When he was head of Bain Capital, Mitt Romney was driving in the countryside one day when he came upon a shepherd with a huge flock of sheep crossing the road.
Stopping his car, Romney yelled at the shepherd, “I will bet you $10,000 against one of your sheep that I can tell you the exact number in your flock.”
The shepherd thinks it over; it’s a big flock and this guy’s obviously a city boy, so he takes the bet.
“973,” says Romney.
The shepherd is astonished — that is the exact number! The shepherd says, “Okay, I’m a man of my word, take an animal.” Romney grabs one of the sheep and begins to tie it the roof of his car.
“Wait,” cries the shepherd, “Let me have a chance to get even: double or nothing that I can guess your occupation.”
Romney says “Sure. What’s my occupation?”
“You are a ruthless corporate raider from a leveraged buyout firm,” says the shepherd.
“Amazing!” responds Romney, “You are exactly right! But tell me, how did you deduce that?”
“Well,” says the shepherd, “put down my dog and I’ll tell you.”