From The Plum Line:
Though the bulk of what makes this story controversial is based on what unnamed sources claimed — David Axelrod's quotes in the story targeted Romney’s character, but didn’t stray into questioning his identity — it has been major news for days. Senior adviser David Axelrod was forced to respond to the charges last night on CNN and again this morning on MSNBC.
So here’s my question: Why is this such a big deal, given that Mitt Romney has explicitly and publicly been attacking Obama in very similar fashion for months?
Exactly Greg! The only time people start clutching their pearls and calling for the fainting couch is when Democrats start hitting back with haymakers. Republicans can say some of the most foul, disgusting, most outrageous accusations imaginable. Republicans can call Obama unAmerican, socialist, foreign, Barry, and even call for his impeachment and they simply publish this un-commented on. But got forbid the Obama Campaign even dare to call someone "weird" and its..."Oh no! UNFAIR!"
Even some Democrats recoil to other Democrats playing hardball, as if elections have a Miss Congeniality prize. kos calls them "weenie liberals" and i can't think of a better term except...well I'll keep that to myself.
Go on Greg:
There’s a good deal of consternation over whether “weird” is a code word for “Mormon.” Yet no Obama advisers broached this idea, even anonymously. By contrast, Romney has repeatedly made Obama’s cultural identity an issue on the record, insinuating in a variety of ways that Obama is vaguely alien, culturally suspect, and potentially harbors ill intentions towards America.
Romney’s announcement speech was all about reinforcing the message that Obama isn’t one of us. He questioned Obama’s appreciation of America as “we” understand it, and suggested Obama has transformed our country into something no longer recognizably American. Romney has accused Obama of “counterfeit values” that would “change the very character of America.” Romney has said: “I believe in the Constitution — and I believe in the greatness of America,” clearly insinuating that Obama doesn’t.
Romney has explicitly stated that Obama’s American-ness and cultural instincts will be central to the 2012 campaign. “The American people have established a perspective on the President which is going to be lasting — that he has not understood the nature of America,” Romney said earlier this year. No, the parallel is not perfect, but the two cases are awfully similar.
There is a double standard when it comes to get-tough Democrats. When Democrats do it, we are just extreme, mean, beyond-the-pale, not nice, angry leftists. When Republicans do it, its just tough politics and part of the process. So, inevitably, Democrats always have to come crawling on their hands and knees, begging for forgiveness, saying sorry, and promising never to do it again. Meanwhile, when Republicans do it shoulders are shrugged and then Democrats are asked, "how are you going to respond to that?"
Even if the Obama Campaign went after Mitt Romney's weirdness, Mormon dog-whistle or not, why the double standard? It makes me sick to see them backpedaling after the mere rumor of it sent the Romney campaign into apoplexy. Did you see the response ad?
The mere rumor of a tough campaign touched a nerve. They flinched. Alas, it looks like we are going to have to run on our stellar jobs record since personal attacks are out of bounds for Democrats.
I thought dark daze had the perfect response:
all axelrod had to say was " im not here to talk about whether Romney is weird ir not, thats something voters will have to decide for themselves...IM here to talk about.."
Bring on the smelling salts!
10:19 AM PT: I forgot to include kos' take on this last night on Keith: