R-E-S-P-E-C-T

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Mitt Romney was just in Las Vegas, cavorting with Donald Trump, who is again spouting accusations about President Barack Obama's birth certificate and citizenship, which Romney refuses to condemn. Can Romney sink any lower?

When CNN's Wolf Blitzer grilled Trump, the self-promoter only would say, "A lot of people do not think it was an authentic certificate." Asked to name one credible person, Trump refused. Trump is raking phony muck because he likes publicity.

Romney's joining Trump to attract loony fringe voters (as if Obama had any chance), and especially their money. Rational moderates pay attention: Romney is unhinged from any principles.

Even conservative George F. Will is shaking his head. "I do not understand the cost benefit here," Will said on ABC's "This Week" roundtable. "What voter is gonna vote for him because he is seen with Donald Trump? The cost of appearing with this bloviating ignoramus is obvious it seems to me. Donald Trump is redundant evidence that if your net worth is high enough, your IQ can be very low and you can still intrude into American politics. … What is Romney seeking?"

Whatever Romney's seeking, he's not getting R-E-S-P-E-C-T. And he doesn't deserve any.

Jake Andrews

Sugar House