dad.

Yuch. I have watched every debate they have had and I cannot believe anyone is still buying the Republican line.

[GoCubsGo]

69. Given his past as a corporate raider...

...there is a chance that might actually HAVE fired your dad.

[Atman]

21. Unlikable and UNELECTABLE

He cannot win the Presidency without fraud and help from his crony friends. That is how it works in his world. Pull favors, get higher-ups to help you out. He has no fucking clue about how the 99 lives. No fucking clue.

[Lint Head]

26. He is a slick liar that thinks corporations are individual people with individual rights.

[PatSeg]

30. I think he really, truly believes that

He is generally pretty clueless about the real world.

[Atman]

37. For some strange reason, one of my best friends is a Repulican...

He is the only child of a prominent Boston surgeon. A DINK (dual income, no kids) and he moved to a rural Massachusetts town specifically because they had no police force he'd have to pay for and the property was cheap. He built a huge home and immediately started buying up the property around him to create a buffer zone between his house and the rest of reality. And he still complains that the largest part of his tax bill goes to "the fucking schools!" He doesn't have kids -- why should he have to pay for the schools?

For some reason, I still hang out with the guy. He's been a friend for years. I think the balance is, I know that I can feed his head with liberal stuff, and he actually listens. But it really is bizarre to see how the "other half" lives. Like Romney, he just doesn't get it.

.

[PatSeg]

40. That IS bizarre

People like that don't realize that education benefits everyone in society. A well educated society is a safer and more productive one.

[Lint Head]

91. Not to be insulting, but, does he have a conscience?

[Atman]

99. It's strange...I like the guy.

We've been friends for years. Almost an Oscar and Felix relationship. We know we're polar opposites, but that somehow strengthens the relationship. Look, I'm not exactly poor. He's not exactly wealthy (although he is far closer to wealthy than I am to poor). We meet in the middle. We ski/snowboard together. We both have enough money to live comfortably. It is our political views that are divergent. But when I listen to him whine about having to pay property tax on his 20 acres because he doesn't have any kids in school and and he doesn't use any town services, I just want to punch him in the head. As I'm sure he wants to punch me when I tell him to go fix the potholes in his street by himself, or deal with homeless people sleeping on his curb. Somehow, it works. Yin and yang.

[0rganism]

28. also, how did he win the governorship in Massachusetts?

seems like this is kind of important, because it gives precedent for how Mittens could win the general.

[Atman]

29. He lied and cheated. That's what Willard does.

Do anything. Say anything. Just get that brass (cock) ring.

[PatSeg]

34. I don't think I've ever heard anyone address

that subject, but if he wins the nomination, I'm sure it will be brought up.

[KamaAina]

86. Mass. voters tend to prefer divided government

this was even more the case when Tom Finneran ran the state House with an iron fist. The hope was that Mittens (and Jane "None Too" Swift before him) would serve as a counterbalance.

[LynneSin]

31. Actually to me I think he's the most likable to moderates and independant voters

But for Republicans he is very unlikeable mainly because the Obama Health Care Plan has it's heritage from a healthcare plan first designed by Mitt Romney. And for the Right-wing Romney might as well get on stage and melt all the guns and use them to create forceps used to do public abortions.

To me if Romney wins, he could be the greatest challenge to defeating Obama, but I highly doubt he'll make it past the primaries. Northeast States and those with open primaries might help garner Romney a few wins but Jesusland states and those with closed primaries - Romney doesn't stand a chance.

[PatSeg]

36. I know what you're saying,

but meanwhile, I can't see any of the other candidate winning the nomination either. Jon Huntsman is the only reasonable candidate they have and the primary-voting base doesn't like him.

[LynneSin]

45. Oh I could see any of those candidates winning the primary

Remember, it's not us voting for them. Spend a day at the Free Republic and you'll definately see any of those loop job idiots winning.

[PatSeg]

48. That's true

Yesterday someone on TV said that only 4% of the population votes in the republican primaries and we know who they are. It is hard to imagine any of the "nuts" getting the nomination, but Sarah Palin was on their ticket last time.

[HughBeaumont]

33. Corporate raider/Serial Firer/profit pocketer.

And this is the Republican's "Man of the People"?



Pretty popular position to have, given the state of unemployment in America.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[coalition_unwilling]

35. There's an apocryphal story out there, i.e., I've never seen it

authoritatively sourced, that many years ago, Romney and his brood were taking a long car-trip. The station wagon was crammed to the gills and there was no room for the family dog. So the Romulan put the family dog in a pet carrier and strapped the pet carrier with dog inside to the roof of the car for a 12-hour car trip. Any dog lover (like my wife and me) who has heard the story starts by not just disliking Romney, but fervently despising him.

[PatSeg]

44. Actually Romney never denied that story

He even tried to justify it.

(K-99%, I love it)

[coalition_unwilling]

46. I try to pay as little attention as possible to that sleazebag Romney, so

was not aware that he himself had tacitly acknowledged the truth of the story.

The canines of the world already have his number and people are not far behind.

Saw the K-99 sign at Occupy Los Angeles on October 8. The dog was super friendly and very chilled out, given all the energy at City Hall.

[Arugula Latte]

66. It's not apocryphal; it happened. Romney said: "My dog likes fresh air."

Here's the clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPpaJrJecjA

Time covered this:

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1638065,00.html

The reporter intended the anecdote that opened part four of the Boston Globe's profile of Mitt Romney to illustrate, as the story said, "emotion-free crisis management": Father deals with minor — but gross — incident during a 1983 family vacation, and saves the day. But the details of the event are more than unseemly — they may, in fact, be illegal.

The incident: dog excrement found on the roof and windows of the Romney station wagon. How it got there: Romney strapped a dog carrier — with the family dog Seamus, an Irish Setter, in it — to the roof of the family station wagon for a twelve hour drive from Boston to Ontario, which the family apparently completed, despite Seamus's rather visceral protest.

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1638065,00.html#ixzz1bFIcENjb

[coalition_unwilling]

108. Wow, thank you so much. As I wrote upthread, I try to pay as little

attention to that sleaze-bag Romney as is humanly possible. I appreciate your efforts documenting the incident. What a cold-blooded fucker Romeny is.

[spin]

41. Because when you open the dictionary and look up the word "politician"

the definition comes with this picture:

[kctim]

43. Because he is viewed as nothing more than

the Republican version of John Kerry.

Self-serving elitest who thinks he should be elected because he thinks he knows what is best for everybody.
Workmate says to add flip-flopper.

[Worship Money]

47. The funny thing about that

Is that ReThugs (not you) might actually think of that as a legit comparison.

Whatever Kerry's flaws were (and there were many)...dude actually fought in a war, in combat. He killed people.

Can you imagine the LULZ of Mittens ever THINKING about getting involved in a dangerous situation?

[PatSeg]

52. And after he served,

he joined in anti-war protests and addressed congress. Kerry wasn't the most likable candidate, but he does have a lot of character.

[MH1]

115. Kerry has more character in his pinky finger than most people have in their entire bodies

and more than an entire roomful of typical republicans.

but haters gonna hate even when they don't know shit about a person. (referring to the other poster, not you)

[PatSeg]

119. Thanks, I figured that was the case

I wasn't a huge supporter of Kerry's when he first got the nomination, but grew to admire him greatly as I learned more about him. Unfortunately he was a much better person than he was a candidate.

[kctim]

54. Elitest are elitest

And ANYBODY who believes they know what is best for everybody else, is an elitest in one way or another.

You add that to how those two talk down to people and they are nothing but the same pompous ass.

[hifiguy]

49. He's so transparently phony

in every way that he can't help but come off as an utter dick or an empty suit.

Everybody knew a guy like him in college or high school. The rich kid who desparately wanted everyone to like him, so he'd suck up to whomever he was talking to at the time. No convictions, just enough brains to be dangerous and utterly unprincipled.

[EC]

51. He reminds me a a sleazy salesperson

trying to sell me something inferior for luxury prices.

[PatSeg]

57. If he didn't have money,

we'd probably find him in the basement of Sears selling appliances on commission. That's where I've seen guys like him - overly eager sales person who will do or say anything to close the deal.

[H2O Man]

55. Plastic Soul

Good question. Perhaps I especially think so, because I was thinking along the same lines last night, before the debate began. A recently published book on the '08 election detailed the extent that other republicans hold Willard "Mitt" Romney in utter contempt. And that dislike shows through in the current republican primary contest.

It's interesting to note that his father was considered to be well-liked, and well-respected, in his political career. JFK viewed him as the toughest potential opponent for the then upcoming 1964 re-election contest. The Elder Romney was considered strong in '68, in terms of domestic policy. He made the mistake of speaking honestly about the generals lies about Vietnam, however, and it sunk his campaign.

[PatSeg]

62. I don't remember too much about his father,

but I did think that his father was a far more popular and respected person. I have a feeling George Romney's shadow was very intimidating to little Mittens. He's probably still trying to get out from under it.

[efhmc]

56. Swarmy is a word just made for him.

[yellowcanine]

58. "Schmuck" is the word which comes to mind when I think of Mitt.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schmuck_%28pejorative%29

[yellowcanine]

61. I have a Morman friend who can't stand him. Mostly because of his flip flopping.

I believe he would actually vote for Obama over Mitt. And I am pretty sure he has never voted Democratic in his life.

[Aerows]

63. His position changes depending on who he's talking to

You can't believe a word he says, because it changes so often. He's the poster child for "I'll tell you anything you want to hear". He'd probably stand up and say "Water is not wet" and "Fire is not hot" if someone paid him $5 to do so. That's just unsavory in any politician - not that they don't all do it at some point, but his issue is how frequently he does it, and the fact that he is so BLATANT about it.

[Change has come]

64. The word smarmy comes to mind.

Creepy and oily too. :scared:

[undeterred]

70. He seems like he's from a generation that's already come and gone.

So what is he doing still here?

[stanwyck]

76. Agree. He's an anachronism to the '50's.

Just not as good looking as Don Draper.

[Arugula Latte]

112. When Obama was on Letterman in '08 he did a top ten list of his campaign promises.

#8 was: "Appoint Mitt Romney Secretary of Lookin' Good." :rofl:

Romney did a top ten, too. Here's a screen shot of one of the "things you didn't know about Mitt Romney":

[PatSeg]

123. I never saw that one

He always reminded me of a mannequin, but the photo in the picture frame really works too. He just doesn't look "real".

[Luciferous]

71. He's a flip-flopper.

[CitizenLeft]

72. I remember him being pretty snide and nasty in 2008...

Much more nasty than he's been so far. Maybe he learned his lesson, or is holding back to spray his nastiness on Obama.

Someone said condescending - that and more. Arrogant and cold - his eyes are cold.

Just... ugh.

[PatSeg]

81. He got pretty nasty last night

It was uncomfortable to watch. I don't know if it was genuine or if he was trying to look tough, but as with all things Romney, it was awkward and strange.

[coalition_unwilling]

149. Arrogant and unctuous all in a single package. Double ugh - n/t

[City Lights]

73. He's a phony. Top to bottom, inside and out.

He's made entirely of plastic.

[Peregrine Took]

74. Every time I see him I think about that poor dog on the roof of the car!!

I wish to hell that someone would ask him to explain THAT one!

[PatSeg]

82. Oh he did back when the story came out

The dog liked fresh air! He really thought that was a reasonable explanation.

[stanwyck]

78. He has a tin ear - telling me, the mother of a Marine in Iraq, that

HIS five (5!) sons were serving the country by helping HIM get elected. HaHa. Right. Because being in Fallajuh is exactly the same as being in Iowa. And telling a group of unemployed people that he, too, was unemployed. HaHa. Because - inheriting millions and not knowing if you can save your house are exactly the same. He brags about meeting a payroll - well, try meeting your personal budget and paying bills - without a job. And no Daddy giving you millions. Like I say, he's got a tin ear. He doesn't even know when he sounds like a rich kid who never lost a night's sleep about anything.

[PatSeg]

87. "Corporations ARE people my friend"

I suppose to a rich Romney, Iowa does feel like Iraq (they both start with an I and have four letters too).

[stanwyck]

104. LOL. I think you're right. Those FIVE sons probably did feel

as though they'd been dropped down into enemy territory. OMG. Where's the private, secured country club? The legion of domestics?

[PatSeg]

105. Maybe they looked at it

as missionary work!

[stanwyck]

125. Well, you gave me my first smile of the day

during a very difficult day at work. Thanks so much.

[PatSeg]

126. You're welcome

I know the feeling!

:toast:

[hamsterjill]

79. Because his rich arrogance is undeniable.

He tries to hide it, but it still shows.

[AtomicKitten]

83. Mitt is barely lifelike. /nt

[Jack Rabbit]

84. He thinks corporations are people and mistreats dogs.

That's why.

[thelordofhell]

85. Smarmy

adj \ˈsmär-mē\

1. revealing or marked by a smug, ingratiating, or false earnestness <a tone of smarmy self-satisfaction — New Yorker>
2: of low sleazy taste or quality <smarmy eroticism>

[A-Schwarzenegger]

88. He has no real PASSION.That's why he's so UNPERTURBABLE (?).

Passionless. Perturbableless.

[PatSeg]

93. That bothers me too

I can't see a real person there, like he is a Pod Person or an android. I think last night's anger was completely staged to make him look more like Chris Christie. I just heard one of his people say something on TV that made it pretty clear that was what he was trying to do. Just made him look like jerk to me.

[alfredo]

98. Empty Suit is the word that fits.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

100. Right. There's no human ooomph.

He almost seems incapable of really getting angry.
His coolness under fire has put him in front, but
that's all he has. And it's led him to believe that
he has a license to take it to the extreme, which is
why last night's ultra-smugness happened. I think it'll
only get worse, because that's his only bag.

[PatSeg]

101. The only really human characteristic

I've seen in him is a rather anxious neediness when he's speaking to voters, like he's desperate for them to LIKE him. He becomes kind of breathless and sometimes talks too fast, as if he's afraid he'll lose their attention. Its very uncomfortable to watch.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

102. Right, giddy on top of everything else.

[JI7]

110. he didn't come off as angry in a passionate about the issue kind of way

but rather a condescending arrogant asshole .

[Shagbark Hickory]

89. What I can appreciate about Romney is...

he's not totally insane. He doesn't bring up the social issues at all. Last I checked, his site said nothing about ssm or womens right to choose. Not one word.

George Bush terrified me. Much like Obama terrifies/ied the right. Herman Cain worries me a great deal. And John McCain worried me a great deal. Romney doesn't increase my heart rate at all. The only thing that annoys me about the guy is his voice sounds like ronald reagan. But I'll take that over any Southern or Texas Drawl any day.


If it comes down to him and Obama, Obama will be re-elected and if not, then chances are not much will be different in terms of policy. He's running on repealing the affordable care act (aka Obama Cares), which he probably won't be able to do and he's promising waivers for the states. OK well, ask any DUer in a progressive state like VT if they want a waiver and they will say can't get a waiver fast enough.

I guess that's all I have to say.

[Arugula Latte]

92. That's about the highest praise to give a modern-day Republican: "He's not totally insane."

[PatSeg]

94. There was a time

when that would have been the norm for a republican candidate - unimpressive, boring, and "not totally insane".

[Shagbark Hickory]

96. I think it will appeal to swing voters but question is; can he win without the batshit crazy base?

And I think the answer is most likely not.
If they weren't eating each other alive then yeah but with the rhetoric that's out there, I don't think it's going to happen.

He needs the evangelicals.

[PatSeg]

97. If he gets any right-wing votes,

it will be people voting against Obama. A lot depends on how intense their hatred is for Obama.

[Shagbark Hickory]

95. It's been a long time since I felt that way about any of them.

His strategy seems to be "talk less".

[polly7]

90. He reminds me of McCain, for some reason. n/t.

[B Calm]

128. Hell say anything to get elected. .

[B Calm]

103. He worked at a consulting firm that closed down US factories and helped

send our jobs overseas.

In other words, He's unelectable!

[Bake]

106. I believe the term is "skeezy."

Look it up. YOu'll see Mittens' pic.

:hi:

Bake

[Johonny]

113. I don't know this answer, I get that he's fake and all, but don't think its the answer.

We get that he's fake. But a lot of politicians are fake. Not all are so hated by nearly everyone that is in their own party. Unlike a lot of universal panned politicians I've never really heard a story or explanation of why he is so hated. My guess is he is very different in private than he is in public. He is awkward and fake in public, perhaps his real and genuine personality that is more known to other candidates and their workers is vastly different and unlikable. It's really hard to tell. I've heard a lot of stories of Republicans that dislike him, but never a solid explanation of what traits make him so unlikable on a personal level.

[PatSeg]

118. Okay, that was part of what I was trying

to figure out. There are so many politicians out there that many of us can't stand, but many in their party like or at least support them. I can't think of one republican, aside from those on his staff, who likes Romney. Actually there are quite a few, McCain included, who despise the man.

I think you may right. There could be a private side that is very different from the Mitt on TV. Or he could just be that obnoxious rich kid that rubs everyone the wrong way.

[tsuki]

114. Because he's a crook? nt

[Vinca]

120. He's a weasel. If he had to say the sky was green to get elected, he'd say it was green.

The man should have "Weasel" tatooed across his forehead.

[Worship Money]

121. No heart is also relevant

And I don't mean that in terms of "He doesn't care about people".

Yes, that's a given, but I'm talking about actual guts. If you're going to be an amoral piece of shit, at least have some tenacity and willpower about it. I hate Perry, but he would absolutely work Mitt over in real, genuine fight.

[vets74]

133. Fortunately, Perry doesn't give a shit about damaging Romney's chances for election. Shit on Mitt's

...face if he gets a chance. "Damn phony liberal cocksucker...... etc."

This is a real genuine fight.

Perry will lose the nomination this time around, get it in 2016. And lose both of these elections for the GOPers.

(I heart that damn fool narcissist.)

[Atman]

122. This is why politics is so awesome.

Self-important fools like Willard finally get taken down a few notches, finally find out what real people think of them, after growing up with daddy and their trust officer telling them how great they are. Now, the real people -- the serfs, the people he thought would be running his call centers -- are speaking out against him. It must be a humbling experience for him. Not that I believe the man has any space for compassion or humility in that empty shell covered in skin he calls Mitt.

[Douglas Carpenter]

124. he just seems so phony and gives the impression that he would not only say anything to win he would

actually transform himself into anything to win and actually believe what he was saying. Had Communism become a powerful political movement - and he thought it would help him win - he would be the most devoted of all Communist. He's like an not very good character actor.

[backscatter712]

127. People recognize him as a Gordon Gekko scumbag. n/t

[Marrah_G]

129. Because his so disingenuous

He oozes the fact that he dislikes having to walk among the peasants.

That and his hair and skin look plastic.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

130. Because he's a phony, a fraud, and a liar. And people see right through it. I hope that he is the

nominee, because contrary to what many believe, I actually believe that he's the MOST--not the least--vulnerable.

His words alone will bury him!!

[PatSeg]

131. There are so many republican politicians

who are phony liars and they keep getting elected. Romney seems to be in a class by himself though. No one seems to like him, even the other phony liars. I'm quite sure when he leaves a room they mock him.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

134. In fact, Rachel Maddow recently did a segment on just that: how the other GOP candidates

mocked and talked about him like a dog when he wasn't in the room. This was during the 2008 campaign. They secretly hate him bunt he keeps getting shoved down our throats by the Corporate Elite.

[PatSeg]

135. Maybe the Corporate Elite think

if they keep serving him up to us, we'll eventually acquire a taste for him, but the truth is the more people see him, the less they like him.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

136. Exactly! And that's why I'm not afraid that he's the frontrunner!! n/t

[PatSeg]

142. McCamy below makes the point

that the corporate elite don't seem to like him either. The more I try to figure this out, the more confused I get.

[McCamy Taylor]

140. I don't think the corporate elite like him. He is from a political family and rich. That means his

legacy will be more important to him than the high esteem of the Koch Brothers.

They hated Kennedy (all three of them) because they figured a rich, political dynasty would be too hard to control.

If the MSM (and their corporate backers) wanted us to like Romney, they would make us like Romney, the way they sold us Dumbya in 2000.

[PatSeg]

141. Good point

Actually I can't think of anyone who is really selling him, which is another reason why I find him so curious. Who on earth wants Romney to be president besides Romney?

[underpants]

137. He is boring and the epitome of a "suit" running for office

he is empty. Totally managed and tri-angulated.

[McCamy Taylor]

139. He is the kind of guy who would say nice things to your face then stab you in the back.

That is how he comes off anyway.

[mentalsolstice]

143. The Stepford Candidate, need I say more. nt

[CBHagman]

144. He seems insincere and indifferent.

Look at the footage of him laughing at the most recent debate, the Las Vegas one on October 18th. Granted, politicians have often laughed and teared up on cue. But it's painfully obvious with Romney.

Then there's his oft-repeated claim that Americans who sign up for health insurance with their employers get their health care free once they've paid their deductible. Anyone who's even slightly familiar with employer-provided health care knows that's not true; employees pay premiums, co-pays, and a lot more, and can still get into financial trouble even with pretty extensive coverage. Romney's claim makes him look either dishonest, ignorant, or out of touch.

[PatSeg]

145. Dishonest, ignorant, AND out of touch

For all his faults the 'out of touch' is the most painful to watch. It's like he has been living in a bubble all his life.

[Worship Money]

146. Yeah, and it angers me

That media lets him get away with lying. Or, at the very least, BLATANT factual errors. Like being seriously wrong about seriously important issues. The same is true for some of the other-ReThug, of course- candidates. God forbid a liberal spell a word incorrectly.

These idiots are allowed to go up on stage, on TV, and not just spew hateful ideology. That's one thing. But they are starting to tell blatant, patently absurd lies on a regular basis, and these fucking MSM hacks let them get away with it.

[PatSeg]

151. It is so rare that anyone ever challenges them

on anything, so they know they can say anything they want. Meanwhile, the base believes every word. And you're right, the media will go after anything a liberal says with a fine tooth comb.

If you're like me, you yell at the TV a lot.

[tabbycat31]

147. he's like everyone's former boss (that fired them)

[midnight armadillo]

148. Because he is a sociopath

and he can't always pull off the "hey look at me I'm human" act.

[PatSeg]

152. He brings to mind movies where an alien

comes to earth and tries to pass himself off as human, often relying on television sitcoms for guidelines.

[EFerrari]

153. Because his fakery makes people uncomfortable.

[JCMach1]

154. No one likes a used car salesman- they will tell you anything.

and leave you with a clunker.

He has always had that intangible used car salesman quality to me.