Who was that unmasked man at Debate #2, The Rematch? Why, it was “the petulant, unlikable and bullying corporate persona that is Mitt Romney’s default mode.”

Oh, come, that’s a bit harsh, is it not? Well, judge for yourself.

With his feigned slights, his constant squabbling over the rules, and his arrogance that he alone has a trust-me-it’ll-work business plan to right the country, Romney was the very picture of a C.E.O. used to getting his way. Meeting over. All opposed, take a hike.

[snip]

Seven different times, Romney used the words, “I know what it takes.” Because he ran a business, and a state and the Olympics. Except his business was a very predatory form of venture capital — no way to run a country. And his state ranked 47th in job creation, down there with the usual Southern suspects — no way [to] guide a nation. And his Olympics relied, in considerable measure, on “the enormous spending and services of the federal government” to succeed, as Romney said in 2002.

[snip]

The Romney at Hofstra was the man who gives off enough of a toff’s sense of entitlement that you wouldn’t want to hang out with him, even if he demanded it. He’s the plutocrat with a plan, and if you don’t like it, go on down to Human Resources and pick up your lousy severance.

Well, said, Mr. Egan.