# 2% of Americans think Romney's real first name is "Mittens" **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [February 8, 2012, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-of-americans-think-romneys-real-first-name-is-mittens/612195 "2012-02-08T15:25:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-of-americans-think-romneys-real-first-name-is-mittens/612195/21 "2012-02-08T18:25:07Z")
> [@SirRay](#): > > (and for Simplico - ‘Mittens’ is simply a derogatory play on the name ‘Mitt’, since Mittens routinely fails to shows voters he is deserving of any sort of respect - I definitely remember it being used during the 2008 Republican primary) I still don’t get it. Why is “Mittens” derogatory? Is there some context I’m missing. The only associations I have with the word is the things that keep my hands warm when I’m skiing, which seems like kind of a weird thing to call someone, but doesn’t really seem insulting. Is it the name of some TV character or something I’m unaware of? (I guess it also sounds like something I’d name a cat whose feet are different colors then the rest of it, in which case I’d guess whether its insulting or not would depend on how you feel about cats.) ---
**Author:** ![Trion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Trion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trion)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-of-americans-think-romneys-real-first-name-is-mittens/612195/22 "2012-02-08T18:30:22Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > I also observed that the 2% saying “Mittens” was his name probably because they didn’t _know_ his name three posts before **Trion** did. And I was only agreeing with you. So you are at least visible to me, **Cal**. ---
**Author:** ![chizzuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chizzuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chizzuk)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-of-americans-think-romneys-real-first-name-is-mittens/612195/23 "2012-02-08T18:40:03Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > So our next President will be named Willard, Newt or Barack? Truly, the dream of Millard Filmore, that one day Presidential Candidates won’t be judged by the wackiness of their first name but by the content of their character, has come to pass. In 50 years when you have to decide between candidates Aiden, Jayden, Kaden, Hayden, and Braeden, you will be longing for the days of Newt and Willard. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-of-americans-think-romneys-real-first-name-is-mittens/612195/24 "2012-02-08T18:41:53Z")
> [@Trion](#): > > And I was only agreeing with you. So you are at least visible to me, **Cal**. My sincerest thanks. I really do mean that un-ironically. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-of-americans-think-romneys-real-first-name-is-mittens/612195/25 "2012-02-08T18:56:38Z")
> [@jonesj2205](#): > > I wouldn’t be surprised if you could produce a poll indicating 2% of Americans think their own first name is Mittens. Checks drivers license… :smack: ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-of-americans-think-romneys-real-first-name-is-mittens/612195/26 "2012-02-08T19:04:23Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > I still don’t get it. Why is “Mittens” derogatory? Is there some context I’m missing. The only associations I have with the word is the things that keep my hands warm when I’m skiing, which seems like kind of a weird thing to call someone, but doesn’t really seem insulting. Is it the name of some TV character or something I’m unaware of? > > (I guess it also sounds like something I’d name a cat whose feet are different colors then the rest of it, in which case I’d guess whether its insulting or not would depend on how you feel about cats.) It’s derogatory _because_ it is dismissive and twee. “Mitten” is just not a word that inspires people to take the subject seriously. It’s a child’s version of a glove (because children don’t have the fine motor skills necessary to successfully get their fingers in the right places). How would you expect Johnny Bench to react to you, were you to meet up with him at, say, a baseball card show, and you asked him to autograph your catcher’s mitten? ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-of-americans-think-romneys-real-first-name-is-mittens/612195/27 "2012-02-08T19:05:16Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > I still don’t get it. Why is “Mittens” derogatory? Is there some context I’m missing. The only associations I have with the word is the things that keep my hands warm when I’m skiing, which seems like kind of a weird thing to call someone, but doesn’t really seem insulting. Is it the name of some TV character or something I’m unaware of? > > (I guess it also sounds like something I’d name a cat whose feet are different colors then the rest of it, in which case I’d guess whether its insulting or not would depend on how you feel about cats.) I use it to refer to him sometimes just because I think it sounds so ridiculous. Imagine how absurd it would if that really was his first name. I think most people use it to be mildly insulting or to imply he’s not to be take seriously. I don’t know that it is really derogatory. More likely disrespectful. ETA: or what **kaylasdad99** said. ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-of-americans-think-romneys-real-first-name-is-mittens/612195/28 "2012-02-08T19:07:12Z")
> [@chizzuk](#): > > In 50 years when you have to decide between candidates Aiden, Jayden, Kaden, Hayden, and Braeden, you will be longing for the days of Newt and Willard. I sincerely hope to be dead by then. For more reasons than just your post. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-of-americans-think-romneys-real-first-name-is-mittens/612195/29 "2012-02-08T19:07:36Z")
Rit Omni? Root Gingy? Rich Mommy? Nut Jobby? Nude Man-itch? Ging Romnich? ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-of-americans-think-romneys-real-first-name-is-mittens/612195/30 "2012-02-08T19:18:46Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > It’s derogatory _because_ it is dismissive and twee. “Mitten” is just not a word that inspires people to take the subject seriously. It’s a child’s version of a glove (because children don’t have the fine motor skills necessary to successfully get their fingers in the right places). Hmm…I guess I don’t really associate mittens with being childish. I wear them when I’m going to be in a really cold environment for a long period of time (like skiing when its really cold out) because they’re warmer then gloves, as they keep all your fingers bunched together. To me they’re like hardcore snow-wear, when regular gloves just won’t do. But I could see where maybe in warmer climates they’re more likely to be associated with small children. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-of-americans-think-romneys-real-first-name-is-mittens/612195/31 "2012-02-08T19:22:12Z")
Googling “Mittens Romney” turns up this: [http://mittensromney.com/](http://mittensromney.com/) and this: > **[MITTENS ROMNEY : The Store](https://www.cafepress.com/popcultstore/3008789)** > > Fun and satirical products featuring sassy Ts, anti-Bush, Pride, gay, GLBT, Mormons, Utah, Jesus, G-ZUS, and much more. ---
**Author:** ![Dogzilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@Dogzilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dogzilla)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-of-americans-think-romneys-real-first-name-is-mittens/612195/32 "2012-02-08T20:11:34Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > I still don’t get it. Why is “Mittens” derogatory? Is there some context I’m missing. The only associations I have with the word is the things that keep my hands warm when I’m skiing, which seems like kind of a weird thing to call someone, but doesn’t really seem insulting. Is it the name of some TV character or something I’m unaware of? > > (I guess it also sounds like something I’d name a cat whose feet are different colors then the rest of it, in which case I’d guess whether its insulting or not would depend on how you feel about cats.) Because it rhymes with “kittens” and that just sounds funny. Vote for Kittens Romney in 2012. Actually, kinda has a nice ring to it… ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-of-americans-think-romneys-real-first-name-is-mittens/612195/33 "2012-02-08T20:27:47Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > My opinion of him would actually improve if his real name were “Mittens.” Suddenly, this [story](http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/world/tale-of-pooch-on-car-roof-dogs-romney-138629569.html)makes a lot more sense…:smack: ---
**Author:** ![SirRay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@SirRay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirRay)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-of-americans-think-romneys-real-first-name-is-mittens/612195/34 "2012-02-08T21:10:07Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > Hmm…I guess I don’t really associate mittens with being childish. I wear them when I’m going to be in a really cold environment for a long period of time (like skiing when its really cold out) because they’re warmer then gloves, as they keep all your fingers bunched together. To me they’re like hardcore snow-wear, when regular gloves just won’t do. But I could see where maybe in warmer climates they’re more likely to be associated with small children. Mittens as cold weather wear are useful, but that’s not the point here. To restate what others have - Mitt Romney is an adult male running to be president of a major superpower since, what, 2007 now?. Calling him ‘Mittens’ diminishes him (at least in the eyes of the caller) since it most assuredly is NOT a strong, virile nickname - quite the opposite. Such mock-naming is not unheard of in the “Blogosphere” - e.g. Chris Matthews, host of the show Hardball, is often referred to as ‘Tweety’ (this began well before Twitter). Using ‘Mittens’ is an easy way to imply that Romney is someone not to be taken seriously. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-of-americans-think-romneys-real-first-name-is-mittens/612195/35 "2012-02-08T21:10:19Z")
I think we should go with calling him “Willard” and nothing else. Then the political cartoonists can have lots of fun with rat themes. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-of-americans-think-romneys-real-first-name-is-mittens/612195/36 "2012-02-08T22:47:35Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > I think we should go with calling him “Willard” and nothing else. Then the political cartoonists can have lots of fun with rat themes. Or Willard Scott ones. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2012, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-of-americans-think-romneys-real-first-name-is-mittens/612195/37 "2012-02-09T00:13:06Z")
I knew that his official first name was something completely unrelated to Mitt, but I couldn’t remember what it was. It doesn’t matter, anyway: The most relevant standard by which to judge a “real” name is what that person is most often called, or what they introduce themselves as. And in either case, for Mr. Romney, that means his “real” name is Mitt. For comparison, when was the last time you heard someone refer to James Carter? Same principle. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2012, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-of-americans-think-romneys-real-first-name-is-mittens/612195/38 "2012-02-09T01:06:51Z")
> [@jonesj2205](#): > > I wouldn’t be surprised if you could produce a poll indicating 2% of Americans think their own first name is Mittens. This made me LOL. Then I thought about it, and it made me scared. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2012, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-of-americans-think-romneys-real-first-name-is-mittens/612195/39 "2012-02-09T17:53:56Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > Where does the “Mittens” thing come from? I’ve heard it a couple places, but I’m not really sure what the source is. I think it’s just a play on the fact that “mitt” is already a well known shortening of the word “mitten” and also that “Mittens” is a common name for a cat, because its paws kind of look like they’re wearing mittens, especially with certain coloring patterns. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2012, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-of-americans-think-romneys-real-first-name-is-mittens/612195/40 "2012-02-09T18:06:43Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > Very clearly 2% of Americans don’t think that. It means that 2% chose that option in a multiple guess poll. 100% of me would have found that option irresistable. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-of-americans-think-romneys-real-first-name-is-mittens/612195.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2-of-americans-think-romneys-real-first-name-is-mittens/612195.md?page=3)