Romney campaign pledges no ‘slow-jamming’ the news

WASHINGTON -- In the conversation following President Obama’s appearance on “Late Night With Jimmy Fallon,” particularly the president’s participation in the segment “Slow Jam the News,” Mitt Romney’s campaign aimed to portray Obama as too cool to lead.

On Saturday, two key advisors to the Romney campaign reiterated their opinion that Obama’s comedy routines were too far removed from the responsibilities of the presidency, and stated that Romney will make no efforts to follow in the president’s comedic footsteps.

“This election is not going to be about who’s cooler. The question is going to be, ‘Who do you trust to run the economy?’” Peter Flaherty, senior Romney advisor, said during Saturday’s Washington Post Live Newsmaker Forum.

“I do think there was something a little bit off-key about the president slow jamming and appearing to make light of the fact that students are struggling,” senior advisor Eric Fehrnstrom said. “I don’t think it’s something to slow jam about or to make light of.”

Even the Republican National Committee’s first blatantly pro-Romney ad took up the issue of Obama’s “cool” versus the former Massachusetts governor’s leadership.

Titled “A Tale of Two Leaders,” the ad contrasts Obama’s appearance on “Fallon,” in which he’s called “the Preezy of the United Steezy” with Romney’s stump speeches.

Obama’s speech at Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner provided another contrast between the two candidates, with Obama making clear references to Romney’s “out-of-touch” reputation. The president joked that Romney “asked if he could get some equal time on ‘The Merv Griffin Show,’” which has been off the air since 1986.

The Romney campaign’s line of attack was used by Sen. John McCain during the 2008 presidential election, most notably in his “Celebrity” campaign ad, which lined up the mania over Obama’s candidacy with that associated with Britney Spears and Paris Hilton

“He’s the biggest celebrity in the world. But is he ready to lead?” the ad asked.

Romney himself, though, has said that he would consider an appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” During an interview with Diane Sawyer, he said said it seemed “like a lot of fun.”

“Of course it would depend on the nature of the skit. I want it to be funny,” he said, hinting that as the race continues, Romney may end up cracking a few jokes to boost his likability with undecided voters.

morgan.little@latimes.com

Original source: Romney campaign pledges no ‘slow jamming’ the news