I Suppose It’s Sweet That Tagg Romney Wants To Defend His Dad By Punching The President
Conservative political pundits weren’t the only ones fired up on behalf Mitt Romney after the second Presidential debate. It sounds like the experience was a little stressful for Mitt’s family as well. His son Tagg Romney appeared on a North Carolina radio show while stumping for his father and made a statement that he might regret. While discussing the much more contentious debate this time around, Tagg described what he wanted to do after hearing President Obama call his dad a liar.
“Jump out of your seat and you want to rush down to the stage and take a swing at him. But you know you can’t do that because, well, first because there’s a lot of Secret Service between you and him, but also because that’s the nature of the process.”
The comment has already earned the ire from plenty of media outlets and liberal pundits. It’s sweeping around Twitter. I have no doubt that it will make for a couple of late night punch lines. The Romney campaign itself might not be happy that it’s pulling media attention in an undesirable direction.
But even though I don’t agree with Mitt Romney or his politics, I have to admit that I’m feeling a big of sympathy for Tagg in this particular situation. Yes, Tagg is a grown man in his 40s who should be able to control his emotions. At the same time, I cannot imagine that I would respond very differently if I felt like my father was being unfairly attacked. And before you start arguing politics, remember that we’re talking about the man’s dad. Of course he agrees with him, or at least respects his point of view.
Honestly, political campaigns are harsh. Both families have had to deal with people saying really horrible, mean-spirited, and cruel things about someone they love. If I watched one of my parents go through such an experience, I would be extremely defensive. I don’t know that I would suggest physical violence, but only because I’m kind of puny and it would seem like a joke. Even without the punching though, I would have a difficult time controlling my response to the criticism of my dad.
Tagg’s comment might come off a little ridiculous. It seems a little hyperbolic. I think we all realize that the Secret Service isn’t exactly worried that Romney’s five sons are going to gang up on the President for being mean to their dad. But it’s also a pretty natural reaction to family loyalty.
In a way, it’s a little sweet to see a son so eager to defend his father. It’s a little humanizing to see Romney’s kids stand up and get feisty. It reminds us that he has a family who obviously loves him very much. Apparently, so much that they’re willing to get violent with the President. It might have been a silly thing to say, but I think it’s a sentiment that we all can relate to. Considering that, it might have been a pretty good bit of politics.
(Photo: Carrie Devorah / WENN)
