Romney’s New Hampshire Mansion

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Romney’s New Hampshire Mansion

James Joyner | Tuesday, July 10, 2007

I noted with some skepticism the YahooNews headline “N.H. home gives Romney an edge.” Reading the piece didn’t dissuade me:

The real estate adage “location, location, location” applies to politics as well, and Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney is playing that for all it’s worth.

The former Massachusetts governor has an 11-acre estate valued at more than $10 million on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, allowing him to portray himself to New Hampshire voters as one of them as he seeks to win the state’s first-in-the-nation primary.

Campaigning in Manchester last month, for example, Romney said a wind these days is persuading his wife to let him sleep with the windows open at their lakeside home. “This is something of a second home for us. … My wife and I were there last night. It’s one of those great nights. It was windy and cold, when my wife said, ‘OK, you can open the windows,’” Romney said. “But it was so windy and you could hear the water from the lake. It was cold in the morning, but it was worth it, I’ll tell you.”

So…he’s trying to prove to New Hampshirites that he shares their values because he has a $10 million third mansion in their state? Really?

The report gets there, eventually:

The abodes of most New Hampshire voters, however, have little in common with the candidate’s residence.

Set back a half-mile from the road and up a long and narrow driveway, the Romneys’ three-story estate is shielded from would-be gawkers. Romney bought most of the property in 1997 for less than $3 million from hotel executive and fellow Brigham Young University alumnus Butch Cash. Romney later bought another lot for about $85,000 to get a little extra room.

The main house — a 5,400-square-foot contemporary — has six bedrooms. A 2,700-square-foot boathouse sits on the 760 feet of lake frontage. Its 2,600-square-foot stable has been converted into a guest house.

I don’t begrudge Romney his lifestyle. He worked hard, built an incredibly successful business, and earned the money. But I’m not sure that reminding people that one of his mansions happens to be nearby helps connect him with the common man.

About the Author: James Joyner is the publisher of Outside the Beltway and the managing editor of the Atlantic Council. He's a former Army officer, Desert Storm vet, and college professor with a PhD in political science from The University of Alabama. He lives just outside the Beltway in Alexandria, Virginia.

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Comments

...man...sounds Edwardsesque.

Posted by markm | July 10, 2007 | 09:38 am | Permalink

"I don’t begrudge Romney his lifestyle. He worked hard, built an incredibly successful business, and earned the money."

Your compatriots certainly begrudge Edwards, who is totally self-made, versus coming from privledge, his fancy house.

Posted by Andy | July 10, 2007 | 10:45 am | Permalink

I begrudge nobody that makes money legally, no matter how much they amass. I do however wrinkly my nose a bit when you tell me you are "common folk" and then get a $1400 haircut.

Posted by markm | July 10, 2007 | 11:07 am | Permalink

I'm a certain that Romney never spends any money on his looks, unlike that pretty boy Edwards.

Posted by Andy | July 10, 2007 | 11:16 am | Permalink

Yeah, a real rough and tumble guy, that Mitt.

Posted by carpeicthus | July 10, 2007 | 11:35 am | Permalink

Markm,

I still don't understand your angst about Edwards. He goes around saying he understands "common folk" because he grew up with "common folk". That's clearly a fact if you have seen his biography, just like a guy like Guliani, so what's the big deal about him making himself a wealthy man now! I wasn't aware that you mustn't concern yourself with any of the issues that once figured greater in your life, because your life has moved on to a different stage. A lot of rich people were born poor and still care about the poor. I just don't understand the hypocrisy charge.

Posted by Derrick | July 10, 2007 | 11:39 am | Permalink

I don't begrudge Edwards nor do I have angst towards Edwards...I said I just wrinkle my nose a little bit.

Posted by markm | July 10, 2007 | 12:52 pm | Permalink