Romney’s bullying brings his character into focus

by David Safier

I couldn't put my finger on why it was vaguely disturbing that Romney, by his own and his wife's description, is a practical joker who likes to play pranks. Or how that related to his comment to people at a NASCAR rally who threw on clear plastic raincoats in a storm, prompting Romney to joke, “I like those fancy raincoats you bought. Really sprung for the big bucks.” Or how both of those related to his "I'll bet you $10,000" comment during a Republican debate.

Now it all comes clear, courtesy of an article in the Washington Post about Romney the Bully in his high school days. His worst action was to go after an outsider at his fancy private school who wore his dyed blonde hair long. Romney and his friends pinned the boy down while Romney cut his hair, then they strutted off, proud of their work. The others continued to regret the action years later. Romney swears he can't remember the incident.

The man is a bully, and practical jokes, especially mean practical jokes, are a form of bullying that let you say afterward, "What's the matter, can't you take a joke?" The NASCAR raincoat line was a "Mean Boy" putdown disguised as humor. The $10,000 bet was a form of humiliation — "I can afford to drop big bucks and not even think about it. Can you, poor boy?"

Here's another "prank" from the WaPo article.

[I]n a well-known prank in which Romney flashed a police siren and, bearing a fake badge and cap, approached two friends and their dates parked on a dark country road, there was a stronger undercurrent of fear to the incident than commonly conveyed. Candy Porter, a Kingswood boarder from a small town in Ohio, had a strict 11 p.m. curfew. As Romney and his Cranbrook pals played out the joke, pretending to be shocked over empty bourbon bottles in the trunk, Porter thought of the dorm mothers waiting at the door and the threat of expulsion. “I just remember being like a deer in headlights,” she said. “I just remember being terrified.” Once she realized it was all a prank, and was safely back at her dorm, Porter joined in the laughter.

Isn't that funny? Romney terrified a high school girl into thinking her life was ruined because she was out late necking, with alcohol in the car.

In another "prank," Romney gestured for Mr. Wonnberber, a teacher with poor eyesight, to enter a room, but Romney had already closed the door.

Wonnberger walked right into [the door] and Getsinger [a student] said Romney giggled hysterically as the teacher shrugged it off as another of life’s indignities.

Hysterical!

Is it any wonder Romney isn't worried much about the poor or others in need of help? They make such a good punchline for jokes he tells his rich friends.