The Many Memorable and Awkward Moments of Mitt Romney

Mitt Romney’s Most Delightfully Awkward Moments

Introduction

In recent years, Mitt Romney, the Utah senator and former Republican presidential nominee, has gained newfound admiration from Democrats. However, even before his impeachment vote against Donald Trump, there were moments in Romney’s political career that delighted and entertained observers across party lines. While his political views may have not always aligned with mine, I couldn’t help but appreciate Romney’s knack for awkward and sometimes humorous gaffes. In this article, I will reminisce about some of Romney’s most memorable blunders, focusing on the harmless and entertaining ones rather than the more controversial ones. From strapping his dog to the roof of his car to speaking French, Romney’s awkward moments provide a unique glimpse into his personality.

The Time He Strapped His Dog to the Roof Rack

One of the most famous and bizarre incidents involving Mitt Romney is the time he strapped his family’s dog, Seamus, to the roof rack of their car during a 1983 family vacation. Romney built a windshield for the dog carrier in an attempt to make Seamus more comfortable during the 12-hour trip. However, things went awry when Seamus developed diarrhea. This incident became a talking point during the 2012 election, with many criticizing Romney for his action. Romney defended himself by claiming that the kennel was secure and that Seamus actually enjoyed the trip. Looking back, this controversy seems almost quaint in comparison to the scandals that unfolded during the Trump era. It serves as a reminder of a time when political gaffes were more innocent and less consequential.

The Time He Defended Corporate Personhood

In 2011, during an appearance at the Iowa State Fair, Romney made a statement defending corporate personhood. He succinctly paraphrased the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. FEC, proclaiming, “Corporations are people, my friend,” in response to a heckler. This moment showcased Romney’s apparent disconnect from the concerns of everyday people and his support for corporate interests. While his statement may have been intended to portray him as a relatable man of the people, it instead reinforced the perception that he was a robotic and out-of-touch politician.

The Time He Summed Up Lemonade a Little Too Well

During the 2012 campaign, Romney was asked how his lemonade tasted. Rather than providing a simple response, he awkwardly replied, “Lemon. Wet. Good.” This cringe-worthy moment highlighted Romney’s struggle with human interaction and his robotic mannerisms. While brevity can be a good thing, Romney’s response only served to emphasize his awkwardness and lack of eloquence. It was a reminder that sometimes being too succinct can backfire and reinforce negative perceptions.

The Time He Was Surprised a Man Wasn’t ‘In Sport’

Romney’s frequent use of the term “in sport” in place of “sports” has often raised eyebrows. One particularly memorable example occurred in 2012 when he described meeting a seven-foot-tall man named Rick Miller in Portland, Oregon. Romney expressed his surprise that Miller wasn’t involved in the world of sports, stating, “I, figured he had to be in sport, but he wasn’t in sport.” This incident showcased Romney’s privileged background and his detached perspective on ordinary people’s lives. It demonstrated a lack of relatability that contributed to the perception of him as an elitist.

The Time He Tried to Make a $10,000 Bet with Rick Perry

During a 2012 Republican primary debate, Romney engaged in a peculiar exchange with fellow candidate Rick Perry. In an attempt to make a point about his position on healthcare, Romney offered to bet Perry $10,000. This moment not only highlighted Romney’s immense wealth but also his apparent inability to understand the financial realities of average Americans. For most people, a $10,000 bet is simply not within reach. Romney’s attempt to make such a wager only served to further distance him from the concerns of everyday Americans.

The Time He Said Some of His Best Friends Are NASCAR Team Owners

While greeting NASCAR fans in 2012, Romney was asked if he follows the sport. In his response, he stated, “Not as closely as some of the most ardent fans. But I have some great friends that are NASCAR team owners.” This statement highlighted Romney’s attempt to portray himself as connected to ordinary Americans through his relationships with wealthy and influential individuals. It reinforced the perception that he was out of touch with the everyday struggles of the majority of Americans.

The Time He Shared His Enthusiasm for Firing People

During the 2012 campaign, Romney faced criticism for his role as a private equity executive and his history of laying off workers. In an unfortunate choice of words, he uttered the line, “I like being able to fire people who provide services to me.” This statement played into the narrative that Romney was a heartless businessman who prioritized profits over people. It highlighted his difficulty in connecting with voters and his inability to effectively address concerns about his business career.

The Time He Proved Himself Unfit for Republican Politics by Speaking French

Romney’s ability to speak French became a point of contention during the 2012 primaries. As a former Mormon missionary who spent two years in France, Romney occasionally dropped French phrases in his conversations with voters. However, this display of linguistic prowess did not resonate well with the Republican base, who preferred a more jingoistic approach. Romney’s opponents, such as Newt Gingrich, seized on this opportunity to portray him as a John Kerry-like elitist. This incident highlighted the challenges Romney faced in appealing to a conservative base that prioritized American exceptionalism.

The Time His Horse Danced in the Olympics

One of the accusations thrown at Romney during the 2012 campaign was that he was an elitist who was out of touch with average Americans. This perception was reinforced when it was revealed that Romney co-owned a horse named Rafalca, which competed in dressage at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Dressage, often referred to as “horse ballet,” is often associated with wealth and privilege. While Rafalca’s rider argued that the sport can be done on a normal budget, it still played into the narrative that Romney was disconnected from the challenges faced by everyday Americans.

The Time He Came Out as a Twihard

During the 2012 election, Romney surprised many when he admitted to being a fan of the “Twilight” series. In an interview with NBC News, he stated, “I like the ‘Twilight’ series. That was fun.” This revelation seemed out of character for the buttoned-up politician and provided a moment of levity during a heated and intense campaign. While it may have been an attempt to showcase a lighter side of Romney, it also reinforced the perception that he was somewhat out of touch with popular culture.

The Time He Wondered ‘Who Let the Dogs Out? (Who? Who?)’

During a 2008 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day parade, Romney posed for a photo with a group of Black teenagers. In a strange and puzzling move, he inexplicably uttered a line from the 2000 Baha Men hit song “Who Let the Dogs Out?” This moment was captured in a 2012 Barack Obama campaign ad, which criticized Romney for being out of touch with the concerns of minority communities. In retrospect, this criticism may have been overly harsh, as it was unlikely that anyone expected Romney to be familiar with a popular song released after 1976.

The Time He Insulted a Local Bakery’s Cookies

During a campaign stop in Pennsylvania in 2012, Romney made an ill-advised comment about the cookies he was served. Believing the cookies to be from a convenience store, he remarked, “I’m not sure about these cookies. They don’t look like you made them. No, no. They came from the local 7-Eleven, bakery, or whatever.” It later emerged that the cookies were actually from Bethel Bakery, a popular local business. This incident drew criticism and reinforced the perception of Romney as out of touch with everyday Americans. However, it also sparked a positive outcome, as 7-Eleven sent him some free cookies to prove their quality.

The Times He Praised Michigan’s Trees for Being the ‘Right Height’

During his 2012 campaign, Romney repeatedly made comments about Michigan’s trees being the “right height.” This peculiar phrase became a running joke and meme, as observers were confused by its meaning. While some interpreted it as an attempt to connect with voters by highlighting his Michigan roots, others found it to be a strange and meaningless statement. Romney’s repeated use of this phrase only served to reinforce the perception of him as a somewhat awkward and disconnected politician.

The Time He Bragged About Having ‘Binders Full of Women’

During a 2012 presidential debate, Romney faced a question about pay equity and the representation of women in leadership positions. In his response, he stated, “I went to a number of women’s groups and said, ‘Can you help us find folks?’ And they brought us whole binders full of women.” This comment was intended to showcase Romney’s commitment to gender diversity in his administration. However, it backfired and sparked criticism, with many perceiving it as a clumsy and tone-deaf remark. While compared to future Republican presidential nominees, Romney may appear more progressive on gender issues, this moment highlighted his struggle to connect with women voters.

The Time He Ironed Himself

During Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign, he found himself in a moment of embarrassment when he was caught ironing a crumpled shirt while wearing it. The incident occurred during a campaign stop in Florida, with a photo capturing the strange sight. This candid moment showcased Romney’s relatable quirks and humanized him to some extent. It was a reminder that politicians are not always perfect and polished, but are capable of moments of vulnerability and clumsiness.

The Time He Revealed His Passion for Hot Dogs

Romney’s love for hot dogs became apparent on multiple occasions. During his 2018 Senate run, he declared, “My favorite meat is hot dog, by the way. That is my favorite meat.” This statement was seen by some as a clumsy attempt to portray himself as an average, down-to-earth American. However, it also revealed Romney’s genuine enthusiasm for the classic American comfort food. While it may have been a trivial moment, it added a touch of relatability to Romney’s public image.

The Time He Blew Out His Birthday Candles Individually

In 2019, Romney’s Senate staff surprised him with a cake made entirely out of Twinkies for his birthday. Rather than blowing out the candles simultaneously as is the customary practice, Romney shocked spectators by plucking each lit candle out of the cake and blowing them out individually. While the reason behind this unique approach is unknown, it showcased Romney’s idiosyncrasies and his departure from traditional norms. Whether it was a conscious decision to avoid spreading germs or simply a lack of familiarity with the birthday candle-blowing tradition, it became an iconic moment in Romney’s public persona.

The Time He Pretended to Be ‘Pierre Delecto’

In 2019, it was revealed that Romney had a secret Twitter account under the name “Pierre Delecto.” When confronted about the account, he cheekily responded, “C’est moi,” revealing that he was indeed behind the pseudonymous account. This incident highlighted Romney’s playful side and his willingness to engage in social media antics. However, it also showcased his lack of understanding of the potential consequences and impact of his actions, as he failed to consider the potential backlash for using a fake account to defend himself or promote his views.

The Time His Soul Left His Body as He Dined with Trump

In November 2016, Mitt Romney publicly dined with then-President-elect Donald Trump, despite having previously criticized him as a “fraud” and suggesting that he should be denied the Republican presidential nomination. The moment was immortalized in a now-infamous photograph, showing Romney with a pained expression while dining with Trump at Jean-Georges restaurant. This moment captured the internal conflict faced by many politicians who have to balance personal convictions with political expediency. It symbolized the complications and compromises that can arise in the pursuit of power.

Conclusion

Mitt Romney’s political career has been marked by a series of awkward and memorable moments. From strapping his dog to the roof of his car to speaking French, Romney’s gaffes and missteps provide insight into his personality and his ability to connect with voters. While some of these moments may be cringe-worthy, they also humanize him and offer a glimpse into the challenges faced by politicians in navigating the public sphere. Regardless of one’s political views, it is hard to deny the entertainment value and enduring legacy of Mitt Romney’s most delightfully awkward moments.