Craig Robinson, a former political director of the Iowa Republican Party told the New York Times “I hate to say this, but if Ryan wants to run for national office again, he’ll probably have to wash the stench of Romney off of him.”
The “stench” seems to be spreading. A report this morning by Politico chief political correspondent Roger Simon includes this (Roger Simon on POLITICO) :
Though Ryan had already decided to distance himself from the floundering Romney campaign, he now feels totally uninhibited. Reportedly, he has been marching around his campaign bus, saying things like, “If Stench calls, take a message” and “Tell Stench I’m having finger sandwiches with Peggy Noonan and will text him later.”
The stench spread.
David Ferguson of the Raw Story:
According to Simon’s anonymous sources, the Romney “brain trust” of senior campaign officials in Boston have taken to calling Ryan “Gilligan.” Campaign headquarters apparently feels that the man brought on to the ticket for his alleged deftness in navigating complicated snarls of budget and policy numbers is turning out to be an intellectual flyweight.
Lawrence O’Donnell: “Yes, the Stench! That is what Paul Ryan is actually calling Mitt Romney, according to Politico.”
Apparently Simons waa being satirical and a number of liberals have had to come to Mitt Romney’s defense. Simon told BuzzFeed: “Some people always don’t get something, but I figured describing PowerPoint as having been invented to euthanize cattle would make the satire clear. I guess people hate PowerPoint more than I thought.”
Nonetheless, it is the liberal world that has tried to come to Romney’s defense.
Times columnist Paul Krugman: responded to Simon
Can I say that even though I’m not exactly a fan of Mitt Romney’s, this is just bad behavior? You’re supposed to wait until it’s actually over before you do this kind of thing. Anyway, I like how Ryan is declaring independence: by using PowerPoint!
Tommy Christopher of press-gossip site Mediaite:
Simon’s anecdote has the recognizable (to the Beltway crowd) ring of truth that renders it canonical in political circles … Simon’s anecdote demonstrates that the Romney campaign’s toxic press is in Ryan’s head. In this electoral game of chicken, Ryan is already unbuckling his seatbelt and visualizing his roll onto the shoulder.
Joe Gandelman of the Moderate Voice:
Have we ever heard of a winning Presidential ticket in American politics that had a Vice Presidential candidate have an attitude like this about his running mate? Talk about a total lack of deference (or respect).
Liberal radio personality Taylor Marsh:
Ryan is trying to save himself so he can live to run another day. Roger Simon’s piece has spread like wildfire and is causing a gigantic ripple.
Steve Benen at MSNBC host Rachel Maddow’s blog:
In applied terms, Simon’s piece went on to note that Ryan no longer likes the directions “dictated by his Romney handlers.” It’s quite a presidential campaign, isn’t it?”
Clearly, another disaster for the Romney campaign. I do not think even Paul Krugman can help Mitt!