I don’t attack Ann Romney for her role as a stay-at-home Mom. When she says something like this, as she did at a speech in Stamford, CT yesterday, I understand that being at home with her boys is a rigorous duty, and important.
“I know what’s like to finish the laundry and to look in the basket five minutes later and it’s full again. I know what’s like to pull all the groceries in and see the teenagers run through and all of a sudden all the groceries you just bought are gone,” Romney said to the crowd. “And I know what’s like to get up early in the morning and to get them off to school. And I know what’s like to get up in the middle of the night when they’re sick. And I know what’s like to struggle and to have those concerns that all mothers have.”
Again, I have no problem with the role Ann Romney chose in life. I am a stay-at-home father myself, and while we don’t have the resources the Romneys had to support my role, I still value that role enough to value Ann Romney’s decisions. But Ann made a mistake in that speech when she decided to comment on the role of parents who don’t have the financial wherewithal to make the choices she made. Sure, I said just a couple days ago that Ann Romney was not stupid, but I just might have to go back on my statement after assessing this gaffe (my bolding):
“I love the fact that there are women out there who don’t have a choice and they must go to work and they still have to raise the kids. Thank goodness that we value those people too. And sometimes life isn’t easy for any of us.”
She loves the fact that some women don’t have a choice? Sure, acknowledging that fact is important, but loving the notion? This plays into the narrative that the Romneys are out of touch with middle class America. She can’t do that if she wants to contribute to her husband’s campaign.
Still, this gaffe will not likely keep Ann Romney from her role in trying to sway women to support the Mittster, but any more gaffes like this will be damaging. I expect there will be more gaffes, but we shall see.
Ann Romney loves one thing above all else: the sound of her own voice. She is a pampered rich woman who has no real idea what the average family goes through on a daily basis trying to keep things together. I do not envy her – I’ve chosen a very different path in life. It’s unfortunate that there are so many people trying to justify this Marie Antoinette’s ridiculous pronouncements and carefully avoid being critical of her role as a full time mother. She’s more of the V.P. of child-rearing in Romney, Inc., and her husband is CEO. That’s not the way it works in the average family that struggles along without a household staff to take care of the “details”.
Are they trying to lose?
I don’t think it’s so much a matter of Ann Romney’s intelligence as it is one of her ambition. A lot of people covet their material possessions, with their houses at the top of the list. Is it unreasonable to think that the lure of getting to live in America’s #1 mansion is a motivator for Ann Romney?
The couple shares the same personality. The man’s solipsistic tendencies make his issues very muddled indeed http://reallycheaphealthinsurance.com/romneys-real-position-on-pre-existing-conditions-unclear/. I shudder to the thought that he may take over after Obama leaves.
I really don’t think she meant that. It seems a bit petty. However, I still don’t think she understands what the help must contend with.
Oh, I expect she didn’t mean it, Other Side. I ascribe zero negative motivations to Ann Romney. The point here is that she will say something else she doesn’t mean, and soon, and then repeatedly say things she doesn’t mean after that. At what point do you think Ann, then, Mitt Romney’s biggest asset, becomes a liability?
I should mention that I don’t think it appropriate to call names as related to any candidate’s spouse. Perhaps I am old-fashioned, but I think such behavior is rude and doesn’t belong in any political discussion. That doesn’t mean one can’t point out gaffes and mistakes, and assess whether a spouse is an asset or a liability.
@Steve: Of course. Though on the scale of misspeakes this rates a one. 😉
Yes Anne, what a pain in the buttit must be to see that basket of dirty laundry and have to call the housekeeper AGAIN to take it away!
Personally, I think that if Romney were to get into office, our next war will end up being with England because there is no way that Anne Romney will be able to follow the proper instruction of the etiquette that will go with dealing with royalty.
“And I know what’s like to struggle and to have those concerns that all mothers have.” – Really Anne? Which piece of heirloom jewelry did you have to pawn to put gasoline in your car so you could make it to work at a job that your husband will be sending overseas soon?