‘Saturday Night Live’ targets Mitt Romney’s image, Jon Huntsman’s N.H. focus
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“Saturday Night Live,’’ which has already proven its ability to shape the public perception of such politicians as Gerald Ford and Sarah Palin, is boring in on the 2012 class of Republican presidential candidates.
A week ago, the target was Texas Governor Rick Perry, after he delivered a speech in New Hampshire that was so animated and rambling that aides had to deny he was either drunk or on prescription medication.
This week, the target was former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and his buttondown image.
Cast member Jason Sudeikis, sporting Romney’s slicked-back hair and a business suit, told the audience that he wanted to show his edgier side because rivals such as Perry were “hogging all the headlines with sex scandals and whoopsie-daisies.’’
His goal? To become “15 percent to 17 percent more edgy.’’
Romney also plowed through some fan mail filled with hard-hitting questions, including a fictitious letter from his eldest son, Tagg.
“You were governor of Massachusetts. That must have rocked, huh, father?’’ the letter asked.
Romney replied, “Yes, Taggart. It did very much, indeed, rock. It rocked harder than a Josh Grobin concert.’’
Later, during the show’s “Weekend Update’’ segment, fellow candidate Jon Huntsman made a special guest appearance.
He played off the heavy emphasis he is making in New Hampshire, the lead presidential primary state – and homestate of the segment’s anchor, Seth Meyers.
Meyers noted that despite his efforts, Huntsman was still polling in just the single digits.
“But only a few months ago I was polling at margin of error. So to have any digit at all is a pretty big deal,’’ said the former Utah governor.
Huntsman also downplayed the suggestion he risked offending voters elsewhere in the country with his focus on New Hampshire.
“I love all of America, from Dallas, Texas, to Manchester, New Hampshire. From the majestic Rocky Mountains to New Hampshire’s scenic Lake Winnipesaukee. From the innovation of Silicon Valley to the affordable outlet malls in North Conway, N.H.,’’ said Huntsman.
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