Ann Romney's Marie Antoinette moment on tax returns
Ann Romney, wife of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, talks to Robin Roberts about her own heath issues as well as the campaign, during an interview on Good Morning America. Credit: ABC photo
Update Appended
Ann Romney could be the nation's next First Lady but she'll need a little more coaching if she wants to find a smoother path to the White House.
Responding to a question this morning from ABC's Robin Roberts about why her husband, Mitt, has refused to release more than two years of his income tax returns, Ann Romney added more fuel to the fire surrounding the presidential campaign.
"We've given all you people need to know and understand about our financial situation and how we live our life," she said.
Her phrasing has lit up the blogosphere because of its Marie Antoinette echoes about letting the peasants eat cake. Although some are disputing whether she actually said "you people" or "our people" or what just clearing her throat, her attitude was damaging enough."
Like the guillotined French queen, who never really made the remark, Romney's unfortunate choice of words only feeds the image of elitism that her political opponents are making hay about. The Democratic National Committee released a web video this morning that parodies Ann Romney's very expensive dressage horse who will compete in the London Olympics next week. The DNCC has since apologized saying the ad may have gone too far.
The stir over the "you people" faux pas however, is overshadowing what Romney said about not releasing the returns just before the "you people" line. “There are so many things that will be open again for more attack...And you just want to give more material for more attack. And that’s really — that’s just the answer.”
She may think that's the answer. But Romney's response underscores that she doesn't understand the real question.
Update: In a blog post this evening about Ann Romney's statment, Z. Bryon Wolf of ABC News writes that "after reviewing the original audio is that she did not include the 'you.'" ABC News also posted the original video, so you can judge what she said for yourself.
Pictured above: Ann Romney, wife of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, talks to Robin Roberts about her own heath issues as well as the campaign, during an interview on Good Morning America.
