Romney doesn't need to follow rules; he's better than the average guy.

[Skidmore]

Can we start pushing the notion that, as our national tick, Romney clearly considers himself to be above rules and the rest of us lowly peons? Suggestions on what to hang this on welcomed.

[JHB]

1. The legalistic hairsplitting tells you "He thinks you're stupid"

Any time he's pressed on Bain, release of tax forms, or offshore accounts his answers are very exact but don't quite answer the questions, in that "what I said was accurate, and if it puts you off, great, but if more information comes out later that points in a different direction I can say I didn't lie" sense. And he doesn't seem to think people pick up on that.

He's not giving up any information unless he's absolutely forced to. Now, I expect that behavior from guys trying to dodge an indictment, but I don't think it's unreasonable to hold to a higher standard someone seeking the highest elected office.

[KurtNYC]

2. I see this as tangental from the main knock against Romney: He's un-trustable

That is all it takes. The race is between a known quantity, Obama, and a guy who contradicts himself at every turn, Romney. No one knows what Romney will finally stand for aside from making himself some more money. The lies, the off-shore money, the flip-flops all work toward un-trustable.

I think un-trustable is the biggest reason not to vote for him. Below that I would put:

- hasn't said what he would do as President
- arrogant
- entitled
- clue-less
- he's a jerk
- animal abuser
- illegal and creepy police impersonations
- tripping family members in footraces
- not as sharp as he used to be
- weird religion

[Life Long Dem]

3. The way he is so defensive in not giving up his tax returns means a lot

This sentence Romney said tells all. "The Obama people keep on wanting more and more and more, more things ..."

Makes me wonder if he just doesn't want to oblige because he's not used to being asked what to do.

Now give up your returns Romney, and remember, you work for us if you want to be president.

[siligut]

4. Growing up, god regularly told him that he was the best of the best

Well, not god exactly, but the church that calls itself the one true church and speaks for god, told Romney that he was special, extra special. The church that values god's laws above those of man's.

How to frame this in simple terms? I haven't a clue, it is hard enough for me to fathom it. I think if you examine the traits of narcissists, you would have a clearer idea.

Maybe that is what you want to hang it on Romney has numerous characteristics of a narcissist.

Here is a list of traits: http://www.winning-teams.com/recognizenarcissist.html

Their lack of empathy colors everything they do. They may say, "How are you?" when you meet, but they are working from memory. They are not interested in how you are.

Virtually all of their ideas or ways of behaving in a given situation are taken from others, people they know and perhaps think of as an authority (mirroring).

Their sense of self-importance and lack of empathy means that they will often interrupt the conversations of others.

They expect others to do the day-to-day chores as they feel too important to waste their time on common things.

Listen for the constant use of "I", "me" and "my" when they talk.

They very rarely talk about their inner life, for example their memories and dreams.

They feel that the rules at work don't apply to them.

They will always cheat whenever they think they can get away with it.

If you share workload with them expect to do the lion's share yourself.

They love to delegate work or projects, then interfere by micro-managing it. If it goes well, they take the credit, if it goes badly they blame the person they delegated it to.

There tends to be higher levels of stress with people who work with or interact with a narcissist, which in turn increases absenteeism and staff turnover.

They get impatient and restless when the topic of discussion is about someone else, and not about them.