“Like a Glutton Who Has Undergone Bariatric Surgery”

Romney demonstrated in the last election an exceptional incapacity to convince others that he buys his own spin — no small handicap in a politician. Last time around, he tried to overcome this deficiency by spinning even harder. But the pandering and insincerity this engendered proved deadly. One shudders to imagine what he might have said if let loose on the campaign trial in full pander mode at the height of the birther craze as Trump soared in the polls.

But this hasn’t been a problem. Like a glutton who has undergone bariatric surgery, Romney has starved himself of opportunities to be embarrassed by remaining on the sidelines and looks much better for it.

— Joshua Green on Mitt Romney as the Do-Nothing Frontrunner.