(IMAGE: OpenSecrets.org)

BY BLAKE HANSON

Some might argue you can buy your way to the Oval Office -- but could you do it using cold hard cash? It’s how Mitt Romney won the heart of at least one South Carolina woman. The hosts of Fox and Friends describe what happened when one of Romney’s jobless volunteers came up to him at an event...

“Came up to him, basically said ‘I’m out of work, I’ve been out of work for a while.’ So what’d Mitt Romney do? He reaches into the ol’ pocket, pulls out his wallet and he fumbled through and handed her about $50, $60 in cash.”

The woman was 55-year-old Ruth Williams. South Carolina state treasurer and Romney supporter Curtis Loftis also chipped in to pay Williams’ electric bill.
(Video: ABC News)

So could this be an attempt by the Romney campaign to appear more down to earth? NBC News Political Director Chuck Todd says there’s plenty of evidence of that strategy...

“And you know, he is trying little things, not wearing a tie, he wears jeans, you know he is trying those little things to try and sort of not look like that guy that might wear wing tips on the beach.”

The New York Times ties the event to Romney’s opponents’ latest attacks, writing...

“The exchange came as Mr. Romney’s rivals try to cast him as out of touch with average people in South Carolina. Mr. Romney’s personal wealth is estimated at between $190 million and $250 million.”

A reporter for the Washington Post says there’s no way to tell what his motive was...

“There was no indication that Romney’s cash gift was calculated or anything more than a spontaneous reaction to one woman’s story of personal struggles. But it comes as Romney’s rivals are trying to portray him as a cold, heartless businessman who became fabulously successful by prioritizing profits above workers.”

But a writer for conservative-leaning blog Hot Air says regardless of whether or not there was political profit -- it was a good gesture.

“Was Romney aware that making such a generous, spontaneous gesture might be good PR for him? I don’t doubt it. But that doesn’t mean that it wasn’t sincere either.”