Looking for Mr. Darcy

Tim Carney likens Mitt Romney to Jane Austen's odious Mr. Collins:

So why is the GOP moving toward this man? It seems almost inexplicable.

In Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," the dull Mr. Collins had little in his favor except that he stood to inherit the estate of Mr. Bennett. Young Lizzie Bennett, far too self-respecting and intelligent to consign herself to such a fate, spurned Mr. Collins' marriage proposal. But three days later, Lizzie was stunned to learn that her friend Charlotte Lucas had accepted a proposal from Mr. Collins.

"When you have had time to think over," Charlotte told Lizzie, "I hope you will be satisfied with what I have done. I am not romantic, you know; I never was. I ask only a comfortable home; and considering Mr. Collins' character, connection, and situation in life, I am convinced that chance of happiness with his is as fair as most people can boast on entering the marriage state."

The Republicans are Charlotte Lucas, and Mitt Romney is their Mr. Collins. Republicans are serial settlers when it comes to the presidency. Almost every time, GOP primary voters pick the "respectable," connected and seemingly safe pick.

But it's not too late. We must respond firmly, as Elizabeth Bennet does to Mr. Collins, "You are too hasty, sir! You could not make me happy! My feelings forbid it in every respect!"



Read the rest. Why do conservatives think Collins is the guy to defeat the unscrupulous Wickham? It makes no sense. Carney:

Of course, the Right's case against Romney could fill a book, with transgressions in nearly every aspect of the conservative catechism. He was steadfastly pro-choice in the past. He wrote the prototype of Obamacare. He supported the bank bailouts. As governor, he favored gun control and proudly instituted greenhouse gas restraints.

And it's not as if Romney is a political natural with the campaign skills to take down Obama. He's a rich guy visibly uncomfortable around regular people and embarrassingly awkward when he tries to seem normal (search YouTube for "Romney" and "who let the dogs out"). When challenged in debates, he takes on a look of indignation. Mike Huckabee put it best four years ago: "People want a president who looks like the guy you work with and not the guy who laid you off."

It's true there's no Mr. Darcy out there. (Paul Ryan or Mike Pence might have been able to play that role.) Rick Perry may not make our hearts go pitter-pat but at least he can validly claim he's a conservative. Romney can't do that.

Hat tip: KMH

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