Cadillac Becomes a Romney Nightmare

COMMENTARY | Perhaps Mitt Romney should just apologize for his wealth. Maybe he should ostracize the wildly successful ventures he participated in while a purveyor of private enterprise. Then he can decry his own run as governor or Massachusetts.

After all, why would Americans want a president with an outstanding track record as a business owner and capitalist? Wouldn’t we be better off with, say, a community organizer leading the nation?

“This feels good, being back in Michigan. You know, the trees are the right height. The streets are just right. I like the fact that most of the cars I see are Detroit-made automobiles. I drive a Mustang and a Chevy pickup truck. Ann drives a couple of Cadillacs, actually,” quipped Romney at Friday’s speech to the Detroit Economic Club.

Ouch. This was simply not an appropriate message from a politician seeking his party’s nomination. It put to a halt what should have been a stellar week for the presidential hopeful in the wake of a solid Arizona debate performance just days earlier.

Its statements like these that give middle class Americans a sinking feeling when it comes to the prospects of ‘President Romney.’ It’s akin to the media clips of President Obama golfing in Hawaii or strolling through Martha’s Vineyard. It further questions the divide between the average person and those who seek to represent us.

Do our politicians truly appreciate the fact that Americans are suffering? That we are losing our homes at record rates? That some of us now work a full day just to top off the gas tank? That we need real jobs, manufacturing jobs that can make the United States a producer, not just a consumer of material goods?

Like President Obama, does Mitt Romney really ‘get it?’

This isn’t the first time Romney has gaffed. A month ago he stated that he is, “not concerned about the very poor.” It was obviously a horrid choice of words for the Massachusetts governor, yet it left many people scratching their heads. His latest ‘Cadillacs” comment will only reinforce those concerns.

There is no question Romney’s resume is impressive. His slick combination of public life and private enterprise experience may just be the recipe this county needs to achieve renewed prosperity. He should not have to apologize for any of his success, wealth, or ambitions.

The substance is there, however, the presentation is often lacking at a time when many Republicans are banking on a Romney run at the White House.

If Mitt Romney does become the Republican nominee, he should double-check the music at his celebatory banquet. Because just one verse of Bruce Springsteen’s “Pink Cadillac” would be a debacle. After all, we are already questioning his insights on the shrinking middle class in America.

Robert Watkins is former investment professional and partner. He lives with his family in Glen Mills, Pa., and is a frequent contributor to Yahoo! News


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