# Romneys condescending tone of voice - why? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 31, 2012, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romneys-condescending-tone-of-voice-why/639395 "2012-10-31T03:06:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![antechinus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@antechinus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antechinus)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romneys-condescending-tone-of-voice-why/639395/1 "2012-10-31T03:06:12Z")
I have heard a few recordings lately of Mitt Romney speaking. Whats the deal with his tone of voice? It sounds very condescending, like he is reading a childrens story or explaining the solar system to preschoolers. Is this something that irritates people in the US? Is it picked up on by the media? I have never heard another politician speaking like this. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romneys-condescending-tone-of-voice-why/639395/2 "2012-10-31T03:10:15Z")
I think he’s getting tired of trying to explain himself over and over and over again, and he just wants people to stop asking him so many questions and just elect him already so he can stop listening to all our stupid questions. ---
**Author:** ![LC\_Strawhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@LC\_Strawhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LC_Strawhouse)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romneys-condescending-tone-of-voice-why/639395/3 "2012-10-31T03:18:58Z")
Maybe Mitt compared notes on public speaking with [Bobby Jindal](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrCpdkIgOv8) at one of the Republican Governors’ conventions. It also looks like Mitt’s been carefully sheltered his whole life and never really faced adversity, so he’s been able to get away with it so far. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romneys-condescending-tone-of-voice-why/639395/4 "2012-10-31T03:26:26Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > I think he’s getting tired of trying to explain himself over and over and over again Except he _doesn’t_ explain himself; ever. That’s exactly the criticism against him (in large part). ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romneys-condescending-tone-of-voice-why/639395/5 "2012-10-31T03:32:30Z")
Maybe he thinks he’s explaining things, and we’re just not getting it? Any of us? A hundred million (no facts were harmed in the creation of this supposition) Democrats sitting there with confused looks on our faces and NONE OF US are understanding him… That’s gotta be exhausting. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romneys-condescending-tone-of-voice-why/639395/6 "2012-10-31T05:11:04Z")
It wouldn’t surprise me if he doesn’t know any other way to talk to people. He does not seem to be the most socially skilled. ---
**Author:** ![antechinus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@antechinus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antechinus)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romneys-condescending-tone-of-voice-why/639395/7 "2012-10-31T09:12:14Z")
Would it be an affected tone he has been told to use in public speaking classes, or is it natural? ---
**Author:** ![Zoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a4c791/32.png) [@Zoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoe)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romneys-condescending-tone-of-voice-why/639395/8 "2012-10-31T09:31:21Z")
I taught high school speech classes. Just can’t imagine anyone _teaching_ a student to use a condescending tone. My personal opinion is that he is just naturally condescending in words and delivery. Maybe he has so much contempt for the people that he has difficulty hiding it. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romneys-condescending-tone-of-voice-why/639395/9 "2012-10-31T10:14:00Z")
He’s just about had enough pretending to care about 100% of Americans and it’s showing. ---
**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:** [October 31, 2012, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romneys-condescending-tone-of-voice-why/639395/10 "2012-10-31T10:30:57Z")
nm–meant to start a new thread ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romneys-condescending-tone-of-voice-why/639395/11 "2012-10-31T10:32:32Z")
> [@antechinus](#): > > Romney’s condescending tone of voice - why? Because he’s an asshole. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romneys-condescending-tone-of-voice-why/639395/12 "2012-10-31T11:16:52Z")
He has five children and eighteen grandchildren. It is just second nature. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romneys-condescending-tone-of-voice-why/639395/13 "2012-10-31T11:30:13Z")
To elaborate, yes being an asshole is the simplest explanation. But Romney is used to running things, with subordinates asking few questions. Basically if he says “jump”, the rest of the world is supposed to ask “how high?” Now when he campaigns, he finds himself doing what he finds exceedingly distasteful- explaining his positions. He doesn’t ever have to do this- he’s the boss and what he says goes. So it’s probably 90% his personality and 10% his disgust at having to lay out his positions. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romneys-condescending-tone-of-voice-why/639395/14 "2012-10-31T12:57:24Z")
he feels it is demeaning being forced to talk to his lessers and it annoys him. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romneys-condescending-tone-of-voice-why/639395/15 "2012-10-31T12:59:22Z")
And yet he’s virtually tied in polls with Messiah Obama. How can that be? ---
**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:** [October 31, 2012, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romneys-condescending-tone-of-voice-why/639395/16 "2012-10-31T13:00:36Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > And yet he’s virtually tied in polls with Messiah Obama. > > How can that be? Racism. Why do you ask? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romneys-condescending-tone-of-voice-why/639395/17 "2012-10-31T13:07:30Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > Racism. Why do you ask? Of course. I should have guessed. I mean, there must be _something_ in the mind of liberals. (Must there?) Something that explains to their own satisfaction how a candidate like Romney, who is just so blatantly obviously terrible in all respects, what with his condescending manner and assholism, is essentially tied with the greatest president of all time. It’s entirely possible that Romney will win this election, or lose the election while winning the popular vote total, and yet this fact does not seem to jar any cognitive dissonance in the minds of the Left. Racism. That would do it. From my point of view, Obama is a decent man, a decent president, and the country will be just fine if he serves another term. I think Romney is a better choice, but I don’t think ill of Obama. I wouldn’t make a good leftist. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romneys-condescending-tone-of-voice-why/639395/18 "2012-10-31T13:07:51Z")
Wait - Messiah Obama is running? I was going to vote for that Barack guy but if his brother Messiah is running I’ll go for him. ---
**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:** [October 31, 2012, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romneys-condescending-tone-of-voice-why/639395/19 "2012-10-31T13:13:11Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Of course. I should have guessed. > > I mean, there must be _something_ in the mind of liberals. (Must there?) > > Something that explains to their own satisfaction how a candidate like Romney, who is just so blatantly obviously terrible in all respects, what with his condescending manner and assholism, is essentially tied with the greatest president of all time. It’s entirely possible that Romney will win this election, or lose the election while winning the popular vote total, and yet this fact does not seem to jar any cognitive dissonance in the minds of the Left. > > Racism. That would do it. > > From my point of view, Obama is a decent man, a decent president, and the country will be just fine if he serves another term. I think Romney is a better choice, but I don’t think ill of Obama. > > I wouldn’t make a good leftist. I agree with every single paragraph, the sarcastic ones and the non-sarcastic ones. ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2012, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romneys-condescending-tone-of-voice-why/639395/20 "2012-10-31T13:19:54Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > And yet he’s virtually tied in polls with Messiah Obama. > > How can that be? Because Republicans irrationally hate Obama so much that they’re willing to vote for someone who openly holds them in contempt just because he isn’t Obama. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/romneys-condescending-tone-of-voice-why/639395.md?page=2)