The Left Wants to Silence Ann Romney

Ann Romney is a force in this campaign.  She’s powerfully introduced Mitt across the nation, she’s been featured in several complimentary news segments, she’s chided a former President… and won the argument.

It’s understandable why the Left is afraid of a powerful, well-spoken Republican woman.

I guess we shouldn’t be surprised that they’re trying to silence the best campaign asset that Gov. Romney has.

“I don’t even consider myself wealthy,” Mrs. Romney said in a much longer interview yesterday on Fox.  A liberal blog called Think Progress spliced that one sentence into a YouTube clip which undoubtedly will be played for voters who are suspicious of successful people like the Romneys.

But, what did she really mean?  Chris Cillizza helpfully gives us the full transcript of her words.  And, not surprisingly, context matters:

“[O]ne thing this disease has been for me has been a wonderful teacher. And with that comes an ability for compassion for others that are suffering. And for me, I want to make my family bigger. Those that are suffering from M.S. or cancer or any disease I feel like I want to throw my arms open and say, welcome to my family and welcome to the place where I’ve been and, so, you know, we can be poor in spirit and I don’t look — I don’t even consider myself wealthy which is am interesting thing. It can be here today and gone tomorrow, and how I measure riches is by the friends I have and the loved ones I have and the people I care about in my life and that is where my values are and those are my riches so for me having done through a difficult period in my life both with M.S. and with breast cancer it has done something to my heart and it’s softened my heart and made me realize there are many people suffering in this country and they are suffering from things that aren’t financial — and some people are suffering from things that are financial, as well — but those that are suffering, for me, I just have a larger capacity for love, and for understanding.”

Again, we have to choose.

As evangelicals, will we punish a person for saying she doesn’t put her trust in material wealth?  Or, will we fight back against the resentment, the deception, and the envy that mocks people of faith?

As women, will we let the Left unfairly characterize us as out of touch?  Or will we steadfastly work to make sure the right person is elected in 2012?

As Americans, will we let them make us jealous of people who’ve worked diligently and given generously?

I know what I’m doing.  I voted for Gov. Romney today in Tennessee, I have donated money to the campaign, and I am annoying my friends with more politics than they ever wanted to hear.

Mainly, though, I’m looking forward to hearing more from Mrs. Romney on the campaign trail.

Go, Ann!