. . . to root for the Republicans, what with King Barry on a conspicuous-consumption vacation on Martha’s Vineyard and Rick Perry still kicking the dirt of Paint Creek off’n his cowboy boots, along comes Willard Mitt Romney, with this clueless exercise in bad timing and worse optics. From my old hometown newspaper, the San Diego Union-Tribune:
LA JOLLA — GOP presidential contender Mitt Romney, scheduled to attend a series of fundraisers this weekend in San Diego, is also working on plans to nearly quadruple the size of his $12 million oceanfront manse in La Jolla.
Romney has filed an application with the city to bulldoze his 3,009-square-foot, single-story home at 311 Dunemere Dr. and replace it with a two-story, 11,062-square-foot structure. No date has been set to consider the proposed coastal development and site development permits, which must be approved by the city.
The former governor of Massachusetts purchased the home three years ago. According to a description from the listing agent, the Spanish-style residence at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac is sophisticated and understated in its décor, “offering complete privacy and unsurpassed elegance.”
Tentative plans call for new retaining walls and a relocated driveway, but would retain the existing lap pool and spa.
Yes, I know: As conservatives we’re all in favor of personal economic freedom, and if Mitt wants to enlarge one of his several residences, that’s fine. Yes, he has a big family. Yes, it’s his money. Yes, he can.
But in the current political climate, didn’t anyone in the Romney campaign advise him to wait 15 months or so to get the ball rolling on the renovation? In the middle of raging class warfare, why give the Democrats such a big, fat, plutocratic target?