Have been kicking around this concept for a few days, wasn't really sure if I should post it. Then I read Hunter's Open Thread for Nightowls: The Romney Smirk Post tonight. In that article, Hunter states:
I often considered Mitt Romney awkward. I seldom, though, ascribed it to outright malevolence. His gentle insults of the commoner classes he interacts with on the campaign trail were lighthearted enough, though certainly most of them had a healthy dose of mean as their seed. I considered him a hollow man, mostly, an empty fake, a man obsessed with personal ambitions, a man who could offer no clear vision for the country other than that he and his economic class ought to be given more of it. That damned smirk, though. That smirk spoke to a political heart no bigger than a cinder. That was a malevolent smirk. That was the smirk of a true son of a bitch, a crooked man, a man that even a political crook like Richard Nixon would find it hard to find common cause with.
In short Mitt's performance responding to the Deaths of 4 US State Department workers had flipped a switch for Hunter. For me it came long before this. For me the turning point was after the
hazing/bullying haircut incident that was revealed earlier this year:
You can no longer hide from the simple fact that Mitt Romney is a rotten excuse for a human being
Later after receiving some attention I went back and updated to say thanks and added the following summary:
...for me this was a perspective changing moment. I mean up 'til now I could at least see why he made some of the decisions he has been hammered for by those of us on the left. Right or wrong there was a twisted but rational reason to do some of these things - vulture capitalist = make money, Dog on roof = protect his fancy car, etc. I'm not saying I agree with those decisions, but I can at least look at them and say, "okay if you remove the emotions there's a payoff that in some way benefits his life." But there's no valid reason to do what he did to this kid. It didn't earn him anything. It didn't protect anything. It gained him nothing. It was pure evil just to be evil. In short I always thought Romney was a self-absorbed twit I didn't realize he was a complete asshole. Hearing about this incident changed that perspective.
I figured eventually Mitt's true personality would start to show and recently he's been waving his freak flag high. His failure to mention the troops in his acceptance speech and then dismissing the criticism of that act by saying he mentioned the important things struck a nerve. This, again, is the essence of Mitt. He just doesn't care one bit about people. The troops aren't things to be worried about, they are employees, wigets, items to be used and discarded for Mitt's profit. He showed this repeatedly at Bain when he destroyed companies and in turn the workers' careers so he could cash out for him and his buddies. It matters not to Mitt so long as he gets his. Then came last night and you could see Mitt could barely contain his glee as he jumped in front of the microphone lips curling upwards and ripped the President with another lie and failed to even mention the people in harm's way. Later when it was revealed people had died, Mitt defended his actions. You see, Mitt is incapable of being wrong, at least in Mitt's view.
So tonight on a lark I decided to pursue my premise that Mitt Romney is a Sociopath. Honestly I was so shocked by the results I feel like I should smirk. Maybe you will too if you click beyond the curlicue...
This is the definition of a Sociopath.
Manipulative and Conning
They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims.
Well he did bully that guy in high school and then there was that $10K bet he tried to make and of course he can't open his mouth without insulting someone.
Pathological Lying
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.
All through this campaign this has been a major issue. Mitt can't open his mouth without lying.
Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.
Bain Capital and Seamus, 'nuff said...
Irresponsibility/Unreliability
Not concerned about wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed.
"My staff members sister's dog accidentally deleted all those crucial records from the Olympics and every single bad investment that people might not like was done by a person who used to work for me a few months after I left Bain in 1999. No really, I did. Why are you all rolling your eyes. I told you I retroactively retired. If the paperwork didn't get filed, blame human resources."
Glibness and Superficial Charm
Well there was that smirk...
Shallow Emotions
When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.
Mitt's critics and even his supporters often describe him as robotlike. For more on the subject check out Hunter's excellent
Diary series.
Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others.
This one really strikes me as going right to the core of Mitt. He honestly thinks he's the coolest, smartest guy in the room. Every single time. He also clearly gets his way time and time and time again. For example, he apparently got Paul Ryan over the objections of his campaign staff.
I could go on and on quoting from this article, but fair use is fair use. Mitt doesn't fit every description, but he also is a practicing Mormon, so issues with drugs and promiscuity aren't really expected either.
I will close with these final traits from the "other related qualities" section and let you make your own judgment...
12. Incapable of real human attachment to another
13. Unable to feel remorse or guilt
14. Extreme narcissism and grandiose
15. May state readily that their goal is to rule the world