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During a press conference this morning, GOP presidential hopeful, Mitt Romney, was interrupted and confronted by a reporter from the Associated Press about his statement that he doesn't have any lobbyists running or tied to his campaign.

Romney was clearly agitated, but unfortunately for him, the reporter, Glen Johnson, was right -- Romney is often seen on the campaign trail with Ron Kaufman, who is indeed, a powerful lobbyist. Mitt then decides to split hairs with Johnson, telling him that Kaufman didn't run his campaign, he was just an adviser, but he would have none of it. Romney also claims Kaufman isn't a paid adviser, but in fact, he is. Things got a bit ugly at times and at the end of this clip we see Johnson being scolded for angering the candidate. Of all the nerve...

CBS has more:

“I don’t have lobbyists running my campaign,” Romney said. “I don’t have lobbyists that are tied to my … ”

“That’s not true, governor!” Johnson suddenly interjected. “That is not true. Ron Kaufman is a lobbyist."

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128 Comments
Meander's picture

There's nothing that Republicans won't lie about. No news there, right?

Fil's picture

oh boy, he just sank himself. Romney's biggest opponent is Romney

what a way to award the nomination to McCain.......

DC's picture

Mitt is a liar. period

below_me's picture

hilarious!

its great to see reporters calling bullshit to there faces... be combative... make them defend themselves...

awesome! great job!

mo_dems's picture

saw this on nbc news. that ap reporter deserves a raise.

Vincennes's picture

More info on Ron Kaufman: http://www.dutkoworldwide.com/professionals/search_by_name/ron_kaufman/

Also if you search the Senate Office of Public Records (http://soprweb.senate.gov/index.cfm?event=chooseFields) for his name you'll find who he's lobbied for.

I think Romney doesn't realize there's something called the "Internets" that can pretty much make him accountable for his statements. It's amazing. Information is returned through tubes.

Tarro's picture

Gee how unusual a Republican Lying sack of crap.

sharkcellar's picture

That, people is a real journalist. You usually this kind of tenaciousness from british reporters. That man deserves a raise!

getalife's picture

Typical repudlicker.

Just saw this on KO:

"Canada's foreign ministry has put the United States and Israel on a watch list of countries where prisoners risk being tortured and also classifies some U.S. interrogation techniques as torture, according to a document obtained by Reuters on Thursday"

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=945830&contrassID=...

Shameful.

rusty b. shakleford's picture

Glen Johnson is my hero. Erect a freaking statue for this guy. Finally, a real reporter.

sharkcellar's picture

Go Canada!

weldon's picture

ask questions?

hold them to their claims?

dissect the lies?

i seem to remember this being the job of a profession long ago called a "journalist"....but it's be so long i don't think that i recognized it.

How dare a citizen call out a politician?! Outrageous!! Citizens should not be allowed to question the divine Mitt and his ilk. *sarcasm*

Romney is disgusting. Lies, lies, lies...The problem is that one only needs roughly 60% of Americans to believe his bullshit and unfortunately the percentage of stupid people in this country is much higher.

At least it's good to see stuff like this. I'm sure that now that reporter is being shipped off to our own version of Siberia or whatever has secretly replaced Guantanamo.

more at my blog...

I do my homework's picture

Did you see that old hag at the end talking bout rude and ugly? Pot meet kettle!

kenned's picture

How long before the report is fired? I think the journalist doesn't know what his job is:-) Being a journalist for CBS, you don't criticize your corporate masters. I bet if he does that again, he will find himself not working in front of the cameras.

Ryan's picture

I do my homework @ 13:

Did you see that old hag at the end talking bout rude and ugly? Pot meet kettle!

Caught that at the very end. Funny, we see journalists doing their job, and they get called "rude and ugly." The American people are so far removed from actual journalism entails. It isn't unquestioning allegiance!

ROM Spaceknight's picture

one thing mitt better be ready for is a serious discussion of mormonism itself.

because most of us are sick of faith-based foreign policy.

and even most evangelicals believe mormons are batshit crazy.

it's gonna be an interesting year, 2008. a lot of discussion about "what do you REALLY believe?"... provided the false-flag maestros don't win the next round...

Andy K's picture

You have gotta love the KoolAid drinker at the end of the video who tells Johnson, "I think you're rude. I think you are rude and ugly."

Will we be hearing from her when she learns that Mitt was...LYING?!?!

cheesesauce's picture

Gosharooney! That reporter wasn't being fluffy enough. He needs to learn from CBS's Couric and NBC's Lauer, ABC, and the Faux Shmooz reporters about soft balls. The kind that rest on the chins of the other aforementioned "reporters" who dutifuly wash the cocks of the corporatistfascistrepulicktards with their tounges. Let's all be kinder, gentler, you know, more docile, more easily led. Can't we all just get along?

Biff Limbaugh's picture

Crazy Horses!

Peter G's picture

As a life long hunter whose dad marched with Martin Luther King Mitt Romney would never lie.

Paul's picture

By Romney's repeated examples, and being a bishop in his church, can pathological lying be taken as being considered a Mormon virtue?

mongo's picture

Jeez, this clown gets rattled and agitated by a reporter doggedly following up a relevant issue, how is he going to deal with al qaeda...?

numfar's picture

It's "unprofessional" to disagree with a candidate. What kind of bizarroworld do these scumbags come from?

They think we are just supposed to accept what the candidate says at face value.

Morons.

Glen Johnson is my new hero also.

Paul's picture

BTW, isn't AP owned by the Unification church? This could be an example of two religious cults going to each other's throats because their adherants despise each other. A Moonie ambush.

ROM Spaceknight's picture

mitt will be fun to debate.

"meadow mountain massacre", anyone?

Paul's picture

cheesesauce @ 18:

Gosharooney! That reporter wasn't being fluffy enough. He needs to learn from CBS's Couric and NBC's Lauer, ABC, and the Faux Shmooz reporters about soft balls. The kind that rest on the chins of the other aforementioned "reporters" who dutifuly wash the cocks of the corporatistfascistrepulicktards with their tounges. Let's all be kinder, gentler, you know, more docile, more easily led. Can't we all just get along?

LOL!

Andy K's picture

Paul @ 24:

BTW, isn't AP owned by the Unification church? This could be an example of two religious cults going to each other's throats because their adherants despise each other. A Moonie ambush.

UPI is owned by Moon.

♥♂ Angry Guy's picture

Johnson is like Diogenes wandering through the streets of washington looking for an honest man.

♥♂ Angry Guy's picture

cheesesauce @ 18:

Gosharooney! That reporter wasn't being fluffy enough. He needs to learn from CBS's Couric and NBC's Lauer, ABC, and the Faux Shmooz reporters about soft balls. The kind that rest on the chins of the other aforementioned "reporters" who dutifuly wash the cocks of the corporatistfascistrepulicktards with their tounges. Let's all be kinder, gentler, you know, more docile, more easily led. Can't we all just get along?

Hillarious! Thanks for the chuckle.

Paul's picture

Andy K @ 27:

Paul @ 24:

BTW, isn't AP owned by the Unification church? This could be an example of two religious cults going to each other's throats because their adherants despise each other. A Moonie ambush.

UPI is owned by Moon.

Got it. Thanks.

Max's picture

Love the venue!

MyGodBeatsYourGod's picture

I think Mitt, inside the full body suit, is rude and ugly...

The truth. Now THAT'S rude and ugly.

Matt's picture

Who is the guy telling Glen to be "professional" towards the end of the clip?

I thought a "professional" reporters job was to ask tough questions.

cheesesauce's picture

Paul Says@26 & Angry Guy Says@29

You're welcome!

Vincennes's picture

FYI, Associated Press is a nonprofit owned by a cooperative of newspapers.

Roket's picture

Guess if it weren’t for lobbyists, the Mittster wouldn’t have to lie.

Snowball's picture

♥♂ Angry Guy @ 28:

Johnson is like Diogenes wandering through the streets of washington looking for an honest man.

The real Diogenes would have just pissed on Romney's leg. In a metaphorical way, this reporter did just that. It's too bad there aren't more like him. Then again, his bosses might be supporting Ghooliani and he's just doing their bidding. Who knows?

George Berkeley's picture

"don't be argumentative with the candidate."

Wow. I can't even begin...

I have a routine now with a couple of my friends, in which we view clips like this or ones like it in magnitude of 'shockingness,' and we just gather round and sit quietly in abject shock. Pathetic. This qualifies for a new moment of shocked silence. I can't say anything; it's just too much.

Ronin Tetsuro's picture

This maintains what I've been saying all election. My favorite Romney is Off-Message Mittens.

It's like watching a child trapped in a burlap sack attempt to find his way through the wilderness with only his hands.

Ed's picture

Matt @ 33:

Who is the guy telling Glen to be "professional" towards the end of the clip?

I thought a "professional" reporters job was to ask tough questions.

That would be Eric Fehrnstrom, Romney's press secretary, who is bravely following in the footsteps of Dana Perino, Tony Snow and Ari Fleischer. I'm pretty sure that "professional journalism" isn't something he understands too well.

Steven's picture

I have to somehow kinda of agree with what Mitt says. Ron Kauffman is a powerful man and he's the Repug chairman of Mass. So it's not awkward for him to be in Mitt's campaign as an adviser rather than a lobbyist. Furthurmore as Mitt said, true or not, he's not in their strategist meeting and not paid for by the campaign. So there's a distinction right there. I would also has to agree that Glenn has to be professional as a journalist in this case. It seems more to me that he is paid to hit on Mitt as he could easily find another candidate with actualy ties to lobbyists in both parties during their campaigns. Don't get me started with Clinton or Obama not having lobbyists as their campaign managers etc... as they indeed a few if not many. The difference is that Clinton didn't try to deny those accusations as we all know she's part of the establishment because she's been in office for so so long. While Obama, trying to be the change candidate, have stated from time to time about not having lobbyists but is also proven wrong from time to time to the ignorance of his supporters. We have to be realistic and to be able to differentiate roles of individuals in campaigns.

Imavehmontah's picture

Paul @ 21:

By Romney's repeated examples, and being a bishop in his church, can pathological lying be taken as being considered a Mormon virtue?

You need to take a closer look at the roots of the Mormon religion. Not only is lying a virtue, it was a fundamental cornerstone of the religion. Joseph Smith made up whatever he needed to sell his religion to the masses. I know, it's politically incorrect to consider Mitt's religion when evaluating him as a candidate. The problem is, you can't evaluate the man without understanding what it means to believe in the Mormon religion. I could never vote for someone who professes to be a true beliver that religion now that I have read the book of Mormon and understand its totally fabricated origins. It's simply a show stopper.

Strangefate's picture

I hope Johnson has no ambitions to ever write for one our major papers or appear on TV, because that officially disqualifed him. You do NOT question the ruling class. Especially when they're lying. It's embarassing for them. Whose side are you on anyway?

I do my homework's picture

To be fair, here Bill Clinton gives heated response on voter disenfranchisement.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uthdea6X2PE&eurl=http://thecaucus.blogs.n...

w.smith's picture

Finally! A reporter with backbone enough to speak truth to power. Romney is a veiled evil hidden under a *"Bob" Dobbs-ian exterior and must be exposed.

*apologies to the real J.R."Bob" Dobbs.

wisedup's picture

Sir Mister Glenn Johnson, my hat is off to you. Mitt is bush#41's pick,and he's just another lieing sack of s*it. I think there is an opening at MSNBC for a real reporter. You can have tuckers or tweetys desk.

Ed's picture

Steven @ 41:

I have to somehow kinda of agree with what Mitt says. Ron Kauffman is a powerful man and he's the Repug chairman of Mass. So it's not awkward for him to be in Mitt's campaign as an adviser rather than a lobbyist. Furthurmore as Mitt said, true or not, he's not in their strategist meeting and not paid for by the campaign. So there's a distinction right there. I would also has to agree that Glenn has to be professional as a journalist in this case. It seems more to me that he is paid to hit on Mitt as he could easily find another candidate with actualy ties to lobbyists in both parties during their campaigns. Don't get me started with Clinton or Obama not having lobbyists as their campaign managers etc... as they indeed a few if not many. The difference is that Clinton didn't try to deny those accusations as we all know she's part of the establishment because she's been in office for so so long. While Obama, trying to be the change candidate, have stated from time to time about not having lobbyists but is also proven wrong from time to time to the ignorance of his supporters. We have to be realistic and to be able to differentiate roles of individuals in campaigns.

Romney didn't make that distinction until he was called on it. When Glen Johnson called him out, he had just said, "I don't have lobbyists that are tied to my-" and I can only assume that the next word would have been "campaign." Call me crazy, but I'm relatively sure that advisers are tied to the campaigns that they advise.

Also, it's nice to see that Romney's campaign is so willing to frame a verifiable matter of public record as "your opinion." Mittens really does look up to Georgie Boy.

Paul's picture

Imavehmontah @ 42:

Paul @ 21:

By Romney's repeated examples, and being a bishop in his church, can pathological lying be taken as being considered a Mormon virtue?

You need to take a closer look at the roots of the Mormon religion. Not only is lying a virtue, it was a fundamental cornerstone of the religion. Joseph Smith made up whatever he needed to sell his religion to the masses. I know, it's politically incorrect to consider Mitt's religion when evaluating him as a candidate. The problem is, you can't evaluate the man without understanding what it means to believe in the Mormon religion. I could never vote for someone who professes to be a true beliver that religion now that I have read the book of Mormon and understand its totally fabricated origins. It's simply a show stopper.

Yeah, I seriously investigated the LDS from the perspective of a seeker of answers. Still have a bunch of books. I came to the same conclusions. It was impossible for me to believe that it had any divine spark of inspiration behind it. Made up out of whole clothe, it's history being constantly revised in order to cover up earlier revisions. I know a lot of Mormons who are very sincere and good people, but it's more than I could swallow and still think of myself as being a basically honest person.

Ex-Canuck's picture

LMAO - this was hilarious. It's like Pinocchio trying to say he isn't a liar, while his nose continues to grow.

Ruthless People's picture

Afterwards Mittens invited the Johnson on his plane to "discuss" the issue further. Gee, I would love to be fly on that wall.

"You think Freedom of the Press is a Constitutional freedom I give a shit about? I'm a Republican! I don't give two shits for the Constitution! Pull that investigative reporter shit again and you'll be selling newspapers at a corner newstand!"

I Am A Banana's picture

The rest of the socalled liberal media needs to take a cue from the AP reporter and do the same thing.

Lollimom's picture

My STARS, "...don't be argumentative with the candidate."

Heavens to Betsy, imagine challenging a sacred candidate with the facts!

Tom (Not Tom)'s picture

"Don't be argumentative with the candidate."

That about sums up what is expected of the press - "just shut up and give us a microphone". Disgusting.

paula's picture

Ah ! Eric F. The "$150,000 a year loathsome spokesman" of the incomparable (and now WAY too rarely updated) Romney Is A Fraud blog. Looks like romneyisafraud.blogspot.com is on top of the Ron Kaufman thing, though....

Loathsome spokesman. Heh. I do love that phrase.

StirFry's picture

Mitt can't handle the trute

Concerned American's picture

Romney in a pissing match? Cool. Romney's so full of crap.

Brian's picture

Who is the guy telling Glen to be “professional” towards the end of the clip?

I thought a “professional” reporters job was to ask tough questions.

That guy is Romney's press secretary Eric Fehrnstrom

jwazzz's picture

He's his own worst enemy - give him enough rope...

Joe Pasetto's picture

I thought that Max Headroom's, er the Mittster's head was gonna explode!

Brian-Ohio's picture

Mitt's splitting hairs, but Johnson comes with a track record of worshipping anything the Clinton's do. AP is quite NOT the unbiased journalist's home.

Harley's picture

Where were reporters like this for the last 7 years?

Dusty's picture

...the guy at the end was martin borman fehrnstrom, a public relations dip shot out of hill holiday in Boston. Trying to cut his teeth on the national political scene...the only thing missing was the brown shirt and sam browne belt...

Needless to say that he has a big L on his forehead which is sop for anyone associated with the legitimate fraud and liar known as romney....

spicer's picture

Was that Romney at the end of the clip admonishing the reporter to "...listen to my words, listen to my words..." If so, it is an interesting departure from last month when we weren't supposed to listen to his words. For example, even though he said his dad marched with MLK--he didn't really mean that his dad "marched" with MLK. Oh my, how ignorant we masses are. It goes on and on with this bafoon.

QrazyQat's picture

We mustn't anger the candidate (with truthful statements and questions). If they're Republicans.

If they're Democrats, then how can they handle terrorists if they can't handle the press (lying about what they say).

dadams's picture

mitt is one of those slime balls that will kick you in the nuts for real when no one is
around. then when you complain, he smiles........reminds me of "THE BAD SEED". for those of you not old enough to remember, it's an old movie.

Van's picture

"I think you're rude and ugly."

BULLSHIT!!!!!!

These are the types of questions journalists SHOULD be asking ALL the candidates!!! One of the main problems with the MSM is that they think they are paid to be stenographers. No one has the balls to confront a candidate when he/she flat out LIES!!!

Good on Glen Johnson.

jr's picture

"this is your brain. this is your brain on Aqua Net. Any Questions?"

Flackman's picture

Mitt Romney and his staff: Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!

Maureen Meyer's picture

Two more questions for Romney:

--Are you accepting campaign fund from the LDS church?

--Do you promise to protect all women's access to contraception?

anons's picture

wow. that was beautiful. It's small sparks like that that remind you there are people in the press who still believe in the truth

Maureen Meyer's picture

Another question:

--Are you going to address the dangers of overpopulations to the US and to the world? The world's population has quadrupled over the last 100 years. US population has increased significantly over the last year.

Brian-Ohio's picture

Let's see----------Mitt and Bubba both confront reporters in a single 24 hour period. I say, watch out for the grassy knoll-----------they are working together to ban DNA testing.

Darth_Romney's picture

Fil @ 2:

oh boy, he just sank himself. Romney's biggest opponent is Romney

what a way to award the nomination to McCain.......

Oh good lord! This is only the latest lie in a list of many that should've sunk this phoney prick's campaign months ago!!! Americans are incredibly stupid people with short memories. All Romney has to do is quote some Scripture and bash the gays and he'll be the golden boy again among the GOP rubes! The fact that this flip flopping a-hole has made it this far should be a source of embarassment for the American political system!

Brian-Ohio's picture

Maureen Meyer @ 72:

Another question:

--Are you going to address the dangers of overpopulations to the US and to the world? The world's population has quadrupled over the last 100 years. US population has increased significantly over the last year.

Perhaps if we kept the "increased population" south of the border, we would not have to worry.

Darth_Romney's picture

Funny thing is, look at this video on Youtube of the affair and see how the Romney shills are out trying to descredit the reporter. Sad...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15hVj29hH2k

TC's picture

Don't be argumentative with the candidate? Yeah, we'll have no interference with the ascendance of our candidate to the throne. Pricks.

doug's picture

All that is true, but if you look at Hillary's list of lobbyists supporting her it's four times the size of Romneys:

http://www.rollcall.com/politics/kstendorsements.html

Perhaps, it's she that we should be focusing on.

JerryO's picture

I don't think Mitt's (that name is soooo eastern seaboard snobby) 'temple armor' was working well that day. Maybe they were in the wash? At any rate, all it would take is for a few reporter to take picture every time he's seen with Ron Kaufman, or any lobbyist, on the campaign trail. Frankly, I think Romney is a big joke, why does he even bother?

af's picture

That guy is Romney’s press secretary Eric Fehrnstrom

Fehrnstrom has been Romney's mouthpiece and attack dog for a lot of years, probably going back to his failed attempt to beat Ted Kennedy for US Senate. He has a history of that kind of snide behavior, and is always ready to go on the attack, even when it isn't called for.

Darth_Romney's picture

I do my homework @ 14:

Did you see that old hag at the end talking bout rude and ugly? Pot meet kettle!

I agree! I'm usually a gentleman, but somebody should've walked up and tossed a doushe in her face!

facta non verba's picture

"Don't be argumentative with the candidate."

Oh Mittens you're such a kitten.
Did you munch your litter for brunch?
Oh Mittens we're not smitten.

Dana's picture

This sort of thing needs to be done...OFTEN!

Glinda's picture

Romney is as dumb as a stone. And frankly so is Glen Johnson from AP. It would be far, far more acceptable to have a lobbyist running his campaign (lobbyist are, after all, essentially PR people and PR people perform the duties that they are paid to do: be it lobby, or run campaigns ... they can't do both!) than it is to have lobbyists who are unpaid (by Romney, but definitely by someone else for what that lobbyist can get out of Romney) advisors!

Holy shit! Is even the media clueless to how incredibly fucked up it is to have unpaid advisors over paid PR people working on your campaign?

Okay ... for any media people who are reading this: when you pay someone, are you beholden to them for anything? (For the media IQs of 30 or below: NO) But when you accept free stuff, including free work from someone, might you feel that you owed that person. (Come on, media people! Your IQs aren't so low as to not be able to get that one right!)

sled_dog's picture

doh!

Marc's picture

Matt @ 34:

Who is the guy telling Glen to be "professional" towards the end of the clip?

I thought a "professional" reporters job was to ask tough questions.

Exactly!!!

Russo's picture

Brian-Ohio @ 61:

Mitt's splitting hairs, but Johnson comes with a track record of worshipping anything the Clinton's do. AP is quite NOT the unbiased journalist's home.

Not like FAUX NEWS, right douchebag? Go crawl back in Dick Cheneys ass.

el-mano's picture

"Save your opinions and act professional with the candidate."??!!

WTF?!?! Did he really say that? Sorry, dude, things are too real right now to let your Guy Smiley candidate stand spew meaningless BS for free on television. This isn't a cotton candy free ride, candidates should expect to get grilled by the press. That's the press' job, as laid out by founding fathers these guys love to refer to. No other respectable democracy in the world has such a phony, softball process for the pool of candidates vying to lead the nation.

paranoia's picture

Matt @ 34:

Who is the guy telling Glen to be "professional" towards the end of the clip?

I thought a "professional" reporters job was to ask tough questions.

I guess you haven't heard of the "National Softball Association" I hear they got a union now for reporters.

paranoia's picture

Maureen Meyer @ 72:

Another question:

--Are you going to address the dangers of overpopulations to the US and to the world? The world's population has quadrupled over the last 100 years. US population has increased significantly over the last year.

Kind of interesting of how when the economy is not doing well, that population end up exploding. We are in for another big baby boom.

RedRocker's picture

Mitt Romney aka George Bush Part 2.

sassafra's picture

oh bew hew hews, dat evil reporter mans made da mitt cry.
it might not be so easy if old mittsy wasn't such a lying sack of manure in the first place, but there you have it.
what got me laughing my head off was the entirely serious campaign wonk scolding johnson for upsetting mittsy with big boy questions.

David's picture

Lobbist Ron Kaufman works for Romney for free... it's always good to get something for nothing.

What bullshit.

Robt's picture

It is obvious someoneas Romney is used to using his position and wealth to cow manure as a fragrant air freshener.

What I got a glimpse of is the thuggish campaign goons that tell you your arguementative because you ask hard questions.

Mitt has a problem admitting a lobbyist that work on his campaign and trys to deny its truth by saying the lobbyist is not a senior pubba. Just a senior advisor?

I got to say thanks to the reporter covering asking the questions and the ones that cover the event.

We need more of that.........................................!

aravella's picture

I don't give a rat's ass what side of the aisle they're on...when the real colors come out and it's ugly, F*ck Em...toss them back in the pool! Wait in line again you sonoffabitchin' scrote bah-stahd. The hypocrisy bleeds from the core. And if the asshole doesn't believe in evolution...? I say shove an apple wrapped in a snake up his ass!

Sorry, bad day.

fuddled's picture

kenned @ 15:

How long before the report is fired? I think the journalist doesn't know what his job is:-) Being a journalist for CBS, you don't criticize your corporate masters. I bet if he does that again, he will find himself not working in front of the cameras.

He works for AP, which is print. Broadcast media reporters were probably the ones admonishing him for being argumentative. They do have a point, as he should be try his best to cleverer than the interviewee. Broadcast "journalists" have killed our fourth estate. Since they must record their audio and/or video they are taught about how and told to make an entertaining show for the lowest common denominator. If you want news, pick up a newspaper.

fuddled's picture

Marc @ 86:

Matt @ 34:

Who is the guy telling Glen to be "professional" towards the end of the clip?

I thought a "professional" reporters job was to ask tough questions.

Exactly!!!

When I was in journalism school in the 1980's, my heros were the muckrakers and guys who prided themselves on getting kicked out of town. I quit the business in the early 90s over low pay and overall disillusionment with my colleagues and the profession. I'm glad to see someone still trying to kick ass, however crudely.

james in philadelphia's picture

Did I hear correctly? Did The woman at the end of the clip say "You are rude and ugly"?

mgb's picture

That was awesome. Way to speak up reporter guy!

MargeAggedon's picture

How dare he tell and expect the truth! Doesn't he know that's just impolite and un'merkan and totally something the taliban would do? Did they pick up the reporter and transport him to gitmo for daring to question the lies? I mean come ON dude! It's a presidential race not a truth telling contest! Jeez!!

zugzug's picture

Its funny, he obviously knew he was hearing a complete fabrication, and instead of sitting there and dutifully writing it down so that he can print it the next day, he says what he's supposed to say and calls Mitt on his bullshit.

Good job! Keep it up. To the moronic lady at the end who calls him rude and ugly. Wake up! You just got fleeced.

Darth_Romney's picture

james in philadelphia @ 98:

Did I hear correctly? Did The woman at the end of the clip say "You are rude and ugly"?

Yes, the old bag did say that! Even Mitt's cheerleaders--decrepit and nasty as they are--are all hypocrites too! Too bad we didn't know this crone's identity, so we could send some mail letting her know who the rude and ugly one was in that video!

sofla's picture

Wow, he almost made Romney-bot crash!

(ERROR: Illegal operation: Difficult question: Reload Talking point)

maxcat06's picture

Max @ 32:

Love the venue!

Mitt should have used the EZ Button!

David's picture

Doesn't Glen Johnson know that you aren't supposed to taunt Super Happy Fun Ball?

Logan Murphy's picture

maxcat06 @ 104:

Max @ 32:

Love the venue!

Mitt should have used the EZ Button!

Damn, why didn't I think of that one? EZ Button...brilliant! :)

Indigowatcher's picture

Oops, busted! Good for Glen Johnson for sticking it to that lying smarmy assh*le... And did anyone notice that shrill idiot-of-a-woman trying to yell at Glen at the end of the video for being rude? See, these days when REAL journalists do their jobs it scares people; my oh my, how times have changed.

John's picture

THAT'S the kind of reporting we need. Somebody to call bullshit when bullshit is shoveled.

Indigowatcher's picture

Imavehmontah @ 43:

Paul @ 21:

By Romney's repeated examples, and being a bishop in his church, can pathological lying be taken as being considered a Mormon virtue?

You need to take a closer look at the roots of the Mormon religion. Not only is lying a virtue, it was a fundamental cornerstone of the religion. Joseph Smith made up whatever he needed to sell his religion to the masses. I know, it's politically incorrect to consider Mitt's religion when evaluating him as a candidate. The problem is, you can't evaluate the man without understanding what it means to believe in the Mormon religion. I could never vote for someone who professes to be a true beliver that religion now that I have read the book of Mormon and understand its totally fabricated origins. It's simply a show stopper.

================
OT, but don't you think there are many of us out there who view Christianity in the same way you look at Mormonism: a giant science fiction-style lie...? The point is, our Founding Fathers knew why mixing religion and politics was such a bad idea. Think about it.

P.D.'s picture

I don't know about you guys, but Romney looked down right menacing! I saw it on Dan Abrams and Shuster was right. It was a legitimate question. The fact that nobody has the balls to question these candidates is a sad commentary on our so-called press.

WAnglais's picture

"The duty of the press is to report the truth and to raise hell." Mark Twain said that.

Way to go, Glen Johnson!

Bud's picture

"Act professionally... act professionally"

IOW, "STFUMF and assume your lapdog role or I'll taze your ass."

Rhea's picture

Johnson should be an example to all students of journalism. Journalists are MEANT to challenge sources, not kiss up to them and live in fear of alienating them with 'tough' questions.

Big Dick Cheney's picture

SON OF A BITCH JUST LOST MY VOTE!!!

"i wasn't stealing that money"
"but the money was in your hand"
"but i got caught so i wasn't stealing it"

FUCKING WORDS GAMES.....
-----THAT LOBBIEST WITH HIS HAND IN MY POCKET ISN'T CRAZY...HE'S JUST FEELING NUTZ"

Greg's picture

cheesesauce @ 19:

Gosharooney! That reporter wasn't being fluffy enough. He needs to learn from CBS's Couric and NBC's Lauer, ABC, and the Faux Shmooz reporters about soft balls.

You mean, questions like: "Some people say you would not be an awesome president. How do you defend yourself against such outrageous claims?"

Tim Ed Anshabby's picture

This is the same Ron Kaufman who was arrested in 1993 for DWI after leaving a party at then Gov Bill Weld's house in Massachusetts. When asked about it, Weld said that he did see Kaufman with an "amber-colored liquid". So maybe Mitt-witt could talk a cue from Weld and say that he has seen Kaufman receive "green-colored paper" from his campaign.

RandeeRobyn's picture

Paul @ 49:

Imavehmontah @ 42:

Paul @ 21:

By Romney's repeated examples, and being a bishop in his church, can pathological lying be taken as being considered a Mormon virtue?

You need to take a closer look at the roots of the Mormon religion. Not only is lying a virtue, it was a fundamental cornerstone of the religion. Joseph Smith made up whatever he needed to sell his religion to the masses. I know, it's politically incorrect to consider Mitt's religion when evaluating him as a candidate. The problem is, you can't evaluate the man without understanding what it means to believe in the Mormon religion. I could never vote for someone who professes to be a true believer that religion now that I have read the book of Mormon and understand its totally fabricated origins. It's simply a show stopper.

Yeah, I seriously investigated the LDS from the perspective of a seeker of answers. Still have a bunch of books. I came to the same conclusions. It was impossible for me to believe that it had any divine spark of inspiration behind it. Made up out of whole clothe, its history being constantly revised in order to cover up earlier revisions. I know a lot of Mormons who are very sincere and good people, but it's more than I could swallow and still think of myself as being a basically honest person.

I'm neither Mormon nor Republican, but why is there so much hate for this one man? Do you not know that the minority leader Democrat Harry Reid is also LDS? The church is as credible as any other - Jew, Catholic, Baptist, and Islam... Here we are teaching our children to accept Muslims and others diverting from the mainstream faith when we ourselves are persecuting a man on these very same grounds. I'm offended by this - not to mention it has no logical grounds. When we go around screaming "You're religion is wrong!" "No yours is!" then we get nothing done. There is no scientific way to prove God true, Allah true, Jehovah or Buddha true; therefore, there is no way to prove them false either. Believe what you want, but leave faith out of politics; otherwise, it will ruin our country with non-intelligent screaming matches. We have enough of that already. Beside that, look up the persecution of the Mormon church; stories of it fill countless books - including the murder of Joseph Smith himself. Congratulations, we can now add this blog to the list. If you have a problem with this man base it on him (his actions, the way he interacts with others) not on his faith.

As for this incident, call-me-crazy but I don't think Gov. Romney once contradicted himself or lied. An advisor by definition of the word advises. A campaign director directs. If Glen Johnson is trying to prove otherwise he needs to set out evidence not just accusations. I'm sorry to say, it is this type of behavior that gets us branded "left-wing nuts" because we rally behind a guy (a reporter) who is citing no evidence to the contrary that an advisor advises and a director directs. In this situation Johnson was unprofessional. He acted like a little child interrupting an answer from Romney before he was done speaking. A professional way to handle it would be to wait till Romney finished his interview, and then ask "is not so-and-so a Washington lobbyist?" and wait for his reply. This unfortunately calls into question Mr. Johnson's credibility, and probably - ultimately his job because he could not wait for Romney to finish what he was saying. It's unfortunate. Imagine if someone was to act this way towards Clinton or Obama. We'd be screaming "unprofessional!" Romney did however bite, and that may hurt him. No one wants to see a presidential hopeful engaging an unprofessional reporter.

Oh well... it's too bad we've become an unprofessional and persecuting country... I was really hoping to leave my daughter more when I left the world.

TakeOurCountryBack's picture

I liked that guy Glen Johnson He called out BS when he heard it. You know, like a reporter should always do!

Too bad they demoted him to licking stamps, stuffing envelopes and other menial tasks where he can't possibly embarrass the corporate masters chosen ones.

What’s that? He hasn’t been demoted yet……Give it a couple of days!!

Mark's picture

Romney is a liar. God people in Utah are so @#$&ing stupid for supporting him.

SaltyDawg's picture

I can only presume that the reporter had finally lost his composure. He's unusual in national political reporters. Most have become so accustomed to being blatantly lied to. Most have subverted common sense to the shibboleth of "balance" and "objectivity."

AP will almost undoubtedly remove him from the Romney coverage-- if not fire him. An AP reporter is supposed to be a witness and a stenographer. If Romney were to say that "up is down" or "black is white" the job of the AP reporter is to report Romney's words accurately and swiftly.

Other reporters have more lattitude than the AP. Of course, even AP reporters can circumvent limitations. He could ask Romney pointed questions about specific lobbyists in his campaign and make Romney justify his disclaimers.

He really did choose an inappropriate way to challenge Romney-- for a reporter. I can only assume that he felt his head about to explode at Romney's blatant duplicity.

Sigh's picture

The only thing I wished went differently was for the reporter to have waited about 10 more seconds. My guess is Romney was about to say that he didn't have any lobbyists associated with his campaign. If he had waited for that then Romney wouldn't have had room for his self-righteous little hair-splitting defense act.

It was a beautiful thing, though, wasn't it? Oh, big mean Mr. Reporter, don't upset Mitt. He already is having a tough day with two events cancelled due to weather and like NOBODY showing up for this one. And to top it all off, he now has doodie in his diapers.

Porch Dog's picture

It was a beautiful thing. Romney's attempt to bully the reporter confirms everything about Mr. Perfect Hairdo's character. He has none. Thanks Glen Johnson - there is a press out there after all.

Gary's picture

Mitts as fake as they come.

Jim Q's picture

Another reason to vote for MIKE HUCKABEE!

Imavehmontah's picture

Indigowatcher @ 109:

Imavehmontah @ 43:

Paul @ 21:

By Romney's repeated examples, and being a bishop in his church, can pathological lying be taken as being considered a Mormon virtue?

You need to take a closer look at the roots of the Mormon religion. Not only is lying a virtue, it was a fundamental cornerstone of the religion. Joseph Smith made up whatever he needed to sell his religion to the masses. I know, it's politically incorrect to consider Mitt's religion when evaluating him as a candidate. The problem is, you can't evaluate the man without understanding what it means to believe in the Mormon religion. I could never vote for someone who professes to be a true beliver that religion now that I have read the book of Mormon and understand its totally fabricated origins. It's simply a show stopper.

================
OT, but don't you think there are many of us out there who view Christianity in the same way you look at Mormonism: a giant science fiction-style lie...? The point is, our Founding Fathers knew why mixing religion and politics was such a bad idea. Think about it.

Your point is well taken. I think (and this is my personal opinion) that the style and substance of the effort that the book of Mormon represents as an effort to delude and manipulate people for purposes of selfish gain and self-aggrandizement is without precedent. Many other religious works exist that exhibit similar flaws, and are clearly used to subjugate large populations of people for selfish purposes, and are good examples of the reasons for seperation of church and state. I guess what is so deeply irritating about the Mormon beliefs is that they are so careless and blatant in their fabrications, and what that carelessness implies about their expectations of the behavior of us non-believers. The fact that they can offer up such undisguised nonsense and insist that it be respected takes colossal nerve. Now, I am all in favor of allowing freedom of individual belief. But I do reserve to right to judge someone who wants to run for President based on the what his beliefs say about his/her view of the world.

Notice also that Huckabee earns exactly the same treatment in his adherence to fundamental Christian views. Same for Joe Lieberman and fundamental Jewish views, and for followers of fundamental Islam. Same disease, different name. All suffering from fundamentia.

Imavehmontah's picture

RandeeRobyn @ 117:

Paul @ 49:

Imavehmontah @ 42:

Paul @ 21:

You need to take a closer look at the roots of the Mormon religion. Not only is lying a virtue, it was a fundamental cornerstone of the religion. Joseph Smith made up whatever he needed to sell his religion to the masses. I know, it's politically incorrect to consider Mitt's religion when evaluating him as a candidate. The problem is, you can't evaluate the man without understanding what it means to believe in the Mormon religion. I could never vote for someone who professes to be a true believer that religion now that I have read the book of Mormon and understand its totally fabricated origins. It's simply a show stopper.

Yeah, I seriously investigated the LDS from the perspective of a seeker of answers. Still have a bunch of books. I came to the same conclusions. It was impossible for me to believe that it had any divine spark of inspiration behind it. Made up out of whole clothe, its history being constantly revised in order to cover up earlier revisions. I know a lot of Mormons who are very sincere and good people, but it's more than I could swallow and still think of myself as being a basically honest person.

I'm neither Mormon nor Republican, but why is there so much hate for this one man? Do you not know that the minority leader Democrat Harry Reid is also LDS? The church is as credible as any other - Jew, Catholic, Baptist, and Islam... Here we are teaching our children to accept Muslims and others diverting from the mainstream faith when we ourselves are persecuting a man on these very same grounds. I'm offended by this - not to mention it has no logical grounds. When we go around screaming "You're religion is wrong!" "No yours is!" then we get nothing done. There is no scientific way to prove God true, Allah true, Jehovah or Buddha true; therefore, there is no way to prove them false either. Believe what you want, but leave faith out of politics; otherwise, it will ruin our country with non-intelligent screaming matches. We have enough of that already. Beside that, look up the persecution of the Mormon church; stories of it fill countless books - including the murder of Joseph Smith himself. Congratulations, we can now add this blog to the list. If you have a problem with this man base it on him (his actions, the way he interacts with others) not on his faith.

As for this incident, call-me-crazy but I don't think Gov. Romney once contradicted himself or lied. An advisor by definition of the word advises. A campaign director directs. If Glen Johnson is trying to prove otherwise he needs to set out evidence not just accusations. I'm sorry to say, it is this type of behavior that gets us branded "left-wing nuts" because we rally behind a guy (a reporter) who is citing no evidence to the contrary that an advisor advises and a director directs. In this situation Johnson was unprofessional. He acted like a little child interrupting an answer from Romney before he was done speaking. A professional way to handle it would be to wait till Romney finished his interview, and then ask "is not so-and-so a Washington lobbyist?" and wait for his reply. This unfortunately calls into question Mr. Johnson's credibility, and probably - ultimately his job because he could not wait for Romney to finish what he was saying. It's unfortunate. Imagine if someone was to act this way towards Clinton or Obama. We'd be screaming "unprofessional!" Romney did however bite, and that may hurt him. No one wants to see a presidential hopeful engaging an unprofessional reporter.

Oh well... it's too bad we've become an unprofessional and persecuting country... I was really hoping to leave my daughter more when I left the world.</blockquot

I don't see this as an example of religious intolerance. I see this as a well justified means to understand and judge suitability to make decisions in the name of the the United States and its citizens based on what belief in a given religious creed implies. I will defend Mitt's right to believe in Mormon to the end. I just won't support electing him President because of it. Two very different things. If I told you I am a passionate believer in the Flying Spaghetti Monster, would you vote for me for President? What about Kucinich and his belief that he saw a UFO?

Charles's picture

The only purpose for lobbyists is to bribe politicians to push their agendas. It is way past time for the voters of this country to demand that politicians eliminate lobbyists.

EP3's picture

I think this should go down as the legacy of George W. Bush, besides Iraq. The idea that the media can and would be manipulated and controlled by the politicians. Going against everything the First Amendment stands for with freedom of the press.

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