Mitt Romney is claiming to be Mr. Bipartisan—an act he’ll likely continue in Tuesday’s debate. But two people from his past say the Republican presidential candidate is really Mr. I’ll-do-whatever-it-takes-to-become-president.
Shannon O’Brien, a Democrat who ran against Romney for governor in 2002, skewered the White House wannabe on Monday night’s Hardball, recounting how the Republican vetoed approximately 800 pieces of legislation—many which had bipartisan support—during his time as governor.
She also detailed how Romney, when first elected, took an elevator previously open to the public and claimed it just for himself for four years.
He had his “own little private bubble” so he wouldn’t have to speak to the public or fellow legislators, said O’Brien.
Scott Helman, co-author of The Real Romney and Boston Globe writer recounted how at state events, Romney would have pieces of tape on the floor with names printed on them to indicate where people must stand.
“It was all very tightly controlled and I think that is very much reflective of the Mitt Romney I know.”
Romney has described himself as “severely conservative” during the primaries, but took a moderate stance during his first debate against President Obama. “I think he will say anything to get the job. He said anything to get the job here in Massachusetts,” said O’Brien. When Chris Matthews asked if Romney would be any president as long as he gets to be president, Helman said, “yeah, that’s right.” “He does what he needs to do to get to the next phase. If getting to the next phase involves describing himself as severely conservative, that’s what he does … If getting to the next phase now requires being an acceptable centrist alternative, that’s who he becomes,” Helman added.Recommended
