<p>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 <em>quid pro quo</em>, 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.</p>
<p>Who, you say?</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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 &#8212; when he ran for President in 2012.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>Trump responded.</p>
<p><em>“Here we go with Mitt Romney, but so fast! Question will be, is he a </em><em>[Jeff]</em><em> 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!,”</em></p>
<p>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!”</p>
<p>So, there ‘tis.</p>