[Utmost Certainty]

Would probably help if you actually listened to Newt's explanation. It's unfortunate many Republicans don't seem to understand it.

Newt's case is simple:

1) Romney's vaunted "private sector experience", is of a particular kind that's going to represent a huge liability in the general election. Nobody's asserting that Bain Capital's actions were necessarily illegitimate nor unlawful, but it's obvious that Romney was no white knight of heroic, entrepreneurial capitalism.

2) Questions on business ethics are legitimate inquiries that one should have to answer for, especially if they're running for public office—these are not attacks on capitalism, and it's completely goofy that some would construe it that way. Those advocating a "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" attitude towards private enterprise activity, aren't doing capitalism any favors.

[shoedog]

The Bain part didn’t set me off as much as his comments earlier about vacation homes and I am not rich like Romney. I have always stated Newt has the right to defend himself and defend himself and go on the offensive against his competitors, however, you could attack Romney on lots of other fronts that would bring positive responses in a Republican primary without touching the rich and money aspect like he has. Romneys record is full of left of center decisions on non economic issues.

[ptsal]

Mitt’s morman...business ethics are no problem...we’re all gentiles in his lexicon....

[CatherineofAragon]

“2) Questions on business ethics are legitimate inquiries that one should have to answer for, especially if they’re running for public office—these are not attacks on capitalism, and it’s completely goofy that some would construe it that way. Those advocating a “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” attitude towards private enterprise activity, aren’t doing capitalism any favors.”

Thank you for being the person to finally point this out. I can’t understand why the point was lost on Rush. In response to Romney’s “I love to fire people,” Rush kept saying today, “Well, isn’t that what we want?” NO, it isn’t what we want. We want people who are well able to fire people when it’s necessary, but not people like Willard who take pleasure in it.

[9YearLurker]

Agreed. Bain and Romney made their major fortunes at a moment in time when PE vultures would go in, buying up companies, strip them of their assets and overleverage them, and sell them in a condition that led to quick bankruptcy and closure. Hugely profitable, at least until the rest of the business world caught on to it, but not an honorable form of capitalism.

That’s largely gone out of style now, but the understanding of the argument has led to an inside-out world now where conservatives are defending the scum that is Romney.

Newt of course didn’t help his cause at all by playing up the “I’m not rich like Romney” line of whining. It’s a very unfortunate corner that the GOP has quickly painted itself into after just one primary.