Talking Points Memo today reports that so-called “progressive” groups are contemplating a campaign against Ann Romney. The reason for this decision is that the Mitt Romney campaign has made his wife, according to TPM, “the core of its outreach efforts to women and other groups.”
There may be a situation where a candidate’s or office holder’s wife is an appropriate topic of discussion (see Clinton, Hillary), but what right-minded group – specifically those describing themselves as “progressive” – would think this? Are not the candidates’ policies and opinions sufficient? If you think Mitt Romney is hostile on women’s issues, can you not think of sufficient examples?
The stupid part of this approach – as opposed to the offensive – is that it is an attack that helps Mitt Romney. What audience is there for an attack on the candidate’s wife that is not already opposed to the candidate? An attack – on a woman who has battled both breast cancer and multiple sclerosis – is undoubtedly hoped for by what is referred to as “Boston,” site of the Romney campaign headquarters.
Tom Noonan 