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| Fox's Romney interview offers a peek of the first lady that might have been | Fox's Romney interview offers a peek of the first lady that might have been |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| Those of us who have been monitoring the transition of Michelle Obama from first to second term Flotus briefly lowered our binoculars on Sunday morning to glance across at the One Who Might Have Been. In a navy satin jacket, with excellent blonde highlights (no bangs) on Fox News Sunday, Ann Romney sat beside her husband in San Diego as the pair answered searching questions from Chris Wallace on what life's been like since their November loss. ("Mrs Romney, as we sit here right now, have you got over the defeat or is that going to take more time?") | Those of us who have been monitoring the transition of Michelle Obama from first to second term Flotus briefly lowered our binoculars on Sunday morning to glance across at the One Who Might Have Been. In a navy satin jacket, with excellent blonde highlights (no bangs) on Fox News Sunday, Ann Romney sat beside her husband in San Diego as the pair answered searching questions from Chris Wallace on what life's been like since their November loss. ("Mrs Romney, as we sit here right now, have you got over the defeat or is that going to take more time?") |
| Advance word on the interview had already let us know that the shock of defeat had been greater for Anne than Mitt, and she got to the point that it had been a "CRUSHING disappointment" straight away with drama. | Advance word on the interview had already let us know that the shock of defeat had been greater for Anne than Mitt, and she got to the point that it had been a "CRUSHING disappointment" straight away with drama. |
| "My heart and my whole soul was: 'we're going to win.' I was there." | "My heart and my whole soul was: 'we're going to win.' I was there." |
| Mrs. Romney confirmed that she did indeed cry as previous reports had described. The tears were not for her, she took pains to point out, but for the country. "The dream was to make a difference. The dream was to serve," she said. | Mrs. Romney confirmed that she did indeed cry as previous reports had described. The tears were not for her, she took pains to point out, but for the country. "The dream was to make a difference. The dream was to serve," she said. |
| It's not unusual for those who run for president to use the word "serve" to describe their colossal ambition. Maybe they really do see being in charge of the most powerful country in the world as service. Maybe it's really possible for the enormously wealthy who employ plenty of help to see themselves as humble servants. Ann Romney has always wanted us to believe this is so. | It's not unusual for those who run for president to use the word "serve" to describe their colossal ambition. Maybe they really do see being in charge of the most powerful country in the world as service. Maybe it's really possible for the enormously wealthy who employ plenty of help to see themselves as humble servants. Ann Romney has always wanted us to believe this is so. |
| "In our church we are used to serving," she said during the interview. "And you can be in a very high position … and then all of a sudden you're released and you're nobody." | "In our church we are used to serving," she said during the interview. "And you can be in a very high position … and then all of a sudden you're released and you're nobody." |
| She was speaking as a Mormon of course, but it was an analogy that resonates more widely when the first pope in 600 years has just retired. The "nobody" part of her self-description hinted at how hard she has found the past few months. To listen to her speaking of "mourning" the fact that Mitt wasn't president, was to wonder whether someone had actually died. | She was speaking as a Mormon of course, but it was an analogy that resonates more widely when the first pope in 600 years has just retired. The "nobody" part of her self-description hinted at how hard she has found the past few months. To listen to her speaking of "mourning" the fact that Mitt wasn't president, was to wonder whether someone had actually died. |
| "I'm mostly over it," she said bravely. "But not completely. You know you have moments where you look back and still feel the sorrow of the loss. But we're not mostly dead yet." | "I'm mostly over it," she said bravely. "But not completely. You know you have moments where you look back and still feel the sorrow of the loss. But we're not mostly dead yet." |
| If we know one thing about political elections, it's that losers inevitably blame the media. | If we know one thing about political elections, it's that losers inevitably blame the media. |
| "I'm happy to blame the media," she laughed, suddenly brightening. Then she got steely. Obama had run an unfair campaign, she affirmed in a tone and with a look that gave a glimpse of what it must be like when you don't do exactly what the boss wants. Then, as she remembered she was on camera, she softened again, and clutched onto her husband who had sat affably at her side throughout the interview. If anyone gave the appearance of being over it, Mitt Romney did. | "I'm happy to blame the media," she laughed, suddenly brightening. Then she got steely. Obama had run an unfair campaign, she affirmed in a tone and with a look that gave a glimpse of what it must be like when you don't do exactly what the boss wants. Then, as she remembered she was on camera, she softened again, and clutched onto her husband who had sat affably at her side throughout the interview. If anyone gave the appearance of being over it, Mitt Romney did. |
| What is their life like now? Ann Romney confirmed she had been approached by Dancing With the Stars and had indeed seriously considered the offer, as she LOVES the show. She turned it down on age (she's turning 64) and flexibility grounds. She categorically denied that she'll be a candidate for John Kerry's Massachusetts Senate seat. Her part of the joint interview ended with some warm and cuddly grandkid chat, accompanied by playground video. | What is their life like now? Ann Romney confirmed she had been approached by Dancing With the Stars and had indeed seriously considered the offer, as she LOVES the show. She turned it down on age (she's turning 64) and flexibility grounds. She categorically denied that she'll be a candidate for John Kerry's Massachusetts Senate seat. Her part of the joint interview ended with some warm and cuddly grandkid chat, accompanied by playground video. |
| "They're our life!" said Mitt. No comment from Ann. | "They're our life!" said Mitt. No comment from Ann. |
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