HORIST: The unmasking of Pierre Delecto

If you do not believe that the American political scene is not operating on the other side of the looking glass, consider such recent events as the controversy over a phrase in a language that has been outside of common use for centuries (referring to quid pro quo, of course),  or President Trump giving a sales pitches for the Trump resort in Florida, or an embittered and deranged Hillary Clinton accusing one of the Democrat presidential candidates of being a witting asset of Vladimir Putin … or the recent emergence of Pierre Delecto as a secret anti-Trump Twitter troll.

Who, you say?

It has been recently revealed that tweeter Pierre Delecto is none other than Utah Senator Mitt Romney.  Even before considering the strategy and propriety of a secret Twitter account by a high-ranking public official, we can only wonder how and why Romney chose a name that sounds like a character in a counterculture movie.  Perhaps he chose a French name because those Brahmins have long considered the use of an occasional French phrase as a badge of sophistication and class.

More importantly, what was the purpose of the hitherto anonymous Twitter account?  Just from its output, it had two purposes.  One was to bestow “likes” on other anti-Trump tweets.  The second purpose was to praise or defend … Mitt Romney.  That’s right.  Mitt Romney created a phony Twitter account to serve as a Mitt Romney superfan.  Does the word “cheesy” come to mind?  One can only wonder if the Utah senator had learned this social media deception from the Russians.

The revelation of Romney’s secret Twitter account comes at the time when the real Mitt Romney has entered the media spotlight as a leading Republican critic of the President – taking up a role that was vacated when Arizona Senator Jeff Flake retired rather than face ignominious defeat in the 2018 Republican primary.

While Romney projects himself as a political statesman, his record would suggest political opportunist.  For sure, he has the Hollywood casting look of a senator, but inside beats the heart of an ambitious political hack.  Rather than a continuity of principles and beliefs, Romney is the expedient man-of-the-moment.

You will recall how he proudly enacted an Obamacare-like healthcare programs when governor of Massachusetts only to vilify Obamacare – which was highly unpopular with Republicans across the nation — when he ran for President in 2012.

Romney’s opinion of Trump seems to fluctuate depending on the benefit to … Romney.  We can recall how he was among the most severe critics of candidate Trump – calling him a phony, a fraud and a few other pejoratives.

When Trump got elected and dangled the Secretary of State post in front of Romney, the former governor and failed presidential candidate turned into a lap dog – visiting and complimenting Trump during the transition period.  Then there was that chummy dinner in an upscale restaurant.

With encouragement from Trump, Romney decided to run for the Senate from Utah – where his Mormon religion would play well.  Romney happily – at least on the surface – accepted Trump’s support and was elected.

As he entered the Senate, Romney flipped again – but it turned out to be more of a flop.  On the eve of Romney’s swearing-in as the junior senator from Utah, he penned a scathing editorial … in the Washington Post, no less.  It was Romney’s only ad hominin criticism of Trump since those days when he was humping the President-elect’s leg to get the Secretary of State job.  It was a gratuitous attack at a time when celebration and unity might have been more appropriate.  Perhaps it was bitterness.

Trump responded.

“Here we go with Mitt Romney, but so fast! Question will be, is he a [Jeff] Flake? I hope not. Would much prefer that Mitt focus on Border Security and so many other things where he can be helpful. I won big, and he didn’t. He should be happy for all Republicans. Be a TEAM player & WIN!,”

One can only wonder how Pierre Delecto would react if Trump were to invite Romney to replace Mike Pence as the vice-presidential candidate.  My guess is “Woof!  Woof!”

So, there ‘tis.