I'm not going to comment on the death of Andrew Breitbart today because I see little point in it. We all know what we all think. Politics doesn't stop, though, and I will comment on some comments: Mitt's, Newt's, and Santorum's.
Breitbart's death is coming at almost the worst possible moment for Mitt Romney. Gingrich is smart enough to take advantage of it and Santorum is smart enough to follow Gingrich. And, as usual, fending them off simply throws Romney down a mudhole.
Romney's response is quintessentially Romney. He tweeted:
MittRomney: Ann and I are deeply saddened by the passing of @AndrewBreitbart: brilliant entrepreneur, fearless conservative, loving husband and father.
Ha-ha -- Mitt, that is
not going to cut it today, but thanks for putting down your marker. This is like what would happen if Michael Moore died just before a hotly contested Democratic Super Tuesday and the most conservative Democratic candidate mourned him and noted his hearty appetite and sense of humor. Mitt missed the point -- and no one thinks it's because he's too dumb to get it.
You want to know what a real conservative writes when someone like Andrew Breitbart dies? It's not "brilliant" (at being an entrepreneur"), "fearless" (like a pit bull or certain types of mental patients), and "loving" (to his family). It's what Newt wrote:
Andrew Breitbart's sudden death is a tragedy for his family and for conservatism. Callista and I send our prayers and our condolences
Andrew Breitbart was the most innovative pioneer in conservative activist social media in America. He had great courage and creativity.
Or, to a lesser extent (befitting his lesser skills), it's what Santorum wrote:
Andrew's death is a shock & huge loss. His courage should be an example to us all. Our prayers are with his family.
There's a difference between "courageous" and "fearless." One is thoughtful yet brave; one might be simply stupid and foolhardy. Clueless infants toddling across the living room can be "fearless"; that's why we put plastic inserts in electrical outlets. They highlight his courage; Romney highlighted Breitbart's obliviousness. And his entrepreneurship. And that he -- usual enough among people like him to warrant mention? -- loved his family.
Right now, I imagine that Newt's and Santorum's people are looking at Romney's tweet and grinning. Each of them will drape themselves in Breitbart skins over the next few days, mourning and keening and wailing, and ask for Romney to do the same.
This is roughly the equivalent of asking Romney to drink a fifth of tequila and dance the flamenco. He can't do it, my friend.
Keep an eye on this. It's Mourning in Conservative America, and Romney has already stumbled out of the gate. His opponents are going to make him dance to their tune regarding the passing of the apopleptic Breitbart -- and if there is one thing we know about Mitt Romney, it's that he can't dance.
He loves his family and is in his own way a kind of brilliant entrepreneur, but when it comes to the display of emotions that conservatives demand at a time like this, Mitt is not exactly fearless. Breitbart's death shakes up the race. Mitt will not know how closely to embrace him -- and yes, we're voting for closely -- and both his hesitation and his diffidence are going to hurt him next week and far beyond.