Politics: Which Mitt Romney Do You Trust Most?

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The XX Factor Which Mitt Romney Do You Trust Most? Is he a cold-hearted conservative or a moderate Republican from Massachusetts? How can we know? By John Dickerson Posted Friday, Oct 05, 2012, at 10:42 PM ET Three weeks ago Mitt Romney was confronted with a secretly recorded video in which he dismissed President Obama's supporters—the now famous 47 percent—as congenital moochers who were addicted to government because they took no personal responsibility for themselves. Now he disavows the remarks. "I was completely wrong," he told Fox News on Thursday. So, in the wake of his impressive debate performance and barely a month before the election, undecided voters are asked to play another round of "Where's Willard?"  Is Mitt Romney the man in that secret video, who thinks ill of almost half the country he hopes to govern? Or is he the man we met in Colorado, an agile master of facts, policies, and economics who seems perfectly personable and maybe even friendly? Or is he someone else altogether?  The president's aides say, "Look at the secret video! There he is!" They want you to find the real Romney among the chafing dishes, clinking cutlery, and pricey suits. (A new Obama video says "He said it, he meant it.") Don't be fooled by the man on the debate stage, they say. That's just a mask. To make this case, the president must rely on a conceit that often gets applied to him. Conservatives have argued since 2004 that Obama's essential liberal desires are always roiling beneath a careful facade. These Republicans sit at the border on night watch, waiting for the moment when a window opens exposing Obama's ... To continue reading, click here. Join the Fray: our reader discussion forum What did you think of this article? POST A MESSAGE | READ MESSAGES Also In Slate Is the Republican Party Racist? Obama's Drone Dilemma Quit Playing Games with My Heart	Advertisement
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