RomneyBot Upgraded for Iowa Primary

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The New York Times reviews Mitt Romney 2.0 today in much the same way you’d review a new version of an iPad or an update of Microsoft Word. Verdict: He’s layered a slightly retooled UI onto the same old chassis, and it’s an awkward fit. The man can’t make small talk, tosses weird wonkery around whether it’s appropriate or not, and doesn’t seem to quite understand the concept of humor. Occasionally, though, I think this serves him well:

A few moments later, a voter named David Rivers asked Mr. Romney whether there would be place for Mr. Paul, a Texas congressman, in a Romney White House. Mr. Romney treated the question as a joke, letting out a laugh and walking on by.

“I was actually kind of serious,” Mr. Rivers said in an interview afterward.

Seriously, what the hell can you say to something like that? I’m thinking of making him ambassador to Mars? Really, a nervous chuckle and a quick getaway was the only decent response.

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BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

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