Mitt Romney and the Eddie Haskell Phenomenon
A couple of days before the Republicans’ New Hampshire primary, ABC hosted a debate for the GOP field, during which every candidate on the stage attacked Mitt Romney. It was a reminder that, for all the competing interests and personalities in the Republican contest, these guys really don’t like Mitt Romney.
At the end of the Republican presidential debate in New Hampshire this month, when the Democrats joined the candidates on stage, Mitt Romney found himself momentarily alone as his counterparts mingled, looking around a bit stiffly for a companion.
The moment was emblematic of a broader reality that has helped shape the Republican contest and could take center stage again on Thursday at a debate in Florida. Within the small circle of contenders, Mr. Romney has become the most disliked. [...]
Mike Huckabee’s pugilistic campaign chairman, Ed Rollins, appeared to stop just short of threatening Mr. Romney with physical violence at one point.
“What I have to do is make sure that my anger with a guy like Romney, whose teeth I want to knock out, doesn’t get in the way of my thought process,” Mr. Rollins said.
A spokesman for the Romney campaign, Kevin Madden, said, “I think it’s largely driven by the fact that everybody’s taught to tackle the guy on the field with the ball.”
That’s a reasonably good spin, but I don’t think that’s it.
The NYT pointed to a variety of explanations why the rest of the Republican field just doesn’t like this guy on a personal level: Romney has aired more negative commercials against his GOP rivals than anyone else, and pushed a negative tone earlier than the other candidates; he's seen as an ideological panderer; his ability to tap his personal fortune generates resentment from candidates who struggle to raise money; and Romney, who has just four years of experience in public office, is seen as not having “paid his dues.”
I think all of these points have merit, but I’d just add that Romney, every step of the way, has been “the other guy.” By that I mean, when McCain started out as the GOP frontrunner early on, it was Romney who was positioned as his most credible rival. Over the summer, when Giuliani was considered the frontrunner for the Republican nomination, his principal foe was Romney, who was trying to highlight the former mayor’s less-than-conservative record. When Thompson got in the race, his principal foe was Romney, who was trying to hold onto the GOP base. When Huckabee started gaining support in Iowa, his principal foe was Romney, who was trying to characterize the Arkansas governor as unreliable on taxes and immigration. Now that McCain is ascendant again, he’s in a two-man race … with Romney.
For practically an entire year now, the various campaigns have gone up and down, but in every instance, there was Romney, in their face and presenting himself to voters like an ingratiating, toadying Eddie Haskell.
And no one ever liked Eddie Haskell.
Wally was friends with Eddie Haskell.
Everybody needs a friend.
what!
I understand completely. He's a republican. Oh, they are republicans, too? They must have forgotten Reagans 11th commandment.
I understand completely. He’s a republican. Oh, they are republicans,
Yes, let the eatage begin!
*huge evil toothy grin*
:evil:
Eddie Haskell was always about Eddie Haskell. Mitt is only about Mitt. By the way - think about Mitt getting nominated and picking Newt as his running mate. Bumper stickers could just be two rats in a cage - they both sound like rodents.
Massachusetts hates this guy - will be interesting what comes out of the woodwork if he happens to get the nomination. He's a piece of work. Even Giuliani has more moral fiber than this guy.
I had to look up Eddie Haskell.
Now I understand what you are talking about.
You are dating yourself Mr Benen.
;-)
In the run-up to the critical Republican primary in Florida next Tuesday, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney is stressing his business background. With the economy turning sour and the GOP candidates predictably turning to talk of tax cuts, Romney is touting his CEO credentials. Unfortunately, history shows that what's good for Mitt Romney's business isn't always good for America. Worse still, Romney desire to be the nation's second MBA president only serves to remind Americans that their experience with the first MBA president - George W. Bush - wasn't a pleasant one.
For the details, see:
"Romney Aims to Succeed Bush as MBA President."
I got pulled over by Ken Osmond (Eddie Haskell) in the 70s for not having my plates on the car, he just gave me a warning! nice guy!
So who the hell is Eddie Haskell? And why is he really Ken Osmond? Of the Osmond Osmonds? Now I'm really confused. But I f*&%ing hate Mitt Romney, being an ex-Mormon and an ex-resident of Massachusetts. It would be much better to have the cast of The Love Boat in the White House. (More my metaphorical speed.)
It would be much better to have the cast of The Love Boat in the White House.
Wait a minute, isn't that what we have now?
I can't tell the difference.
MarcLord @ 9:
I don't believe Fred Grandy is in politics any longer. He was a Congressman until 1995.
Nobody likes "Richy Rich" Mittens. He couldn't win a general election against Mike Gravel. Lets pray that Republicans nominate him and not John McCain. McCain will sweep the floor with Hillary.
ABlack @ 10:
No, its more like Fantasy Island (Bush as tattoo and Cheney as Mr. Roark).
I'm driving a bus if any Republicans want to gently nudge a candidate out into the street as I pass.
Goodness our collective early dementia is showing. "leave it to Beaver" had the kid who was nice to parents and an SOB to little kids and manipulative of people his age. Describes Mitt to a T. He has no clue as to how difficult life is for Americans right now and not only that, but he doesn't care - at all - about anyone outside of his very tiny circle of rich people. There are enough videos showing us his cold and nasty nature to destroy any hopes he has for a campaign. I must really hate this guy at a deep level, because I ordinarily can remain a bit detached. I detest Bush and Cheney, but I see them as human beings. Can't get there with Mitt. Somebody tell me why! I can't even think of him as a fellow traveler on the human journey - it is me -or is it him? Heck - its him. I'll work on repenting a bit.
Mr. Romney will come up with the nomination; it's his turn. That's the way his party works. Being president is a nice way to cap off his resume, and he is, I believe, the most pliable of all the candidates to the will of those who really run this country.
“I think it’s largely driven by the fact that everybody’s taught to tackle the guy on the field with the ball.”
As though Teh Mittmeister ever played a contact sport for real.
Or, if you want to go further back in TV hstory,as Chester A. Riley used to say, "What a revolting developement this is." I loved that show.
William Bendix for President!
SemiPundit @ 19:
I loved that guy but, Oy! What a mug!
Goodness - we are an old bunch tonight. We have Barney in the White House right now - but somebody gave him some more bullets. Don Knotts was a genius at portraying authority without any credibility whatsoever - Bush has improved on the role. Everybody remember the old curmudgeon on Andy Griffeth - he even looks like Dick Cheney. I must add - this is old people "Kevin Bacon game".
Everybody hates the pretty boy.
Ward.......You were a little hard on the Beaver last night.
StirFry @ 13:
:lol: :lol: :lol:
I stand corrected.
Thinker @ 21:
I think of Cheney as Otis Pike, the town drunk, played by Hal Smith.
Snowball @ 12:
I disagree......HRC will crush any and all republican candidates.....I'm not saying I'm for her.....but I will support her if need be.No...HRC has gone through so much,so many attacks already.....none of the repubs would stand a chance against her.She is one tough woman......me.........Edwards....I really don't see McCain sweeping the floor with her.....there would deffinitly be some huge battles......but with what the repugs have done in the last 7 years......not likely to happen.
Some repubs are so disgusted with this admin ....they're actually looking at her as an alternative...now, don't read too much into that.Edwards/08
Mutt gutted Mass, presided over the worst phases of the Big Dig graft debacle and crippled the Commonwealth's graft built infrastructure. He runs one of those Private Capital monstrosities, Henry Kravis lite, that have destroyed once healthy corporations with leveraged investment bank money to loot and sell.
I walk by this high voltage power box terminal that runs a mildly complex traffic light system at Loomis Street and Great Road in Bedford MA once a week and a car hit it before I landed here in 10/06/2006. It leans off its base exposing fairly high voltage wires that thankfully still have their sheathing. The Longfellow Bridge is crumbling as are other bridges all over the state.
He basically ran Mass into the ground as one would expect from a layoff loving industry looter. He does, however, excel at being full of shit and is gloriously oblivious to the obviousness of it all to any reasonably alert person. And like Bush he was sort of a no show governor with lots of time spent on other errands like corporate looting.
Jo @ 25:
and Lyn Cheney would be Aunt Bea's evil twin...
Snowball @ 12:
Care to pony up some scratch on that?
:twisted:
Stop dancing around it. They are all a bunch of lying bastards who would sell thier own mothers to win an election. I think thats part of the definition of politician.
The differenece is that Mittens is a pie eyed, golly gee wiz mormon. You have to be an especially gullible idiot to be one. The only other religion perhaps more moronic and annoying is Scientology, those guys are so far off the coo-coo scale they had to invent their own machines to test it.
They don't want to catch his Mormon cooties.
mudshark @ 28:
Yes! Damn, I'd like to see Aunt Bea sit on Cheney's skinny arse and drive her into the pavement.
Lynn Cheney - to switch metaphors - Cruella Deville - no that's Ann Coulter. Laura Bush does remind me of late stage June Cleaver - except I always suspected June had a wicked sense of humor. Andy Griffith - perhaps - a bit of Mike Huckabee crossed with l- let's see - Colin Powell. Or perhaps a hint of Fred Thompson. Nah, I liked Andy.
"Mitt Romney and the Eddie Haskell Phenomenon"
So Romney is into MILF's?
For him wouldn't that be robbing the cradle?
Ron @ 3:
Thou shalt not tell the truth ever???
ABlack @ 29:
A regional colloquialism from New England calls the Devil Ol' Scratch.
Funny to think that all the misery of the history of the world could've been prevented by an omniscient god if he just gave his Satanic Majesty some Calamine lotion.
Thinker @ 21:
Speaking of Don Knotts
This comparison is really not fair to Eddie Haskell; he wasn't nearly as much of a prick as is that smarmy creep, Romney.
ysbaddaden @ 35:
Or KY jelly?
ABlack @ 36:
...I was thinking more of this.http://youtube.com/watch?v=x9Spc_isxSc ...
http://youtube.com/watch?v=x9Spc_isxSc .oooppsss
mudshark @ 40:
If it wasn't for the fact that it was OT I'd say that I really like the last bit of your clip!
mudshark @ 40:
F Troop. Wow, that brings back memories. F for Failure, Fool, and F*cker -- all of which describes Dubya to a T.
If we're desperate - there's always Gilligan's Island - no - it's too much. Wanna switch to westerns?
ABlack @ 41:
at first I thought...no...don't do it...but then I thought about gays in the military being persecuted...and the military's need for people.....and ......well......i said what the hell...
Thinker @ 43:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2I7vPbthvWo try this out.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=NzlG28B-R8Y&feature=related then theres this one.......seems like these last two depict our situation of the last 7 years rather well.
"A spokesman for the Romney campaign, Kevin Madden, said, 'I think it’s largely driven by the fact that everybody’s taught to tackle the guy on the field with the ball.'"
We know that's not it at all. What it's "largely driven by" is the simple fact that they're Republicans. They demonize, they hate. That's what they did with Carter. And Bill. And Hillary. And Gore. And Kerry. They tried to paint Max Cleland as bin Laden -- literally. They called John McCain a psycho, his wife a druggie, and claimed he frequented hookers. That's what Republicans do. It's not just about "going after the guy with the ball," and never has been. It's about doing what Rush the Drug Addict once did, referring to a young Chelsea Clinton as "the dog in the White House." That's what Republicans do, regardless of who "has the ball." It's demonization, pure and simple.
Hillary certainly won't crush McCain. For the record, on NBC news tonight their poll said McCain leads Hillary 46% to 42%. McCain and Obama were tied at 42% each. On the other hand, I just found a poll that shows Hillary leading McCain at 46% to 42%, just the opposite of the NBC poll. A general election between McCain and Clinton will at best be a close call. Don't underestimate how a Clinton run will unify and electrify Republican voters while alienating the Democratic base. Independents won't vote for Hillary, Republicans won't cross over to vote for her and a large swath of the Democratic base will sit on its hands. Do the math.
TC-14 @ 47:
So, I'm coming to my senses here. This demonization is pure destruction and will destroy us all unless we confront it. With MSM subsidizing it and emails nourishing it - how do we elect anyone with honor and dignity. Is it even a possibility? When I look back, there have been no dignified presidential campaigns - ever - so I guess this beast comes with democracy in a way. Wish we were better people.
TC-14 @ 47:
you're absolutley right...........but I'd be remiss in failing to mention that they also called McCains wife ....a drunk whore..............simply disgusting.how i loath what they do....and them...for doing it.
Snowball @ 48:
ok snowball........you must know I respect you and your opinion.....but when push comes too shove....and when the alternative is another repug in the WH..........people will vote for her.but I'd rather see Edwards......
Oh yes, this too: A Clinton candidacy will spur Ralph Nader to run again and Bloomberg may well enter the race to assist a McCain win.
Snowball @ 52:
speculation
Nadar already said he wasn't going to run......and Bloomberg is so late.....nope.ain't gonna happen.
1. I can kinda understand why no-one wants to talk with Romney. he is nothing but a montage of several real people as opposed to a real person.
2. I find the idea that a theocrat's campaign chairman having a thought process quite ironic.
3. Ed may be a boxer, but his response is an excellent example of fundamentalist negotiating & compromise.
mudshark @ 54:
Only time will tell my friend. A Bloomberg/Unity '08 type campaign is not about winning, it's about denying a Democratic majority. The establishment elitists and the Corporate Media will let that happen over their dead bodies.
Snowball @ 56:
well...you certainly are right about that.this is going to get soooo ugly...........that's why I think HRC will come out swinging...and take no prisoners.and she has plenty of ammo.....just look at the last 7 years.granted .....she has some major fuck ups....but even those pale in comparison to the repugs...not too mention what they're doing to themselves right now(repugs).if she gets the nod.....she'll be unbeatable.I suppose it all depends on he choice for VP as well.......me thinks it'll be ..Clark.
HRC was just here in Monterey County yesterday(Salinas)....she has a very big piece of the Hispanic vote here.....Si se Puedes(yes we can)
Well mudshark, I hadn't been considering Clark as Hillary's running mate. It would be a smart move for sure.
Snowball @ 59:
I'd rather see Edwards get the nomination.....but Clinton/ Clark?.damn........I 'd get behind that...........I'd just have too.
My hunch is however, Clinton will pick Bill Richardson. Not a very charismatic figure, but a great statesman who is more qualified to run the country than any candidate Republican or Democrat.
Snowball @ 61:
Richardson....for Sec State.that's my take on that one....Why Not.....he has ample experience
hey snowball....lets keep track of these predictions.........we'll go over them after the election.
at any rate.....Romney will be so beat up by the other repub candidates........it won't matter.I also think it will be McCain /Liebeman.......that being said.....I wish you all a good night..
one thing is crystal clear from this: Ed Rollins is unbalanced.
So, the other candidates don't like Romney? I guess they aren't as stupid as I thought! Romney is a guy who pretty much woke up one morning and said "Holy crap, I just realized that I'm anti-choice, anti-gun control, anti- gay rights, anti- environmental regulation, I'm a conservative republican, not a moderate republican!" When he ran for Govenor of one of the bluest states in the country (the state that has elected Teddy Kennedy to the Senate for decades) he supported these liberal positions. Now he's running for president, and has to impress the conservative base that doens't support these policies. This is the guy that wants to pander up to religious voters, but at the same time, wants them to ignore that he's a Mormon. If you gave me a blank sheet of paper, and a blank check, I couldn't draw a better flip-flopper.
"mitt...i think there's something wrong with the beaver..."
mudshark @ 23:
"Boy. Beav, Dad's really gonna be mad when he gets home."
The reason they hate Mitt.. he is more intelligent than they are, they know it.
He has superior moral values than they...they know it.
He is more physicaly fit ....than they...they know it.
He is richer than all of they put together, ...they are so jealous.
Mitt Romney is much nicer to look at than they, ....they know it.
He has a closer nit family than they...they know it.
Romney is his own man, he cares deeply for all mankind.
The they's can't dig up any dirt on him...they are ashamed to know what can be dug up on them.
All of the "they's" inferiorty shows drasticly from their hatred.
You are right in saying that Romney has always been there nagging the GOP front runner. Let us not forget why: He now has more delegates that McCain and Huckabee's delegates combined. In popular polls he isn't leading, but in terms of delegates -the things that really matter in the end- he is leading. Obviously people don't like Romney because he is the real competition for everyone. When you are trying to win a football game, your biggest rival becomes your worst enemy. Unfortunately for Mitt, he has somehow become the rival of all the candidates (as was pointed out eloquently in this article). If Romney wasn't leading -if he only had a few delegates- people wouldn't really care about him. Nonetheless, my republican friends here in Washington do like him. I say: Go Mitt!
Dustin @ 66:
Dustin, apparently you need to do some more research on Mr. Romney. His position hasn't changed with gay rights, nor gun control, nor environmental regulation, and he remains a conservative republican. Go look it up. There has been a lot of BS going around about him. -- He did change his mind on pro-choice / anti-choice. That was a few years ago though. Are people not allowed to change their minds? Personally, someone who learns from their mistakes, changes, and decides to follow a higher road is someone that I wouldn't mind leading our country. Have you ever changed your mind on anything? Have you ever made a mistake? Our presidents aren't perfect, are human, and are learning, as all of us should be.
No one will publicly admit that they don't like Hillary because she's a woman. No one will publicly admit that they don't like Obama because he's black.
Apparently people are a little more open about why they dislike Mitt-en (even though there are plenty of other reasons to dislike him).
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/news/releases?id=39047
I don't know why anyone is calling McCain the front runner. Romney has more primary wins, more money, and more delagates than any other republican, and polls have him leading in Florida. I say Romney is the front-runner. And if you accept that Hillary is the dem frontrunner, it begs the question: With both having such high negatives; how do such hated figures become the bleeding front-runners???
When I was a kid the game where everyone ganged up and tackled the guy with the ball was called "Smear the Queer". A fitting game for the republican crowd.
I have a very wide circle of friends, most not political junkies.
Most, if not all, would not vote for Hillary if you paid them.
McCain is the dangerous match up for Hillary, anyone in denial
of that is not being pragmatic at this point.
They all like McCain.
Romney is not well known, and he is phonier then a 3 dollar
bill. In that race, Independents are a toss up.
The tactics they are using against Obama would really have
some problems against McCain, who the media really likes?
She will have an easier time against Romney.
As much as I would prefer Edwards/Richardson, OR Obama/Richardson, Clinton/Richardson,
that IS the ticket, she needs to just win BIG with Hispanics, because.
(and here the hillbots are being absolutely unrealistic) they have
lost a lot of black vote, who will sit on their hands rather then
vote)......
McCain vs Hillary, even in my state, McCain MAY beat her....
She beats Romney IMHO.
Pray for Romney, Democrats, cause McCain in the WH and the
down ticket results hurting congress could be just a nightmare...
Why, why, in this year we have everything going for us, does
it have to be this way?
The Clintons went negative, and I don't even think she had to?
She would have probably won anyway, but, thanks to the Mark
Penns and the other DLC folks in her campaign, they have potentially
made this closer then it should be...
I think it’s largely driven by the fact that everybody’s taught to tackle the guy on the field with the ball??????
HILLARY HAS MORE BALLS THAN ANY OF THE REPUBLICANS....
.....she's just letting Bill run around with them until after the election!!!
MITT..... who really cares which LOSER candidate the GLP (grand loser party) puts up there
---- just get to hang around a little longer before they get their conservative asses kicked
When they announce that MITT has 35% of the vote... and Hillary has 35% of the vote...
that is just PRESS BULLSHIT.... Mitts 35% is 35% of Republicans.... the Democrats are turning out DOUBLE the voters... ANY of the 3 Dems will kick ass against MITT.
Maybe Mitt should have his boys learn basketball... he could take them on the road and take on the black teams, who I believe the Mormon gospel has determined to be a lesser people.
----- by the way.... with FRED THOMPSON out of the race... the real question is who will get all of the votes (7 i think) who Fred had gathered.....
and the nominees are----
McCain, since Fred is abandoning the "i'm the dead looking guy vote"
Rudy, taking Fred's I am a freak of nature vote
Mitt, taking Fred's I am the living spirit of Reagan vote
It's a tough decision....
Jo @ 38:
How did a spread from Kentucky get involved here?
Well Ed.. Now you know how I and a hellovalot of other people feel about George W. Bush... Not that I give a flying F about your boy Mitt... Btw, the comparasion to Eddie Haskell does the man a disservice... Eddie Haskell that is.....JD
Please, please, please let it be Mitt. McCain could actually get elected because the myth about him is that he is independent, maverick, etc. Mitt on the other hand, is hated by the evangelicals because he's Morman and independents aren't crazy about him either. Plus there's the 'the more you know him, the more you dislike him' thing he seems to have going. McCain would be a total disaster, plus we'd have to worry about his vice president since the old coot may not make it for a full term.
SemiPundit @ 16:
i couldn't agree more. that sums it up perfectly.
remember when W. ran the first time? how many of us thought it was a joke, the first time we saw him speak on air? we thought, this guy is just too fucking stupid to have a chance!
it has been a long, long eight years. :( i'm rather dreading more of the same, but i no longer rule out the possibility that the powers-that-be will place the dumbest doorknob on earth in the role of titular head of state. :/
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