Jackson Hole demonstrators ‘Roast Romney’ during fundraiser
The Mitt Romney campaign made a stop in Jackson Hole for a fundraiser hosted at the home of former Vice President Dick Cheney.
Media weren’t allowed inside the private event, but outside, about a dozen people gave Romney a less-than-warm Wyoming welcome.
Demonstrators are wearing “Mitt masks,” they said, as part of an irresistible opportunity to poke fun at the GOP presidential nominee as he raised funds just down the road.
But, it wasn’t just fun and games. Organizers hoped it would make voters think twice before hitting the polls in November.
Passing drivers expressed approval of the mockery Thursday afternoon.
“We’re just trying to expose more of who he is and what he’s saying and how silly we feel it is,” said organizer Lia Kass.
Kass and Roy Andes, both of Victor, were behind the Alternative Roast Romney Welcome while supporters dished out $30,000 per couple for a dinner ticket at Cheney’s house.
“I bet the food’s good,” said Andes.
The pair, and eight to 10 others, were raising signs and questions about the former Massachusetts governor.
“I think big corporations and big money is taking over what’s going on,” said demonstrator Sheila Harrison. “I don’t agree with that. I think they’re forgetting the middle class.”
Though Romney hasn’t appeared in public with Cheney or former President George W. Bush in this campaign, Andes said he wanted to expose voters to what he called a “cozy” relationship.
That message was echoed by demonstrator Jay Wright, who said he’s undecided.
“Mitt Romney is basically just more of the same. (We would be) stepping backwards in time a bit,” said Wright. “I’m not in love with Obama, but Mitt Romney is definitely not the way.”
The group said they may not influence the local 1 percent, but their efforts certainly weren’t going unnoticed.
“That’s Instagram-worthy,” said one observer.
There was no sign of Romney or the Secret Service, but state highway patrol did shut down traffic briefly around 5 p.m.
The Washington Post reported that Thursday night’s fundraiser is expected to raise more than $2 million for Romney.
