Opinion: A behind-the-scenes debate in the Romney camp

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Here they are, these famous people, running, indefatigably running to become president of the United States. And they’re learning all about these important issues and debating foreign policy and what needs doing to salvage Social Security, and on illegal immigration and so many other complexities.

And in between public appearances they’re inside a small jet zipping around Iowa from Bettendorf to Cedar Rapids to Mason City and Des Moines just before the crucial Iowa caucus will determine the fate of several candidates, including possibly the one walking toward the back of the plane with a friend.

It’s former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and his advisor Ron Kaufman. They look serious. They need help. They want the handful of reporters sitting there, including The Times’ Robin Abcarian, to settle an important issue -- and $100 is riding on it.

‘What movie was the song ‘Que Sera Sera’ from?’ Romney asks.

‘’The King and I’?’ suggests Kaufman.

But before you can say Google, a young woman’s voice pipes up from farther back, ‘The Man Who Knew Too Much.’

As the two men walk away, Romney can be heard saying, ‘Put it on my tab.’

-- Andrew Malcolm