London Mayor Johnson: ‘There’s a Guy Called Mitt Romney Who Wants to Know if We’re Ready’

Mitt’s charm offensive partly successful
Politics • Views: 30,616

If Mitt Romney’s overseas trip is supposed to be a charm offensive, he’s got it half right; he managed to offend everyone in Britain on his first day. Here’s London Mayor Boris Johnson taking a poke at Mitt in a speech to a huge audience at the lighting of the Olympic cauldron in Hyde Park.

People are coming from around the world and they’re seeing us, and they’re seeing the greatest city on Earth, aren’t they? Now, there are some people who are coming from around the world who don’t yet know about all the preparations we’ve done to get London ready in the last seven years. I hear there’s a guy, there’s a guy called Mitt Romney, who wants to know whether we’re ready … he wants to know whether we’re ready.

Are we ready?

[Huge cheer.]

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212 comments
1 Killgore Trout  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 12:43:16pm

The crowd loves him. Who knew he was so popular?

2 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 12:45:10pm

Heh what's funny is most of the criticism I've seen of Romney has come from Mayor Johnson and PM Cameron. Both of whom are Tories. And yes I realize the British Conservative Party is different from the American Republican Party but still that's interesting. This won't really hurt Romney in the election here but gosh what an idiot he is when it comes to tact.

3 wrenchwench  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 12:45:34pm
4 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 12:48:05pm
5 Targetpractice  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 12:51:42pm

re: #2 HappyWarrior

Heh what's funny is most of the criticism I've seen of Romney has come from Mayor Johnson and PM Cameron. Both of whom are Tories. And yes I realize the British Conservative Party is different from the American Republican Party but still that's interesting. This won't really hurt Romney in the election here but gosh what an idiot he is when it comes to tact.

What I'm getting out of the press coverage of this whole thing is that Romney really has absolutely no tact when it comes to foreign policy and it shows.

6 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 12:52:32pm

Mitt to Brits: "You guys better play nice, or we won't protect you from Soviet Aggression."

7 The Ghost of a Flea  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 12:53:13pm

I'm sure things will turn around for Mitt after he goes to the fund raiser to canoodle with banking figures implicated in the LIBOR fixing scandal.

Former Barclays CEO Bob Diamond bowed out as host of Romney’s fundraiser after resigning in the wake of a scandal in which major banks colluded to artificially lower the London interbank offered rate (LIBOR), the rate at which banks loan to one another. Diamond has donated $2,500 to the Romney campaign.

Eighty-two other Barclays employees have donated to Romney, according to the Associated Press. Patrick Durkin, Barclays’ chief lobbyist in D.C., is a co-host and has raised more than $1 million for Romney.

Last week, 11 members of the British Parliament signed a letter citing the upcoming fundraiser and called on Barclays executives to “cease fundraising for political candidates immediately and to concentrate entirely on repairing confidence and trust in the banking system instead.”

This event will totally improve his optics.

8 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 12:53:48pm

re: #5 Targetpractice

What I'm getting out of the press coverage of this whole thing is that Romney really has absolutely no tact when it comes to foreign policy and it shows.

That's what I am thinking too. These are our allies for heavens sake. I don't want to imagine how he'd act in China or Russia.

9 wrenchwench  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 12:55:03pm

re: #6 Kragar

Mitt to Brits: "You guys better play nice, or we won't protect you from Soviet Aggression."

10 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 12:55:09pm

re: #8 HappyWarrior

That's what I am thinking too. These are our allies for heavens sake. I don't want to imagine how he'd act in China or Russia.

I'm not sure about that dish, it looks like it has cat in it - Romney on trip to china.

11 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 12:55:10pm

Currently seeing an ad for Liberty University Online: "Training Champions for Christ."

12 iossarian  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 12:55:51pm

re: #8 HappyWarrior

That's what I am thinking too. These are our allies for heavens sake. I don't want to imagine how he'd act in China or Russia.

I actually think he'd go down quite well in Russia (at least at the higher political levels) because he essentially wants to import their system of oligarchy into the US.

Also Putin would probably tolerate him as a complete bumpkin who doesn't really have a clue what's going on.

13 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 12:55:56pm

re: #11 Charles Johnson

Currently seeing an ad for Liberty University Online: "Training Champions for Christ."

I keep getting Sheriff Joe Arpaio PAC ads.

14 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 12:56:30pm

I cannot WAIT to see what Chris Matthews has to say, or for that matter Lawrence ODonnell...We already know the TDS and Colbert will be in rare form.

15 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 12:56:35pm

re: #13 Kragar

I keep getting Sheriff Joe Arpaio PAC ads.

There's an enormous amount of right wing money being spent on web ads.

16 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 12:57:13pm

I have to admit there was a time where I thought Romney while I found him disagreeable on the issues thought he was an intelligent enough guy. His recent actions though (not just in the UK) have me doubting that assessment of him.

17 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 12:57:25pm

re: #15 Charles Johnson

on the GOS I get ads for re-electing Michele Bachmann

18 allegro  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 12:57:51pm

I'm getting Rand Paul who swears he'll repeal Obamacare.

19 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 12:57:51pm

re: #12 iossarian

I actually think he'd go down quite well in Russia (at least at the higher political levels) because he essentially wants to import their system of oligarchy into the US.

Also Putin would probably tolerate him as a complete bumpkin who doesn't really have a clue what's going on.

In the chess match of international diplomacy, Mitt is attempting to draw an X in the middle square.

20 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 12:58:09pm

re: #16 HappyWarrior

I have to admit there was a time where I thought Romney while I found him disagreeable on the issues thought he was an intelligent enough guy. His recent actions though (not just in the UK) have me doubting that assessment of him.

this is what happens when the spotlight is turned on someone who wasn't in it as much before.

21 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 12:58:43pm

re: #18 allegro

I'm getting Rand Paul who swears he'll repeal Obamacare.

I'm told if I sign a petition to stop Iran, I'll receive a free pin.

22 dragonfire1981  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 12:58:46pm

re: #2 HappyWarrior

Heh what's funny is most of the criticism I've seen of Romney has come from Mayor Johnson and PM Cameron. Both of whom are Tories. And yes I realize the British Conservative Party is different from the American Republican Party but still that's interesting. This won't really hurt Romney in the election here but gosh what an idiot he is when it comes to tact.

*openly wondering how many people on this board are familiar with the term "Tory". As a Canadian, I know it well.*

23 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 12:58:49pm
24 makeitstop  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 12:58:54pm

I'm getting electric logs.

That's one persistent little cookie, right there.

25 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 12:59:00pm

re: #20 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance

this is what happens when the spotlight is turned on someone who wasn't in it as much before.

Yeah, true point. Really, I think for all my criticisms of him as president, I think Bush understood international relations and charming allies more than Romney does.

26 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 12:59:02pm

re: #6 Kragar

Mitt to Brits: "You guys better play nice, or we won't protect you from Soviet Aggression."

Oh you English are SO superior aren't you? Well, would you like to know where you'd be without US the good old U.S. of A. to protect you? The smallest fucking province in the Russian Empire, that's where, so DON'T call me stupid, just THANK me! ...If it weren't for us, you'd all be speaking German, singing, "Deutschland, Deutschland über alles!"

27 erik_t  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 12:59:42pm

re: #23 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

At least he didn't call him 'Dear Leader'.

Small victories.

28 JamesWI  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 12:59:51pm

re: #23 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

Nananananananana Nanananananana Leader!

29 dragonfire1981  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 12:59:54pm

re: #16 HappyWarrior

I have to admit there was a time where I thought Romney while I found him disagreeable on the issues thought he was an intelligent enough guy. His recent actions though (not just in the UK) have me doubting that assessment of him.

Makes me wonder if Romney has much control in anything it all. Is he just doing and saying stuff other people tell him to?

30 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 12:59:59pm

re: #16 HappyWarrior

I have to admit there was a time where I thought Romney while I found him disagreeable on the issues thought he was an intelligent enough guy. His recent actions though (not just in the UK) have me doubting that assessment of him.

OK, so this isn't going PERFECTLY smoothly...

31 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:00:07pm

re: #22 dragonfire1981

*openly wondering how many people on this board are familiar with the term "Tory". As a Canadian, I know it well.*

You mean those Americans who stayed loyal to the crown and empire during the revolution? Many of whom later moved to Canada. There's an excellent new book out on them. Or you mean the Tories in the sense of the British Conservative Party.

32 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:00:43pm

re: #13 Kragar

I keep getting Sheriff Joe Arpaio PAC ads.

I have something asking if Ann Romney has worked a day in her life or not. I'm not clicking, so I don't know if they think the answer is yes or no.

33 Varek Raith  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:00:51pm

If anyone asks, Romney is Canadian.

34 allegro  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:00:57pm

re: #25 HappyWarrior

Yeah, true point. Really, I think for all my criticisms of him as president, I think Bush understood international relations and charming allies more than Romney does.

Gracious, that's setting the bar low.

35 brennant  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:01:10pm

re: #26 SanFranciscoZionist

Oh you English are SO superior aren't you? Well, would you like to know where you'd be without US the good old U.S. of A. to protect you? The smallest fucking province in the Russian Empire, that's where, so DON'T call me stupid, just THANK me! ...If it weren't for us, you'd all be speaking German, singing, "Deutschland, Deutschland über alles!"

How you English say, I one more time-a unclog my nose in your direction, sons of a window-dresser! So, you think you could out-clever us French folk with your silly knees-bent running about advancing behavior! I wave my private parts at your aunties, you heaving lot of second-hand electric donkey bottom biters.

36 jaunte  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:01:17pm

re: #26 SanFranciscoZionist

"What was the part in the middle?"

37 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:01:20pm

re: #22 dragonfire1981

*openly wondering how many people on this board are familiar with the term "Tory". As a Canadian, I know it well.*

I am, but that's probably due to too much reading of British pop lit.

38 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:01:27pm

re: #34 allegro

Gracious, that's setting the bar low.

I know, I know but you have to realize how critical especially in his first term I was of G.W Bush.

39 dragonfire1981  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:01:28pm

re: #31 HappyWarrior

You mean those Americans who stayed loyal to the crown and empire during the revolution? Many of whom later moved to Canada. There's an excellent new book out on them. Or you mean the Tories in the sense of the British Conservative Party.

No I just mean the use of the word "Tory" to mean conservative.

40 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:02:05pm

re: #39 dragonfire1981

No I just mean the use of the word "Tory" to mean conservative.

Oh yeah. And didn't "whig" like wise mean more liberal at least in the classical sense.

41 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:02:08pm

re: #33 Varek Raith

If anyone asks, Romney is Canadian.

Can we sew a little Canadian flag onto the back of his suit coat, so they'll know?

42 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:02:37pm

Too bad Mitt isn't visiting Germany on this trip:


Romney: Is there something wrong?
Merkel: Will you stop talking about the war?
Romney: Me?! You started it!
Merkel: We did not start it!
Romney: Yes you did — you invaded Poland.

43 jaunte  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:02:54pm
44 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:03:05pm

re: #33 Varek Raith

If anyone asks, Romney is Canadian.

I don't think that's being fair to the Canadians. Just tell them that 2001 A Space Oddysey turned out to be real and Mitt is HAL's latest model.

45 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:05:06pm

Mitt in Ireland: You mean some of you are actually sober?

46 iossarian  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:07:04pm

re: #45 HappyWarrior

Mitt in Ireland: You mean some of you are actually sober?

Mitt in Italy: "Hey, I hear your tanks have one forwards gear and five reverse gears, har har!"

47 labman57  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:07:06pm

When it comes to matters of international relations and diplomacy, Mitt is vying for the title of "dumber" to complement GWB's apt moniker of "dumb".

48 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:07:13pm

re: #25 HappyWarrior

Yeah, true point. Really, I think for all my criticisms of him as president, I think Bush understood international relations and charming allies more than Romney does.

you know, I was thinking the same thing, and that bar is pretty low. Romney can't even be better than Bush when travelling abroad. that speaks volumes.

49 Destro  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:07:54pm

re: #5 Targetpractice

What I'm getting out of the press coverage of this whole thing is that Romney really has absolutely no tact when it comes to foreign policy and it shows.

Mitt has to show his rube base back home he will be the bossman overseas to those punk ass Europeans like a real 'merican would. America! Fuck Yea!

50 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:08:04pm

re: #46 iossarian

Mitt in Italy: "Hey, I hear your tanks have one forwards gear and five reverse gears, har har!"

Mitt in Spain: "I love the Spanish. Got any tacos?"

51 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:08:39pm

re: #22 dragonfire1981

*openly wondering how many people on this board are familiar with the term "Tory". As a Canadian, I know it well.*

I'm awaiting Mitt to make a gaffe in that regard about how Mass and the other colonies drove the Tories out after the Revolution.

52 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:10:01pm

re: #48 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance

you know, I was thinking the same thing, and that bar is pretty low. Romney can't even be better than Bush when travelling abroad. that speaks volumes.

Bush was a charming person. He often screwed up, but he knew how to be pleasant to people.

Romney, less so.

53 erik_t  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:10:05pm

re: #50 Kragar

Mitt in Spain: "I love the Spanish. Got any tacos?"

Mexico is retroactively Spanish.

54 Lidane  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:10:15pm

re: #33 Varek Raith

If anyone asks, Romney is Canadian.

That's uncalled for. What the hell did Canada ever do to you? ;)

55 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:10:27pm

re: #48 Brother Holy Cruise Missile of Mild Acceptance

you know, I was thinking the same thing, and that bar is pretty low. Romney can't even be better than Bush when travelling abroad. that speaks volumes.

I think it's almost comical that he does this after one of his advisers claimed that Obama doesn't understand the relationship that the UK and US have. I mean as I said above it's pretty interesting how the ones roasting Mitt most in the UK over his lack of tact have been British conservatives.

56 Varek Raith  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:10:41pm

re: #54 Lidane

That's uncalled for. What the hell did Canada ever do to you? ;)

Exist.
:P

57 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:11:02pm

re: #52 SanFranciscoZionist

Bush was a charming person. He often screwed up, but he knew how to be pleasant to people.

Romney, less so.

I think that's the difference I see between those two.

58 Targetpractice  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:11:03pm

re: #46 iossarian

Mitt in Italy: "Hey, I hear your tanks have one forwards gear and five reverse gears, har har!"

Nah, that's Mitt in France.

Mitt in Italy: "So, when do I get to meet Chef Boyardee?"

59 The Ghost of a Flea  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:11:36pm

Initially I was just joking about Mitt failing the Vought-Kampf Test....

I can't finish that joke. Mitt actually creeps me out. He seems to have no gauge for social appropriateness interpersonally or in public settings.

60 Varek Raith  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:11:44pm

re: #58 Targetpractice

Nah, that's Mitt in France.

Mitt in Italy: "So, when do I get to meet Chef Boyardee?"

Did you know that tower is leaning?

61 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:12:29pm

Mitt in Hungary: "We'll ship you guys some food as soon as I get elected."

62 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:12:55pm

Mitt in Greece: Can I get cheddar on my gyro, please?

63 Lidane  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:13:20pm

re: #50 Kragar

Mitt in Spain: "I love the Spanish. Got any tacos?"

Mitt in Portugal: "What? You mean you guys aren't speaking Spanish?"

64 erik_t  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:13:23pm

Mitt in Monaco: "Some of my very good friends are rich gamblers!"

65 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:13:25pm

Mitt in Turkey: "You guys must really love Thanksgiving!"

66 Destro  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:13:40pm

re: #29 dragonfire1981

Makes me wonder if Romney has much control in anything it all. Is he just doing and saying stuff other people tell him to?

Yes, I think Mitt's robotic like movements and speech patterns are as they are because he has to remember to placate his base - which sadly for him turned into the psycho GOP party of today. he really wanted to run as middle of the road Romney who got mandated health care passed which Obama copied.

He could have ran and said, Obama copies my health care idea - vote for the original and watch what a better job I can do - and I will protect your abortion rights and civil rights as well. And he would have won but his GOP party went loony on him and he has to remember the loony right wing talking points.

So to me that explains why Romney looks pained when speaking.

67 iossarian  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:14:19pm

Mitt in Norway: "It's great to be here in Sweden today..."

68 Targetpractice  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:14:51pm

Mitt in Spain: "So, is Franco really still dead?"

69 erik_t  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:14:53pm

re: #66 Destro

Yes, I think Mitt's robotic like movements and speech patterns are as they are because he has to remember to placate his base - which sadly for him turned into the psycho GOP party of today. he really wanted to run as middle of the road Romney who got mandated health care passed which Obama copied.

He really wanted, and still really wants, to win. I'm not convinced he has any other guiding principle.

70 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:15:08pm

Mitt in the Netherlands: "Rising sea levels are a threat to no one..."

71 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:15:21pm

Mitt in Austria: "I support your reunification with Germany."

72 Lidane  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:15:38pm

re: #65 Kragar

Mitt in Turkey: "You guys must really love Thanksgiving!"

Mitt in Armenia: "So, let's give a hand to those folks in Turkey."

73 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:15:50pm

Mitt in Switzerland: Your guards have funny hats.

74 iossarian  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:15:55pm

re: #71 Kragar

Mitt in Austria: "I support your reunification with Germany."

OK, that made me giggle in an alarmingly high-pitched way.

75 Varek Raith  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:16:22pm

Mitt in the former Eastern Bloc: "COMMIESPEWPEWPEWBOOM!"

76 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:16:27pm

Mitt in Berlin: "Maybe you should build a wall or something around that gate sitting by itself..."

77 Targetpractice  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:16:38pm

Mitt in Greenland: "So where's all this ice you guys kept warning me about?"

78 William of Orange  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:16:40pm

This is how you handle Jon Stewart.


Laugh about it.

This is the actual video.

See? This reaction comes from the country that brought us Monty Python. I love the Brits.

79 dragonfire1981  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:17:22pm

Mitt in Romania: Is this where all the lettuce comes from?

80 dragonfire1981  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:18:16pm

Mitt in France: It's great to be here in France or, as my friends and I call it, Freedomland.

81 Destro  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:18:26pm

re: #52 SanFranciscoZionist

Bush was a charming person. He often screwed up, but he knew how to be pleasant to people.

Romney, less so.

I have to agree, Bush was attacked by his base for not like head kicking Europeans when he visited overseas or something. They would go insane if he said nice things about world leaders like Putin. You, know the leader of the nation the USA needed to get supplies flown to Afghanistan while we fought a war? They thought Bush should tell Putin to go to hell for being a commie and Putin would have kept that airspace to Afghanistan after that because Bush would have put him in his place. That is what the American right wing foreign policy thinking for you in a nutshell.

82 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:19:03pm

Mitt in Luxembourg: "I'm where???"

83 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:19:08pm

Mitt in Brussels: "Love the sprouts."

84 Targetpractice  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:20:11pm

Mitt in Switzerland: "So, you guys are taking good care of my money, right?"

85 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:20:16pm

This is almost too easy.

Nice going, Mittens.

86 Lidane  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:20:32pm

re: #70 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste

Mitt in the Netherlands: "Rising sea levels are a threat to no one..."

Just watch-- he'll say the same thing in Venice.

87 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:20:43pm

Mitt in Vienna: "I came for the sausage, but I can't find this Wien place everyone refers me to..."

88 Ming  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:21:53pm

re: #12 iossarian

Also Putin would probably tolerate him as a complete bumpkin who doesn't really have a clue what's going on.

Putin certainly knew how to handle George W. Bush. No doubt Putin already realizes that Romney can act very stupidly, much like the younger Bush, but without the brain damage from alcohol.

89 Eventual Carrion  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:22:01pm

re: #22 dragonfire1981

*openly wondering how many people on this board are familiar with the term "Tory". As a Canadian, I know it well.*

Amos or Spelling?

90 Targetpractice  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:22:07pm

re: #86 Lidane

Just watch-- he'll say the same thing in Venice.

Mitt in Venice: "You folks ever think about moving?

91 Eventual Carrion  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:23:03pm

re: #25 HappyWarrior

Yeah, true point. Really, I think for all my criticisms of him as president, I think Bush understood international relations and charming allies more than Romney does.

Oh no, Is Rmoney going to give the queen mother a back rub?

92 HappyWarrior  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:23:47pm

re: #91 RayFerd

Oh no, Is Rmoney going to give the queen mother a back rub?

Worse- sing Anarchy in the UK for her. Kidding I doubt he knows that song.

93 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:25:16pm

Mitt at the Vatican: "You guys should check out what we've got going on in Salt Lake City sometime."

94 blueraven  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:26:03pm

Admiral William McRaven (leader of the Bin Laden raid) is on CNN. He is really praising the president in glowing terms and in fact his whole team for their professionalism, their security and their knowledge.

"At the end of the day, make no mistake about it, it was the president of the United States that shouldered the burden of this operation, that made the hard decision," McRaven said during an on-stage interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer that served as the kickoff session of the Aspen Security Forum.

"The president of the United States is fantastic," the admiral said. "I'm not a political guy. I've worked in both [administrations,] very much enjoyed working with President Bush and I very much enjoy working for President Obama. This isn't about politics. This is about a Commander in Chief who I have the opportunity to engage with on a routine basis."

"I'm not a political guy, but I’ll tell you as an interested observer of this, they were magnfiicent how they handled the start-to-finish," McRaven said. "The president asked all the right questions…The president gave me ample time to prepare once the conversations were through."

Suck it Mitt.

[Link: www.americablog.com...]

95 Varek Raith  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:26:18pm

re: #70 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste

Mitt in the Netherlands: "Rising sea levels are a threat to no one..."

...Also, anyone else get really hungry really fast?"

96 erik_t  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:26:39pm

Mitt in Luxembourg: "What do you mean, you're only half robot?"

97 Destro  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:27:11pm

re: #93 Kragar

Mitt at the Vatican: "You guys should check out what we've got going on in Salt Lake City sometime."

Mitt to the Pope: I am bishop in my church also.

98 erik_t  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:27:56pm

re: #97 Destro

Mitt to the Pope: I am bishop in my church also.

The Pope's hat is most certainly not the right height.

99 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:28:05pm

Mitt in Sweden: "I'd like some ketchup for these meatballs..."

100 jhncsy  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:28:36pm

Regarding Romney's gaffes, I don't think it's a matter of Romney being stupid, but rather Romney being so arrogant and uncaring about how non-voters see him, that he just does whatever he pleases.

101 Lidane  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:28:56pm

re: #93 Kragar

Mitt at the Vatican: "You guys should check out what we've got going on in Salt Lake City sometime."

More Mitt in the Vatican: "You guys should take decorating tips from my wife. This place is a bit under-done."

102 erik_t  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:29:09pm

re: #100 jhncsy

Regarding Romney's gaffes, I don't think it's a matter of Romney being stupid, but rather Romney being so arrogant and uncaring about how non-voters see him, that he just does whatever he pleases.

He's nowhere near that self-aware.

103 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:29:22pm

re: #100 jhncsy

Regarding Romney's gaffes, I don't think it's a matter of Romney being stupid, but rather Romney being so arrogant and uncaring about how non-voters see him, that he just does whatever he pleases.

FTFY

104 Destro  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:29:54pm

re: #101 Lidane

More Mitt in the Vatican: "You guys should take decorating tips from my wife. This place is a bit under-done."

Mitt to the Pope: You think what you are wearing is funny looking? Take a look at my underwear!

105 Destro  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:30:39pm

re: #101 Lidane

More Mitt in the Vatican: "You guys should take decorating tips from my wife. This place is a bit under-done."

Mitt to the Pope: You mean you only have one car for the Pope?

106 Targetpractice  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:31:35pm

re: #102 erik_t

He's nowhere near that self-aware.

Which is fortunate, because a self-aware Mitt might decide humanity is a threat and begin the extermination.

//

107 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:31:53pm

re: #104 Destro

Mitt to the Pope: You think what you are wearing is funny looking? Take a look at my underwear!

Mitt thinks the Sistine Chapel could use a fresh coat of paint I'm sure. :p

108 Our Precious Bodily Fluids  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:32:29pm

re: #102 erik_t

He's nowhere near that self-aware.

Good thing, too, because look what happened when Skynet became self-aware.

109 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:33:07pm

re: #108 Temporarily Embarrassed Millionaire

Good thing, too, because look what happened when Skynet became self-aware.

Imagine the chaos if Twitter became self-aware.

110 Reverend Mother Ramallo  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:33:29pm

Mitt to Boris : "I give a great hair cut."

111 MittDoesNotCompute  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:33:52pm

re: #23 Charles Johnson

[Embedded content]

Good thing "Red" Ken's not mayor of London anymore, lest Mitt get all confused and apoplectic.

112 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:34:07pm

Awesome. Just figured out how to get to the MP4 versions of Comedy Central's videos, so when I embed them here they can be viewed on mobile devices.

Just need to go to the mobile version of their site, then to the page for the video, right-click on it and copy the link.

113 Reverend Mother Ramallo  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:34:35pm

I feel bad now.

114 Lidane  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:35:12pm

re: #109 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste

Imagine the chaos if Twitter Google became self-aware.

FTFY

115 Targetpractice  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:37:29pm

re: #111 TedStriker

Good thing "Red" Ken's not mayor of London anymore, lest Mitt get all confused and apoplectic.

Meeting an avowed socialist on his foreign travels? Willard would have started his Cyberman routine. "Delete!"

116 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:38:22pm

re: #115 Targetpractice

Meeting an avowed socialist on his foreign travels? Willard would have started his Cyberman routine. "Delete!"

John Bolton would start chiming in "EXTERMINATE!"

117 William of Orange  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:38:52pm

Just read the scrathing comments below in this article!


I'm guilty as charged when I said this is pure delight! Hahaha!!!

Like reading a random Fox thread in reverse!

A one term PM and a no term hopeful doesn't matter what they say no ones listening anymore. The Mormon and the moron just about sums it up

118 Lidane  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:40:01pm

Manchester Union Leader to Mitt: "Release your tax returns!"

119 efuseakay  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:42:35pm

re: #23 Charles Johnson

Am I the only one, or did Mitt look extremely uncomfortable standing there with Mr. Leader...

120 Lidane  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:42:41pm

Because there's never, ever a time when the POTUS has to care about winning over the rest of the world:

Team Romney: Americans Don’t Care About Foreign Press

121 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:43:10pm
122 dragonath  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:43:45pm

Someone here once linked to video of Romney disparaging some cookies that someone brought to a church meeting. This UK trip is just the same thing writ large.

123 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:45:56pm

One more time...

124 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:46:08pm

There we go now.

125 efuseakay  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:47:00pm

re: #94 blueraven

Admiral William McRaven (leader of the Bin Laden raid) is on CNN. He is really praising the president in glowing terms and in fact his whole team for their professionalism, their security and their knowledge.

Suck it Mitt.

[Link: www.americablog.com...]

Too bad that was on Wolf Blitzer's show... all of 3 people watched.

Great article though. Can't wait for this to get out so the TP fools can make up lies about this guy, and stalk his family.

126 dragonath  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:57:02pm

This is burning up the front page at memeorandum right now:

Romney book: Britain is a tiny island that makes stuff nobody wants

127 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 1:58:47pm

re: #126 Fred Galt

This is burning up the front page at memeorandum right now:

Romney book: Britain is a tiny island that makes stuff nobody wants

I'll take a couple boxes of shortbreads and some toffee. ;)

128 AK-47%  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:00:43pm

re: #126 Fred Galt

This is burning up the front page at memeorandum right now:

Romney book: Britain is a tiny island that makes stuff nobody wants

"England is a tiny island"?

I am not one to nitpick over the England/Britain distinction in casual conversation, but in a published book it is a sign of sheer vacuousness.

129 dragonath  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:00:43pm

If Mitt Romney met the Beatles, he'd try to cut off their long hair :D

130 AK-47%  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:01:30pm

re: #129 Fred Galt

If Mitt Romney met the Beatles, he'd try to cut off their long hair :D

He could point out that both John and George might still be alive today if they had been properly armed...

131 Only The Lurker Knows  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:02:10pm

re: #123 Charles Johnson

Worked with my Vizio pad (Android Honeycomb). Took a while to load and is choppy, but I think that is because of the WiFi connection at my end.

132 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:02:45pm

Christian Bale Visits Shooting Victims in Colorado

Word is he hopped on a plane over the weekend to fly in to Colorado. Hospital staff didn't recognize him at first and he's chosen not to speak to reporters during his visits.

133 allegro  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:04:24pm

re: #132 Kragar

Christian Bale Visits Shooting Victims in Colorado

Word is he hopped on a plane over the weekend to fly in to Colorado. Hospital staff didn't recognize him at first and he's chosen not to speak to reporters during his visits.

What a sweetheart. I'm sure his visit meant a lot to the victims and their families.

134 steve_davis  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:04:53pm

What rough beast #romneyshambles towards Bethlehem to be born?

135 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:06:35pm

Oh boy, this is getting good!

Team Romney: Americans Don’t Care About Foreign Press

Two of Mitt Romney’s top surrogates told reporters Thursday the Romney campaign’s not worried about the torrent of negative press surrounding Romney’s visit to London. Americans don’t care about foreign press, they said.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell — both rumored to be potential vice presidential choices for Romney — defended Romney from the embarrassing headlines in London on a press call set up by the Romney campaign.

Jindal and McDonnell were trying to highlight continuing efforts to turn President Obama’s out-of-context “you didn’t build that” quote into a Republican rallying cry.

They insisted the multiple Romney blunders in England won’t ultimately do any damage to his campaign.

“No, the reality is, we’re not worried about overseas headlines. We’re worried about voters back here in America,” Jindal said. “I think the focus needs to continue to be on what’s happening here at home. That’s what’s important to voters.”

136 William of Orange  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:07:22pm

And that was just day 1....


Let's see how Romney cocks up in Poland and Israel.

137 makeitstop  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:08:48pm
“No, the reality is, we’re not worried about overseas headlines. We’re worried about voters back here in America,” Jindal said. “I think the focus needs to continue to be on what’s happening here at home. That’s what’s important to voters.”

Maybe Jindal would like to explain why Mittens is even in Europe to begin with if that's the case.

138 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:08:56pm

re: #136 William of Orange

And that was just day 1...

Let's see how Romney cocks up in Poland and Israel.

"Tell me if you guys have heard this one. A Limey, a Pole and a Jew walk into a bar..."

139 erik_t  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:09:12pm

re: #135 Kragar

Oh boy, this is getting good!

Team Romney: Americans Don’t Care About Foreign Press

I was sure this was going to be yet another damaging quote dredged up from another Romney lifetime. But no, they said this today, thus ensuring that a serious but minor story gets more air time here.

Strategery.

140 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:09:48pm

re: #137 makeitstop

Maybe Jindal would like to explain why Mittens is even in Europe to begin with if that's the case.

Because shut up.
/

141 erik_t  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:10:28pm

re: #137 makeitstop

Maybe Jindal would like to explain why Mittens is even in Europe to begin with if that's the case.

Fucking volcanoes, how do they work?

142 Our Precious Bodily Fluids  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:10:53pm

re: #136 William of Orange

And that was just day 1...

Let's see how Romney cocks up in Poland and Israel.

I have a morbid curiosity about what kind of gawd-awful gaffes he could generate during a visit to Auschwitz...

143 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:11:03pm

re: #141 erik_t

Fucking volcanoes, how do they work?

Volcanoes only erupt when you don't love Jesus enough.

144 Killgore Trout  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:11:38pm

A refreshing article in Muslim Matters . org
PSSST Ahki (Brother) the Colorado Shooter James Holmes was NOT a Terrorist!

The manner in which some Muslim personalities have politicized the “Batman Shooter” tragedy by questioning if it should have been labeled “terrorism” brings to the surface some deeply internalized self-image issues. It is a public display of the level of some Muslims' insecurity as well as a lack of compassion for our neighbors.

As the old saying goes, “Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean that they are not out to get you.” Likewise, just because cognitive dissonance runs rabid in our culture, it doesn't make it right to try and spin every tragedy for our political gain and use the misfortune of our neighbors as an opportunity to complain about our struggles.

Sadly, it didn't take long for a number of American Muslim pundits 1, 2, 3 to do exactly that by publicly asking the question that was privately on many of our minds, “What if James Holmes was Muslim?”

It is a shame that most of these “what if” opinion pieces didn't even bother to acknowledge the tragic loss of life.
...
My fear is that many American Muslims have so heavily invested in the tactic of identity politics that we have effectively severed our American and Muslim identities. More importantly — as a result — we have stopped striving toward what Islam actually calls us to be: a people united by our faith.

If every time a tragic incident makes the news our first and primary thought is, “I hope it wasn't a Muslim!” then we truly have disconnected ourselves from our humanity. What will we do when the perpetrator eventually ends up being a Muslim?

Let's remember that Prophet Muhammad never lead from a position of victim-hood! The Colorado tragedy was about “us” as Americans and not “us” as “American Muslims.”

145 Mattand  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:15:08pm

re: #135 Kragar

Oh boy, this is getting good!

Team Romney: Americans Don’t Care About Foreign Press

Two of Mitt Romney’s top surrogates told reporters Thursday the Romney campaign’s not worried about the torrent of negative press surrounding Romney’s visit to London. Americans don’t care about foreign press, they said.

No, we care that a guy who wants to be President can go to Europe and not look like a fucking jackass in less than 24 hours.

I hope Romney picks Jindal. He's basically the male version of Sarah Palin. They deserve one another.

146 jaunte  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:18:29pm

re: #135 Kragar

Funny line at the end:

McDonnell weighed in: “I agree.”

147 nines09  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:20:10pm

re: #145 Mattand

Yeah. Who cares what Europe says? We have Fox News. A cinder block has more appeal than Romney right now. Crack staff or staff on crack? We report, you decide.

148 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:21:25pm

Why bother going overseas to meet with foreign leaders if it doesn't matter?

149 allegro  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:24:01pm

re: #135 Kragar

Oh boy, this is getting good!

Team Romney: Americans Don’t Care About Foreign Press

AaaaOOOOOGaaah! Divert! Divert! Divert!

150 Charles Johnson  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:24:18pm

re: #123 Charles Johnson

Just testing something...

151 goddamnedfrank  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:24:31pm

re: #148 Kragar

Why bother going overseas to meet with foreign leaders if it doesn't matter?

To temporarily distract people from the refusal to release tax returns.

152 funky chicken  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:27:32pm

And damn, but what a schmuck of a husband. His wife's horse is performing in the Olympics for God's sake...and he's not going to watch with her.

Romney has a personal connection with the London Games. His wife co-owns the horse Rafalca, which will compete in Olympic dressage.

Her husband however sounded on NBC like he knew little about competitive dressage, which in London marks its 100th year as an Olympic sport.

"I have to tell you. This is Ann's sport. I'm not even sure which day the sport goes on," he said. "She will get the chance to see it, I will not be watching the event."

Maybe she just threw a million of her husband's bucks at the stable and doesn't give a damn, but from what I've read about her that's not the case. Dressage is beautiful...I wish my daughter would do it instead of (more dangerous) show jumping.

But if an animal I owned was in the Olympics I'd expect my husband to attend the event with me. How many crap banquets has Ann sat through over the years to support him?

153 erik_t  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:28:48pm

re: #152 funky chicken

And damn, but what a schmuck of a husband. His wife's horse is performing in the Olympics for God's sake...and he's not going to watch with her.

Ann deals with the horse people so the candidates don't have to! Can't you understand that?! What the hell is wrong with you!?

154 AK-47%  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:30:01pm

re: #152 funky chicken

But if an animal I owned was in the Olympics I'd expect my husband to attend the event with me. How many crap banquets has Ann sat through over the years to support him?

If you had an animal in the Olypmics, I would, most honestly, not give a f*ck one way or the other. Same goes for Mitt and Ann...

155 sagehen  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:33:28pm

re: #54 Lidane

That's uncalled for. What the hell did Canada ever do to you? ;)

Celine Dion.

'nuff said.

156 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:33:56pm

Boycott organizers outraged that anyone would boycott Chick-fil-a

As Chick-fil-A, a company that bankrolls anti-gay groups and whose CEO has said marriage equality is inviting God’s judgment, faces a national backlash for its opposition to gay rights, once again the Religious Right is employing an almost pathetic use of double standards.

The National Organization for Marriage, which literally has two campaigns dedicated to boycotting Starbucks and General Mills for refusing to stay “neutral” in the marriage equality debate, is now outraged that gay rights activists are boycotting Chick-fil-A.

157 sagehen  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:35:34pm

re: #59 The Ghost of a Flea

Initially I was just joking about Mitt failing the Vought-Kampf Test...

I can't finish that joke. Mitt actually creeps me out. He seems to have no gauge for social appropriateness interpersonally or in public settings.

Is it possible he's got Asperger's? Or something else on the autistic spectrum? The things he was really good at to make money at Bain, the total incomprehension of normal human interaction... I dunno.

158 A Mom Anon  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:39:45pm

re: #152 funky chicken

He's over there getting money from Barclay's and other banks for his campaign coffers. The Olympics thing is a cover for that,IMO. The British MPs have asked the banks not to give money,but I just heard on tv he's already raised a million dollars,and he's having fundraisers in London too. (thanks Citizens United,whee...) He could give a shit about a horse,except that whole tax write off thing. Bag.Of.Douche. And a liar,and a phony.

159 AK-47%  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:40:35pm

re: #158 A Mom Anon

So we don't care about foreign press, just foreign donations. Got it.

160 Only The Lurker Knows  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:41:14pm

re: #156 Kragar

Somebody call an Waaambulance.

161 Patricia Kayden  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:41:34pm

I recall Obama visiting Europe (speaking in front of thousands in Germany) in 2008, prior to his election. At that time, he was a rock star and the trip was a resounding success.
What will Romney get out of this trip? He has no charisma and seems to despise Europe/Europeans (except those who can donate to his campaign, I guess). This is not going well so far.

162 A Mom Anon  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:41:57pm

re: #157 sagehen
No. He's been sheltered and pampered his whole life and he lacks any perspective because of that. Don't blame autism,please,there are enough misconceptions about autistic people as it is.

163 erik_t  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:43:24pm

re: #162 A Mom Anon

No. He's been sheltered and pampered his whole life and he lacks any perspective because of that. Don't blame autism,please,there are enough misconceptions about autistic people as it is.

Seems atypical, for example, for someone on that spectrum to be the popular hair-cutting ringleader of a fair-sized social circle in his high school.

The man is just an aloof ass.

164 sagehen  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:43:57pm

re: #94 blueraven

Admiral William McRaven (leader of the Bin Laden raid) is on CNN. He is really praising the president in glowing terms and in fact his whole team for their professionalism, their security and their knowledge.

Suck it Mitt.

[Link: www.americablog.com...]

Convenient for a President seeking re-election that any general or admiral who thinks he really sucks isn't allowed to say so in public.

165 The Ghost of a Flea  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:45:46pm

re: #157 sagehen

Is it possible he's got Asperger's? Or something else on the autistic spectrum? The things he was really good at to make money at Bain, the total incomprehension of normal human interaction... I dunno.

I think it's privilege, not clinical.

On rare occasions I've rubbed elbows with people who are at the top of the heap in terms of wealth and social class.

People that have full-time staff and a social life that's very carefully screened--no casual interactions doing day-to-day tasks, no off-the-cuff socialization with neighbors or people dropping by unannounced--lose the knack for small courtesies. They're used to addressing subordinates and to one-sided interactions where there's no pushback.

166 AK-47%  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:47:59pm

re: #164 sagehen

Convenient for a President seeking re-election that any general or admiral who thinks he really sucks isn't allowed to say so in public.

On the other hand, he need not say anything at all...the fact that he chooses to do speaks for itself.

167 Someone Please Beam Me Up!  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:50:42pm

re: #157 sagehen

Is it possible he's got Asperger's? Or something else on the autistic spectrum? The things he was really good at to make money at Bain, the total incomprehension of normal human interaction... I dunno.

I was thinking that too, but I believe Aspergers people typically want normal human interaction, they're just not any good at it. Romney doesn't match that pattern.

168 AK-47%  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:50:49pm

re: #165 The Ghost of a Flea

Nor can I imagine that this fellow has any true friends: people who are his social equals, ones not afraid to criticize him or take him to task over anything without fear of reprisal.

His proclivity for playing jokes on strangers (State Troopers uniform) or on his kids shows that he has no real outlet for his personality and has to dump it on family/strangers/subordinates.

169 funky chicken  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:52:14pm

re: #154 Expand Your Ground

If you had an animal in the Olypmics, I would, most honestly, not give a f*ck one way or the other. Same goes for Mitt and Ann...

If you were my husband I'd expect you to give a damn and not sound so dismissive, especially if I'd spent my life listening to your political speeches.

170 Mattand  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:52:53pm

re: #152 funky chicken

And damn, but what a schmuck of a husband. His wife's horse is performing in the Olympics for God's sake...and he's not going to watch with her.

Maybe she just threw a million of her husband's bucks at the stable and doesn't give a damn, but from what I've read about her that's not the case. Dressage is beautiful...I wish my daughter would do it instead of (more dangerous) show jumping.

But if an animal I owned was in the Olympics I'd expect my husband to attend the event with me. How many crap banquets has Ann sat through over the years to support him?

Wow.

The more this guy opens his mouth, the more apparent what a spoiled, privileged, entitled toad Romney really is.

171 AK-47%  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:55:01pm

re: #169 funky chicken

I am sure that this was a calculated move on his part not to appear too elitist and aloof to his potential NASCAR constituency...Ann would understand.

It's just that I have grown to not care at all about the Olympics at all ever since it turned into a corporate sponsoring clusterf*ck...

172 dragonath  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:56:04pm
173 darthstar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:56:24pm
174 erik_t  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:56:39pm

re: #172 Fred Galt

Haha.

Romney promises to bring Churchill bust back to White House

Hey, you dip. It was on loan.

Loan... that's what poor people get, right?

175 Varek Raith  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:57:09pm

This is rather embarrassing...

176 Targetpractice  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:58:14pm

re: #172 Fred Galt

Haha.

Romney promises to bring Churchill bust back to White House

Hey, you dip. It was on loan.

He does realize that they don't hold Winston in the same reverence that we do, right?

177 Eventual Carrion  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:58:15pm

re: #143 Kragar

Volcanoes only erupt when you don't love Jesus enough.

Or you run out of virgin sacrifices.

178 darthstar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 2:59:21pm

Holy fucking shit, if I wasn't so embarrassed by Mitt Romney's status as an actual contender for President of the United States, I'd be beside myself with laughter over his complete fuck-up on his first day in London. He should have just gone to Piccadilly Circus and gotten his picture taken with the clowns and elephants (wait...it's not an actual circus? /Palin)

And the worst part of this is people were saying that, as long as he doesn't totally fuck up, the visit would help his international diplomacy creds.

179 erik_t  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 3:00:07pm

re: #178 darthstar

And the worst part of this is people were saying that, as long as he doesn't totally fuck up, the visit would help his international diplomacy creds.

Well, now we'll never know.

180 Hercules Grytpype-Thynne  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 3:00:20pm

re: #54 Lidane

That's uncalled for. What the hell did Canada ever do to you? ;)

Shatner.

181 Targetpractice  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 3:00:31pm

re: #180 Hercules Grytpype-Thynne

Shatner.

Heretic!

//

182 Reverend Mother Ramallo  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 3:00:32pm

Ummm, I'm not saying he's Ted Bundy, but I think Romney has sociopathic tendancies.
Profile of the sociopath.
University of La-z-Boy
Credit cards are welcome.

183 Mocking Jay  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 3:01:00pm

Their...
best...
candidate.

184 Killgore Trout  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 3:01:23pm

re: #161 Patricia Kayden

I recall Obama visiting Europe (speaking in front of thousands in Germany) in 2008, prior to his election. At that time, he was a rock star and the trip was a resounding success.
What will Romney get out of this trip? He has no charisma and seems to despise Europe/Europeans (except those who can donate to his campaign, I guess). This is not going well so far.

I was thinking back on Obama's European campaign visit today too. Winguts made a big deal out of Obama "gaffes" at the time. Remember when the Obama's insulted the queen by touching her or something? Also Obama started a speech when ceremonial music was still playing? Lots of minor things but wingnuts still made a big deal out them. Also wingnuts used it to frame Obama as a European elitist, aloof, apologizing for America and a globalist. Memes they still stick to today. None of it really mattered in November. Probably the same thing here.
Much like Fox news blew the whole concept of fact checking the media by being over the top inaccurate, we might be seeing the same thing with gaffes. The noise machine is constantly outraging about something new almost every single day. Most of it is unimportant, even the pundits tune it out after a while. Will we see a "Dean Scream" or Dukakis tank helmet photo op? Maybe, but according to the noise machine we see it several times daily. After flinging so much poo at the wall it doesn't matter if some sticks, it just becomes part of the scenery.

185 Targetpractice  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 3:02:11pm

re: #183 Mocking Jay

Their...
best...
candidate.

Nah, just the last to be voted off the island.

186 blueraven  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 3:04:07pm

re: #184 Killgore Trout

I was thinking back on Obama's European campaign visit today too. Winguts made a big deal out of Obama "gaffes" at the time. Remember when the Obama's insulted the queen by touching her or something? Also Obama started a speech when ceremonial music was still playing? Lots of minor things but wingnuts still made a big deal out them. Also wingnuts used it to frame Obama as a European elitist, aloof, apologizing for America and a globalist. Memes they still stick to today. None of it really mattered in November. Probably the same thing here.
Much like Fox news blew the whole concept of fact checking the media by being over the top inaccurate, we might be seeing the same thing with gaffes. The noise machine is constantly outraging about something new almost every single day. Most of it is unimportant, even the pundits tune it out after a while. Will we see a "Dean Scream" or Dukakis tank helmet photo op? Maybe, but according to the noise machine we see it several times daily. After flinging so much poo at the wall it doesn't matter if some sticks, it just becomes part of the scenery.

Obama made gaffes in royal protocol. He didn't insult the country and its people.

Why do you keep doing this?

187 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 3:04:28pm

re: #177 RayFerd

Or you run out of virgin sacrifices.

That is why you teach abstinence only sex ed.

188 erik_t  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 3:04:37pm

re: #186 blueraven

Obama made gaffes in royal protocol. He didn't insult the country and its people.

Why do you keep doing this?

I typed about 20% of a response before I gave up. It's not really worth our time.

189 Mocking Jay  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 3:07:01pm

Contrarian Trout Rises

190 makeitstop  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 3:07:33pm

re: #189 Mocking Jay

Contrarian Trout Rises

'This is actually pretty standard.'

191 dragonath  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 3:07:59pm

It just occured to me that Romney seems to appreciate Britain as a Roman might have admired Greece in the 1st Century AD.

192 A Mom Anon  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 3:09:13pm

re: #167 Someone Please Beam Me Up!

People with Asperger's also care if they've hurt someone when it's pointed out to them that they came across as rude or short with other people. They want to be social but do not know how to be. It's hard to get their peers to help them with this and it's often not til they are adults that they find peers who care enough and have the patience to help.

I heard a really touching interview with Temple Grandin several years ago. She began to cry when she was asked about being single and relationships. As accomplished as she is,she's never known love in the context of an adult relationship and she said that's one of her only regrets,not being able to figure that stuff out.

193 BongCrodny  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 3:09:52pm

re: #42 Kragar

Too bad Mitt isn't visiting Germany on this trip:

Romney: Is there something wrong?
Merkel: Will you stop talking about the war?
Romney: Me?! You started it!
Merkel: We did not start it!
Romney: Yes you did — you invaded Poland.

"Fawlty Powers"

194 engineer cat  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 3:10:48pm

re: #189 Mocking Jay

Contrarian Trout Rises

just be sure you get home before troutset

195 Kragar  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 3:12:47pm

Jerry Newcombe very sorry he was quoted in context

I would like to offer an apology to anyone who was offended by the way certain media outlets portrayed my comments over the last few days.

What he said:

If a Christian dies early, if a Christian dies young, it seems tragic, but really it is not tragic because they are going to a wonderful place ... on the other hand, if a person doesn’t know Jesus Christ ... if they knowingly rejected Jesus Christ, then, basically, they are going to a terrible place.

Fuck off and eat a bag of shit Jerry.

196 jaunte  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 3:14:01pm

17.2% of women lack valid ID, compared with 11.5% of men
18% of Latino voters, compared to roughly 14% of black or white voters
18% of voters ages 18-34, or age 75+
18.5% of voters with less than a high school education
22% of voters earning less than $20 thousand per year

The most alarming numbers, however, had to come from access to transportation. While voters with regular access to a car saw only 11% lacking valid ID, 30% of those whose primary transportation mode was bicycle or public transit did not possess ID that would permit them to vote - and a whopping 42% of voters who said they had no access to regular transportation also had no ID that would permit them to vote. Remember, please, that polling places are frequently within walking distance of an individual's home - PennDOT licensing centers are generally not.

197 William of Orange  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 3:14:02pm

re: #142 Temporarily Embarrassed Millionaire

I have a morbid curiosity about what kind of gawd-awful gaffes he could generate during a visit to Auschwitz...

...outsourced 6 million people in Europe....

198 goddamnedfrank  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 3:17:22pm

re: #184 Killgore Trout

I was thinking back on Obama's European campaign visit today too. Winguts made a big deal out of Obama "gaffes" at the time.

In Mitt's case it's the very foreign politicians he's meeting and pretty much the entire press that are ripping him for being insulting, ignorant and boorish, not just partisans.

199 Killgore Trout  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 3:18:14pm

Maybe holocaust jokes aren't such a good idea.

200 Killgore Trout  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 3:18:43pm

...but what do I know. Carry on.
/contrarian

201 Stoatly  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 3:19:40pm

re: #189 Mocking Jay

Contrarian Trout Rises

Sounds like a Beefheart album

202 Varek Raith  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 3:20:31pm

re: #197 William of Orange

Totally not cool.

203 The Ghost of a Flea  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 3:21:17pm

re: #184 Killgore Trout

To make your argument you have to ignore the kind of gaffe,the degree of gaffe, and who's offended thereby...but anything to make it all balance out, right?

204 Killgore Trout  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 3:30:39pm

re: #203 The Ghost of a Flea

To make your argument you have to ignore the kind of gaffe,the degree of gaffe, and who's offended thereby...but anything to make it all balance out, right?

I think that does matter. For a gaffe to really catch on it needs the MSM and mainstream pundits to really latch onto it. MSNBC and Fox have gone a bit overboard so I'm not sure any of these gaffes are really going to take hold.

205 danhenry1  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 3:53:53pm

How can Mitt Romney meet with the heads of MI-6, in 'Top Secrect', meetings? He (Romney), does not work for the United States, nor does a company that he represents, have contracts that require clearances. Are Presidential candidates now automatically given TS clearances upon their entry into the race? What the F?

206 efuseakay  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 3:57:31pm

re: #128 Expand Your Ground

"England is a tiny island"?

I am not one to nitpick over the England/Britain distinction in casual conversation, but in a published book it is a sign of sheer vacuousness.

Don't worry. Romney didn't actually write the book. He retroactively authored it.

207 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 4:46:27pm

re: #68 Targetpractice

Mitt in Spain: "So, is Franco really still dead?"

Now, admit it. That would be funny.

208 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 4:48:11pm

re: #76 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste

Mitt in Berlin: "Maybe you should build a wall or something around that gate sitting by itself..."

On German TV--"Tonight--Interview mit Mitt!"

209 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 4:50:25pm

re: #91 RayFerd

Oh no, Is Rmoney going to give the queen mother a back rub?

The Queen Mum died ten years ago, but Romney could still try to massage the Queen.

But I doubt it. Bush may have been hilariously inappropriate on that occasion, but his intent was good. I imagine he does backrubs for family and close staff, and it just NEVER OCCURRED TO HIM not to try to rub the Kanzlerin. She looked tense.

I don't think Mitt does stuff like that for people.

210 freetoken  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 4:53:53pm

re: #209 SanFranciscoZionist

The Queen Mum died ten years ago, but Romney could still try to massage the Queen.

More likely he would try being baptized for her... but that's another topic...

211 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Jul 26, 2012 5:02:30pm

re: #191 Fred Galt

It just occured to me that Romney seems to appreciate Britain as a Roman might have admired Greece in the 1st Century AD.

Nonsense. A Roman of that era would have spoken Greek.

212 William of Orange  Fri, Jul 27, 2012 12:13:35am

I admit, in hindsight (or in retrospect) I should not have said that. Apologies..


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