Romney Ally Defends Challenger And Explains “Binders Full Of Women” Gaffe
By PETER HARTWIG
If either candidate made a gaffe during Tuesday’s debate, Gov. Mitt Romney did so when he referred to going through “binders full of women” to find women for his cabinet team in Massachussetts.
Now a former college friend of Romney’s has come to his defense. T. Roberts Churchill of Dover, Massachussetts has provided an explanation for the gaffe. “Around this period of time, I was getting married, and Mitt was serving as my ‘best man.’” Churchill explained that as best man, Romney was charged with organizing the customary bachelor party.
Bachelor parties are an Anglo-American tradition in which the groom-to-be has a final night of bachelor revelry with close friends.
“I told Mitt, ‘We already have five women slated for the party’,” said Churchill. “To Mitt’s credit, he said ‘Do we have any sisters?’ meaning any African-American women.” When Churchill told him they did not, Romney insisted on going through photographs of area adult entertainers to locate a diverse panel of dancers.
“Mitt took over the project right then and there to get a diverse crew,” said Churchill. Churchill has provided photos to the media showing the selection process. At the center of it: Romney going through binders full of women.
Churchill pleaded that Romney should not be punished for mistaking his cabinet search for the bachelor party preparations in a Freudian slip. “The media jumps on him, but he was doing the right thing asking for the binders,” said Churchill. The Romney pal evens recalls that Romney hired at least one transgendered dancer. “It was sort of a crazy night,” recalled Churchill.
The Obama campaign has not responded to the clarification by the Romney friend. A representative for Romney confirmed that “Mr. Churchill is a friend” and that “The governor always appreciates his support.”
