I can't stop marveling at rMoney's monumental arrogance

[cali]

Sure he existed in a bubble, but still his absolute conviction that he'd be President as evidenced by his transition web site, plans for fireworks, no concession speech and plans for re-election, is mind boggling.

I can only imagine that his enormous arrogance and ego stem from never having had any real setbacks in his 65 years. Forget the bullshit about Ann's health; she was never in a life threatening place. Forget his loss to Teddy- he did that as a trial run. Forget his 2004 run; he knew it wasn't his turn. The man had never been rejected in his life.

He couldn't even contemplate that he'd lose.

I'd bet almost anything that he isn't handling this gigantic hit to his ego well. He's been thoroughly humiliated. The place in history that he so desperately strove for is gone forever. He's nothing but a footnote and one about how to run a terrible campaign. I think he's also damaged the concept that a CEO makes a good candidate.

He got away with a lot in his campaign: The refusal to disclose tax returns, the massive flip flopping, the endless lies- the MSM let so much of it slide, but in the end he got a giant cosmic slap across his bland, smug face.

It really is something to savor.

[brewens]

1. I wonder if he set a precedent on the tax returns? Will the next Republican candidate start out

planning on releasing them? I suppose so, since Romney lost. Any half-way honest person could probably be comfortable doing so, even if they are quite wealthy. I know Romney really couldn't or he would have.

[silvershadow]

56. Maybe. I think we should set about requiring a minimum of say, 12 years, tax returns be revealed in

their entirety. Not sure how we do that, but I would be game for that.

[WinkyDink]

61. Yes, he did so set, but for BOTH Parties. Another disgusting Romney legacy.

[Ya Basta]

110. I am not so sure

because in addition of looking like they have something to hide. It can now also run the risk of looking too much like Romney. And I don't think anyone would want themselves to look like Romney.

n/t

[Cha]

121. No, because the arrogant pos LOST. So, I think future candidates

will most assuredly want the American Voter to know they're not a sneaky, Tax Dodging, non patriotic A$$hole like willard mitt romney.

[Skittles]

2. the icing on the cake is he is the poster child for the 1%

or the .01%

[Coyotl]

137. What were they thinking? Is 2012 the year of the 1%?

Not exactly

[mwb970]

145. I don't know why anyone thought Mitt would win.

He was EXACTLY the wrong candidate at EXACTLY the wrong time. Just as America discovers that the public is being illegitimately raped by the top .01%, the republicans run Richie Rich and his Secret Tax Returns.

The result we saw was 100% predictable. I know; I predicted it.

[libdem4life]

3. Mitt Romney is a huckster. American voters have ways of shutting that thing down.

I've known CEOs and Mitt isn't one of them or fit to polish their shoes (female, as well as males). He is a two-bit flim-flam person that cheated (got dirty money from South America), laundered (said money), lied (whenever necessary), bullied (pretty much everyone around him), preened (Bishop Romney) and acted like a financial pig with lipstick.

[Jane Austin]

24. I so agree.

I have done a lot of investing in my life as well as managing my own company.

You have to do a lot of due diligence in investing well, and Mitt very obviously doesn't care about consistent details, or researching financial histories.

He was the front man. The guy with the rich friends and connections. He said whatever was needed to to get investors.

I'm guessing the point-men in Bain were pretty good (and ruthless) at what they did, while Mitt rounded up the investors with glib talk.

Same goes for the Winter Olympics. He talked the feds out of some big bucks while others managed things.

This country really dodged a bullet this election.

[hifiguy]

35. Bull's eye. Win! nt

[ProudProgressiveNow]

95. +1 nt

[LukeFL]

103. And with all the money and rich friends

Still lost. They thought we were stupid.

[calimary]

120. LOVE YOUR POST!!! "American voters have ways of shutting that thing down." ROFL!!!!!

Jam it back down their throats. Jam it ALL back down their throats!

Just really love this, libdem4life!

"I've known CEOs and Mitt isn't one of them or fit to polish their shoes (female, as well as males). He is a two-bit flim-flam person that cheated (got dirty money from South America), laundered (said money), lied (whenever necessary), bullied (pretty much everyone around him), preened (Bishop Romney) and acted like a financial pig with lipstick."

I think this theory is spot-on. mittski has breathed such rarified air for all his life - ALL his life. Everyone's been plenty well-aware of his "rank" throughout his life. Born into wealth, privilege, and power. Grew up with a deep-seated longing to prove how Alpha-male he was - even over his father. We saw that ethic at play in throughout last decade, with bush-junior's "outshine-my-dad-the-president" complex. john mcsame had the same thing in 2008. With him - it was "outshine-all-the-admirals-in-my-family." Unfortunately, bush-junior never had to learn this lesson. mcsame-junior did, and romney-junior WAY did.

My guess is, wrongney's bullying behavior was never checked, and on the contrary, was rewarded and reinforced. VASTLY, OBSCENELY-RICHLY rewarded and reinforced, if you ask me. I bet ol' mittski turns out to be something of a Billionaire if ever we're able to find out the entire truth. I suspect that because of his wealth and privilege and status, prominent family, obvious monetary success all over the place, most people around him bowed and scraped, and deferred to him just on principle. There's an instinctive urge to fawn over the richest person in the room, or the prettiest/handsomest person in the room, or the most powerful person in the room, because if you can't be on top of the zigurrat, then you aspire to cozy up to whoever is. So never is heard a discouraging word. No one wanted to alienate or otherwise piss off the Alpha. Watch the social-climbing behavior of any group of dogs. Same stuff starts manifesting. Everybody sucks up to the Alpha. I'm the main Alpha at our house because I'm the one who feeds the critters all the time. They ALL suck up to me. No one wants to be too far away or out of favor with the Alpha.

So I bet, business-wise; Mormon church-wise (he was/is a bishop in the church forcryingoutloud); in one state - well, two if you count the whole Utah Olympics thing; throughout his schooling at prestigious academies and universities; he was always a kingpin, or the king outright. Hell, I read something about him recently that described him in the eyes of fellow townsfolk as a "tribal chieftain," arriving with all those kids, sons (male) and their families, he was just always dominant. His extended family alone made up at least a third of the attendance at any local/regional church or community meeting hall. And it goes without saying how, in the private sector, a CEO's word was LAW. You NEVER spoke out of turn or criticized or defied the CEO. Not if you expected to keep your job. And if he was CEO and chief stockholder, well, you'd have no recourse whatsoever. He was god.

So I'll bet this indeed IS the first time he's ever been handed a defeat. It was out of his hands. There weren't enough people to trip, during the foot-race, to make sure he'd win the way it tended to be at family parties and other outdoor celebrations. The man who must always be first to the food and first at table and first finished. All this points to an individual with a complex about the size of the freakin' solar system! And this defeat is equally EPIC-sized. And it's not in some exalted corner office or cushy private conference room, or invitation-only donors' reception. It's all out there on every TV and cable network on the planet in one form or other. It's spectacular exposure - failing on that scale. Especially for an individual who guards his privacy and his secrets as relentlessly as he does. This is WAY WAY WAY public. And his whole life has set him up without a template for handling or, as he'd prefer to put it, managing this.

[eridani]

139. An anthropologist friend of mine once said that an alpha male

--is someone who is condemned to go through life never knowing for sure whether or not his jokes are funny or not.

[calimary]

161. !!!!!! GREAT ONE!!!!!!

That's absolutely TRUE!!!!

Another one for my quotes collection!!!!!

[Maynar]

174. ^^THIS^^

nt

[Jennicut]

4. I am amused by the arrogance and stupidity of the Republicans in general.

The conservative pundits and politicians were clueless. Obama and his team and surrogates were very, very intelligent and aware of the demographics and how to GOTV. And they also did very good internal polling. I am just amazed how bad the predictions on the Repub side were. Arrogance bites you in the ass in the end.

[hifiguy]

40. How do you just

completely ignore the likes of Sam Wang and Nate Silver? Those guys are cold-blooded Vulcan number crunchers without a dog in the fight. Their track record speak for themselves.

[dchill]

57. You just say that they're biased gay liberals...

Then you make yourself believe it.
Then you sell it to your base.
Then you continue your job at Fox News. Or keep trying to get one.

[xtraxritical]

76. You say they're "effeminate" and girly.

effin pigs.

[Cha]

123. At their own Peril.

[demmis19566ie]

89. Amazing, isn't it?

They are so out of touch with the real world

[ffr]

162. Obama and his team and surrogates were very, very intelligent.

And the opposite is and would be true of Mitt and his presidency. That's it in a nutshell. Mitt and his echo chamber loyalists have no idea how to lead, no idea how to govern.

Thankfully we have one. The battle goes on for a competently governed tolerant American future.

[Horse with no Name]

5. And as someone pointed out

At the concession speech, Ann had festive hair. She planned on attending a Victory Party that night...because make no mistake, that was party hair,lol.
She was just as shellshocked as Mitt was.

It was really strange watching this part of an alternate you-niverse that the republicans live in.

Edited to add picture: The hair and the dress don't match.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

14. I noticed the hair as well....

I am delighted Romney lost...but I think I am even more delighted that Annie won't be moving into the White House or getting to meet the Queen of England.

[RebelOne]

187. I did not notice because that is the way I always wear my hair.

It is so fine and flyaway that is the only way I can control it.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

188. My hair in always secured in a "top-knot" on the top of my head...

But Ann, who normally wears her hair down, certainly had her party "up-do" going. She had it up for the Alfred E. Smith white-tie dinner a few weeks ago.

[cali]

15. wow. didn't notice that. You are so right.

Prom updo.

[Mme. Defarge]

58. Prom updo - that's perfect!

With the little wisps on the side.

"Because ..." If you're old enough to remember that.

[loudsue]

50. Gawd. The whole lot of them look shell-shocked.

What a telling picture. It's not disappointment....it's shock.

[Raine]

55. I noticed the updo, by the time she came out it look kind disheveled.

I hadn't thought about it being party hair but yeah now that you mention it it's obvious.

[sammytko]

107. Yeah, I thought it was a mess too and for being so wealthy , she doesn't always wear

outfits that look good on her. She needs a stylist.

That hair did not go with the dress

[louis-t]

163. That's Mitt's $3,000 suit? He needs to go and get about

$2,500 back.

[Lochloosa]

66. Are those puddles under them?

[starroute]

69. For that matter, why is Ryan's daughter dressed like a five year old?

She was born in 2002. She's about the same age as Sasha Obama, who was born in 2001. But Sasha always looks stylish and sophisticated, but in an entirely age-appropriate way. Liza Ryan, in contrast, looks like she's auditioning for kindergarten. Is it something about conservatives?

[DesertRat]

86. I don't have a problem with a 10 year old dressing like a little girl

But I thought it was odd that Paul Ryan bought her a rifle for Christmas last year.

[starroute]

112. The trouble is that ten year olds *aren't* little girls

I remember being that age -- and it's precisely when the desire to be grown up first takes hold. That's the purpose of preteen clothing lines. They're aimed at 9-12 year olds and are intended to have a certain sophistication in fabric and cut without being overly mature or sexualized.

Any ten year old who is still wearing tights and a smock-dress in a bright, colorful pattern is likely to be mocked mercilessly by her peers. I can't believe she would ever have chosen that outfit voluntarily, which is why it rings so very off key.

[JBoy]

115. The Ryan girl just needs the right accessories.

Like a doll in a matching outfit. That makes it.

[DesertRat]

135. that was the creepiest family picture ever!

[MuhkRahker]

142. Oh good greif! This pic tops all!

LOL!

[Michigan Alum]

144. Wow!! That is very scary. Looks like something out of a horror flick.

[mwb970]

146. What a strange-looking group of people. Wow. /nt

[malaise]

171. Howling with laughter

[Maynar]

176. Jeezus, the Addams Family

minus the normalcy.

[Happyhippychick]

154. I totally agree with you. I have a 12 year old and at age 11 she would have been embarrrassed to

Wear tights and Mary janes.

[Cha]

124. Now That Fam is Dressed for

VICTORY!

[Nye Bevan]

130. I'm glad that Romney/Ryan lost, but we don't need to be attacking a 10 year old's fashion sense (nt)

[starroute]

136. I'm not -- I'm attacking her parents for dressing her that way

Do you think any ten year old would voluntarily choose to wear that outfit? Peer pressure is intense at that age.

[eridani]

140. Both kids are gorgeous

Sasha is probably going to wind up being taller than either of her parents.

[Skittles]

184. I think she was taller than me when she was 10

[smirkymonkey]

148. I must say, what an attractive family!

They are all so stylish and beautiful.

[malaise]

70. PCIntern

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021779209

[Horse with no Name]

82. Thanks! n/t

[EmeraldCityGrl]

102. great read and points to ponder.

[DesertRat]

83. I noticed the updo on election night

I just noticed that I hadn't seen her hair that way before. But you're absolutely right, she was ready for a victory party. Probably had an elaborate gown prepared.

I did notice that she and Ryan's wife each looked as though they had been crying.

[eShirl]

92. The dress looked better when Nancy Reagan wore it.

[Horse with no Name]

93. Oh goodness

I was seriously googling Nancy Reagan in a red dress because that is what I thought too!

But look really close at that picture. She looks like someone posed her and set her on the stage in that position.

[Cha]

125. Meow! All dressed up in

Victory Red! Oooops.

[ncgrits]

119. And while we're at it, what's with the weird PDA?

Every time the Romney's were required to embrace in public, Willard stands there stiff as a board with arms to his sides.

I noticed the messy hair on election nite too. My immediate thought was it looked like Ann had been having a fit.

[Happyhippychick]

152. That's my theory too.She spent 2 hours getting her hair teased into an updo and then tore the hotel

room apart when they lost.

[2naSalit]

181. Of course she threw a fit...

and the mittens did too, it's his usual response to not getting his way. I'll bet they even swore. What I copied off the web was the picture of mittens trying to look composed at the lectern with his eyes all puffed up... it's obvious that they were all crying. The worst thing is, Ryan kept his day job as a primary obstructionist in the House.

Those "special" people bet the farm and lost it just like a double turn around at a rigged Vegas Roulette wheel. The only thing is, it was "We the People" who won by being the citizens we are supposed to be instead of the exceptionalists buying and rigging the vote.

[aletier_v]

6. People respect confidence

I imagine that Romney learned to exude confidence to win,
and it worked over and over and over again.

It's the same principle in dating.
Men who exude confidence get far more women,
even if they're scum and braggarts and cheaters.

It's the nature of people.

[cali]

17. People admire lots of things. For instance, humility.

So what? That's not what the OP is about in any case.

[aletier_v]

31. I didn't use the word "admire".

You've read what you wanted to see.

People who exude confidence convince other people to do what they want.
People who exude confidence gain authority.

Do that for a few decades and you learn that most people
do not have the strength of will or confidence to resist
even if they have misgivings.

[locdlib]

74. i agree with

what you are saying. Mitt is the very definition of a CON-fidence man. But to me, mittens exudes the traits of being arrogant and being a bully along with being a con artist.

[Voice for Peace]

38. People have forgotten how to trust their own feelers.

[aletier_v]

46. It's how people have always been, to a lesser or greater degree.

That's history.

All through history you see a few guys
who, for better or worse, conscript
most others into their cause,
or movement or nation or tribe.

[Voice for Peace]

48. of course there have always been exceptions but it is useful to those in power

to brainwash others into believing it is dangerous
to trust their own thoughts and feelings. Religion
has been especially good at this. Current society is
designed around teaching children from a very young
age not to trust themselves, but instead to rely on
the guidance of 'experts.' Children raised in a state
of constant self-doubt become easy prey as adults.

[milestogo]

7. The older you are in life when you face your first big loss, the harder it is to take.

Having watched a few men who succeeded all of their professional lives until they were in their thirties, that was amazing enough. Never been turned down for a date? Got into every school they applied to? Got every job? But can you imagine someone who never really faces rejection or failure until 65? It must be a pretty big shock for him, because he didn't even consider the possibility. He thought God was on his side.

[Horse with no Name]

8. Mitt's been running for POTUS for years

He's tasted defeated quite a few times at the same trough.

This was completely different.

[aletier_v]

18. He ran in primaries, but never won.

[magical thyme]

28. He thought his tastes of defeat were building name recognition, training and

paying dues to his party, while preparing for the real thing. So those (dis)tastes were expected...kind of like going through your hazing to get into your fraternity.

This was the real thing. And this taste of defeat is probably as bitter to him as it is sweet to the 51% of us who voted for President Obama.

[aletier_v]

34. I'm not sure bitter is the right word

Bitter implies preoccupation and reflection.

Romney doesn't strike me as a man who ruminates much,
especially about himself.

I don't think he'll run again, though.

[Voice for Peace]

41. Bitter to me implies denial & rationalization, anger, blame -- anything except self-reflection

which is more likely to cause sadness regret
embarrassment & humility.

I wonder if he will be inclined toward an attitude
of obscurity -- or follow other loser politicians like McCain,
and insert his opinions into the news cycles .. the subtle
backhanded approach to political revenge.

[aletier_v]

49. I'd vote for obscurity but that's because it's what I would do

I have to say, Romney is one of the most bizarre people I've paid attention to.

His behavior was often beyond my comprehension,
I don't think it was THAT hard to know the true state of the polls.

I think one part of him must have CHOSEN to ignore warnings,
as a token offering to his religion & God. (or Gods, whatever the case),
an act of faith.

[Voice for Peace]

99. Obscurity, or even better, federal investigation, would be my choice as well.

It's hard enough to see moments of Palin or McCain,
still after all these years, bitter and nasty people,
barfing on the tv vomitorium shows.

I don't want to have to encounter that lying creep
any more, or hear his voice, or see his wife and kids.

[magical thyme]

157. there are 4 basic flavors: bitter, salt, sweet, sour

do you think Romney's *taste* made for a salty flavor? A sweet one? Sour, maybe, except for this:

"Bitter taste of defeat" is an overused, hackneyed, trite and in this case very appropriate phrase.

Dictionary definitions of bitter:
1. having a sharp, often unpleasant, taste
2. causing sorrow, discomfort, or pain; grievous
3. sharp and disagreeable; harsh, severe, piercing
4. characterized by strong feelings of hatred, resentment, cynicism, etc.

Nothing that implies self-reflection in the dictionary.

"Bitter regrets" would imply self-reflection, but it's the "regret" part of the phrase that gives the self-reflection part of its meaning.

[GoneOffShore]

179. Perhaps umami regrets?

Sort of salty savory regrets like bacon.

[magical thyme]

182. nope. bitter regrets. I'm sure there is deep anger and resentment.

Bitter as in bile, deep from the liver regrets.

Nothing savory about it. Bitters in too high quantity are toxic. Bitter as in bitter, toxic, deep-seated resentment and anger.

Nothing about bacon suggests anger.

[ProudProgressiveNow]

122. +1 nt

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

9. And the deflation of Mitt Romney is ever so satisfying.

I kind of imagine it like what happens when you blow up a balloon as far as possible and then let go of the stem: It flies aimlessly around the room making farting sounds and finally flops on the floor, empty and flat. When this happens at my house, one of my cats then eats the balloon, and eventually colorful rubber scraps appear among the poo in the litter box. In Mitt's case, somebody will just pick up his limp, deflated political career and send it back to... wherever.

The 2008 election was an occasion for joy; we'd never have to look at Bush's simian mug again, and the crabby neocon McCain and - most satisfyingly - Caribou Barbie were soundly defeated. This time what I felt was mostly great relief, and enormous satisfaction at the popping of the GOP's shiny bubble of arrogance. McCain/Palin were arrogant, too, but not like the stunningly isolated and clueless Romney/Ryan campaign. I think McCain knew he was going down a couple of weeks before the election (although his breathtakingly stupid running mate might not have figured it out), and I'm sure he prepared his rather gracious concession speech well in advance. But R.R. & The GOPers (there's a band name for you) had so spectacularly misjudged everything about the election, and did it so publicly and idiotically, that the final deflation of their big, sadly farting balloon was one of the most delightful, satisfying events I have ever witnessed.

Hey, fundie Bible thumpers, remember Proverbs 16:18? "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."

Also, neener, neener, neener.

[tblue37]

25. Please. don't let your cats eat those rubber scraps! They have passed them safely

thus far, thank goodness, but if you talk to your vet, he/she will tell you that those balloon scraps can cause potentially fatal intestinal obstructions! Or PM DUer kestrel, who is a cat vet. She will tell you, too, I am sure.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

26. Actually, this hasn't happened in a long time.

Lately I've managed to keep dead balloons away from my cats. But I used to have one who sometimes would sneak up on an inflated balloon, then "kill" and eat part of it before he could be stopped, with the predictable results. I worry more about string, yarn, and rubber bands, which they are not allowed to play with.

[tblue37]

27. Oh, thank goodness. Glad to hear it! nt

[Danascot]

39. Best post election analogy ever!

Thanks!

[BouzoukiKing]

53. I agree!

"Neener, neener, neener" is made of win!

[beac]

64. All danger to actual cats aside, the image of Money Boo Boo as

the confetti poo in America's litterbox is one I will about for days to come.

Thank you for that!

[Maynar]

178. "Money Boo Boo"

OMG Hahahaha!!!

[malaise]

109. Bwaaaaaaaaaah hahahahaha

great post

[Skittles]

141. WORTHY OF ITS OWN THREAD, TVO

[renate]

143. "sadly farting balloon"...

[Sekhmets Daughter]

10. But the bubble is everything.

Who knew Bill Maher was so entirely correct when he began his regular segments of "The Bubble" on Real Time? Every Republican (and their bastard cousins the Libertarians) believed Romney had it in the bag. David Frum said it on Mo Jo on Friday..."conservative entertainment", think Faux News, has been lying to them. My son works for a Republican boss. A lovely man he both likes and respects. He called me Wednesday evening to tell me he had never seen his boss so enraged for so long. He was slamming doors, drawers and the phone all day. Last night he reported that his boss was somewhat calmer on Friday, but still incredulous and furious.

Since 1992 Gingrich, Luntz, Rove and Murdoch have pushed a divisive meme the uninformed have swallowed hook, line and sinker. They have convinced not only average Republican voters that first the Democrats and now Obama, is about to bring on the Apocalypse....What's worse, is that they have convinced many of the big donors the Apocalypse is nigh.

If you think this is fun, wait until the economy begins to take off...they won't know whether to shit or go blind.

[Mnemosyne]

11. Wow, I missed the plans for re-election. What is beyond arrogant called? nt

[malaise]

12. He's an arrogant entitled prick and a pathological LIAR

to boot - the personification of a ReTHUG. It would have been very bad for this planet if he was heading to the WH.
I'll never forget when he told Obama to pack up and leave. He must be on meds all now.

I'd like to believe that the fix that flopped was in, but knowing his type he just assumed he'd beat the 'help'. What a lesson!!

[tblue37]

23. But it wasn't just Romney. *Everyone* on that side was sure the fix was in.

Look at how Rove behaved on FOX and how all the pundits, even George Will, stuck their necks out and publicly predicted a Romney landslide--not a mere win,but a huge landslide of the magnitude of the one Obama actually did get. Will's a jerk, but he is usually pretty careful not to make outrageous predictions, because he likes to come across as the wise, sober elder.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

30. I think it was a closed loop of misinformation.

The pundits got the bad numbers from the Romney campaign, whose confidence was further reinforced by the pundits, who then got more bad numbers from the campaign, and so on and so forth. Reality was never allowed to break into the circle.

[lunatica]

62. Remember how they bragged that they created reality and we

just had to accept their reality. They still think that way. They were sure President Obama was only a very small speed bump on their highway to glory. All they had to do was squeeze him into irrelevance.

[Arugula Latte]

168. I think social media is helping pull back the curtain on their lies and spin.

The younger folks ain't buyin' what the 'pubs are sellin'.

[malaise]

151. Yes they either had a plan or they miscalculated big time

re facts. Still I would have paid big time to watch a meltdown of Rove's epic proportions. That was coffee icing on my favorite carrot cake.

[napi21]

153. They all firmly believed that all that money and voter suppression bought

the win for them. I'm positive the Rover is still trying to understand what when wrong. Maybe that presentation to his donors will help him out on that.

[otohara]

13. Farewell

Romney's...

[madokie]

16. Its pretty simple

He is not United States of America Presidential material

You're right he ran a terrible campaign

[malaise]

21. That simple

and now he knows

[madokie]

59. And now he knows we know

no doubting in anyones mind now
williard is spoiled meat

[BuelahWitch]

164. The WORST campaign I've ever seen

in my 40 years of following politics.

[baldguy]

19. Rmoney lost because he believed his own lies.

[GoCubsGo]

98. So did the rest of his party.

They all actually believe that the President is stupid and incompetent, and that's why he was going to lose. They believe that everyone thinks the way they do. And, they think that anyone who doesn't see things the way they do are "idiots", "stupid", "lazy", "unemployed", "evil", "want free stuff"... Like Willard, they believe their own lies--the lies that alienated the other 51% of the electorate.

[HipChick]

20. Even Stevie Wonder could tell they couldn't win..

they pissed off major voting blocks..

[tblue37]

22. I *feel certain* that he and the other Republicans *felt certain*

that the fix was in. Rove's behavior on FOX and the constant predictions from the right of a Romney landslide suggest that they were all pretty darned sure. Either the tsunami overwhelmed them because they hadn't adjusted for such high numbers, or else somehow someone undid the fix.

When I saw people waiting in line until past midnight to cast a vote despite the attempts to suppress their votes, I began to think that the voter suppression tactic might well have enormously enlarged the size of the Obama vote, so that the numbers that were set up to be fixed just were not enough.

I think they fixed 2008, too, and that he got many more votes than were reported--and also that many close congressional and other races were flipped to Republicans, but that the overwhelming numbers prevented the Republicans from successfully stealing the presidency then, and perhaps that is also what happened this time.

[RepublicansRZombies]

100. the entire media was behaving as if they were manufacturing consent for the theft

I have the feeling that someone interfered with the theft, blocked their cell phones/tabulator connection...and whoever that is, Thank you!

[tblue37]

131. On another thread Botany and some others have offered a plausible

explanation. They pointed to Husted, the Secretary of State for Ohio who was slammed by two federal judges, first for trying to cut early voting hours and then for trying to change the rules on provisional ballots so they would be discarded. They suggested that with all the scrutiny--the Dem lawyers and other watchers on the ground, the pushback from federal judges who were focused on Husted himself specifically, etc.--perhaps Husted realized that he could get caught if he pulled the trigger to switch votes, and that he would be looking at hard time in the federal pen if he was caught, so he chickened out and didn't follow through with what he was supposed to make happen.

Add to that possibility the overwhelming tsunami of votes for Obama, and it sounds like a scenario that could surprise those, like Rove, who clearly thought the fix was in.

I don't think there is any question that Rove's reaction on TV and the reaction of Romney and his team were the flabbergasted responses of a bunch of people who had just had the rug pulled out from under them because they were so certain they had it all arranged to go differently.

Furthermore, the over the top predictions by pundits--not just FOX wackos like Dick Morris, but even the ordinarily sober George Will--that Romney would win in a landslide rather than just a squeaker were so at odds with the polls that they had to be based on the assumption that something was going to ensure his big win.

[momsrule]

150. My thoughts, exactly.

Thank you for stating this better than I could. Rove was suspiciously over-confident as was the Romney team and repub pundits. Seemed obvios they had a grand theft of votes scheme.

[Coyotl]

138. Where is this elusive "entire media" you discovered?

People voting interfered with their plans, lots and lots of people, young people, gay people, female people, all kinds of people voting.

They knew they had to win Ohio or it was completely over. Their denial was because of that. No other explanation needed. Occam's razor!

I would rephrase that "their entire media" to designate the biased corporate media like Fox. But frankly, the media had a good idea that Obama was up by about 2% on election morning.

[MrSlayer]

105. I think they simply believe their own bullshit.

I don't think any fix was in nor do I think they expected a fix. They just live in that bubble. They are as detached from reality as the people they've been duping all these years. They have their own math and their own polls. The real world set in on them in an ugly way.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

147. Yes, bubble is the most likely explanation. The famous saying applies:

"Don't blame evil intentions when simple incompetence is a likely explanation."

[EmeraldCityGrl]

108. Nate Silver cannot be underestimated as a concern

if the fix was in.

[nichomachus]

29. What I couldn't believe

was that he was holding his "victory celebration" in Boston, a city that was sure to vote heavily against him -- and it did. Obama/Biden, 80% -- Romney, 20%.

I would have chosen a city where the residents were going to like me -- win, lose, or draw.

[WinkyDink]

67. Not if you wanted to thumb your nose.

[Mariana]

72. I wonder if it was intended as an "UP YOURS"

to the people of Massachusetts, and of Boston in particular. "Nyah, nyah, fuck you, Boston, I WON!!!"

[aletier_v]

118. wow. that did not occur to me

I assumed that many of his supporters were in Boston.

[smirkymonkey]

149. Not at all. Bostonians hate him.

Actually, most of Massachusetts hates him. Why he was here in Boston, I have no clue. I am just so very, very glad that he lost.

[nichomachus]

158. His supporters flew into Boston

In their private jets. News reports said Logan Airport was flooded with private jets. That in itself is telling, because most private jets going to Boston fly into Hanscom Field because the landing fees at Logan are so expensive. So this tells you we're talking about the 0.01 percent.

[OldHippieChick]

32. Ever since the 3rd debate

When he turned to the President w/ such disdain about the "act of terror", I have wished this man a crash landing. That was the most disrespectful and yes, arrogant, look I have ever seen and to direct it toward the President of the United States tole me everything I wanted to know about the man. I have zero sympathy for him or his thug son who wanted to punch the President. They'll be fine.

[IL Lib]

94. That look spoke volumes. n/t

[madaboutharry]

33. Just wait until all the books come out

analyzing Mitt's clusterf**k of a campaign. It will be a landslide of humiliation as angry campaign workers and pissed off millionaire donors stick the shiv in him and make themselves available for interviews.

As for Ann Romney, I agree that she had "party hair" on election night. My take on the dress is that she was going for "republican red."

[NYC Liberal]

36. It's not the transition website and fireworks because obviously you want to be prepared

if you DO win.

It's the "I didn't write a concession speech" that says everything. He planned for a victory and that's fine; he didn't even contemplate a loss and that's the real mark of arrogance.

[bluestateguy]

63. I think even Bill Clinton wrote a concession speech for 1992

Unless you're so far ahead, like Reagan in 1984, it's best not to jinx things by not being ready.

[democrattotheend]

189. I thought candidates were not supposed to admit to writing them

But Obama did on election day, very gracefully. He just said "you always write two speeches" as if it was no big deal, and made Romney look all the more arrogant. Brilliant.

[WinkyDink]

71. I think the fireworks would have been a first.

[regnaD kciN]

88. Dubya was planning a street party with fireworks...

...for Austin on election night 2000, but events delayed it for about five weeks

[WinkyDink]

155. Sad, but true. Thank you.

[dragonlady]

167. I remember it was raining that night in Texas

People were standing around in the rain when the election was called for Bush.

[democrattotheend]

190. Really? I thought some candidates do it. Obama's campaign considered it in 2008

I think they had planned them but Obama cancelled them because he did not want to send the wrong message. But I didn't think it was so uncommon.

Did Clinton have fireworks in 1992?

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

117. Precisely. As another DUer said, his "concession" speech seemed to have been outtakes from his

planned victory speech, augmented with just enough "concession" language to flip it.

[dem4ward]

37. It was very gratifying seeing them so depressed.

You know they probably both are seeing a psychologist right now and are on heavy anti-depressants. LMAO!!!

Honestly, I'm counting on the Repukes not changing and Democrats continual winning!!!
I can't wait for 2014 & 2016! Bring on the tidal wave!

[SCVDem]

42. We will know the inside story

After all, how quiet will the staffers be who didn't even get their ride home comped?

[Voice for Peace]

43. really well said, thanks Cali

A lot of delusion has been illuminated and that makes
me dance.

[kentuck]

44. 57 million plus bought what he was selling.

And that is truly scary.

[Skittles]

185. yes it is

[Hamlette]

45. he just got high on his own supply. He believed the polls are wrong BS and everything else from Fox

When you work for an election, or run for office, you have to believe you have a possibility of winning. Yes, some people do it without thinking they can win but for most of us, you have to think you can win. Hence campaigns always spinning their chances of a win to keep people voting, donating, volunteering.

And, Gallup really screwed it for Romney but giving him such a big lead in the couple of weeks before the election. Nate was saying why it was BS but Romney didn't want to hear it, and in a way I can't blame him.

I don't think it was because he couldn't contemplate he would lose. Remember what he insisted on when he took over Bain? He knew he could lose and wanted to be able to cover his ass.

That's my opinion, for whatever its worth.

[sammytko]

113. Yes, the part where he didn't want to be blamed for potential failures at Bain says it all n/t

[Blue Gardener]

47. I believe he thought he was destined

To be the "Mormon King". To find out it wasn't true was a big kick in the ass.

[WinkyDink]

75. And with that realization, Mitt turned to his son and said,

"Tagg, you're it!"

[The Wizard]

51. He was raised to believe

the coloreds were inferior. Of course he couldn't contemplate losing to an inferior race.

[lunatica]

52. He set himself up for a whopper of a karmic adjustment

The whole world witnessed it and the great majority relished it.

[agent46]

54. I agree except

...there was nothing cosmic about it.

[Motown_Johnny]

60. He honestly believed he was chosen by God

and he had trouble wrapping his head around the fact that he isn't.

I'm not surprised at all.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

68. I'm watching "Game Change" on HBO right now.

McCain knew he was behind long before the election. Mittens never figured it out.

I hope somebody makes "Game Change II."

[drmeow]

73. Remember what Ann said

It was his turn to be President. They really felt that it was his right - like there is some sort of list of people who are supposed to be President and his name was the next one on the list. I think that is a big reason why they didn't believe the polls and expected to win, because like some sort of rolling inherited sovereignty this was somehow inevitable. It was the role he'd been raised and groomed for, it was owed to him, and the American people must be able to see that as clearly as he could - of course they would elect him (after all, the elections are really just a formality, aren't they?).

I am loving every minute of this shellacking.

[WinkyDink]

77. The real Americans, the Makers, voted for him. Everyone else does not belong here.

THAT IS THEIR ATTITUDE.

[DallasNE]

78. This Happened In Large Measure Because

Romney's staff was conditioned to just tell Romney what he wanted to hear. And the rest is history.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

79. It kind of explains the weird look on his face at all times.

The "I'm biding my time" look.

[IMG][/IMG]

[Uniblab]

80. Like a big cold splash in the face!

Mittens and his ilk are not used not getting what they want. They think they can just buy anything they want. Ain't this a hell of a wake up call!

[mountain grammy]

81. Just another day on bullshit mountain for the fox crew..

Good bye Mittens, off to oblivion with dubya!

[onecent]

84. I believe I would be humiliated if I lost millions of people's votes...myself..so I imagine he is in

hiding...I hope he stays there.

[rock]

85. The GOP really needs to stop running turds for president

It stinks up the place.

[catbyte]

96. Most satisfying to me is that we, the little people they despise so much, denied them

the one thing they wanted most--the one thing they felt entitled to. Fuck you too. Man, I feel better than I did in 2008. Not as euphoric, maybe, but Romney was more dangerous than McCain. And don't get started about Queen Ann. Disaster averted.

[oldbanjo]

87. Now he in the same mental shape as his buddy Trump,

He will be another loony on Fox News.

[Douglas Carpenter]

90. It wasn't just Romney himself. The same exact thinking infected his entire campaign from grassroots

activist all the way up to senior advisers and his own Vice President. Ryan was reported to have looked completely dazed and confused. Ordinary Republicans looked completely dazed and confused.

Having lived half my life in the third world - this is EXACTLY the way third world despots and their supporters think No one ever tells the emperor or the emperor's advisers or the emperor's supporters that the emperor he has no clothes. It is just not done.

The Republicans have created a tightly insulated closed information system - shut off from the rest of the world - in which they voluntarily submit themselves to third world dictatorship level information control. It might be comparable to someone living in a closed and isolated religious community. They assume anything that contradicts their information is propaganda from the enemy. They are overwhelmed with cognitive dissonance when reality forces its ugly head upon them.

[coalition_unwilling]

91. +1,000,000,000 x 1,000,000,000 - Well put and definitely

needed saying.

[Liberal1975]

97. Interesting...

I was reading an article on DailyKos and in the comments section there was a link to redstate article which makes an interesting observation, mainly that the consultants and tech people in the Romney campaign lied in order to continue to suck at cash teat of the Romney campaign. After Citizens United this theory makes sense to me. You have to con the candidate into thinking he is winning so he can con the billionaires into donating more and more cash the influx of cash keeps the whole circus going. And everybody keeps getting paid. A lot.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

111. Almost works the same way as venture capitalism...

how ironic.

BTW...lived in Sherman for 3 1/2 years.

[Liberal1975]

116. I was wondering

How long it would to hear from someone who lived or lives in Illinois! to you as well

[ScreamingMeemie]

101. I also think he has a Daddy complex and that's what bites him the worst...

He'll be okay, he has his money but... to want to accomplish something your father never could---

I love that he is a footnote in history--just like his dad.

[Doodler71]

133. What is it with Republicans with daddy issues?

[Maynar]

180. Daddy was an authoritarian

that's what they grew up under. Not knowing how to change things, they do what most children of authoritarians do:

compete.

[Initech]

104. Mitt Romney did not want to be president. He wanted to be first CEO.

[KurtNYC]

106. he didn't get away with ANTHING -- he lost big

lost a billion dollars for his investors, lost his reputation, damaged LDS, he thought he was JFK but he was Dukakis.

His lies were called out at every turn. In the middle of debates, with the 47% tape, at state fairs. He got away with nothing.

[ProSense]

114. Why wouldn't he be arrogant?

Look at the first debate: He lied his ass off and acted like a first-rate jerk and was praised for it.

That was the tone of the entire campaign, with everyone telling this fool he's gaining, winning and appearing confident and strong against a "weak" President.

"He's nothing but a footnote and one about how to run a terrible campaign."

[Tx4obama]

126. WHAT? What plans for re-election? What was that about?

[kayakjohnny]

127. Wonderful post. Captures everything I believe as well.

Very nicely thought out and delivered.

Thank you, cali.

[Milliesmom]

128. Ann and Mittens

I truly believe Mittens is a sociopath and pathological liar, who along with his wife was convinced they were entitled to the White House. Ann said she was worried about his mind if he won the election, she should be even more worried now, the man is un-stable in my view.
They both have many issues just by their actions pertaining to losing their tempers in public. Never have seen our President or first lady do anything like that, even the most awful circumstances.

[Arugula Latte]

169. I agree ... And welcome to DU!

[Milliesmom]

183. Thanks

Thank you for the welcome to DU. I can't believe I only found DU just before the election. So glad I did.

[Arugula Latte]

186. Oh man, I've been here 11 years and I don't know what I would have done without it during

the Bushco. years. It saved my sanity!

[VPStoltz]

129. I think somewhere in Mormon prophecy, he believed he was "destined" to make this HIS country.

You know is something about them becoming the "god" of their own world - or planet.

[grantcart]

132. The reason I knew we were going to win is in your OP and

my sig line:

[liberal_at_heart]

134. It comes from his corporate experience

They only get told what they want to hear and they always get their way

[libodem]

156. Pride cometh

Before a fall. The bigger they are the harder they fall.

I'd say nosedive. Splat.

[sofa king]

159. The most important question was: Antisocial or Narcissistic?

Romney, special guy that he is, appeared to me to meet the criteria for a diagnosis of two disorders from Cluster B of the DSM-IV.

The arrogance and self-delusion which has become visible in the aftermath of his defeat, well, that seems to answer the question in favor of narcissism. A sociopath would have better assessed the probable results of his year of attacks on all the demographics he needed to win.

So, in the end, we find that Mitt Romney was more of a GWB-style loser than a Dick Cheney-style loser, with a key difference being Romney is far less indolent and far less willing to be controlled than GWB was. GWB wanted the title and the respect it affords; Romney wanted that and total, personal control, as Dick Cheney did. He would have combined the worst aspects of both of those awful people.

We can guess that a Romney Presidency would have followed most of the major down-turns that the Bush Administration did: the stock market would have tanked because investors would have foreseen years of economic chaos as Romney's favorites were rewarded to the detriment of everyone else; a war would have been ginned up to improve his reelection chances; the international community would have backed away from his Ribbentrop-like promises; his lack of empathy or remorse would have quickly worsened conditions for the least privileged Americans; and Congress would have run rings around him and confined the damage he could do primarily to the Executive Branch (something we learned far too late in the Bush years).

I've been asking myself what kind of madman Romney is because I have constantly wondered why anyone seeking public office would willingly create an obviously false reality, and then change that surreality every day to suit the candidate's short-term goals instead of his long-term ones (like winning).

He wasn't guided by the false morality of a cult because he doesn't give a shit about his religion, either, only the myopic but relentless pursuit and acquisition of unlimited power.

[Qutzupalotl]

160. He believed having faith in a win would bring him victory.

Preparing a concession speech is an admission of doubt about your chances. He wouldn't allow it. He was probably proud of having perfect faith in what he wanted, but failed to realize the election is about what WE wanted.

[Little Star]

165. I agree Cali. k&r n/t

[lexw]

166. I've been waking up with a smile everyday since last Wednesday.

We have an awesome President in office, and Romney is the loser. I'm in a happy place.

[RedCappedBandit]

170. His behavior is exactly what I expect from an egocentric sociopath. nt

[Cheap_Trick]

172. He's probably donned his State Trooper outfit

and is at this moment prowling the highways looking for a new victim.

[Blue Owl]

173. Turns out Mr. Money can't buy dignity

n/t

[mgardener]

175. White House

I am glad that the only house Mitt Romney couldn't buy was the White House!

And that fact that he could not buy it from a black man makes me smile!

[cliffordu]

177. K&R. My schadenfreude

is intact and growing every day!!