Uncategorized

Mitt Romney’s Olympic opportunity — and risk

The Olympics marked Romney’s transition from business to public service and cemented his reputation as a fix-it guy

Gerald Herbert/AP Photo

Mitt Romney is taking his presidential campaign abroad. On Thursday and Friday he’ll be in England, meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron, cabinet ministers and opposition party leaders.

Then on Friday, he attends the Olympic opening ceremonies – a chance for him to change the subject from the relentless hammering the Obama campaign has been dishing out on his career at Bain Capital. It’ll allow him to focus on his tenure as the head of the Salt Lake City Olympics, where he was brought in to rescue the financially-strapped and  scandal-plagued games. The Olympics marked his transition from business to public service and cemented his reputation as a fix-it guy.

There is one catch, though – his wife, Ann Romney, has a horse competing in the dressage competition – a sport that is performed in white gloves, top hat, and tails serves as yet another reminder of the Romney’s uncommon wealth. As is the fact that they Romney’s declared $77,000 financial losses associated with the horse on their tax return.

(The Democratic National Committee made an ad making fun of Ann’s horse – which was eventually yanked in the face of criticism. Ann Romney has used equestrian therapies to help with her multiple sclerosis.)

After London, Romney will travel to Israel and Poland, where he will meet with political leaders, visit historical sites and give speeches, presumably critiquing Obama’s foreign policy (such as Obama’s decision to withdraw missile defense system from Poland) and giving more details on his own foreign policy views.

And, so far at least, no talk of the Brandenburg Gate.

 

Looking for more?

Get the Best of Maclean's sent straight to your inbox. Sign up for news, commentary and analysis.
  • By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.