I know, I know, it's the wrong formulation, it should be "Dr beat BEAT & MISTer Hyde". But I think it's a good framing mechanism for Romney's ability to say one thing one moment, and the opposite the next, and to imbue this characteristic with ominous overtones.
It's great to show Romney as a flip-flopper, but Mr./Dr. would show him as something more dangerous...a character as likely to be good as to be evil, somebody undependable and protean.
His comments, taken from the 1994 race, from the governor's race, and from the recent debate, where he's reasonable, conciliatory, and moderate, could be labelled "Mr. Romney". The comments where he directly contradicts himself, from the primary contests, from historic Bain documentation, and from the 47% video, could be labelled "Dr. Hyde".
Because Romney's fluctuations in what he professes to believe, and how he would govern, which populations he would favor, and which he would ignore, are not only confusing and tiresome, they are dangerous. And this needs to be conveyed in a way that people can understand.
Is he going to heal Medicare? or is he going to slash Medicare? Is he compassionate about the middle class? Or does he despise the middle class?
et cetera.
Sorry for the brevity of the diary, but I have coffee to drink.
Please feel free to post suggestions of additional framing mechanisms. Given sufficient input and interest, I will include them in updates/a poll.