It should come as no surprise that Mitt Romney's "storm relief event" today in Ohio was a campaign event masquerading as a compassionate response to Hurricane Sandy.

However, what is surprising? That those mainstream pool reporters traveling with the Romney campaign reported the exact same thing in real time on Twitter.

Here's CNN's Jonathan Karl not pulling any punches by noting the anti-Obama wear being passed out at a non-partisan "storm relief event." Oh, and look, cans!



Romney's event it in Kettering Ohio:This photo says it all -- "Obama: You're Fired an here's some canned goods" twitter.com/jonkarl/status… — Jonathan Karl (@jonkarl) October 30, 2012

So far Romney's OH disaster relief event has every touchstone of a normal rally. Same warm up songs: Only in America, Hollywood Nights, etc. — James Hohmann (@jameshohmann) October 30, 2012 After the standard Romney bio video played at relief event in OH, they played Kiss’ “Detroit Rock City” and Whitesnake’s “Here I go again." — James Hohmann (@jameshohmann) October 30, 2012

A victory rally or storm relief event? RT @ari_shapiro: Press badge for today's "storm relief event" in Ohio: twitter.com/Ari_Shapiro/st… — Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) October 30, 2012

"Storm relief event" in Dayton begins with the Romney bio campaign video touting his record as a leader & a problem-solver. — Ari Shapiro (@Ari_Shapiro) October 30, 2012 Romney aide Stuart Stevens says "I agree" that Romney bio video blurs line b/t storm relief & politicking. "I don't know how it happened" — Ari Shapiro (@Ari_Shapiro) October 30, 2012 Stevens added, "Some volunteer just pressed play, I guess." — Ari Shapiro (@Ari_Shapiro) October 30, 2012 Folks asking where the food is going- days ago the campaign said VA but today Romney said NJ. Campaign bus to hand it out. — Ari Shapiro (@Ari_Shapiro) October 30, 2012

Oh, and as for Shapiro's filing for All Things Considered? Well, just take a listen here.

Sign at the Romney storm relief event in Kettering Ohio this AM. twitter.com/mikiebarb/stat… — Michael Barbaro (@mikiebarb) October 30, 2012 Romney playing long glossy campaign video at storm relief event. Shows Ann talking up Mitt as candidate. — Michael Barbaro (@mikiebarb) October 30, 2012

Here's Politico's James Hohmann describing the scene with surprising straightforwardness:Here's The Washington Post's Philip Rucker, who was present and equally disquieted about Romney playing a biographical film at a "storm relief event," responding to NPR's Ari Shapiro, who shows off his press pass:As for NPR's Ari Shapiro? He had plenty more daggers to share as well:And here's The New York Times' Michael Barbaro with a snarky photo and observation:The consensus? Mitt's "storm relief event" in Ohio, which had already been planned as a campaign rally previously at the exact same location, was exactly what you'd expect it to be: a political rally masquerading as disaster relief.

When mainstream pool reporters traveling with a political campaign shoot straight and call out inauthenticity, you know some serious bullshit was underfoot. When those same reporters who hobnob with the campaign and dine on their catered food shoot daggers on Twitter, aghast at what they're seeing?

You know Romney has gone beyond desperate. In Ohio.

Follow @David_EHG

