At Saturday’s debate in Iowa, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney extended his hand to Texas governor Rick Perry, proposing a $10,000 wager over a disputed passage about health care in Romney’s book. Perry was quick to criticize Romney the following day, calling him “out of touch” with citizens. “Having an extra $10,000 that you would throw down on a bet just seems very out of the ordinary,” Perry said. “I would suggest to you that $10,000 is pocket change for Mitt.”
Former Utah governor Jon Huntsman, who did not attend the debate, set up the website 10kBet.com, to highlight how Perry won the argument, though he did not accept the wager. Romney strategist Eric Fehrnstrom defended Romney’s proposal as a typical bet among friends. “Usually the sum of your bet depends on how strongly you feel about the rightness of your position,” Fehrnstrom said. “So when Mitt Romney made that bet, he did so knowing that Rick Perry wouldn’t take it, and by backing down Rick Perry looks weak.”
