Old Article Returns To Haunt Romney

With the Republican primaries heating up, and Romney facing stiff competition from a surging Rick Santroum, especially in the Michigan primary, the Democrats are targeting Romney, believing that his defeat at Michigan would be hard for him to recover from. Surveys reveal, that in the Presidential elections, this fall, Romney has a better chance than the others to defeat Obama, hence the Democrats all out attempt to make certain that he does not cross the Michigan hurdle.

MoveOn.org Political Action released an ad last Friday that refers to an article written by Mitt Romney in November 2008 titled, “Let Detroit Go Bankrupt” wherein he had voiced his stiff opposition to the Government bailout of General Motors and Chrysler.

The ad set in Detroit, features a woman, Elisa Gurule, who says, “During the financial crisis, I just couldn’t find full-time work in Detroit. Then President Obama’s auto industry stimulus began to create thousands of jobs. Now I work for Chrysler, just like my granddad did for 42 years. My hometown’s on it’s way back.” She goes on to add, “I’m grateful our country didn’t listen to Mitt Romney, He’d let America fail.”

The ad is a clever manipulation of words and portrays Romney as a villain who wants Detroit bankrupt. When Romney says “Let Detroit Go Bankrupt” the last word is emphasized upon. The word “bankrupt” is repeated thrice, with the volume amplified, giving it an echo effect.

It is worth noting that the ad does not say a word about other candidates who had also opposed the bail out, but is targeting only Mr. Romney. The ads silence speaks volumes, for it clearly means that its only Romney they want to defeat in the Michigan primaries.

Mr. Romney, has clarified, that he was opposed to the bailout, because he felt that government intervention would only prolong the inevitable. In his much reviled article, he had written,”If General Motors, Ford and Chrysler get the bailout that their chief executives asked for yesterday, you can kiss the American automotive industry goodbye. It won’t go overnight, but its demise will be virtually guaranteed.” His words proved prophetic as both Chrysler and General Motors did file for bankruptcy later on.