Democrats think Mitt Romney stepped in a general election bear trap when he challenged Rick Perry to a $10,000 bet. But Republican candidates are mocking Romney’s friendly wager plenty already.
Rick Perry’s campaign went up last night with a web video highlighting the moment titled “The Truth Cannot Be Bought.” And Perry’s gone after Romney himself, joking to reporters that $10,000 is “pocket change” to Romney.
“Having an extra 10,000 that you would throw down on a bet just seems very out of the ordinary,” he said.
Jon Huntsman’s aides quickly snapped up 10kbet.com, which they used to ding Romney over the debate. The site and its introductory video make prominent use of an old, much-circulated picture of Romney and his Bain Capital colleagues posing with a pile of cash.
Gingrich got into the act on Monday, too, ripping Romney’s bet as well as his investment career.
“I would just say that if Gov. Romney would like to give back all of the money he’s earned from bankrupting companies and laying off employees over his years at Bain, that I would be glad to listen to him,” Gingrich told reporters in New Hampshire. “I’ll bet you $10, not $10,000, that he won’t take the offer.”
Benjy Sarlin
Benjy Sarlin is a reporter for Talking Points Memo and co-writes the campaign blog, TPM2012. He previously reported for The Daily Beast/Newsweek as their Washington Correspondent and covered local politics for the New York Sun.
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