Posted on 09/29/2012 12:16:35 PM PDT by rwfromkansas
Buying a house is usually an impersonal transaction. The buyer sees a scrubbed version of the home, artfully “staged,” possibly with a fresh coat of paint and flowers on the table. Once a purchase price has been negotiated, the buyer and the seller sign legal papers in triplicate, and the new owner gets a set of keys and – if lucky – an extra garage door opener. So, when Hal and Corinne Prewitt decided to buy Mitt and Ann Romney’s Park City, Utah home in spring of 2009, they figured they were in for another paperwork hassle. What they got, however, was a great house, interesting interactions with the man who’d just lost a bid to be the previous election’s GOP nominee, and some insight into the character of the possible next President. In fact, their interaction with Romney was so different than what the Prewitts expected, Hal decided to write down his experience in a Google document which has since been downloaded over 100,000 times.
First of all, the Prewitts were impressed – and a little shocked — when Mitt Romney met them at the property on moving day. There were no brokers or anyone there at the house – just the former governor walking around the house to make sure the new owners were comfortable and familiar with their purchase. “He spent as much time as we needed showing us around, answering our questions and explaining how to use and service the home’s equipment,” Hal wrote. “And when he was done, he gave us his direct contact information should we have problems.
Secondly, the Prewitts were fascinated by the way Gov. Romney – worth, by some calculations, hundreds of millions of dollars – decided to move his things. Some people hire professional movers to pack their things, others hire them to transport them, and others prefer a do-it-yourself approach. Gov. Romney fit into the last category. He went to Home Depot, bought wood, and built the necessary containers to transport his possession from the house. Then, he asked a friend and some family to help him pack his family photos, mementos, and grandchildren’s toys. Then, they carried his things into a U-Haul, which he drove to his new home in California.
The home, according to the Prewitts, was built with a focus on their family, even though it had “no swimming pool, tennis court or movie theater. There are no maid, butler or nanny quarters. Clearly Ann and Mitt raised their kids. No gold faucets, no fancy silverware. The kitchen was simple and typical of an average three bedroom home, very much like those in which we were raised.” Because the Prewitts bought much of the home’s contents, they also got to see the way the family really lived in their home: the linens didn’t have the highest thread count, the master bedroom pillows had tags from a discount store, and almost everything — the art, furniture and drapes — were American made.
Plus, there were lots of toys for the grandchildren. Also, in the Romney’s former mud room, Hal and Corinne found the former governor’s ski gloves with holes in the fingers. Apparently, one of Mitt’s sons had suggested he replace the gloves, but Gov. Romney, whom his sons have described as “frugal” and even “cheap,” thought he could salvage them. When Hal and Corinne found the gloves, they’d been altered.
“Mitt had gone to the garage tool box and wrapped them with duct tape. Thrifty? Yes, and the repair provided an immediate practical solution rather than traveling to the store to buy a new pair,” Hal wrote. “His indifference to appearance demonstrated his confidence, true character and priorities. Good qualities, but easily misunderstood because they are quite different from those displayed by many famous people and certainly politicians, who highly protect and prize their appearance.”
In the Romney’s master bedroom, was a prominent painting of Jesus Christ. “Most Americans know little about Mormonism and we didn’t either,” Hal wrote. “But Mitt Romney clearly had a home of faith and family just like the rest of us.”
“One of the most interesting questions many have asked is, ‘as president will he impose his beliefs on others?’” Hal wrote. “Many claim that a President Romney would take away rights and impose his beliefs on all Americans.” However, possibly the most surprising discovery was a small stash of alcohol in the house, which – the Prewitts were told – was for guests only. Mormonism prohibits drinking alcohol, of course, and the Romneys are teetotalers. However, they kept a few drinks on hand to be good hosts and make sure their guests felt comfortable. Hal believes this stash shows the Romneys wouldn’t impose their beliefs on others from the White House, because they didn’t even impose their beliefs on others in their own house.
The Prewitts didn’t support Romney in the 2008 election. Neither Republicans nor Democrats, they knew very little about Romney, Utah, or his former Presidential bid when they looked for a winter home. However, they felt they needed to speak out, because the caricature of Romney on television is such a far cry from the real man who showed him around the house and packed his own boxes that day.
“Mitt Romney… is not aloof or out of touch. He is a man of faith, family and American values. A guy who is well-grounded. It is not beneath him to roll up his shirt-sleeves and get the job done,” Hal wrote. “The fact that he has allowed this to be kept so very private is a true testament to his character and shows how different he is from many other politicians.” If Romney wins in November, he’ll be faced with yet another move. Will the new President show up at the White House in a U-Haul? With $16 trillion of national debt, it just might be a move in the right direction.
Just read the article, that second home is NOT the home of a modest man, never is the 20,000 square foot home he is currently building on the beach in southern California.
He bought the property which had a 3,000 square foot house, and he said it wasn’t big enough.
I actually do not care if he builds big houses or opulent houses, it’s his money he can do what he want......it’s the “he is so humble” that is bogus.
After taking what at the time was a very good job in Europe in 2008, I ran into Romney at an airport following his withdrawal from the primaries. Mentioning the move our family was in the midst of, he observed - “Switzerland - now that’s a really expensive place to live.” While the media focuses on his stiff presentation, he is very personable and is very much in touch with the realities of life. You know you’re in trouble when a very rich man comments on the absurd cost of living where you’re headed.
A side note - thanks to the economic collapse that very good job ended and I’m back in the US.
Yes, the size of the house I couldn’t care less. But it is interesting that the Prewitts would write an article specifically mentioning a lack of richy rich silverware, when they’re on record praising the presence of such things in the vacation home they purchased from Romney. It’s manipulation, pure and simple, and we have goobers on here telling us we’re all Obama supporters for not embracing it immediately.
Someone, many someones, constructed the narrative that the Romney's are not like that. That they are pampered rich elitists. I want to know the names of the people who created those false stories and the names of those who published them. Forget all of the specific lies it's time to expose the liars in the press.
As always RC you are correct.
I do find it interesting that the Romney’s have twice sold their home (vacation and family) to the Prewitts.
With duct tape, a real man can fix anything.
Have some cheese to go with your whine you little liberal girlie... we’d all settle for you being a RINO, it would be a huge step up.
You have been here for a total of 5 months and your ranting does nothing but support Obama.
Sorry if the truth hurts but I refuse to tolerate fools.
Check back through the FRee Republic articles...
Its there at least one time...
It was an interesting house, apparently about 9,000 square feet, strange that the Prewetts refer to it as modest. (That would make sense as the family is quite wealth themselves).
The house that Romney had built was built to house him and his family while living in Utah for the Olympics.
They only lived there a few years, then used it in the winter as a second home because the Romney’s all ski.
There were no realtors, Romney handled the deal himself, which is not uncommon.
The Prewitts and Romneys are long time family friends, and this would be their vacation home, because it’s right next to ski resorts.
It doesn’t matter how much money the families have or how they spend it, lets just not pretend that they live modest lives.
Don’t waste your time and energy trying to communicate with “Raising Cain”.
Judging by his (and a few other) posts here, simple envy of those who have improved themselves by their own efforts (look at what he did with his inheritance, has “pay” for being governor of MA, his “pay” working for the Olympics....) envy is a horrible thing to watch.
Like my old choir director used to say “Never try to teach a pig to sing... it wastes your time, and it annoys the pig!”)
Just another of the many stories that are out there about a good and decent man. I do not like his Mormonism but that is a theological question not a political one. I much prefer Mitt to O in this election....because my country depends upon it.
don’t believe the lame stream meme.... there is more than enough enthusiasm from the candidates and for the candidates. Romney and Ryan will win if we all work hard to ensure that O is defeated. Our country depends upon it.
what a snotty comment...as to your tag line...the Tea Party was shouting from the roof tops and folks like you were somewhere else
And you are ever so wise and perfect...give me a break. If you think this country will survive four more years of O you are delusional
even lowly old me hires a guy to do my lawn...had to change gardeners when he couldn’t (or wouldn’t) provide me with a valid SS number. Could happen to anyone...and by the way I am not wealthy it is just that my weekend time is something I value enough to pay someone else to do that job for me.
“And you are ever so wise and perfect...give me a break. If you think this country will survive four more years of O you are delusional”
I’m getting straight out insulted even after providing an article with an entirely different image of Romney by the same Prewitts. I never claimed to be wise and perfect.
And you are so delusional you didn’t even address my fundamental statement to you.
-30-
“Don’t waste your time and energy trying to communicate with “Raising Cain”.
Judging by his (and a few other) posts here, simple envy of those who have improved themselves by their own efforts (look at what he did with his inheritance, has “pay” for being governor of MA, his “pay” working for the Olympics....) envy is a horrible thing to watch.
Like my old choir director used to say “Never try to teach a pig to sing... it wastes your time, and it annoys the pig!”)”
Hey, if you’re gonna talk bad about me, at least Ping me. So which is it. Is Romney a humble man living in humble homes, or are we all envious that Romney does not live in humble homes in direct contradiction to the propaganda you were mad at us in the first place for not embracing right away?
This is the sad sad world of MittBots who refuse to acknowledge reality in their vain attempts at crowning Mitt a Saint.
It has nothing to do with the size of the house or anything at all! It’s just propaganda, pure and simple.
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