Things not to Joke About When you are a Multi-millionaire Running for the Presidency

“I should tell my story, I’m also unemployed.” –  Mitt Romney

Yes, I realize he is joking.

However,

1)  He seems to have a job, after a fashion:  running for president which includes donors paying for a lot of his expenses.  So really, “unemployed” doesn’t strike me as the appropriate term.

2)  His net worth, as reported in 2007, was $202 million.

3)  If he wanted a job, I expect he could get one.  Today.

As such, not the smartest attempt at humor, given the economy and whatnot.

FILED UNDER: 2012 Election, The Presidency, US Politics,
Steven L. Taylor
About Steven L. Taylor
Steven L. Taylor is a Professor of Political Science and a College of Arts and Sciences Dean. His main areas of expertise include parties, elections, and the institutional design of democracies. His most recent book is the co-authored A Different Democracy: American Government in a 31-Country Perspective. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Texas and his BA from the University of California, Irvine. He has been blogging since 2003 (originally at the now defunct Poliblog). Follow Steven on Twitter

Comments

  1. Herb says:

    Just what we need, another unemployed public servant trying to go on the taxpayer dole. Get a real job, Mitch*!

    * Inside joke. I work with a guy who calls him “Mitch” Romney.

  2. Dave says:

    Do/can candidates pull in an actual salary from their campaigns? I realize most don’t need to, but is that something campaign finance law allows?

  3. wr says:

    And of course, back when he was working he used to buy companies, fire many employees, and then cash out. I’m sure many of the fine members of the business community who post here will be quick to insist that he was performing a vital task — whatever. If you spent your career firing people to get rich, you don’t get to complain you’re unemployed… especially when your net worth is in the tens of millions.

  4. Kylopod says:

    “Let them eat cake.” Ha ha ha, so funny!

  5. Will says:

    Huh. I think it’s time for someone to ask Romney how many houses he has.

  6. Logan Waters says:

    Now imagine that a Democratic candidate had told a similarly unfunny “joke”.

    Within days, thousands of 24×7 RNC talk radio outlets and Fox would pounce and run the story nonstop.

    Next, actual news outlets would pick it up and start peppering the candidate with “why are you out of touch” questions.

    Then would come the candidate’s apologies, and perhaps the withering and death of the candidacy itself.

    I’m no supporter of Obama or the Democratic establishment, but am pointing out the lack of follow-up and consequences for Romney and his Republican ilk.