Ira Stoll on Romney's "Gift" Remarks

Mitt Romney's explanation of his election loss—that President Obama bought the election with "gifts" such as health insurance coverage and student loan forgiveness—may be closer to the truth than a lot of people want to believe, writes Ira Stoll.

Romney's remarks were less than artfully phrased, and, by characterizing the gift recipients in terms of racial groups, did have the potential to be unnecessarily and unfortunately divisive.

The professions of shock, dismay, and outrage that greeted the Romney remarks are nonetheless exasperating.