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On Policy, Romney Has a Pants Problem

Kimberley Strassel says Romney needs to explain himself, not just attack Obama

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 14, 2012 10:18 AM CDT

(Newser) – In Once Upon a Time in the West, Henry Fonda shoots someone for wearing a belt and suspenders, musing that you can't trust a man who "can't even trust his own pants." Americans largely agree, and that's why Mitt Romney is losing; when it comes to policy, he's "wearing a belt, suspenders, and even some elasticized waistbands," writes Kimberly Strassel of the Wall Street Journal. He simply will not say what he'd do as president, preferring to focus on Obama.

"In the la-la land where adviser Stuart Stevens presides, Mr. Romney wins by never saying a single thing, ever, that might rock a single boat, ever." But that strategy allows others to define Romney's stances. "Mr. Obama may himself have no ideas, but he is an expert on the Republican's plans," which in his telling involve hiking middle-class taxes and hurting seniors. Romney's "decision to go 'safe'—to be Crouching Romney, Hidden Mitt—keeps him from harnessing the American hunger for political change." Read the full column here. Or click to read how the Romney campaign has been talking about foreign policy in more detail.

Mitt Romney gestures during a campaign event at Van Dyck Park, Thursday in Fairfax, Va.
Mitt Romney gestures during a campaign event at Van Dyck Park, Thursday in Fairfax, Va.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
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Americans respond well to A-B-C explanations of valuable reform. (Here is what is wrong. Here is my policy to fix it. Here is the good that comes of it.) Were Mr. Romney to apply this formula, he'd be winning. - Kimberly Strassel

America isn't going to trust a candidate who doesn't trust his own pants. Unhitch, Mr. Romney, and earn the votes. - Kimberley Strassel

Voters know that things are rotten; the GOP needn't spend $100 million telling them so. - Kimberley Strassel

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 58 comments
Barbs1133
Sep 14, 2012 8:40 PM CDT
Electing a person for office is like buying a car.  Would you buy a Ford just because the advertising only said it was better than a Chevrolet?  Show me why a Ford is better than a Chevrolet.
Bullfrog1
Sep 14, 2012 5:47 PM CDT
It's that old alligator mouth and humming bird ass causing all his problems. Republicans simply picked the worst candidates it's just that simple people don't like Rmoney/Lyan
HarryBeaver
Sep 14, 2012 3:04 PM CDT
Snooki's pants?  The Republican nominee is "kind of a Snooki fan." "Look how tiny's she's gotten," Romney said of the Jersey Shore star's weight loss. "She's lost weight. She's energetic. Just her spark-plug personality is kind of fun."
 

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