FOXNews/GOP Debate: Romney gets criticized
By Nicole Belle Saturday Sep 08, 2007 8:02pm
I can't lie. I tried to watch the GOP debate last week, but it was so mind-numbingly full of meaningless talking points that I fell asleep. Which is why I missed this little exchange, but I think it really shows what an unthinking empty suit Mitt Romney really is.
Download | play Download | play (h/t Heather for vid)
Carl Cameron lets Deputy Sheriff and military father Mark Riss pose a question to Romney, and Riss slaps him down but good. Riss makes sure Romney knows just how offensive it was to liken Mitt's sons work on his campaign to serving in the military, as Riss's son has on two tours. Further, Riss points out that Mitt's "plan" in Iraq is woefully short of specifics.
Watch Romney scroll through his mental Rolodex of Republican platitudes in order to respond.
Deputy Strafford County Sheriff Mark Riss, who asked the question, said that it felt good to get his grievance off his chest and that he's accepted Romney's apology. But Riss, who said he's an undecided independent who leans Republican, said he wasn't satisfied with the answer.
"I thought he never really answered the question," he said. "What I was looking for from him was a response as to how he would end the conflict in Iraq, and he did not provide that to me. In fact, he did not even come close."
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Another unfortunate meeting between a Republican and 'the truth'.
As usual, the Republican comes out the loser.
Romney looked more like a car salesman trying to sell a lemon to ya' than a thoughtful statesman. The guy basically disregarded the question he was asked and continued living in tra-la-la land.
First, Romney never addressed the deputy sheriff's complaint of Romney comparing his sons working on his campaign to the soldiers occupying Iraq. Romney then says that the U.S. must continue this failed policy of the so-called global war on terror. Someone should ask Romney if he advocates having the U.S. military invade and occupy 60 other countries where foreign jihadists are suspected of residing.
Gee' Hod! Gee' Hod!
I have a friend that knows the Romney family. His opinion is that Mitt's father is not very bright and expects 'the apple hasn't fallen far from the tree'. He's Republican and will have nothing to do with Romney.
Hmmmmmmmmmmm...you notice the fucker didn't apologize for making the analogy between the soldiers and his chuckle-headed, pansy sons, did he?
You know as far as this fake, pandering prick is concerned, his sons helping him get elected is more important than anything going on overseas! God help our men and women in uniform if this leving, breathing bobble-head becomes President!
"How dare that low life loser assh*le speak to me the Mitt like that."
Mitts head
The repugnacan VOTERS do want a thinking leader, which really makes me wonder how we got stuck with the biggest idiot to ever be elected not once but twice. As far as finding a leader with ideas, it sure as hell isn't anyone on the repugnacan side in '08.
The DEMOCRATS want to remove Maliki? Me thinks Mr. Suit missed a few of G-Dub's speeches.
BTW: Did he ever answer the question (besides "visit my website") explaining how he defines "success" and his plan for getting out of Iraq?
Did you see the smirk Romney just couldn't suppress as he was asked the question? As if he had prepared for this one and couldn't wait to spin it toward the Democrats.
And as for the deputy sheriff, what does he want to see that will "look like victory"? As soon as it was revealed that there were no WMDs we lost. We staked our nation's good will on preemptive war based on their existence.
We lost that good will. And uncounted Iraqis have died to cover George Bush's crime. They cannot win while we remain.
Empty suit? Yes. But no more empty than Fred Thompson, Rudy Guiliani or Tan(no)credo. Meanwhile McCain is a suit full of shit.
So the GOP '08 iraq war talking point is going to be: "The Democrats want us to fail !!"
Yep, they're screwed !!!!
when mitt try to spin the question ask by the man who son is in Iraq, the man should of counterattack with if mitt believes in prolonging the invasion of Iraq, when he gets elected president of the united states, will his five sons go to Iraq to help prolong it would he just continue to send other people children to die a mean less death while his five sons lives a life of luxury?
Romney:
And who is the biggest proponent of removing Maliki, Mitt? Think.
(sigh) What an ass-hat. Could someone please remind me why Massachussetts, a generally smart blue state, elected this ass-hat for governor?
Romney says, "Let's start bringing our troops back when they feel its the right time to do so. To make sure we move to the support stage out of a posture of strength and not a posture of bowing to the Democrats?" wtf? I was expecting the words bowing to sectarian violence or bowing to insurgents, but being concerned about bowing to "Democrats?!?" I guess my expectations were too high or I'm missing the point. Of course, I guess, he is just making a political point in line with his partisan talking point hackeries, but the implications of that statement out of that specific political context are bad enough...it makes me sick. Isn't it obvious that any withdrawl is going to have complicated and difficult stages that will require well-thought out planning and strong execution to minimize deaths all around? But to then contrast that obvious rational military strategy to the legislative actions of your fellow countrymen and public servants, completely and ignorantly blowing them off, and then even limiting yourself only to options that might save your horribly tarnished political face? (if that's even possible at this point...) Wow.
Honestly, I'm starting to think that we Democrats really are Dummycrats. A heavily blue city, NYC, elects Ghouliani for Mayor. A blue state, Mass., elects Romney for Governor.
Both one of them are slimeball wingnuts.
First of all, how in the world can one be an undecided independent?? What the fuck is there to be undecided about? Second, if it is indeed possible to be undecided, how can one possibly be leaning republican?? Holy shit.
Is this site running slow for anyone else, or is it my Safari?
Look at the smirk on Romney's face. What an arrogant ass.
There is also a post on digg.com on how the cafeteria was set up in the debate. Supposedly the interviewer found some "random" person in a cafeteria who had a question. They of course were all pre-screened in the otherwise closed cafeteria.
I hate to break it to them but the republicans have already failed in Iraq.
Otay @ 16:
Add to that LIEberman from supposedly blue Connecticut.
Otay @ 16:
In the defense of New York City, Giuliani won initially against David Dinkins, who really wasn't considered a competent mayor http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Dinkins
Afterwords he was given undue credit for being a positive influence on events that were actually beyond his control such as a reduction of the crime or the attacks of 9/11 (it's amazing that such a negative event happening in his city would boost his popularity, but at least gave semblance of sounding like he knew what was doing in contrast to the president immediately after the disaster). Anyway, the other point was that none of the Mayors of New York were actually socially conservative even when they were Republicans, such that even now Giuliani can't even attempt to run from his pro-choice stance.
As for Mitt Romney, I have no idea how that happened.
The whole sons working on his campaign seems very dubyesque. I sure hope this man doesn't get the GOP nod.
Romney's answer, distilled: "We have to keep fighting a losing war even if it unleashes more chaos because otherwise the democrats win."
What a disgrace he is. A used car salesman huckster fraud.
Mr. Riss's only gaff was in mistaking that life-sized cardboard-cutout figure for a real man. Asking for honesty, reason, or logic from the one-dimensional toothpaste ad ithat is Mitt Romney is like expecting to get insights into the meaning of life from "South Park".
The only reason that anyone, even a stupid Repuglican, would vote for Romney is that, of all the Repug candidates, he's the only one that looks even half-alive. But he's not. He's not alive. To be alive you have to have a beating heart, and some semblance of humanity. Romney has neither.
Romney says: "The Democrats what to remove Al Maliki, they want to remove the head of the government, and withdraw. That's a policy for chaos."
Question: Is the ensuing chaos that we would have after we get all these things that we want that Romney stated worse than the chaotic cluster (choose your expletive) that we have now?
I bet that I know how the average Iraqi would respond.
He is pretty one dimensional isn't he? He reminds me of a character out of the Simpsons. Someone like Troy McClure.
[...] Sep 10, 2007 in mitt romney, incompetence, veterans, romney, gaffs and pratfalls, triumph of unreason, the dark soul of Mitt Romney, rhetoric, election, stupidity, republicans, election 2008, debate, 2008, lies, GOP You can watch the video here, at Crooks and Liars, in a web log post by the estimable Nicole Belle titled FOXNews/GOP Debate: Romney gets criticized. [...]
That certainly was a fresh answer from Mit. I never heard those "reasons" before of why we have done everything wrong, why we have violated international law, and why our own Constitution no longer applies. I was so riveted by his response i had to stop the tape.
I want to know if the family dog is strapped to the roof of the Winnebago his five sons drove on their arduous trek across Iowa?
Romney never gives specific details but Hugh Hewitt and Roger Simon keep making coffee table scrapbooks about him
Given his own chickenhawk history, and that currently of his five military age sons, it seems there might just be a yellow streak running through the Romney family.
I only watched three minutes of the debate, but this was the clip I saw live. My jaw dropped as the deputy sheriff asked his questions. I couldn't believe this was allowed to happen on Fox Noise channel. I'll bet the Republicans never allow this format again.
Romney's smirk as he listened to the guy's question was telling. I can't imagine any republican who saw that could ever vote for him.
Otay @ 16:
Rudy did some cagey stuff in '93
And so the uh "end game" Mitt?Care to respond?you boob?
I thought that was the follow up question that the nincompoop from fox was gonna press you on.
These fuckin chickenhawk republicans always say the same tired old shit, which is a borked argument. The logical conclusion to his argument is, if this global conflict, this "radical violent jihad" whereby we have to be successful because the "consequences will be enormous" is:
1) there's then absolutely ZERO reason why his healthy eligible sons (ALL candidates' eligible sons for that matter) are not serving in the military, putting THEIR lives on the line for what daddy pretty much claims is the grand struggle of our time.
2) there's then absolutely ZERO reason why a draft isn't instituted to insure victory against this radical violent jihad that "ranges from Indonesia to Nigeria, through Europe and into America."
3) there's then absolutely ZERO reason why anyone who supports this global struggle against the radical violent jihad, and doesn't want to serve, should be lobbying for large tax increases to pay for it.
You claim it's that important? Then put your money and your blood where your mouth is...you lying phony sack of deluded hog shit. Pony up, or shut the fuck up and get off the stage.
His lips move and sound comes out, but he says nothing.
Hey Mitt.
I'd like to break your Pottery.
When you had a chance to be in "the place of honor we will never forget" that is, serve in the US military, what service did you choose and when?
And yes, let's let the troops vote. But in a real vote not like the BS we laughingly call "Elections"!
Darth_Romney @ 6:
He strikes me as someone who got through life on his looks.
Truly Equal @ 2:
See, if we had some really good "take no prisioners" strategists on our side, someone would re-hash "Would you buy a used car from this guy?" slogan.
I usually call him a cardboard figure, but empty suit works for me too.
We know it's not about broken pottery-- grow up! So, what's your plan? So secret you can't say. Are we to race to your website to see it. (Is that where it's hiding from terrorist eyes?) Fat chance I'd go to your website. Guess I'll never know which talking points you pasted together.
Blah Verbal diarrhea
Well Mitt old boy,
You still have no definitive answer of how you accomplish the " Mitt version of Iraq success".
So the Democrats want to get rid of Miliki and the Petreaus report is good news. How do you know that the report is positive? Have you been assured by Bush?
I'm a Democrat And I would like to have you removed from the candidacy. I haven't read nor seen the Petreaus report and I can't tell you if he writes good things or if the President writes what he wants us to hear. But Mitt knows its a good news report, hasn't read it and will wait to see?
Mitt, go tie your kids to the top of the station wagon and go for a drive.........
He didn't come close for one reason: Romney is a FRAUD.
Mitt's comment about what the Democrats want to do was almost correct, except for one detail. We want to remove Bush, not Maliki, from office, and pull out of Iraq. Minor detail in his little republican mind.
Art Pufkin @ 4:
Yes, yes! Toss in a web-site reference and a hand-fulla 'victories' and the canning process is complete. Oh, and in Mitt's case, let's not forget his secret weapon from a coupla debates back: DOUBLE GITMO!!!!!
Just another well-coiffed, flush with cash nimrod . . .
The reason Mitt didn't respond directly to the question is
because, to him Mitt Romney, there was no question.
He makes the question disappear which makes HIS MISTAKE DISAPPEAR.
(He believes so anyway)
"we have to be successful in Iraq." This one phrase should be scrutinized to the point of oblivion! Okay, "we have to be successful in Iraq." And "we have to end violence, we have to eliminate traffic deaths, we have to stop child abuse, we have to respect the will of the people."
NONE of these things will ever be accomplished, but we don't keep banging our heads against the wall because they "have to happen!" There will be no "success" in Iraq for centuries at this rate, and we don't have the resources to go down that road, so let's cut our losses and be done with it already!! FUCK!! These people!!
so many of the conservative parents who have sons and daughters who have either fought in iraq or who are fighting in iraq or who perhaps have lost limbs or their lives in iraq, these parents cannot admit that this war was perpetrated on false premises conjured up by the bush admin because in doing so they would as much admit that their kids have served or given their lives in vain. so they keep up with the rhetoric to honor their kids. they would serve them better by speaking out against the injustices.
The absolute silence after his points lets you know that he isn't fooling anybody.
jkb @ 48:
Good analogies. I'll take it further: "We have to win our money back from the Bellagio!"
I watched this live and may have been tired as well, but my memory does not match up with the clips I'm seeing now. When I watched it live, I was pissed because Romney had a big smirk on his face and was at some point laughing while the question was being read. The "replays" all show Romney with a very solemn expression. Did anyone else see this, or was I just imagining things?
Otay @ 16:
Yeah but now we have elected Democrat Deval Patrick as govenor ... what party is NYCs mayor from?
I'm surprised he didn't work Bill Clinton in there somehow. He was really quick to get Bill in when Larry Craig got busted. If only Bill Clinton had totally fucked up a preemptive war and created chaos. Damn you Bill. Now they can't blame this quagmire on you. What a dick Mitt is.
BOW TO THE DEMOCATS???!!!
the most honest heart-felt (and uncalculated) response I"ve yet heard from this pen salesman.
Mitt is so plastic.
I finally figured out who Mitt reminds me of - Stone Phillips, only without the gravitas.
Otay @ 51:
LOL!!!
Blah, blah war, blah, blah kill, blah, blah terror, blah, blah, blah - I HATE all this horse pucky they throw around. They love war because it makes them rich and gives them power and makes them feel manly. Not so manly they put their lives on the line, but manly enough to kill other people's kids.
They are cowards and liars and nasty little men.
Powkat @ 58:
Hey, the public is not so bright these days. Remember, they elected this president in 2004, and
you'd better believe that the public will be sufficiently scared of al Qaeda in the 2008 election
that it could very well elect Giuliani, Romney or Fred Thompson. America has dumbed down a
lot since the 2000 election. Americans love to be scared and this Administrations plays to fear
constantly.
[Deleted. Flamebait-Sitemonitor]
Does anyone here think that Ron Paul speaks the truth? I'm not for the Republicans but, when I hear truth being spoken and it is truth being spoken to power it sure does make my ears perk up. Would anyone here vote for Ron Paul? I sure would. I have about 0 faith in any mainstream Dem or Republican these days.
If I can't vote for the one I really want, I think I will just sit this one out this time. I don't even feel like my vote has counted the last 2 times anyways, heck I have more assurance that my actions counted when buying a stick of gum in the grocery store than I do that my vote was cast and counted correctly these days.
What a sham this great nation of ours has become.
Wonder if the Democrats will fund Bush's war again this time around? I wonder if it knocked the winds out of anyone else’s sails to see the Democrats betray the vote and the will of the people when they gave the President everything he wanted. (And doesn’t anyone else think it was odd that the President and Congress were all buddy, buddy when it came to the “guest worker” program? Little strange eh?)
In the past few years I have seen, the power of the vote taken away, civil liberties taken away, the feeling of pride in my country taken away and no one seems to be able to do something about it.
Has anyone seen the move 7? That is our country now. Lust, Gluttony, Greed. Sloth, Wrath, Envy, Pride
Do not put your faith in men for they will only disappoint, put your faith in the Father for he is the one true way to freedom and happiness.
God help and bless us all
Hey Mitt, You drank the cool aide.
You are commiting the lives of other
peoples children to try to contain a civil war.
You wanna' saves lives and maiming our young soldiers?
Bring all of them the immediately.
Saddam is dead, let the Iraqi's purge
Al Qaida and the work out the formula for living together. If they can't work it out let them kill each other.
Wake up you asshole!
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