Romney: Being Vague About My Plans Helps Me Get Elected

Wouldn’t want the voters to have too much information, would we?

PoliticsJune 2012 • Views: 38,384

In an interview with the Weekly Standard, Mitt Romney admits he’s being deliberately vague about his plans for sweeping cuts to federal programs, because if he gets specific he would lose the election.

One of the things I found in a short campaign against Ted Kennedy was that when I said, for instance, that I wanted to eliminate the Department of Education, that was used to suggest I don’t care about education,” Romney recalled. “So I think it’s important for me to point out that I anticipate that there will be departments and agencies that will either be eliminated or combined with other agencies. So for instance, I anticipate that housing vouchers will be turned over to the states rather than be administered at the federal level, and so at this point I think of the programs to be eliminated or to be returned to the states, and we’ll see what consolidation opportunities exist as a result of those program eliminations. So will there be some that get eliminated or combined? The answer is yes, but I’m not going to give you a list right now.

Well, that certainly clarifies something — not Romney’s plans, but his motivation for hiding them.

UPDATE at 6/17/12 9:57:49 am

Romney is also being deliberately vague about his immigration policies: Romney Dodges Immigration Questions.

Mitt Romney refuses to say whether he’d repeal the Obama administration’s decision to stop deporting certain undocumented immigrants.

In an interview with Bob Schieffer�aired Sunday on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” the presumptive Republican presidential nominee five different times declined to answer whether he would conduct the same policy President Barack Obama on Friday announced his Department of Homeland Security will now pursue.

Instead of answering the question posed, Romney called for a permanent solution.

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91 comments

moderatelyradicalliberal Sun, Jun 17, 2012 9:42:01am

Sam Stein ‏@samsteinhp

Romney says "things are getting better in America", realizes implication of remark, adds "as long as we get off the path" Obama's chosen

HappyWarrior Sun, Jun 17, 2012 9:45:28am

re: #1 moderatelyradicalliberal

Sam Stein ‏@samsteinhp

Romney says "things are getting better in America", realizes implication of remark, adds "as long as we get off the path" Obama's chosen

Heh what a tool this guy is.

aagcobb Sun, Jun 17, 2012 9:47:05am

Romney knows that promising fiscal restraint is popular, but that as soon as you start specifying programs you are going to cut, you can only lose the support of people who like those programs. That's why politicians only promise to cut fraud and waste.

allegro Sun, Jun 17, 2012 9:49:31am

This is why I wish the media would report on state GOP and Dem platforms so people could/would see just what they're voting for. The differences are tremendous. When I point out the contents of the GOP platform here in Texas people are astonished and most of them (even Republicans) find it offensive. Of course, I hear from most of them "Oh, it's just words - they'd never get away with it," as they continue to vote for them. But by shining a bright line on this shit, we can whittle away at some of the votes to hopefully squash these destructive bugs.

moderatelyradicalliberal Sun, Jun 17, 2012 9:49:57am

re: #3 aagcobb

Romney knows that promising fiscal restraint is popular, but that as soon as you start specifying programs you are going to cut, you can only lose the support of people who like those programs. That's why politicians only promise to cut fraud and waste.

Add it's the Obama campaigns job to fill in the blanks. Just tell people what's in the Ryan plan and that should take care of it. Romney will either stand by it and alienate voters or deny it piss of conservatives. There already pissed at him for not saying whether or not he'd reverse the president's immigration order.

moderatelyradicalliberal Sun, Jun 17, 2012 9:51:02am

re: #4 allegro

This is why I wish the media would report on state GOP and Dem platforms so people could/would see just what they're voting for. The differences are tremendous. When I point out the contents of the GOP platform here in Texas people are astonished and most of them (even Republicans) find it offensive. Of course, I hear from most of them "Oh, it's just words - they'd never get away with it," as they continue to vote for them. But by shining a bright line on this shit, we can whittle away at some of the votes to hopefully squash these destructive bugs.

Question if you aren't voting GOP because of what's in their platform, what the hell are you voting GOP for?

Randall Gross Sun, Jun 17, 2012 9:51:28am

The passive agressive presidential candidate...

allegro Sun, Jun 17, 2012 9:51:59am

re: #6 moderatelyradicalliberal

Question if you aren't voting GOP because of what's in their platform, what the hell are you voting GOP for?

I've asked that question many times. It always comes back to the myth of the "tax and spend" Democrats with nothing real to back it up. Every. Single. Time.

aagcobb Sun, Jun 17, 2012 9:53:17am

re: #5 moderatelyradicalliberal

Add it's the Obama campaigns job to fill in the blanks. Just tell people what's in the Ryan plan and that should take care of it. Romney will either stand by it and alienate voters or deny it piss of conservatives. There already pissed at him for not saying whether or not he'd reverse the president's immigration order.

Which is much more difficult that simply saying you are going to cut fraud and waste. People have to actually stop and pay attention while the President explains the implications of the Ryan budget. Romney is counting on voters having the attention span of mayflies.

Prideful, Arrogant Marriage Equality Advocate Sun, Jun 17, 2012 9:53:30am

On the outside Romney appears to be quite polished, professional and urbane. However when he speaks he just doesn't seem very bright.
He is constantly putting his foot in his mouth by saying some things that make him appear very out of touch with non-billionaires. However he doesn't seem to understand this no matter how many times this gets him in trouble. Then on top of that he openly discusses ulterior motives for his choices as if no one will find out. Very weird.
Another strange thing i saw was a big sign at a speaking engagement of his that said something negative about "Obamacare". Yet wasn't Obamacare originally called Romneycare?
At least McCain had personal honor, this guy doesn't even seem to have that.

Interesting Times Sun, Jun 17, 2012 9:53:48am

re: #8 allegro

I've asked that question many times. It always comes back to the myth of the "tax and spend" Democrats with nothing real to back it up.

So ridiculous. I daresay Pavlov's dogs had superior critical thinking skills 9_9

allegro Sun, Jun 17, 2012 9:54:11am

re: #8 allegro

I've asked that question many times. It always comes back to the myth of the "tax and spend" Democrats with nothing real to back it up. Every. Single. Time.

My quick quip in response (when I don't feel like getting into policy stuff) is:
"I'd rather have a Democrat in my wallet than a Republican in my womb."

More effective with women than men, but it's to the point.

Interesting Times Sun, Jun 17, 2012 9:56:21am

re: #12 allegro

My quick quip in response (when I don't feel like getting into policy stuff) is: "I'd rather have a Democrat in my wallet than a Republican in my womb."

"Vote Democrat, because we need more women in government, not more government in women."

_{No idea who came up with the above quote, but I love them forever :)}

aagcobb Sun, Jun 17, 2012 9:57:05am

re: #8 allegro

I've asked that question many times. It always comes back to the myth of the "tax and spend" Democrats with nothing real to back it up. Every. Single. Time.

People don't seem to appreciate the fact that the budget can't be balanced by cutting off foreign aid and welfare queens, and that its their social security and medicare and their children's student financial aid that the GOP wants to slash.

allegro Sun, Jun 17, 2012 9:57:56am

re: #14 aagcobb

People don't seem to appreciate the fact that the budget can't be balanced by cutting off foreign aid and welfare queens, and that its their social security and medicare and their children's student financial aid that the GOP wants to slash.

DING!

bratwurst Sun, Jun 17, 2012 9:58:22am

I'm beginning to seriously worry that Mitt Romney might believe the things he is saying to Bob Schieffer.
— davidfrum (@davidfrum) June 17, 2012

moderatelyradicalliberal Sun, Jun 17, 2012 9:58:49am

re: #8 allegro

I've asked that question many times. It always comes back to the myth of the "tax and spend" Democrats with nothing real to back it up. Every. Single. Time.

"Tax (hard working white people) and spend (on lazy black/brown people). That's what they really mean. It's always been what they really mean.

moderatelyradicalliberal Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:00:15am

re: #10 secretly funded by Barbra Streisand

On the outside Romney appears to be quite polished, professional and urbane. However when he speaks he just doesn't seem very bright.
He is constantly putting his foot in his mouth by saying some things that make him appear very out of touch with non-billionaires. However he doesn't seem to understand this no matter how many times this gets him in trouble. Then on top of that he openly discusses ulterior motives for his choices as if no one will find out. Very weird.
Another strange thing i saw was a big sign at a speaking engagement of his that said something negative about "Obamacare". Yet wasn't Obamacare originally called Romneycare?
At least McCain had personal honor, this guy doesn't even seem to have that.

This. Rmoney is coming across as not just an asshole, but increasingly dumb, but then again he's parroting talking points meant to appeal to the dumbest part of the GOP.

Interesting Times Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:01:42am

re: #17 moderatelyradicalliberal

"Tax (hard working white people) and spend (on lazy black/brown people). That's what they really mean. It's always been what they really mean.

Interesting statistic--no Democratic president since LBJ, including Bill Clinton, has received a majority of the white vote
— Deepak Chopra (@DeepakChopra) June 17, 2012

Prideful, Arrogant Marriage Equality Advocate Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:01:43am

re: #16 bratwurst

David Frum is someone that really confuses me. How does someone with his wit and personal integrity still continue to be in such denial?

victor27 Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:03:06am

From David Frum's reporting, this is what Grover Norquist wants in the next GOP President:

Pick a Republican with enough working digits to handle a pen to become president of the United States.

We are not auditioning for fearless leader. We don't need a president to tell us in what direction to go. We know what direction to go. We want the Ryan budget. ... We just need a president to sign this stuff. We don't need someone to think it up or design it.

(source)

aagcobb Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:03:25am

re: #18 moderatelyradicalliberal

This. Rmoney is coming across as not just an asshole, but increasingly dumb, but then again he's parroting talking points meant to appeal to the dumbest part of the GOP.

And yet, if the economic news doesn't improve, he's likely to be elected president anyway. Because if GOP policies cause an economic collapse so severe that a Democrat can't make it all better in 3 1/2 years, the GOP should get a chance to re-enact the same policies which caused the mess in the first place.

Artist Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:04:11am

re: #21 victor27

From David Frum's reporting, this is what Grover Norquist wants in the next GOP President:

More:

(source)

So a blank slate that will blindly do what they say. Interesting..

SidewaysQuark Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:04:48am

re: #22 aagcobb

And yet, if the economic news doesn't improve, he's likely to be elected president anyway. Because if GOP policies cause an economic collapse so severe that a Democrat can't make it all better in 3 1/2 years, the GOP should get a chance to re-enact the same policies which caused the miss in the first place.

And, of course, if it all goes to (an even deeper) hell again, it will obviously be because Romney wasn't conservative enough.

allegro Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:04:57am

re: #18 moderatelyradicalliberal

This. Rmoney is coming across as not just an asshole, but increasingly dumb, but then again he's parroting talking points meant to appeal to the dumbest part of the GOP.

He comes across to me as a man who is entirely focused on one thing at a time without ever seeing any big picture. On Bain: he focuses on making the most money fast and did that quite well. He never looked at the big picture of draining a company of all potential dollars while trashing the company in the process. The latter, the long term, simply wasn't important to him. He's doing the same thing with the presidency. It's all short term, i.e. win the election at all costs. I see no evidence that he has any awareness of the long-term consequences.

Amory Blaine Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:05:19am

re: #4 allegro

Although I agree with the effort to shed light on the scum, I'm pretty sure republicans believe in their own agenda.

victor27 Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:07:02am

re: #23 Artist

Exactly. President Autopen.

moderatelyradicalliberal Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:07:17am

re: #19 Interesting Times

[Embedded content]

Gee, I wonder what happened when LBJ was president that led to this change? Interesting indeed. Hmmmmm..................

Seriously, I laugh when some Democrats lament that Obama doesn't have the same appeal to working class whites as Bill Clinton. Clinton didn't have it either. He won in a three way race with 43% of the popular vote. A majority of white voters went for Bush I or Perot. Barack Obama is the first Democrat to win in a two way race with a minority of the white vote, only about 43%. And this time he could win with only 40%.

allegro Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:08:06am

re: #26 Amory Blaine

Although I agree with the effort to shed light on the scum, I'm pretty sure republicans believe in their own agenda.

From my experience, few voting Republicans are even aware of the contents of their party's platform. Most vote out of habit or tribalism. They have bought into the party line talking points without ever thinking them through or understanding them as the bullshit they are.

moderatelyradicalliberal Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:08:59am

re: #23 Artist

So a blank slate that will blindly do what they say. Interesting..

That's what they got with Reagan and Bush II. Only Bush I bucked them and look how conservatives turned on him.

Artist Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:10:25am

re: #30 moderatelyradicalliberal

The GOP might as well just run a robot as their candidate.

aagcobb Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:11:11am

re: #27 victor27

Exactly. President Autopen.

They have a radical agenda to take America back to 1932, and they know that with America's changing demographics this may be the last chance they have to fulfill their dream.

Amory Blaine Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:11:26am

Republicans in this state (Wi) are very aware of what their party represents.

moderatelyradicalliberal Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:12:09am

re: #31 Artist

The GOP might as well just run a robot as their candidate.

You mean they aren't already? Surely, Rmoney is a robot! RomneyBot 3000!

Artist Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:12:40am

re: #34 moderatelyradicalliberal

Now with 50% less charisma!

moderatelyradicalliberal Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:13:02am

re: #33 Amory Blaine

Republicans in this state (Wi) are very aware of what their party represents.

A party that goes after everyone they resent and hate. Exactly what the modern GOP is supposed to be.

dragonath Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:13:27am

I think someone said on here that Romney campaigns like Dewey did in 1948. Difference is, Dewey was a pretty good governor. From wiki:

Usually regarded as an honest and highly effective governor, Dewey cut taxes; doubled state aid to education; increased salaries for state employees; and still reduced the state's debt by over $100 million. Additionally, he put through the first state law in the country that prohibited racial discrimination in employment. As governor, Dewey also signed legislation that created the State University of New York.

What happened in 65 years? Unfortunately the House Republicans were starting to lose their minds even then.

moderatelyradicalliberal Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:13:29am

re: #35 Artist

Now with 50% less charisma!

And 100% more lies and obfuscation!

aagcobb Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:14:38am

re: #34 moderatelyradicalliberal

You mean they aren't already? Surely, Rmoney is a robot! RomneyBot 3000!

Their only concern is that he'll be rebooted and the original factory installed software will replace the Tea Part upgrades.

moderatelyradicalliberal Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:16:26am

re: #39 aagcobb

Their only concern is that he'll be rebooted and the original factory installed software will replace the Tea Part upgrades.

I think a rabid teabagger base and and the billionaires who are buying the White House for him will prevent such a reboot from happening.

Amory Blaine Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:17:19am

re: #39 aagcobb

Their only concern is that he'll be rebooted and the original factory installed software will replace the Tea Part upgrades.

That software isn't supported any longer.

moderatelyradicalliberal Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:19:44am

Instead of answering the question posed, Romney called for a permanent solution.

He opposes the permanent solution as does his party. It's called the Dream Act and Republicans blocked it during the '09 lame duck session. You would think that a journalist would point that out. If only we had a real liberal media.

moderatelyradicalliberal Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:20:06am

re: #41 Amory Blaine

That software isn't supported any longer.

LOL!

Gus Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:20:27am

Energy Etch A Sketch
Published: June 16, 2012

As governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney endorsed an aggressive program to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas emissions, pushed to close old coal-fired power plants and embraced wind and solar power. Then came his bids for the Republican presidential nomination, first in 2008 and now in 2012. On climate change as on other issues, he has transformed himself, bit by reactionary bit...

Gus Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:23:25am

Ohio Residents React to Mitt Romney's Bus Tour

Youtube Video

dragonath Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:25:39am

If anyone's interested in the results of the Greek Elections, official results will turn up here:

[Link: ekloges.ypes.gr...]

Gus Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:25:58am

"@shushwalshe: Romney says he needs to send wife Ann to "Betty Ford for an addiction to horses,"/ Betty Ford jokes = always in good taste.
— Alex Wagner (@alexwagner) June 17, 2012

Mich-again Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:26:40am

Mitt on Mute.

moderatelyradicalliberal Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:28:09am

re: #47 Gus

[Embedded content]

That's not all that's in poor taste. He's blaming his wife for any extravagant spending. I guess Ann is the one needs the car elevator.

blueraven Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:30:25am

Romney is a liar ...Obama has apologized for America, he has grown government (like Bush?), increased taxes...very misleading ads using "Obama quotes" that were not his.

Romney has no long term vision and wont discuss what he will actually do to lower the deficit.

Romney wont talk about his own record as Governor or at Bain

He is advised by the likes of John Bolton on foreign policy. John Bolton!

He thinks Roe v Wade should be overturned. (at least that was his latest position on abortion)

The main stream media has let him get away with this over and over again. They always seek "balance" for fear of seeming biased. The right wing has done an excellent job in attacking the MS media and for the most part they have been effective in essentially neutering them.

Randall Gross Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:34:22am

Rich Lowry - Romney has an allergy to specifics

Youtube Video

moderatelyradicalliberal Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:34:35am

re: #50 blueraven

Romney is a liar ...Obama has apologized for America, he has grown government (like Bush?), increased taxes...very misleading ads using "Obama quotes" that were not his.

Romney has no long term vision and wont discuss what he will actually do to lower the deficit.

Romney wont talk about his own record as Governor or at Bain

He is advised by the likes of John Bolton on foreign policy. John Bolton!

He thinks Roe v Wade should be overturned. (at least that was his latest position on abortion)

The main stream media has let him get away with this over and over again. They always seek "balance" for fear of seeming biased. The right wing has done an excellent job in attacking the MS media and for the most part they have been effective in essentially neutering them.

Facts have a well known liberal bias.

Randall Gross Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:35:23am

Youtube Video

Prideful, Arrogant Marriage Equality Advocate Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:37:59am

re: #26 Amory Blaine

I have to agree. My wingnut in laws are perfectly aware of the entire plan. And since they all seem to be centered around bringing Jesus and Fundamental evangelical christianity into power that is all that matters. Slash all you want because in the end the kingdom of heaven on earth is the ultimate goal.

dragonath Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:40:50am

McCain eviscerated Romney in one of the 2008 primary debates.

You can tell when someone gets under Romney's skin when he puts on that grimacing "ha ha, I hate your guts" face.

Gus Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:42:25am

OT - Boom! Ouch!

Happy father's day -- or as they call it in my family, happy brother-in-law's day.
— Ronan Farrow (@RonanFarrow) June 17, 2012

goddamnedfrank Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:47:45am

re: #42 moderatelyradicalliberal

He opposes the permanent solution as does his party. It's called the Dream Act and Republicans blocked it during the '09 lame duck session. You would think that a journalist would point that out. If only we had a real liberal media.

Romney ripped Perry's heartless comment during the debates.

“I think if you’re opposed to illegal immigration, it doesn’t mean that you don’t have a heart. It means you have a heart and a brain. Legal immigration is good for America. Illegal immigration is something I will stop if I’m president.”

Stopping illegal immigration means confronting and stopping America's hypocrisy. My Mom and Stepdad are "pretty sure" that their lawn and landscape guy is here illegally, but they don't care, and they're staunch anti illegal immigration Republicans. It's DADT for assholes.

What the President is doing is signaling that simplistic answers don't fit a complex problem, and that the Republicans will no longer be allowed to lazily lump in people who were brought here as children and have been productive members of American society ever since. Romney is in such a bind now and can't / won't say whether he'll support or repeal the policy because either way he loses politically. We'll see if he can keep this act up through the debates, and how much damage the constant weaseling does in the meantime.

engineer cat Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:53:37am

Romney woos Christians

isn't it nice that somebody is paying attention to that neglected and downtrodden group after all these years

engineer cat Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:56:19am

Romney's comments veered from his usual talking points on the economy into social issues. He said that young people "should get married before they have children because the opportunity for a mom and a dad to help guide the life of a child gives them such an enormous advantage.”

also, they should try to be white and born into a family with money

moderatelyradicalliberal Sun, Jun 17, 2012 10:59:35am

re: #58 engineer cat

Romney woos Christians

isn't it nice that somebody is paying attention to that neglected and downtrodden group after all these years

That title suggests he isn't a Christian too. Normally I would say it is beneath one's dignity to kiss up to people who think you are in a cult, but Rmoney doesn't seem to have any.

moderatelyradicalliberal Sun, Jun 17, 2012 11:00:18am

re: #59 engineer cat

Romney's comments veered from his usual talking points on the economy into social issues. He said that young people "should get married before they have children because the opportunity for a mom and a dad to help guide the life of a child gives them such an enormous advantage.”

also, they should try to be white and born into a family with money

And that will loan you 20k to start a business.

dragonfire1981 Sun, Jun 17, 2012 11:04:39am

Romney is in a completely unenviable position but, as I've said before, any political strategist with half a brain could have seen these problems coming a mile away.

I remember writing on here either late in 2010 or early last year that a main problem for the future GOP nominee was that he or she would have to pander to the base to get elected, then find some way to swing back and become more moderate before the General Election because the base alone is NOT enough to win the White House. Romney will need independents and a percentage of the minority vote to get elected.

The reason is he being extremely calculated in his response to the immigration thing is that he does NOT want to piss off Latino voters (not that he'll get many anyway, but the point stands). I think Obama really caught him and his campaign off guard with this week's announcement and now Mitt's kind of floundering in his speaking because his strategists didn't have a defense or response planned for something like this.

I seriously doubt it is possible for Mitt to both placate the base AND appeal to a broader group of voters while maintaining consistent policy views and not alienating either group.

Romney is smart to not get too specific about the cuts. If he did, he'd completely ruin his chances of gaining power.

But what bothers me most is I can guarantee you, GUARANTEE YOU that if Romney gets elected and starts implementing high impact spending cuts he will justify it by saying that Obama screwed things up so much that he HAS to go these lengths to fix everything.

That's the the way a lot of right wingers think:

Anything bad happens to the country while Obama is President = BLAME Obama

Anything bad happens to the country after Romney becomes President = STILL blame Obama.

There's just no way to win with these people if you don't have an "R" next to your name.

As I see it Mitt needs to get his game together and he needs to do it yesterday. He's had so much difficult delivering professional sounding, coherent speeches. That's going to cost him dearly if he doesn't do something about it before Tampa and the campaigning that follows in the fall.

Kronocide Sun, Jun 17, 2012 11:07:27am

Too many programmers are inputting differing algorithms into the Romneybot 6000 at the same time.

moderatelyradicalliberal Sun, Jun 17, 2012 11:08:57am

re: #62 dragonfire1981

Romney is in a completely unenviable position but, as I've said before, any political strategist with half a brain could have seen these problems coming a mile away.

I remember writing on here either late in 2010 or early last year that a main problem for the future GOP nominee was that he or she would have to pander to the base to get elected, then find some way to swing back and become more moderate before the General Election because the base alone is NOT enough to win the White House. Romney will need independents and a percentage of the minority vote to get elected.

The reason is he being extremely calculated in his response to the immigration thing is that he does NOT want to piss off Latino voters (not that he'll get many anyway, but the point stands). I think Obama really caught him and his campaign off guard with this week's announcement and now Mitt's kind of floundering in his speaking because his strategists didn't have a defense or response planned for something like this.

I seriously doubt it is possible for Mitt to both placate the base AND appeal to a broader group of voters while maintaining consistent policy views and not alienating either group.

Romney is smart to not get too specific about the cuts. If he did, he'd completely ruin his chances of gaining power.

But what bothers me most is I can guarantee you, GUARANTEE YOU that if Romney gets elected and starts implementing high impact spending cuts he will justify it by saying that Obama screwed things up so much that he HAS to go these lengths to fix everything.

That's the the way a lot of right wingers think:

Anything bad happens to the country while Obama is President = BLAME Obama

Anything bad happens to the country after Romney becomes President = STILL blame Obama.

There's just no way to win with these people if you don't have an "R" next to your name.

As I see it Mitt needs to get his game together and he needs to do it yesterday. He's had so much difficult delivering professional sounding, coherent speeches. That's going to cost him dearly if he doesn't do something about it before Tampa and the campaigning that follows in the fall.

It will only cost him if the MSM actually pays attention to it a reports on it, so far they have given Rmoney a huge assist by not focusing on him or going after him for his statements. They have been cowed out of doing their jobs for the last 3.5 years and I don't see any real signs of change yet. The MSM seem to be happy to let Rmoney have his etch a sketch moment.

Gus Sun, Jun 17, 2012 11:16:11am

BBL

moderatelyradicalliberal Sun, Jun 17, 2012 11:21:35am

Rmoney lies about going to Law School in CSPAN interview.

”I ask a number of people close to the area of subject to come in and present their views,” Romney said. “I like having debate. I like having two sides. I didn’t go to law school, I didn’t practice law, but I like the idea of arguing points back and forth and sorting through them, and being able to probe, in some cases you need to go back and get more information.”

Info:

Romney attended the prestigious Cranbrook School before receiving his undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University in 1971. He attended Harvard Law School and Harvard Business School and received both a law degree and an M.B.A. in 1975.

erik_t Sun, Jun 17, 2012 11:23:59am

re: #57 goddamnedfrank

Romney is in such a bind now and can't / won't say whether he'll support or repeal the policy because either way he loses politically. We'll see if he can keep this act up through the debates, and how much damage the constant weaseling does in the meantime.

And instead of taking even an unprincipled stand, he simply wants to take his ball and go home. Because apparently you get to do that when you're President.

Fucking gutless as all get-out.

darthstar Sun, Jun 17, 2012 11:37:05am

Sleazy asshole is sleazy. And he campaigns on Obama's lack of specifics.

erik_t Sun, Jun 17, 2012 11:38:21am

re: #66 moderatelyradicalliberal

Rmoney lies about going to Law School in CSPAN interview.

Just a pathological liar. It's bad enough to tell a sneaky hard-to-disprove lie for some real gain; Mitt seems to lie because he DGAF.

labman57 Sun, Jun 17, 2012 11:39:45am

Mitt is vague about specifics because there are no specifics. He'll continually flip-flop on his policy positions because he is a habitual panderer desperately seeking validation from the voters. He makes crap up because he cannot be bothered with doing his homework so that his comments are drawn from verifiable facts and reflect reality.
Most folks would regard these traits as weaknesses, but Mitt probably regards them as character attributes. Bottom line, if he believes that it will help him to get elected, it's all good.

Amory Blaine Sun, Jun 17, 2012 11:49:38am

Page out of the GOP handbook. Scott Walker didn't mention one word about abolishing public unions during his campaign, yet here we are.

nines09 Sun, Jun 17, 2012 11:56:18am

Mitt is a viper. Plain and simple. Elect a viper and expect to be bit.

Daniel Ballard Sun, Jun 17, 2012 11:58:04am

Pro-bailout parties may have enough to rule after Greek polls reut.rs/KRwTnX via @reuters
— Daniel Ballard (@RW_Conspirator) June 17, 2012

Obdicut Sun, Jun 17, 2012 12:00:00pm

re: #69 erik_t

Just a pathological liar. It's bad enough to tell a sneaky hard-to-disprove lie for some real gain; Mitt seems to lie because he DGAF.

I don't think he's a pathological liar.

The kind of lying Romney does is very familiar to me from the corporate world. It's the lie of the CEO saying that safety comes first even as they fire experienced workers and hire newbies that don't know what they hell they're doing. It's the lie of telling workers that they have no choice but to freeze wages-- after which the company makes record profits.

These are standard business lies. This is why you don't want a CEO in charge of America.

Charles Johnson Sun, Jun 17, 2012 12:15:07pm

re: #73 Daniel Ballard

Tip: there's no need to copy and paste the embed code for tweets any more - just paste in the URL of the tweet's individual page.

sagehen Sun, Jun 17, 2012 12:17:10pm

When a man says, actually says on tape, "I'm not telling you my plans, because if you knew what I intend to do you'd vote against me"... I'd take him at his word. If we knew what he intended, we'd vote against him.

So now I don't even need to know what he intends to do to know it's reason enough to vote against him.

(I'd been telling people that I thought a vote for Mitt Romney was a vote for "what's behind door number 3", but now I don't have to wonder if it's the luxury car or the box of Rice-a-Roni. He says I won't like his presidency, I believe him.)

Charles Johnson Sun, Jun 17, 2012 12:17:14pm

re: #74 Obdicut

I don't think he's a pathological liar.

The kind of lying Romney does is very familiar to me from the corporate world. It's the lie of the CEO saying that safety comes first even as they fire experienced workers and hire newbies that don't know what they hell they're doing. It's the lie of telling workers that they have no choice but to freeze wages-- after which the company makes record profits.

These are standard business lies. This is why you don't want a CEO in charge of America.

Yep - Romney's not a pathological liar, he's an expedient liar. There's nothing crazy about Romney's lies - he's lying to achieve a specific purpose, like a CEO diverting attention away from a negative issue.

erik_t Sun, Jun 17, 2012 12:22:08pm

re: #77 Charles Johnson

Yep - Romney's not a pathological liar, he's an expedient liar. There's nothing crazy about Romney's lies - he's lying to achieve a specific purpose, like a CEO diverting attention away from a negative issue.

Lying about whether or not you went to law school doesn't seem like a calculated lie, and least not an intelligently-calculated one. Dead easy to disprove, objectively false, and doesn't require more than ten seconds of explanation; meanwhile, a successful lie doesn't really gain Romney much on just ignoring Obama's law school in the first place.

engineer cat Sun, Jun 17, 2012 12:25:28pm

re: #77 Charles Johnson

Yep - Romney's not a pathological liar, he's an expedient liar. There's nothing crazy about Romney's lies - he's lying to achieve a specific purpose, like a CEO diverting attention away from a negative issue.

we have come to such a pass in american politics that we need a clear typology of liars to keep things straight

Targetpractice Sun, Jun 17, 2012 12:25:42pm

We've got one candidate who says "This is what I've done and this is what I'm planning, vote for me on those."

The other, by stark contrast, is going "I regret what I did and I can't tell you what I'm going to do because you'll vote against it, but I can fix this country."

One sounds like a president, one sounds like a used car salesman. I'll let you decide which is which.

Prideful, Arrogant Marriage Equality Advocate Sun, Jun 17, 2012 12:36:43pm

re: #74 Obdicut

I totally agree. You cannot succesfully run a country like your average CEO runs a company.

engineer cat Sun, Jun 17, 2012 12:41:50pm

re: #81 secretly funded by Barbra Streisand

I totally agree. You cannot succesfully run a country like your average CEO runs a company.

in addition to this, republicans are currently promoting the misconception that successful companies never get into debt

allegro Sun, Jun 17, 2012 12:43:22pm

re: #82 engineer cat

in addition to this, republicans are currently promoting the misconception that successful companies never get into debt

... until Bain borrows and sells them into bankruptcy.

engineer cat Sun, Jun 17, 2012 12:44:51pm

re: #74 Obdicut

I don't think he's a pathological liar.

The kind of lying Romney does is very familiar to me from the corporate world. It's the lie of the CEO saying that safety comes first even as they fire experienced workers and hire newbies that don't know what they hell they're doing. It's the lie of telling workers that they have no choice but to freeze wages-- after which the company makes record profits.

These are standard business lies. This is why you don't want a CEO in charge of America.

and i do not, repeat, do not want romney to apply the things he learned from running Bain to the american economy

allegro Sun, Jun 17, 2012 12:46:42pm

I have noticed that not a single co-worker, friend, teacher, neighbor, etc. has come along to say anything good about Romney. His wife kinda does but in their public kiss she looked like she was kissing a toad.

Just an observation.

Lidane Sun, Jun 17, 2012 12:49:43pm

re: #6 moderatelyradicalliberal

Question if you aren't voting GOP because of what's in their platform, what the hell are you voting GOP for?

Image: voting_republican.jpg

Targetpractice Sun, Jun 17, 2012 12:50:03pm

re: #81 secretly funded by Barbra Streisand

I totally agree. You cannot succesfully run a country like your average CEO runs a company.

You certainly can't. For one thing, CEOs don't have to deal with two co-equal decision makers who they have to sell their ideas to and who they have to motivate into seeing things their way.

Lidane Sun, Jun 17, 2012 12:50:44pm

re: #16 bratwurst

Don't worry, David. Mitt Romney doesn't actually believe in anything. He just says whatever they Etch into his Sketch that day.

Lidane Sun, Jun 17, 2012 12:53:43pm

re: #82 engineer cat

in addition to this, republicans are currently promoting the misconception that successful companies never get into debt

While also ignoring the fact that Donald Trump is a Romneybot booster. How many bankruptcies has he had again?

jaunte Sun, Jun 17, 2012 1:17:25pm

Mitt Romney admits he’s being deliberately vague about his plans for sweeping cuts to federal programs, because if he gets specific he would lose the election.

"Dick In A Box - 2012"

Patricia Kayden Sun, Jun 17, 2012 3:28:16pm

Of course Romney dodged the question about President Obama's immigration announcement on Friday. How is he going to answer without either angering his rabid xenophobic supporters or angering his potential Latino supporters? Etch-a-Sketch needs more time to figure out the balancing act.

Spy Mode Auto

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