Patrons Wonder If Mitt Romney Prefers His Cookies With Diamonds After He Snubs Local Bakery

At a campaign stop in Pennsylvania Tuesday, Mitt Romney sat down with some regular Americans to discuss the economy and, apparently, his distaste for the cookies provided by a beloved local bakery. “I’m not sure about these cookies,” Romney said. “Did you make those cookies?” Romney said to one of the women. “You didn’t, did you? No. No. They came from the local 7-Eleven bakery or wherever.”

Unfortunately, for Romney, they came from Bethel Bakery — “a longtime South Hills staple,” according to a local ABC affiliate. Some loyal patrons were outraged by Romney’s put down of their local baked goods. “Maybe he’s just used to eating cookies with diamonds in them,” one customer said on Facebook, according to bakery owner John Walsh. Another suggested, “I think the Bethel Bakery should make a new cookie, called ‘The Romney’, and have the top be encrusted with something that resembles diamonds.”

Watch Romney’s remarks:

Walsh, a Republican whose parents opened the bakery in 1955, said, “Initially, we were incensed that he would think that Bethel Bakery is comparable to the 7-Eleven.” But then he saw an opportunity. Now, the bakery is offering a “CookieGate” special — “buy a dozen of our cookies, get a half dozen free all day today!” Not surprisingly, many people have turned out for free (if diamondless) cookies.