Krugman: Things Mitt Romney Can’t Do

[ProSense]

Things Mitt Romney Can’t Do

Karl Rove has a piece today explaining the deep trouble Mitt Romney is in. Of course, that’s not he puts it — it’s an effort to buck up Republicans, not discourage them. But here’s what Rove says:

In the two weeks before the presidential debates begin, Mr. Romney must define more clearly what he would do as president. In spelling out his five-point plan for the middle class, he’ll have to deepen awareness of how each element would help families in concrete, practical ways, and offer optimism for renewed prosperity.

Let’s look at that plan, shall we? It’s:

1. Energy independence, presumably through weakened environmental regulation
2. School choice
3. Trade agreements, plus implicit China-bashing
4. Deficit reduction, not explained how
5. Lower taxes on small businesses (but actually just on the rich), and repealing health reform

First of all, this isn’t a “plan for the middle class”. And do you see anything in there that can “help families in concrete, practical ways”? I don’t. Even if you believed that the Romney plan would yield prosperity, the benefits to middle-class families would come through trickle-down — and assertions that Bush-style policies are just what we need aren’t going to give Romney the boost he wants.

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The truth is that Romney based his whole campaign on the belief that he could blur his way to the White House, mouthing right-wing slogans, fudging the math, and counting on voter disillusionment with Obama to do the rest. Now that this doesn’t seem to have worked, he has no plan B.

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/20/things-mitt-romney-cant-do/

[mopinko]

1. i love the way "small business" has become

their little secret code for "rich people"

[ProSense]

2. Yeah, and real small business owners

support the President: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021374782