Give Mitt Romney a lot of credit, first for agreeing to appear at the NAACP convention at all. Barack Obama won’t make an appearance this year; he’s sending Joe Biden instead. Romney had decided to focus on the economy, but part of that focus dealt with eliminating expensive and wasteful government spending — including ObamaCare, which he pledged again to repeal. The result? A cascade of boos:

“I will eliminate expensive non-essential programs like Obamacare, and I will work to reform and save Medicare and Social Security, in part by means-testing their benefits,” Romney said, according to prepared remarks.

The crowd was not amused.

Romney got light applause from the crowd when the promised to “defend traditional marriage,” a position that put him at odds with both President Obama and the NAACP.

We can see a smile break out on Romney’s face, and for good reason.  This gives him all sorts of instant credibility on the Right and in the middle.  The middle will be pleased to see that Romney went to the convention at all, in the face of overt hostility, plus the NAACP audience comes across as a bit immature.  The Right has doubted Romney’s commitment to repealing ObamaCare at times, but this shows that Romney is willing to repeat that pledge anywhere, even when it’s guaranteed to turn the audience against him.

So now, the focus should shift to Obama.  Will he defend his flip-flop on gay marriage at Focus on the Family? His changing tax positions at the Chamber of Commerce?  Obamanomics at an Americans for Prosperity convention?

Ok, President Obama. Romney went into NAACP lion's den. When will YOU venture outside your bubble? cc @davidaxelrod @messina2012

— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) July 11, 2012

I’d guess … no.

Update: Credit where it’s due — the NAACP convention audience gave Romney a standing ovation at the end.