Well, we all know that Mitt Romney has insulted Palestinians by suggesting that the reason why the Palestinian territories have a worse economy than Israel derives from culture.

But then he tried to make up for it by saying this:

After Mr. Romney’s remarks drew criticism, his campaign said that The Associated Press had “grossly mischaracterized” the remarks by not providing the full context. For instance, the campaign said, after mentioning the per capita G.D.P. of Israel and Palestine, Mr. Romney also said: “And that is also between other countries that are near or next to each other. Chile and Ecuador, Mexico and the United States.”

So that means that the reason why Mexico has worse economic performance than the United States is also due to “culture.”

Note to David Axelrod: millions of viewers of Spanish-language television should know that Mitt Romney thinks that their ancestral culture is inferior. Just a thought.

[Cross-posted at The Reality-based Community]

Our ideas can save democracy... But we need your help! Donate Now!

Jonathan Zasloff is Professor of Law at the UCLA School of Law.