When the Very Idea of a Political Candidate Inspiring Enthusiasm Is Funny, Someone Has A Problem

No, I'm not saying that Romney's Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Night* last night means he won't win: I'm sticking with the conventional wisdom that he's inevitable, however many newts he has to crush or swamps of repulsive liquid he must drain to get there.

But it's sure the case that no one seems to like him.

So one of the funny things about this Onion story is the headline:

ROMNEYMANIA SWEEPS AMERICA

...the point being that the very idea of it is funny.

Say what you will about Obama -- and Lord knows I've said plenty -- but he inspired some genuine enthusiasm (including -- full disclosure -- from me) when he was running (y'know, back when he still believed in civil liberties and all that stuff).

But Romney? The Onion -- and truly it calls itself America's finest news source -- has it right: it's a giggle.

There are some giggles in the article itself too:

Youngstown, OH auto mechanic Chris Ritenour said Wednesday[,] "Everything he says resonates with Americans. His moving story of growing up privileged, his inspiring rise from moderate wealth to overwhelming riches, his thrilling work in the highest echelons of corporate finance—he really speaks to the heart and mind of the common man." ...

As Romneymania has grown, the Republican candidate has crossed over from political figure to cultural phenomenon. Countless reverent portraits of Romney have appeared in storefront windows and on building facades throughout the country, often accompanied by one of the candidate's signature inspirational phrases, like "Let Detroit go bankrupt" or "Corporations are people, my friend."

Genuinely funny. But not as funny as the idea of actual Romney enthusiasm.

And the truth of the matter is... actual, honest-to-God real and not Onion quotes from actual, honest-to-Mother-In-Heaven Romney supporters are mostly pretty funny too. (Although, yes, some of them are actually kind of sad, and some depressing in their stupidity or racism or what have you.)

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* Apologies to Judith Viorst.