Mitt Romney’s social awkwardness is legendary – and the media is noticing it to the detriment of his 2012 hopes.
Romney has caught flak before for his lack of casual ease, lack of social polish, and general banality.
But now that the media has taken to writing stories about it, the ‘Romney is a weird, awkward Morman’ meme threatens to catch and destroy his image, as in this column from the Washington Post:
In formal settings -- news conferences, or Monday night's debate -- Romney is confident and competent. But in casual moments, such as Tuesday morning's retail politics in New Hampshire, his weirdness comes through -- equal parts "Leave It to Beaver" corniness and social awkwardness.
He greets a man perusing shelves of a hardware store: "Shopping here today?"
He notes the lack of "guy waitresses" at a diner and says of the long skirts worn by the middle-aged wait staff: "Oh, this is the Hooters equivalent."
He talks about the weak economy with the proprietors of a feed shop, then abruptly pivots: "Okay, so what do you do about mosquito control? . . . This has been a mosquito-infested year with all the moisture. They flew away with my dog."
Many Mormons will no doubt sympathize with this problem – and recognize a bit of themselves in Romeny.
The stereotype about Mormons is that when it comes to business, work, religion, family – indeed any traditional institution – they are on message and very self-assured.
However, when it comes to relaxed, informal socializing, the story goes that Mormons often struggle.
The reason is their admirable lack of vice. When conversations turns to sexual exploits and wild parties in college, what does a Mormon add to the conversation?
Mormons, in general, do not have the colorful metaphors and pop culture references that take the blandness out of everyday conversation.
So yes, many Mormons do often come across as a little weird, a little awkward. Romney is no exception.
That said, it would be nice to finally have a President that would not have to explain his collegiate drug use, rehash his addiction to alcohol before his conversion to Christianity, distance himself from bigots or questionable anti-American associates – or apologize on national television for his sexual exploits with women other than his wife.
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