Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
"Shellshocked" Mitt Romney and the Problem With Rich Guys (Matt Yglesias)
http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/2012/11/09/shellshocked_romney_and_the_trouble_with_rich_guys.htmlAs a lot of people have noted, it's pretty weird that Mitt Romney was "shellshocked" by an electoral defeat that was widely predicted by public opinion surveys, betting markets, and The New York Times. That Romney fell prey to a certain amount of wishful thinking and thought he was going to win is very understandable. But surely some awareness that the consensus prediction of third party observers might come true should have penetrated into his inner-circle right? And isn't Romney supposed to be some kind of data-wizard genius investor businessman?
To speculate a bit, I think that people underestimate how problematic it can be to walk around life being a rich guy. The problem with being rich is that everyone stops telling you what they think and starts trying to get your money. You necessarily end up living your life in a fog of flattery and misinformation. And worse, because Americans genuinely admire rich people even people who aren't flattering you tend to give undue deference to your bad ideas. Live in that bubble for long enoughand Romney's been in it for a long time indeedand you can end up pretty unmoored from reality.
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
6 replies, 2354 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (10)
ReplyReply to this post
6 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
"Shellshocked" Mitt Romney and the Problem With Rich Guys (Matt Yglesias) (Original Post)
swag
Nov 2012
OP
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)1. Great Piece ...
that should be well received by anyone that has worked in corporate America, in a non C-Suite level.
KurtNYC
(14,549 posts)2. "shellshocked" is the wrong term for a spoiled man child who has never fought for anything
I think a better term would be "spanked"
Mme. Defarge
(8,044 posts)3. Good points, but
I'm convinced Romney, Rove and the inner circle were already celebrating, with no "Plan B," because they believed the fix was in.
C_U_L8R
(45,021 posts)4. Romney was well prepared to lose...
look how fast he got the credit cards turned off.
That takes a bit of advance planning.
santamargarita
(3,170 posts)5. He thought they would buy it and that's it!
zentrum
(9,865 posts)6. Not to mention the Mormon White Horse
...Prophecy in which Romney believed he was the anointed One.