The Whole World Cringes With You?

Ana Marie Cox wonders if this was Mitt Romney's "macaca" monent. My immediate reaction was: boy, am I embarassed to be a white guy right now. That Romney's mind went there -- and I've never heard him quote a rap song before -- suggests he's a little fogeyish and of a different generation... kind of a, "the kids these days, they listen to rap" thing.

The belated discovery by Republican candidates that Monday was MLK day... that's a bit more questionable in my book.

Ken Mehlman must be rolling over in his ... well, glitzy Washington office right now.

Comments

Oh please.
Romney's a loveable nerd. Big deal.
Macacaah moment? Dream on liberals.
There is nothing perjorative here.
This song is played in every sports arena in America.
Are you so hard up that this is all you have to rip on The Romster.
Lightern up Franicis!

ajarizona

Posted by ajarizona | January 23, 2008 3:51 PM

It would seem to me that given Cox's previous shenanigans vis-a-vis Romney, that she would LOVE for this to be a Macaca moment. Its not, nothing but happy faces and embraces. Its a nice video.

To quote "What is 'macaca' in Clintonese?" Maybe we should talk more about how they went there.

Posted by Mike | January 23, 2008 3:52 PM

It was a nice attempt to reach out. They say white men can't jump, and maybe we can't hip hop either, but it was a good attempt.

Clearly these are Romney supporters anyway!

Posted by Jed Merrill, ConservativeRepublicans.com | January 23, 2008 3:53 PM

You realize, Matt, that pointing at someone and calling him a known slur like macacca is a little different than this, right?

Pushing this kind of story strikes me as the kind of thing that helps republicans win elections. Vast numbers of white people don't like the idea that simply saying "who let the dogs out" while around black people can get you accused of being a closet racist. If anything, this will get Romney more votes than he'll lose.

Posted by Helter | January 23, 2008 3:58 PM

It's a funny video. Definitely not a "macaca moment" though. He wasn't insulting anyone, he's just a huge nerd.

Posted by mad6798j | January 23, 2008 4:03 PM

Seemed cute to me.

Posted by Anonymous | January 23, 2008 4:06 PM

I hate Mitt Romney...... but Cox is wrong. Romney is just a nerd as mentioned....

Posted by HJE | January 23, 2008 4:24 PM

I agree that to compare the two is overstating the significance of this. Romney just comes off looking like a dorky white guy. And I'm not sure Who Let The Dogs Out qualifies as a rap song.

Maybe Obama should make an Mmmbop reference next time he's in front of a majority white audience.

Posted by Andy | January 23, 2008 4:31 PM

At least this is one MLK parade Romney WAS present at...

Posted by lampwick | January 23, 2008 4:32 PM

If you know the Romneys at all - you know that the Romney family is its own most cynical critic of Mitt's nerdiness. He is not a stupid guy: he gets his own joke.

Also, a lot of adverse media outlets have STOPPED showing this video because it appears that Mitt might actually have fans and supporters that are *gasp* black. We wouldn't want to let that get out there! People might give him a second look.

On a different note:

Marc Ambinder - do you really have a political blog? I mean, really?! Do you have any kind of intellectual-honesty filter in your mind? I enjoy reading from time to time - but you have stopped pretending to be anything but totally and completely biased. Please garnish your posts with at least a little bit of quasi-objectivity

Posted by jmf jmf | January 23, 2008 4:43 PM

That's just how the brotha rolls.

Posted by Pug | January 23, 2008 5:21 PM