I usually write my diaries on an inside perspective of a Congressional Campaign, hence the moniker Congressional Candidates Wife. I’m Sherri Welsh, my husband is Barry Welsh who was the 2006 Democratic Congressional Candidate of Indiana’s 6th District.
I get home and Barry, my husband, a man of respect of all peoples – tells me about the remarks of one Mitt Romney.......Okay, Then he showed me the tivo from HARDBALL where Chris Matthews Said this,
"How does the attitude of Mrs. Obama square against a two for one with Bill and Hillary, or even Mitt Romney’s comment when he said the views aren’t quote relevant.".
There is no transcript yet, so no link.
More below.
I’ve had a bad day so far, I work for a very "self-professed, big time, capital R Republican" boss. I work for a very Republican company but that’s how it is when the economy is as it is and we have un-tether able ties to Indiana. You have to go where the work is, yippee for me.
So my day starts at 5:00am and from the moment I got up this morning to the time I actually got home tonight 7:00pm, I’ve been in an involuntary cocoon, buffered from the news (radio is deciding to act up this week) and my inability to multi-task (emailing, text messaging and doing my makeup in the rearview mirror) while traveling the 35+ miles on rural highway that seems to be the favorite back road for every SEMI on God’s green earth!!!
I get home and Barry show's me this disgrace to women, that is the comments of Mitt Romeny.
I let it sink in a bit, I put some laundry away, I cleaned up part of the kitchen, cleaned the toilet and sink, decided to train our 6 week old Beagle to sit and stay – then I got ticked. I was ticked and visibly outraged, okay not outraged but very mad. The first thing out of my mouth was " his wife is gonna eat him up and spit him out", well maybe if she had any kahonas", figuratively speaking.
I thought to myself that a rational and reasonable person would give a "new friend" the benefit of the doubt. I say "new friend" because any candidate, regardless of party is in the equivalent stage of "new friend", "getting to know them, giving them a chance" stage of friendship. But I can’t imagine that the average person on the street would not give a skewed look of disbelief or consternation on their face when hearing a remark from Republican Primary Presidential Candidate, a man of faith, a Christian, a slick demeanor of "like clockwork" saying the absolute right thing at the right time, or so is the perspective of some, Mitt Romney. I think there must have been a collective, "Wha...?????" when hearing the remark by Mr. Romney that his "wife’s views aren't relevant". I can only speak for myself of course, but I can only see the response by millions of "that’s not right" or "that can’t be right". I think most of the country or at least 80% of the population believes that everyone has a voice, has rights, has a relevancy due to their Citizenship to America. As much as there is wrong with America, there is a lot that is very right in America. WE as a nation are a nation of freedom, justice, equality, and compassion. Having said that, America has been late to recognize such crucial milestones as the rights of others – the America that is being portrade by the current Administration is pitiful, the stereotypical "Ugly American". I hate this, we all make mistakes, we all stumble, we all say things we wish we could take back or wish we didn’t say – it’s human, but to be proud of the perspective that your own spouse’s views are irrelevant is asinine in the very least.
I’m just an everyday person, living my life to the best of my ability, I by no means view myself as a critical judge of others, but Mr. Romney’s statement about his wife is hateful. A spouse is one that I’ve always viewed as one’s best friend, the person that knows the worst and the best of one’s self. I can’t, no I don’t believe that it’s the majority of people that believe that one’s spouses views are irrelevant. When one speaks of a view, usually the context or the word "view" is perceived as one’s thoughts, or ideas, one’s opinion or what a person cares about. Why would I be married to someone who doesn’t care about what I think? Would I consider this person a friend? A family member? A spouse? I doubt it. I don’t think there is a woman worth her salt that will be interested in a person that doesn’t care what they believe. It’s a small matter one would say, it’s a not the end of the world and yes they are right – it’s not the end of the world, it’s the straw that broke the camel’s back. If I’m anywhere near the truth, I’d say I’m in the majority when I say that I’m hurt, and I don’t even know Mrs. Romney. I would feel so betrayed and very humiliated that my husband, someone that I consider to be my very best friend would say something so hateful as my views would be irrelevant. I understand that when a Presidential Candidate is voted into Office, the CANDIDATE is voted in, not necessarily the spouse. With that said, I would say that the Spouse of the President is no slouch either. We have a standard to expect to be held to, we expect our First Lady/Gentleman to be an example of Citizenship, Ambassador, Humanitarian, Strength, etc., etc. We don’t expect a co-policy maker, nor a ditz either – we expect a person to take every opportunity to do good, to help others, to be the "human" side of the President, the number of categories both frivolous and serious are never ending. I am concerned that the avarice is showing where Mr. Romney is concerned. When he considers his best friend and closest relative’s thoughts are unimportant, I would say he’s just said something that he wishes he had never said. I’m also thinking that Mrs. Romney may make Mr. Romney very sorry for his lack of concern for her thoughts. Hmmmm – just a thought.
This is my diary and has in no way been vetted by the campaign of Barry Welsh for Congress in Indiana’s 6th District for 2008!
Thank you for your time that you have taken to read my diary and comments are always welcome.
Love,
Sherri