GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney has become the latest politician to foray into the world of pop culture in the hopes of connecting with the average voter.
Last July, Tim Pawlenty talked about his affinity for the acoustic version of Lady Gaga's hit single, “Born This Way.” When asked by ESPN's Bill Simmons about HBO's the "The Wire," President Barack Obama replied that not only was that “one of the best shows of all time,” his favorite character was Omar Little, a gay, stick-up man. Over the years, Obama has also talked about his musical tastes stating, Al Green, the Foo Fighters and Red Hot Chili Peppers as some of his favorites. Even GOP vice-presidential nominee Paul Ryan seems to have taken a page from Obama’s playbook talking about his love of Nirvana, Rage Against the Machine and Metallica.
Now, during an appearance on Live with Kelly and Michael on Tuesday, Mitt Romney’s pop culture knowledge and tastes were put to the test. When asked who he’d prefer, MTV’s pint-sized "Guidette," Snooki (aka Nicole Polizzi) or TLC’s latest hit sensation Honey Boo Boo, Romney picked Snooki.
Romney told Kelly Ripa, “I’m kind of a Snooki fan. Look how tiny she’s gotten. She’s lost weight. She’s energetic. Just her spark-plug personality is kind of fun.”
MTV’s Jersey Shore has sparked much controversy during its six seasons, especially Polizzi. Not hailed by many as a role model, she was physically assaulted in a bar and arrested during a drunken binge on the New Jersey Seaside boardwalk.
It seems as though Romney tried to pick the more notable of the two. But could his words come back to haunt him? Maybe Honey Boo Boo would have been a better pick after all.