The Problem With Mitt Romney's 'Etch A Sketch' Strategy

Reuters
Alexander Abad-Santos 2,069 Views Mar 21, 2012

There has got to be a more complementary Romney analogy than the Etch-a-Sketch, a toy that allows the user to erase any mistakes and start again with a blank slate and never lock in any one pattern. But Romney's communications director Eric Fehrnstrom didn't think of one this morning.

"Well I think you hit a reset button for the fall campaign, everything changes." Fehrnstrom said on CNN this morning (video below). "It's almost like an Etch-a-Sketch--you shake it up and restart all over again." It's worth noting that classic Etch-A-Sketches don't have reset buttons, so Fehrnstrom would've been better off referring to a video game console (with actual reset buttons) where you start the "game" again.

But bad analogy aside, using the Etch-A-Sketch parallel, suggests that Fehrnstrom wants us to forget some of the things about the nomination process. Unfortunately, we, unlike Etch-A-Sketches, can't simply erase comments about the Cadillacs, not caring about poor people, and NASCAR owners. But the biggest problem with this gaffe may be that it's just way too easy connecting Romney's flip-flopping reputation to this flip-flopping toy. David Axelrod, take it away:

 

Want to add to this story? Let us know in comments or send an email to the author at aabadsantos at theatlantic dot com. You can share ideas for stories on the Open Wire.

Related Articles   More by Alexander Abad-Santos

Romney Leads in Latest Iowa Poll

Mitt Romney Isn't the Bridesmaid This Year

Santorum Paints Romney as Occupy Wall Street 'Adherent'

 

It Takes 'Morning Joe' to Make Russell Brand Likeable

China's Pervert Repellant Stockings Might Be the Greatest Joke Weibo Ever Played

Elsewhere on the Web

User Comments

Please type your comment and click Post. If you’re not already logged in you will be prompted to log in or register

  • The Atlantic Wire on Twitter
  • The Atlantic Wire RSS Feed
  • The Atlantic Wire iPhone App