Mitt, demonstrating proper jacketing for the tasteful race fan

For those of you who are doing shots every time Mitt Romney speaks a gaffe, we have a seat reserved for you at the next A.A. meeting. The man can’t make a public appearance without saying something to vividly illustrate how rich and out of touch he is.

Consider his photo op at the Daytona 500 for example. After taking a valuable day off from campaigning in Michigan to jet down to the scheduled race* to prove he’s a motorhead like the rest of us average Joes, Romney blew it as he toured the stands.

Asked by an Associated Press reporter as he was greeting NASCAR fans whether he follows the sport, Romney said: “Not as closely as some of the most ardent fans. But I have some great friends that are NASCAR team owners.”

That’s like saying you enjoy football because you hang out with Roger Goodell. At the Super Bowl. In the sky box.

But Romney wasn’t done. Oh no, not while he still has a mouth to speak with and a foot to fill it.

Here’s a tweet from Democratic strategist and “most ardent” NASCAR fan Steve Schale:

Classy Romney to fans in rain at #Daytona500 – “I like those fancy raincoats you bought. Really sprung for the big bucks.”

Who goes to the Daytona 500 and assesses the rain gear of the fans? And then ridicules whatever trash bags or fold-up plastic ponchos they had on by telling them they should have worn something, you know, richer looking?

Keep ‘em coming, Mitt. I’m buying vodka by the case so I’m ready for your next public appearance.

*The race had to be postponed due to the rain.