A charlatan (also called swindler) is a person practicing quackery or some similar confidence trick in order to obtain money or advantage via some form of pretense or deception.
In recent weeks, we have witnessed a rather shameful pandering to the John McCain ticket by former Massachusetts governor, Mitt Romney. After failing woefully to even put up a good campaign, despite his millions of dollars, or managing a decent run during the primaries, Mr. Romney has suddenly arrogated to himself the role of Chief Attack Dog for the John McCain campaign. Has there ever been such a shameless political ass-licking in history? Where was Romney’s genius during the Republican primaries? If he was such a great political wizard, how come he could not even string together 3 victories during the primaries? It is worthy of note that he has been largely ignored as a public spokesperson by the McCain campaign. They sure could use his money, but there is no doubt in my mind that Mitt Romney is not going to be anywhere near the top of the list as Senator John McCain considers potential candidates for the Vice-Presidential slot on the ticket.
Mr. Romney has to take into account that Senator Barack Obama did not have the millions of dollars he had when Obama threw his hat into the race for the white house. Obama did not have the “political network” Romney claimed he had; did not have the “experience” Romney claimed he had; and certainly did not have the “assurance” that the ticket was his for the taking. Yet, here we are today. Governor Romney is fighting to be relevant during the campaign and perhaps, after. Few people are as despicable as those who have no principles. One would think that the rejection of his brand of politics by his own “political base” taught him a lesson – that Americans are tired of the old politics of bitterness (yes, I used the word). A major bright spot in this election cycle, among many, is the fact that the two candidates who decided to avoid acrimony, personal attacks, divisive tactics and the win-at-all-cost mentality are the ones representing their political parties for this fall’s election. Is it okay for Governor Romney to support John McCain? Absolutely. Just as it is okay for Senator Hillary Clinton to support Barack Obama. What is not okay is Governor Romney trying to inject his rejected style of politics into the campaign. He has to adopt the tactics of John McCain. He needs to realize that he is not the one running for election as President of the United States of America. While Democrats will welcome a negative political influence like Governor Romney, the Republicans may want to rethink who they want alongside Senator McCain when he is out campaigning.
