Mitt Romney never even tasted them.
But his offhand remark about a tray of five dozen cookies from a bakery in Bethel Park, Pa., on Tuesday has lighted up the local airwaves with confectionery consternation, even earning that most coveted distinction of superficial scandals – a name.
“Cookiegate,” as the bakery itself is calling the brouhaha, began as Mr. Romney sat down at a picnic table with six couples from suburban Pittsburgh to talk about the economy, a campaign event intended to capture the Republican presidential candidate engaged in casual conversation with ordinary Americans.
The table was filled with snacks, like potato chips and pretzels. But for whatever reason, Mr. Romney zeroed in on the cookies, a colorful collection that the bakery calls mini lady lox and gourmet thumbprints.
“I’m not sure about these cookies,” he said, looking at one of the woman. “They don’t look like you made them. No, no. They came from the local 7-Eleven, bakery, or whatever.”
In the retelling, all anybody at Bethel Bakery, the beloved 57-year-old outfit that made the cookies, would remember was “7-Eleven.” As in, Mr. Romney had compared their bakery’s cookies with those from a convenience store.
“I thought, oh my God, how can this guy actually make that statement?” said the bakery’s owner, John Walsh. “He needs to be educated about the quality differences.”
But the bakery swallowed its umbrage long enough to see an upside: It put up signs about Cookiegate, changed its outgoing phone message to mention the controversy, and offered a new limited-time promotion: the Cookiegate Special – buy a dozen cookies, get six free.
Sales have surged, Mr. Walsh said, with orders flooding in from as far away as Georgia.
Among the bakery’s new customers: the Obama campaign. The local Pennsylvania office ordered a tray of five dozen cookies on Thursday, the same platter that sat before Mr. Romney earlier in the week.
Unfortunately this won't be the last time Mitt shows his unappreciation for the middle class and shoves his foot in his mouth.
Hi SPHASH! Once again, a prime example of Rmoney and his snooty bitch praising a corporate entity, whilst insulting a respected family-owned business. What fuckin' tools! Four More, President Obama!!!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't cry to much the business ended up making some good money on Mitten's gaffe. I am sure he lost Mitten's vote anyway. Let's face it Mitt has no problem in putting his foot in his mouth.
DeleteWhy would someone running for high office make disparaging remarks about anything offered to him while campaigning? If they offered him a steaming pile of shit colored anything, a wise man would graciously accept it. Romney is so supremely entitled that he sees nothing in the everyday person he would even care to identify with.
ReplyDeleteIf I was 7-11 I'd be all over this, as yeah our cookies are that good, (even if they aren't) don't live by one so don't know
ReplyDeletegod, what a tool he is, and not a very sharp one at that
Someone better upgrade the Romneytron 3000. It doesn't have enough couth apps yet for the rigors of compaigning.
ReplyDeleteMakes you wonder if he believed the potato chips and pretzels were home made.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in Bethel Park, PA. I love the fact that Romney failed to connect with voters while he was visiting, he's such a putz!! PS the chocolate thumb print cookies are heavenly!
ReplyDeleteSPHASH Thanks again for posting this article, if it wasn't for this "nasty blog and immature comments"(according to the Palin Troll)I would not have seen that my hometown was making it's way into the news cycle!! The Palin troll doesn't really know a damn thing, just as ignorant as the idiot they idolize, Sarah "know nothing" Palin! Thanks for helping to keep us informed (and for bashing Palin too!! She definitely deserves all the nastiness that's coming back her way!)
DeleteBasically, Romney is mean. He plays mean pranks, he makes mean jokes. He's a bully.
ReplyDelete