Tuesday, March 30, 2010

"Romney is hiding from the truth”

Mitt Romney is taking punches in the press for being unauthentic with his duplicitous stand against national health-care. Romney also found himself in an uncomfortable position as he initiated his “Prescription for Repeal”, finding his repeal effort of the health-care bill being attacked by David Frum, a leading conservative journalist. Frum wrote a damming piece on the futility of the ‘repeal and replace’ movement. David Frum finding himself the first causality of Romney’s repeal war cry, when he was fired from AEI, a conservative think-tank after his article ran.

Mitt has been dogged the past several weeks by conservatives and liberals; Romney finding he is sledding down a slippery sloop on the health-care issue. Romney continued attempts on straddling the fence between the liberal and conservative side of health-care maybe his undoing.

In Iowa, Mitt Romney showed his Jekyll and Hyde side of the health-care debate. Romney must have been hearing the words of Eric Woolson, Huckabee’s former Iowa aid, as Romney went into his question and answer session. Woolson stated he ‘believes that Romney will open himself up to new questions about his authenticity if he tries to distance himself from the Massachusetts health-care plan.


Romney embraced his health-care plan “in glowing terms”, while being pushed back to the ‘state’s rights’ argument as his last possible defense. “Overall, ours is a model that works,’’ Romney said in response to a question after a speech at Iowa State University. “We solved our problem at the state level.” “Like it or not, it was a state solution.

Romney has found himself back in front of the same drawing board he needed when Mitt attempted to put distance from his previous pro-choice stand; in the words of Mike Murphy, a former Romney adviser, Romney is "a pro-life Mormon" who had been "faking it as a pro-choice friendly" when he began his political career in liberal Massachusetts.

Mitt is “faking it”! What else is Romney “faking”? Has Mitt Romney been “faking” health-care? Romney embraced Ron Paul’s rally cry of state’s rights, for his defense in his Iowa. Is Mitt ‘faking “states rights”? Romney has flipped on mandates. Did Mitt ‘fake it’ on mandates? Is it any wonder people question, and rightfully so, Romney’s authenticity?

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy



Romney during a Republican presidential primary debate:
MODERATOR: "You seem to have backed away from mandates on a national basis."

ROMNEY: "No, no, I like mandates. The mandates work."
Romney also remarked to Fred Thompson, "Let me tell what kind of mandates I like, Fred." To which Thompson replied: "The ones you come up with."




References:
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2010/03/30/romney_defends_massachusetts_health_care_law/

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/mitt-romney-health-care-campaign-trail-creates-dilemma/story?id=10225657&page=2

Monday, March 29, 2010

Is Romney Getting a Bad Name?

The story loped around the world during the weekend regarding Romney backed Senator Brown and the Rachel Meadows dispute. Brown stating Maddow would be running against him for his senate seat and Maddow taking a full page news paper ad out in rebuttal. Mitt Romney may become a casualty, with Romney’s name getting pulled into the fray.

Is there a ‘hint’, in a news article which ran in Thailand, that Maddow mentioning Romney in her ad is a hint that Mitt, or his people are behind the rumored Maddow vs. Brown for the Mass. Senate seat? Would Mitt’s people stoop so low to be behind a false story in a bid to collect campaign funds from out of state conservatives, which could ruin the creditability of conservative candidates?

Quote from Thindian News:

“Rachel Maddow has also mentioned that she had never been asked by the Democrats to go up against Senator Scott Brown in the elections. She had also gone ahead to recall and take sharp hints in mentioning the name of Mitt Romney when he had ran for the President. Rachel Maddow reminds people how Mitt Romney as a governor had called Massachusetts to be a disgusting state. She feels it was just a way of gaining the most out of people to support him.”

Maddow’s video rebuttal

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy



It will be interesting to see if this story unfolds further in the next few years, or this turns out to be rumor which is put to rest as a bad idea for raising campaign funds.


Reference article:
More at : Rachel Maddow’s Full Page Ad Criticizes Senator Scott Brown http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/politics/rachel-maddows-full-page-ad-criticizes-senator-scott-brown_100340480.html#ixzz0jUZLPF1C

Friday, March 26, 2010

Mitt Romney Is As Out Of Touch As Marie Antoinette

Kansas City, Examiner, ran a summary from a portion of Romney’s book –

“In Romney’s book, he discusses how the U.S. should not apologize for its “greatness” and feels President Barack Obama shouldn’t either, while citing various times the President has apologized for the country’s historical record of involvement in foreign nations and coup d’etats, such as the 1953 CIA clandestine overthrow of Iranian leader Mohammad Mosaddegh.”

After reading for the millionth time about Romney and "No Apology", it is time to realize exactly what Mitt Romney is wanting to accomplish -

Mitt Romney is attempting to press Americans “hot buttons”, in order to elevate himself as a patriot and distract from his political inconsistencies. Mitt must feel Americans do not know their history and is planning on people’s ignorance to buy into his banter and make enemies globally.

Let’s look at the history -

Mossaddegh over-throw served British oil interest, not American interest. The coup is the primary reason we have bad relations with Iranians and in the region today.

The history behind the over-throw of Mossaddegh, was British oil companies were defrauding Iran of revenue. Iran was receiving a pittance in revenue from Britain. Mossaddegh approached Britain demanding a 50% of the oil revenue, which was the industry standard then as it is today. At the time of the coup, America brokered a 50/50 deal with the Saudi’s.

Mossaddegh was allowing a free press in Iran; he was moving his nation towards an open western style democracy and viewed American as an ally. The British refused the offer of a 50/50 partnership and Mossaddegh in response, nationalized Iranian oil. Britain began planning a coup against Mossaddegh; however, Britain was discovered and then turned to the U.S. for help.

Britain had convinced America, Iran was going through a communist take-over and Iran was planning on becoming allies with Russia. Iran at the time, viewed America as an ally believing the U.S. would back them. Iran had no love for Russia, due to Russian occupation in north Iran in WWII, and Russia’s historical meddling in Iranian politics.

President Truman was not in favor of the coup. Eisenhower approved the coup due to his war time connections. It was a huge error. When knowledge of the coup came to light, it damaged our nation globally, ultimately leading to the rise of the Ayatollah’s.

Most sensible people recognize the coup was a poor decision, did not serve America’s interest; not only harming our nation, but other nations with unexpected ‘blow-back’.

However one feels about Obama’s apology, con or pro, the apology took place during a moment in time. While Mitt’s continually harping on the subject, for political purpose, is doing world view damage to this country. Romney would further damage this nation globally, if he were elected into the presidency, due to his combativeness and lack of diplomacy, increasing the influence of Russia and China.


Reference for summery quote:
http://www.examiner.com/x-32127-Toronto-Headlines-Examiner~y2010m3d25-Mitt-Romney-makes-The-Case-for-American-Greatness-in-Toronto

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Mitt Romney’s "power alley" — the economy and his business background.”

Glen Johnson article yesterday noted a “rare moment” for Mitt. Johnson is the journalist who, during Romney’s last presidential race, won broad applause when he challenged Romney.

Romney Caught in Lie by Glen Johnson


Johnson in his article wrote:

“Republican Mitt Romney, in a rare moment of reflection about his losing 2008 presidential campaign, said Wednesday he would have been better served by keeping the focus on his "power alley" — the economy and his business background.”

After giving serious reflection to Romney’s “power alley”, it was not difficult to conjure up Mitt’s business background, but it was a stretch to see where Romney has an economic background – but then maybe it is only me who is unaware of Mitt’s vast expertise in economics and the economy.

Reflecting on Romney’s business background -

Romney did well at Bain, amassing a fortune for himself and his Bain partners. Mitt Romney typically, purchased companies thorough leveraged buyouts, often at the peril of other people’s jobs and companies. Mitt would sell off companies, pocketing a large profit, or shut companies’ doors after mortgaging the business to the hilt.

On the human side, not to make Mitt Romney out as a complete Scrooge, Romney’s business experience threw Mitt into suffering internal conflict, putting Romney in the throws of moral dilemmas. Jonathan Darman and Lisa Miller in their article for Newsweek relate one of Romney's conflicts.

“Romney struggled internally. R-rated movies are frowned upon in the Mormon faith, but the deal looked good for Bain. Romney's solution: make the deal happen, but skip his usual practice of putting some of his own money into it as well.”

Alas! Mitt found a loophole around the issue of moral conscience and the greed making a dollar. Romney’s perspective, by not “putting his own money in” he made money for Bain, not for himself. But wait! Romney would have made money. Romney certainly drew a salary at both Bain and Bain Capital, or did Mitt through the wizardry of accounting; deduct the tainted profits from his pay-check?

According to David D. Kirkpatrick 2006 article: “Mitt Romney owes his nearly $350 million fortune and his political career to a delicate negotiation with his boss (at Bain) in the summer of 1983.”

As for Mitt Romney’s internal struggles, Romney had voted as a board member of Marriott Corp., to offer porn in the hotel chain. Marriott is Mormon and an early fore-runner in introducing porn into the hotel industry.

Mitt the business private equity man -

“The amounts of money are so vast that it is truly a matter of time before the taxation of private equity is front and center of the public agenda,” said James E. Post, a Boston University professor who teaches business-government relations. “Increasingly, this world of private equity looks like a world of robber barons, and Romney comes out of that world.”

Romney’s type of business background was causing some issues in Washington:

“In Washington, Congress is considering ending a legal quirk that lets fund managers escape much of the income tax on their earnings.”


Searching for Romney’s economic background came up with few examples, except for excessive campaign spending. Whitman, a former Bain partner, is not to be undone by Romney on pouring in dollars into her campaign in California. Meg and Romney must feel unbridled spending during campaigns strengthens the nations economy.

Romney believes in keeping money among friends and family. Romney’s former Bain buddy, Meg Whitman has received strong criticism for her over the top spending, during her Romney backed, run for Governor in California. Whitman is spending a reported, $358,439.00 a day, $14,935.00 an hour, $249.00 a minute as reported by Michael Rothfeld and Jack Dolan of the L.A. Times.

According to Dan Morain of the Sacramento Bee, Meg is enjoying –

“ACM Aviation, which boasts on its Web site that it "has been offering white-glove, on-demand, premium jet charter services for more then 28 years”, spending $371,125.00 for air travel."

Meg has also:

“… paid $96,000 last year to Solamere Capital, a Massachusetts-based firm who’s Web site says it "was founded to serve as a multifamily office focusing on superior private equity opportunities."

“Solamere's principals include Romney's son Tagg Romney and Spencer J. Zwick, who was prominent in Mitt Romney's presidential campaign. Zwick is her finance chair; she has paid his firm, SJZ Inc., $842,000.”

What the article failed to mention, Meg’s son Griff's listed in his LinkenIn profile the private equity firm of Solamere. Clink on the reference link ‘gawker.com below, for a read on Meg’s sons. It is not understood what Solamere has done for the Whitman campaign.

The only economic experience Romney appears to have is improving his families and former Bain partners’ lavish life-style, and an attempt at political control.

References:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hvWSdl8-sh9izAmBN1Z8vtDUQGfgD9ELCL1O0
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/04/us/politics/04bain.html
http://www.sacbee.com/2010/03/24/2629104/meg-whitman-flies-far-above-the.html#ixzz0j5nx9GNV
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-money24-2010mar24,0,7372116.story
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/04/us/politics/04bain.html
http://gawker.com/5429465/it-gets-worse-meg-whitmans-sons-racism-and-entitlement-

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Romney is Incongruent on Health-care

The point of this blog piece is not to take sides on the health-care issue, but to draw attention to Romney’s denial and blame game. After viewing Romney for several years on the political stage, I finally arrived at the conclusion; [in my opinion] Romney is a bully.

Romney appears to adhere to the philosophy of the “survival of the meanest”. Mitt has done everything from playing the ‘martyr’, while attacking others with outrageous allegations of behavior Romney is involved in himself. All the while, giving himself endless flattery, with exaggerated and aggrandizing statements. Romney’s behavior is not only incongruent, but also brutish. The passage of the health-care plan raised Romney ire and also raised people’s eyebrows at Romney’s dissonance on the issue.



Dissonance on the health-care issue started earlier this month when Romney stated:

Romney Called The Individual Mandate “The Ultimate Conservative Plan.” Romney said, “Let me tell you, there's a big difference between what we did and what President Obama is doing. What we did, I think, is the ultimate conservative plan. We said people have to take responsibility for getting insurance, if they can afford it, or paying their own way. No more free- riders.” [Fox News, 3/7/10]

And

Bob Bennett Sponsored Republican Alternative “Comes Even Closer To The Democratic Plans By Including An Individual Mandate To Buy Coverage…And Employer Requirements.”

Bob Bennett of Utah’s Health Plan, Mitt Romney


Mitt wasted no time in attacking the newly passed heath-care plan, which is similar to the Romney-care plan. It wasn’t long after Romney’s statements on the bill, journalist on the right and the left, began to write about Mitts puzzling and questionable remarks.

Huffington Post blogger Bart Motes, called Romney’s op-ed piece on National Review Online “bizarre”. Further taking Mitt to task for Romney saying, “President Obama has betrayed his oath to the nation”

Bart Motes called Romney on his statement writing:

“This is a strange and dangerous claim. If Obama has betrayed his oath, the only constitutional remedy is impeachment. Is Romney calling for impeachment? Every interview he conducts from now on should start with this question. If Romney believes that Obama betrayed his oath but impeachment is not called for, then he is unsuitable for office”

Romney’s statement leads one to ask, if Mitt betrayed his oath of office, when he signed into law the Mass. health-care bill into law? Or, is Mitt showing his continual lack of culpability, which has become a Romney trademark, in Romney’s attempt to negate any negative consequences, or responsibility for his previous and often conflicting positions.

Mitt is the catalyst for the “repeal and remove” moment -

David Frum, a former economic speechwriter for President George W. Bush, wrote in his piece: Repeal and Replace:

“It took 24 hours, but Republican party leaders have acknowledged the fantasy of “repeal.” New slogan is, “repeal and replace.” A big improvement. But it raises the question: Replace with what?”

And

“That would be a welcome development, but please note: the two Republicans who have produced such a coherent plan, Mitt Romney and Sen. Bob Bennett of Utah, have both come under intense attack from the party’s activist base. Bennett faces a very serious primary challenge; Romney has run away from his own handiwork. Who wants to share their fate?”

“So the question should be pressed as Republicans speak of “replacement” : who is in charge of the process of drafting this replacement? What’s the deadline for completion? My guess is that there won’t be answers to those questions, that “replacement” will remain a more or less empty slogan through the 2010 elections.”

Maybe, Mitt feels he will leave the public in a dizzying spin, making them unable to see through his current deception. However, Romney might find his earlier statement this month, is an unintended self-fulfilling prophesy, when he stated: “in the words of an ancient maxim, “what starts twisted, ends twisted.”

References:
http://www.frumforum.com/repeal-and-replacehttp://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0310/Defending_the_mandate.html?showallhttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/bart-motes/mitt-romney-loses-it_b_509710.html
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NzgyMzA1NWUwNjA5OTg2ZTUzMTliYzQyOTM1ZmIzNTI

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Romney’s Cognitive Dissonance on Health-care and Gay Rights

Romney was in San Diego yesterday stopping at Desert Book Store, which is owned by the Latter-day Saints Church, to promote his book. Romney was met outside the bookstore with a protest from the Gay and Lesbian Community, denouncing Romney's flip and his churches stand against the gay community.

It is hard to find greatness in Romney, who blandly insults the intelligence of both the Christian and Gay community. Romney ran on a pro-gay rights platform, during his 2002 race for governor in Mass., as reported by Bay Windows. During “Pride Week”, Romney’s campaign was out in force handing out fliers promoting rights for the gay community and soliciting their votes.


"During his 2002 gubernatorial run his campaign distributed bright pink flyers during Pride weekend that declared 'Mitt and Kerry [running mate Kerry Healey] wish you a great Pride weekend! All citizens deserve equal rights, regardless of their sexual preference.' Romney also argued that he would not only support gay friendly policies but would fight on behalf of the gay community to secure benefits such as domestic partner benefits and hospital visitation rights for same-sex couples."
- Bay Windows 3/3/2005

Romney had a change of heart when he no longer was enamored with the Governorship of Mass., deciding to run for the bigger brass ring of president. Mitt flipped, taking stands against the gay community, in an effort to win over the Republican conservative vote.

While a clamor raged outside the Deseret Book Store, Romney took the opportunity to take swipes at Obama and the passage of the Health-care bill. In true self-righteous and bombastic Romney style, Mitt proclaimed Obama’s defeat in 2012 over the passage of the Health-care bill.

If You’re Angry Blame Mitt



Andrew Romano article titled, “Absurdly Premature 2012 Watch, Vol. 12: Romney's Ridiculous Response to Obamacare” for Newsweek, points out Romney’s incongruent behavior when he wrote:

“First, launching a divisive, impractical, PR-driven campaign to repeal health-care reform at the same time you're calling for "a new kind of politics" is just a little bit contradictory, so it only reinforces the perception that Romney is a soulless automaton willing to say anything to get elected. And second, what Romney is actually saying—what he's actually accusing Obama of—doesn't make any sense”

None should forget, Romney declaring the health-care Mitt passed in Mass, which is essentially the Obamacare plan, as "the ultimate conservative plan" --- Romney’s statement is a bit bellicose.

The flips, twist, spins, denial, and projection Romney is involved in, are a ‘red flag’ and the American people should be taking note. Until Romney is able to exorcise the demons which posses him, people should be warier of being drawn into Mitts cognitive dissonance.

References:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iiJr0VsEeAzB2c1-nokFzCOoXYqgD9EK3TG03
http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/thegaggle/archive/2010/03/22/absurdly-premature-2012-watch-vol-12-romney-s-ineffective-response-to-obamacare.aspx
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iiJr0VsEeAzB2c1-nokFzCOoXYqgD9EK3TG03
http://www.delmartimes.net/news/267379-romneys-la-jolla-appearance-likely-to-attract-protesters

Friday, March 19, 2010

Intellectually And Emotionally Secure Human Being -- You Don't Say?

Articles by Mort Kondrake and Former Sen. Jim Talent were interesting to read this week. Both articles were supportive of Romney, and Mitt’s new book “No Apology”. Mort Kondrake, in 2006 was an avid supporter of Romney and from his current articles still appears to be strongly in Romney’s corner. In Kondrake’s 2006 article, on Real Clear Politics, he comes out swinging for Mitt writing:

“Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) has one very impressive thing going for him as a 2008 presidential prospect: the right policy priorities for the country.”

Kondrake’s most recent article on Romney, was quickly picked up by blogger Steve St. Clair, who describes himself as: “I am a Latter-day Saint Director of Interfaith Relations for Orange County, California, and work with conservative Christian churches, organizations and universities.”

From a cursory look at the blog, he is a Mitt supporter. I was amused at St. Clair’s reference to Robert Millet and Millet’s book “Getting at the Truth”, the irony of the title brought on an instant chuckle. Awhile back a video was sent to me, of Robert Millet instructing LDS missionaries at the Mission Training Center for the LDS Church. Millet instructs the future missionaries on how to avoid answering questions given to them, while avoiding telling the truth to people.

The clip had been banned. Someone looks as if they took umbrage at the banning and put the clip back up, with a sense of humor added to the piece.



Wonder if Romney got training from Millet? Sounds like some of the tap dancing Mitt does when trying to avoid questions!

Former Sen. Jim Talent was the other article circling the net, on the Daily Caller he wrote:

“Gov. Romney wrote the book himself. To be sure, he solicited suggestions, advice, and edits from a range of advisors and friends (“No Apology” has two pages of acknowledgments) but the book says what Romney wanted to say in the way he wanted to say it.”

And

“will see the motives that make Romney “tick”: the entrepreneur’s desire to fix what is broken, the lawyer’s passion for organizing information and arguing ideas…”

Two pages of acknowledgments! The amount of opinions and advice needed by Romney as well as, Mitt’s “passion for organizing data”. Jim Talent certainly confirms what “Game Change" Authors described about Romney as needing contestant data from his campaign advisers, to the point Romney could not make decisions. Romney’s need for endless data lead him to indecisiveness of even making a decision on a campaign slogan. Doesn’t sound like strong executive ability.

For those who have not viewed the “Game Change” interview click the link on the side bar title: “Romney "Totally Indecisive", or scroll down the blog to find the interview.

Another quote by Jim Talent was also interesting:

“He’s also an intellectually and emotionally secure human being.”

Why the need to state Romney is “emotionally secure”?

Could it be there has been an under tow with Romney’s flare up on the plane from Canada to California, where Romney quickly went on the offensive in the press, releasing his version on the incident? Gordy, relative of Motown fame, remained quite for days, before telling his side of the story, of Romney grabbing him in a ‘condor grip”

A single incident might be one thing, but Romney has had several ‘incidents’ in the past--

Romney has an arrest record, as reported on Romneyfacts.com:

WAYLAND, MASS. (1981) -- ARREST- DISORDERLY CONDUCT.In June 1981, ROMNEY attempted to launch family motorboat at Cochituate State Park despite park ranger advising that he was prohibited from doing so because his boat did not display proper registration. ROMNEY was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. ROMNEY handcuffed and transported in bathing suit to Natick police station, where released on own recognizance.5 Disposition: Charges were dropped when ROMNEY threatened to sue the state for false arrest; case dismissed at Natick District Court in February 1982. ROMNEY successfully petitioned that the files be sealed.6



Later during the 2002 Olympics Romney went out of control again- HUNTSVILLE, UTAH February 10, 2002, -- USE OF PROFANITY WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, not to mention Romney’s statements of wanting to throw things at his plasma TV., over statement he heard by other candidates.

Mort Kondrake and Former Sen. Jim Talent might be in Mitt’s corner; however, it is up to the citizens of this nation to decide if Mitt is fit.

Don't forget to look at the Extra Friday Edition posted below on Romney and Bennett, posted just before midnight..
References:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/Commentary/com-3_3_06_MK.html
http://ldsfocuschrist.blogspot.com/2010/03/2010-romneys-new-book-gives-him-head.html
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700017656/Did-Bennetts-son-urge-deception.html
http://dailycaller.com/2010/03/18/the-non-review-romneys-no-apologies/#ixzz0iYjj8HYz
http://romneyfacts.com/issue_rap.php

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Could Trouble Be Brewing For Romney In Utah?

Extra Friday Edition, see ya all on Monday!

Thursday, March 18, 2010 10:57 p.m. The Deseret News reported the Club for Growth has complained that Utah Senator Bob Bennett’s son has told people to be ‘deceptive’>. Bennett is a family friend and a long time backer of Mitt Romney’s.



Chocola from the Club for Growth stated:

“Bob Bennett's campaign wants supporters to mislead their friends and neighbors at next week's caucuses in order to trick conservatives into electing them as delegates.”

Bennett is quoted as saying in a speech:

"There are precincts that are going to say, 'If you've made up your mind for Bennett, then we're probably going to elect somebody else.” ”Then he talks about a way around that."


"Now I don't encourage or discourage this, but I've had somebody come to me and say, 'Yes, I go and say I'm not going to make up my mind, and then I just go there and vote for Bennett anyway,' " Jim Bennett said.

"We'd be happy if you did that," he said, while some laughs can be heard. "But the fact is, you're going to have to gauge what your precinct wants you to do."

Erick Erickson from Red State posted the following on the Bennett controversy brewing in Utah:

“Right now there is a heavy anti-Bennett bias even within the official Utah Republican Party. Having Bennett’s supporters come in and claim to be wholly undecided or hostile to Bennett could help send his brigade to the convention to protect him.”


“Desperate men do desperate things.”

Bennett dismisses the allegations saying:

“At the same event, Mitt Romney jokingly urged people to vote several times. Does that make him guilty of urging voter fraud?" Bennett asked. "I never urged anybody to lie."

Trying to be dismissive by using Romney’s joke regarding voting more than one time, may not have been the wisest of choices for a defense. Especially, since Romney himself has been caught having his people stuff ballot boxes in the Florida State straw polls.

Mitt Romney Buys Election in Florida Straw Poll -- Romney Supporters voting multiple times






http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700017656/Did-Bennetts-son-urge-deception.html
http://www.redstate.com/erick/2010/03/18/bob-bennetts-campaign-caught-on-tape/

Words Make the Man

It is always amusing to read comments from Romneybots, and I suspect some are from Romney staffers, maybe even a few Romney family members. The comments are found on various comment sections affixed to articles and blogs regarding Romney.

Popping up all over internet are comments posted which proclaim various political tickets, which Romney’s name is always prominently displayed as president, and what ever candidate is receiving rave reviews at the moment in the press, displayed as vice president on a Romney ticket. The posts appear to be an act of desperation on part of Romney supporters, to attach Mitt to someone who could bring in the votes Romney knew he could not sway over; reinforcing the view Romney is an opportunist, pander.

Is there a pattern developing here?

“Haley could be a great running mate for Romney in two years!”

“SCOTT BROWN INTRODUCED MITT ROMNEY AT CPAC. SO WILL IT BE VP SCOTT BROWN OR MARCO RUBIO 2012?”

"Romney/Palin"
"Romney/Brown"
"Romney/Jindal"
"Romney/Pawlenty"


In 2008

"Romney/McCain"
"Romney/Huckabee"
"Romney/Thompson"


Then there was Romney for V.P. The highly touted M & M ticket began to appear on many blog comments, after Romney dropped out of the President race on Super Tuesday.

“Mitt Romney is the man! Now here's a guy that will bring excitement and money to the GOP ticket. There is simply no one that ran or is running that has the "proven" experience and accomplishments as Mitt. Selecting Mitt will also please the "conservatives" in this great country. But most important is that by John adding Mitt to the ticket the following sates go "RED" on the night of November 4th.............. New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada, Michigan, and New Hampshire. Mitt as veep would also put "major" pressure on Obama in Californina, Oregon, and Washington state, as well as Mid-west states of Minnesota, Winsconsin, and Iowa. Our mostly "corrupt liberal press" hates Mitt Romney so we can expect them to poo poo this pick......................An M & M ticket is unbeatable.........................write it” --- From Politico comment section

And:

“I bet it would be McCain and Romney. McCain brings heft, the military, good old fashioned macho guy, strength, Romney brings movie star good looks, reasonable ability to compromise on social issues which shows brains and reason, good economic talent and would guarantee Michigan for Republicans. McCain will easilty get Florida. It's certain Pennsyl and Ohio will go for Top Gun and the Movie Star. I'm diggin this combo. It's a winner. Game Set Match.” --- From Politico comment section”


Romney confuses arrogance with confidence, being a bully for self-confidence -
And repeated reversals on stands and position with staying true to whom one is.



As we all know, Romney was passed over for V.P and Palin was selected.

Comments currently being posted regarding Romney and Romneycare:

“Massachusetts health reform plan he signed into law in 2006 is "the ultimate conservative plan."

“This guy may not be perfect, but he effectively ran a company as well as a state (one with healthcare I might add)”


“To lay the entire fault of Mass Card at Romney’s feet is untruthful….”

Then there are comments regarding Mitt himself:

“Mitt Romney is authentic and smart. We need more candidates/officials like him!”

“Mitt and Ann Romney for president and first lady!”

“America needs Mitt Romney 2012!”

“Mitt Romney shined, he stood out”
--- Ahhh, that's right, Romney’s movie star looks.

And of course, the new and improved Mitt Romney. Old Romney of 2008 out, new Romney for 2012 in.

From Media Matters: “Did you know there's a "new" (read: improved) Romney? It's true, it says so right in this Politico headline: CPAC embraces the new Mitt Romney”

“How, exactly, does Politico know there's a "new" Romney? Surprise! Romney "aides" says so. (Brilliant!)”

“And how do we know CPAC has embraced the "new" Romney? Because people at CPAC applauded when Romney spoke, even though, yeah, they pretty much clap for everyone
.”

Romney and military service cannot be forgotten:

“One of the ways my sons are showing support for our nation is helping me get elected because they think I'd be a great president.”

“Romney conflated selfishness with selflessness”
---- A comment on Romney’s statement from Perrespectives.com, regarding his sons lack of military service, couldn’t be stated a better way.

http://www.perrspectives.com/blog/archives/000709.h

“I'm so happy that America has a 2nd chance to elect Mitt Romney. We haven't had a legitimate chance to elect a president as supremely talented and intelligent as Mitt Romney in a generation. I'm proud Mitt Romney is willing to go to Afghanistan to say thanks in person to our brave men and women, and I hope he comes back safely.”

Oh, really we haven’t had a chance to elect... in this generation? What was the 2008 race?

And ‘we hope he comes back safely”? What politician hasn’t?!

As for Romney’s supreme sacrifice and ‘willingness’ to visit troops in Afghanistan? Is there really anything to say, a sacrifice away from the beaches and ski runs, deserves the Purple Heart. – Pure juvenile silliness pours from Romney’s campaign!

Mitt confuses arrogance with confidence, being a bully for self-confidence -
And repeated reversals on stands and position, with staying true to who one is. Romney confuses “selfishness with selflessness”.

References:
Comments from comments sections, taken from Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Politico,
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0608/11435.html#commentsform
http://mediamatters.org/blog/201002190008

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

It Would Be Wise To Keep A Score Card

Romney gave an endorsement on Tuesday to South Carolina Rep Nikki Haley for Governor, by-passing Gresham Barrett. Barnett is one in a pool of GOP candidates for current Governor Stanford’s position. Romney a favorite of South Carolina, US Senator Jim DeMint, carried Romney’s torch in South Carolina during Mitts last failed presidential race. Romney coming in fourth during the S.C. elections for the GOP contender for President, not an astounding victory in the state race. Romney’s strategy was for South Carolina to be a crack in the southern states for his 2008 run.

Rep Nikki Haley was a favorite of Governor Stanford and his wife Jenny, prior to Stanford disappearance on the Appalachian Trail with a path leading to Argentina and a mistress. On June 23, 2009, the missing governor’s staff announced the governor would soon be back in his office, and by June 24, 2009, Rep Nikki Haley, removed reference to Governor Stanford on her web site. Politics makes fair weather friends.

One is going to need a score card to keep track of all the campaigns Romney,as well as his staff is involved in, and South Carolina is going to be no different. While Romney’s endorsement of Haley sent a flurry of articles in the press, under the radar is another governor candidate, brushed on in Ben Smith’s article regarding the high level of Romney’s people’s, or former people who have worked on Romney’s campaigns during Mitts last Presidential run which are associated with Barrett, and may give Romney a cushion in S.C., should his endorsed candidate not win.

Ben Smith writes, "Mitt Romney broke with his local operation today and endorsed State Senator Nikki Haley for the Republican nomination for governor. ... Haley, a relative outsider -- though she was a Sanford ally -- and a woman of South Asian descent is seen by many as a talented politician and the face of the Republican future. But she's also facing a tough field of rivals, including Rep. Gresham Barrett, whose consultant, Warren Tompkins, ran Romney's state campaign."

Mitt passing by Barnett was a bit of a surprise, since there are many people involved in Barnett’s campaign, as alluded to in Ben Smiths article, which have strong Romney ties. Warren Tompkins, Gresham Barrett consultant, ran Romney campaign in South Carolina. Then there is Jim Dyke & Associates which has been tied tightly with Barnett. If one recalls the recent announcement of Kevin Madden, Mitt Romney’s communications strategist, move to the Charleston, S.C. based, Jim Dyke & Associates, as vice president of public affairs.

Romney could be hoping this is a win, win situation for him, with the possibility of two candidates being favorable for him. Fred Thompson has backed Barrett. Despite Thompson being the target of a political dirty trick by Romney’s campaign in 2008, as reported in the Washington Post:

“Top adviser to former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney appears to be behind today's launch of a new Web site attacking GOP presidential rival Fred Thompson.”

“The site, www.phoneyfred.org, paints an unflattering picture of Thompson, dubbing him: Fancy Fred, Five O'clock Fred, Flip-Flop Fred, McCain Fred, Moron Fred, Playboy Fred, Pro-Choice Fred, Son-of-a-Fred and Trial Lawyer Fred.

“Shortly after a Washington Post reporter made inquiries about the site to the Romney campaign, the site was taken down.”

“Before it vanished, the front page of the website featured a picture of a regal Thompson dressed in a frilly outfit more befitting a Gilbert and Sullivan production than a presidential campaign. Under the heading, "Playboy Fred," the site asks the question: "Once a Pro-Choice Skirt Chaser, Now Standard Bearer of the Religious Right?"

“The Power Lines, the political consulting firm of Warren Tompkins, Romney's lead consultant in South Carolina.”

“The website is hosted by a company called bluehost.com, a firm based in Orem, Utah.”

“A spokesman for Romney's campaign said he would look into questions about the anti-Thompson site.”Our campaign is focused on the issues and ideas that are of paramount concern to voters," said spokesman Kevin Madden. "The website we are focused on is MittRomney.com."

“Tompkins did not return calls or emails for comment”

Despite the attack, Fred’s legal staff went on to Romney’s staff, after Thompson dropped out of the presidential race, and later Fred Thompson supported John McCain. The movement of Thompson legal staff was reported on Boston dot com:

”A “Sizable segment of Thompson's team of legal advisers quickly signed on with Mitt Romney.”

“The Romney campaign announced yesterday that ten members of the "Lawyers for Fred Thompson" group had joined the former Massachusetts governor's campaign, including the Thompson group's former national co-chair, Victoria Toensing, a former Reagan Justice Department official and prominent legal commentator.”

“Other Fred campaign refugees finding a new home with Romney were former Bush-Cheney lawyers Lizette D. Benedi, Rachel L. Brand, Reginald Brown, Viet D. Dinh, Noel J. Francisco, and Eileen J. O'Connor; former Reagan lawyers Charles J. Cooper and Joseph E. diGenova; and conservative law professor Michael R. Dimino.”

“Campaign legal advisers often end up in prominent jobs in the Justice Department or White House Counsel's office, so such endorsements can provide clues about the kind of federal judges the candidate would appoint and the legal philosophy that the candidate would embrace as president.”

Romney’s need to crack open the south, which has been resistant to him, may lead Romney to quietly support a number of candidates in the background, hoping one will win. It has become obvious, Romney’s cross country and non-stop endorsing of candidates, is to in the end, reap a vast amount of political endorsements for Romney as he attempts to seize the GOP presidential slot. However, in the S.C. race, Romney’s folks will have to beat out Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer who is backed by Huckabee and Atty. Gen. Henry McMaster whose backer is John McCain.

References:

http://thestatecom.typepad.com/ygatoday/2010/03/sc-political-firm-ads-dc-office-html#ixzz0iNVLLtxM

http://www.wolfereports.com/2009/07/11/barrett-steps-up-with-an-additional-975k-on-hand/

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0609/SC_GOP_gov_candidate_takes_Sanford_pic_off_website.html

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/44/2007/09/10/antithompson_site_connects_to.html

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/01/fred_lawyers_fl.html

http://www.palmettoscoop.com/2010/03/16/romney-backs-haley-in-sc-guv-race/

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Romney’s views on Unions and Executive Greed- Other Executives Not Himself, Of Course

Romney tries to walk a middle path regarding his views on labor unions in his book, Romney writes the following:

“Not all unions adopt counterproductive attitudes. … [I]n some cases, unions are a necessary check on excessively demanding, insensitive, or thoughtless employers.”

Romney particularly has stated in the past, he likes the Carpenter Union, which advances its workers skills, making them more productive. In today’s economy with the devastation of Wall Street greed and the greed of banks, the carpenters who honed their skills, have no work. Executive greed.

Mitt goes on to say on page 254 of "No Apology":

“Poor corporate management and excessive CEO compensation are capable of causing the kind of worker resentment that undermines hard, smart, effective work. While governor, I met with union workers at a plant in western Massachusetts that manufactured socket sets. These workers had been informed by their management that they had to agree to a pay cut or the facility would be closed. The union leaders understood that it was in their best interests to agree to the cuts rather than risk unemployment in a weak job market. But the fact that the company’s CEO had received a reported $20 million bonus the prior year outraged these workers as it would have me had I been in their shoes. It was all they could talk about. The rank and file simply wouldn’t surrender a large share of their wages when the CEO had been so selfish.”

Out raged workers? Selfish wages? Is this a bit of Romney projection? Rolling Stone ran an article a few years back, during Romney revving up for his last presidential run the following story:

“Despite this success, however, Romney moved Bain away from boom-bust venture-capital investments and into the darker world of leveraged buyouts, where the firm borrowed money to make deals. A typical example of Bain's approach was its experience with another office-supply company called Ampad, which it acquired in 1992. In 1993, the company had $11 million in debt; by 1999, that number had grown to nearly $400 million, and the firm eventually declared bankruptcy. But despite Ampad's failure, Bain made a fortune, raking in more than $100 million while driving the company into the ground and destroying hundreds of jobs in places like New York (where 185 people were thrown out of work in a plant closing near Buffalo) and Indiana (where the firm fired 200 workers from a paper factory).”

Executive Greed?

“Even more telling was Romney's interest in a medical-testing firm called Damon Corp., which Bain bought in 1989. The company was eventually fined a record $119 million for defrauding the federal government out of $25 million, but Bain still tripled its investment on the Damon deal. And Romney, who was sitting on the Damon board at the time of the fraud (his claim that he was the one who called for an internal investigation has never been substantiated), made a personal profit of $473,000 on the deal.”

What about all those statements made regarding Romney being an ethical man? Wonder if some of the $25 million went into the Romney off-shore accounts.

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/16983679/mitt_romney_the_huckster/3

Monday, March 15, 2010

To Romney Retirees Are To Be Put On An Iceberg

According to Public Policy Polling: “One particular source of strength for Romney at this very early stage is that he's doing even better with senior citizens than the overall electorate. In Florida he's up 47 with voters over 65.”

The surprising poll result this past week giving Romney 52% of conservative support in Florida started me thinking of how astounding this percentage is, especially taking in consideration Romney’s past comments. In a November 2008, New York Times opinion piece, Romney wrote the following, “Furthermore, retiree benefits must be reduced so that the total burden per auto for domestic makers is not higher than that of foreign producers.” It was remembering Romney’s quote from the NYT’s which left ones mind boggled at the 52% support for Romney in the Florida poll. Romney’s opinion piece doesn’t deal with the retirements lost when Romney took over companies while he was over Bain Capital, closing companies down and sending jobs overseas.

No doubt, Romney also down played that in 2007 he nixed “legislation, that would have increased the amount of money that public sector retirees could earn while working part-time for the state or local government, was enacted by the Legislature”, but rejected by Mitt Romney while he was governor.

As companies were in the middle of offering early retirements, in attempts to down size, Romney outlined his solutions to issues of social security and Medicare in a 2008 interview with Glenn Beck:

GOVERNOR ROMNEY: Well, I think the best way I've been able to get it across, and it is in my view why I've been able to do as well as I have in the season so far is that I say quite bluntly and with a major sign that's standing up behind me says Washington is broken. We simply cannot keep on going the way we have gone. We have to deal with the challenges we have. The good news is Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security can be fixed so that they don't have to weigh down our entire economy. The annual spending is --

GLENN: How? How do you fix it?

GOVERNOR ROMNEY: Well, yeah. Well, Social Security's the easiest and that's because you can give people a personal account, you can extend the retirement age and you can calculate the initial benefit based on inflation for higher income people rather than the wage index which goes up so much higher. Those simple arithmetic changes will keep Social Security from bankrupt.

GLENN: Hold it just a second. I can -- hold on. I think I just heard a politician say "Extend the retirement age"?

I am not sure Mitts statement is simpleton, or wishful thinking, at the least he is not thinking rational to the realities of people forced into the bulging retiree population due to downsizing, much less the ones forced into unemployment.

Maybe Romney, during his Florida tour, has been grooming his speeches to appeal to the audience he is speaking in front of at the moment; one wonders if in the land of retiree’s in Florida, both the blue and white collar workers know in the cold pits of Romney’s heart, the first to be sent out on an iceberg are the aged and retired.

Most people do not have the luxury which Romney enjoys, of jet setting to one of his multi-million dollar homes, popping off for a sunny excursion overseas, zipping down exotic ski slopes, or spending millions, and millions on a failed presidential run. One wonders how Mitt can go to the land of palm trees and fixed incomes, asking for their vote.

Reference articles:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/19/opinion/19romney.html?_r=1
http://publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com/2010/03/romney-up-in-colorado-florida.html
http://www.massretirees.com/legislation-articles/romney-nixes-bill-to-allow-increased-public-sector-earnings-for-retirees.html

Saturday, March 13, 2010

A Political Life Was Saved – At Least For The Moment

As much as one would like to keep away from the issues which arise from Romney’s religion, it is impossible to stay away from the subject. A story broke on Friday, of Utah House Majority Leader Kevin Garn paying $150,000.00 to Cheryl Maher and her husband to hush a story about his two naked frisks with Cheryl when she was a 15-year old and Garn a married man of thirty. The incidents happened while Garn was at Pegasus Records and KSG Enterprises and Cheryl a 15- year old worked for Garn.

The story of Maher and Kevin Garn became twisted after Cheryl contacted reporters after learning Garn’s was running for U.S. Congress in 2002. Gran arranges a meeting with Maher’s Mormon Bishop and the Maher’s. Garn, with his wife by his side, offered to pay Cheryl and her husband $20,000.00. The Maher’s refused Grans offer wanting more money. Garn anted-upp $150,000.00.

Kevin Garn’s political life was saved – at least for the moment.

There are a few puzzling questions begging to be answered in this story of naked bathing and hush money in an attempt to save Gran’s GOP career. There are a few looming questions, one is why did Garn contact the Maher’s Mormon Church Bishop? Mormon Bishops are now into saving political careers? If this is the case, the line between church and political office is getting hazy in a hurry!

Another question is, the location Maher’s were living during the time of the Bishop’s Office deal to quash knowledge of 'nasty deeds’ done with a young 15-year old teen. A search came up with several locations in New Hampshire where the Maher's lived, and nothing for Utah. If the Maher's were living in New Hampshire at the time and not Utah, this story starts to get interesting.

Why would it be interesting if the Maher’s were living in New Hampshire at the time of the deal and not Utah?

Here’s why.

Mormon wards, stakes, and church regions are known to be tight knit. Stake Presidents, Bishops, people in all kinds of lay church positions, as well as members, are acquainted though-out a church region, due to cross over in meetings, gatherings, and organization conferences. Mass. and New Hampshire would be areas church leadership would rub shoulders and know each other. Keep in mind, the Mormon Church is purely a lay ministry until one gets to the upper levels of the organization.

Romney was Bishop in his ward in Belmont, Mass., from 1982-1985. Romney later filled the position of Stake President of the Boston and Mass. area for the Mormon Churches, for nine years. A ward would be similar to a parish. A stake would be similar to several parishes. Romney’s New Hampshire ties are well known and touted during Romney’s campaigns and have been long established in N.H.

In 1997, Romney purchased from Butch Cash, a former fellow student of Brigham Young University, 3 acres of land on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee. Romney later added additional property to the Romney homestead, giving Romney an 11-acre estate. The Romney estate is described as a secluded three story home set a half mile back from the road and reached by a narrow driveway.

Then there is the Methuen, Mass. Ward, which is one of the wards in the Concord, New Hampshire Stake of the Mormon Church. In December of 2004, a story started to surface of a child molestation case in the Methuen Ward of the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints. Mormon Church members were told not to talk to police by church leadership, and church leadership was ‘uncooperative”.

An excerpt from Tuesday, January 11, 2005 Eagle Tribune:

"Until this weekend, church officials have been uncooperative with police regarding the case against Kevin F. Curlew, a church member and convicted child molester charged with repeatedly abusing a child inside the Methuen Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in recent months.

"We're going to tell them what we want," said Detective Lt. Michael Wnek.

What police want is more cooperation and better access to the church. In investigating Curlew, police found another convicted sex offender working at the church and arrested him Friday...

http://www.eagletribune.com/news/stories/20050111/FP_001.htm

One wonders how much is covered-up and silence for political advantage.

As the story unfolds of Cheryl Maher and Kevin Gram, we hopefully learn what ward and in what state the Maher family were living when the deal was struck in Cheryl's Bishop office.

“In the Deseret News, Cheryl Maher said Friday that Utah House Majority Leader Kevin Garn is lying about having no physical contact with her when they went hot-tubbing in the nude when she was 15 years old."

"She also says they had a long-term relationship at that time and contends that he had affairs with others.”

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700016074/Cheryl-Maher-says-Kevin-Garn-lied-about-hot-tub-contact.html


Mitt should be able to answer questions regarding his faith, it would be the same as asking an Arch-Bishop questions on the Catholic faith.


Mitt Romney Lying About Mormonism
Uploaded by samueltheutahnite. - Watch the latest news videos.

Bulk Orders Puts Romney Book On NYT Best Sellers List

Romney created a storm of controversy with the release of his new book, journalist assailed Mitts book regarding questionable facts and miss-information. Taking over the headlines and blogs late this week and into the weekend, is the reporting of Romney's book being bought ‘in bulk’ in bookstores, catapulting Romney’s book to the top of New York best sellers list.

The bulk buying from bookstores has lead to some interesting questions and views. The mysterious orders showing up at bookstores, and not from the publisher, which buying directly from the publisher is cheaper, is a way to artificially place Mitts book on the NYT bestsellers list.

Some of the bulk bookstore purchases could be headed to Vanderbilt University, where Romney will be speaking later this month. Romney is promising a free copy of his book to each person who attends his speech. Romney is appearing as one of the IMPACT speakers at the University. The topic is slated to be “The Future of Capitalism,” where, “Romney is making a copy of his latest book, No Apology: The Case for American Greatness, available free of charge to those attending his book signing and lecture”, as stated by the university.

Romney must not impress many in the student body; Hudson Todd wrote a piece on "Inside Vandy", regarding Romney’s selection as one of the speakers at “The Future of Capitalism” forum saying:

“Romney, who dropped 43 million dollars of his own money in a failed attempt to beat a 72 year old, who didn’t know how to use a computer, for president, is apparently going to explain to us the future of American capitalism.”

http://www.insidevandy.com/drupal/node/12697

Friday, March 12, 2010

Ghost of Romney's Past

Boston Globe ran an article by Michael Levenson, regarding Baker, who is running for Massachusetts Governor, distancing himself from the ‘ghost’ of Romney. Romney appears to be next to the Bubonic plague in popularity in Massachusetts. The reported exchange with Baker when questioned regarding his similarity to Mitt:

“GOP gubernatorial candidate Charles D. Baker visibly grimaced and recoiled this week when Jaclyn Cashman of WWLP-TV in Springfield said during an on-air interview, "Some would say your career has mirrored Mitt Romney’s in some ways. Would you agree?" "Really?" Baker said, sounding surprised. "That’s interesting. No. I don’t think so.”

Baker’s avoidance of Romney is not much different than Brown avoided being seen with Mitt during his run for Kennedy’s senatorial seat. A surprising act' since Brown was using Romney “entire political team to help the then-unknown Brown”. Romney closest of advisers was on Brown’s campaign team Eric Fehrnstrom, Beth Myers, and Peter Flaherty -- were and continue to be Romney people.

Politico reported on the fact that “Romney himself has been conspicuously absent”. Writing the absence was a “reflection of Romney’s diminished political standing in Massachusetts” Further quoting: “There’s no added advantage in having Romney with Brown, and there’s potentially some disadvantage,” said David Paleologos, director of the Suffolk University Political Research Center in Boston. “I don’t think there’s an upside here at all.”

Romney walked out from behind the curtain, where he was hiding, during Browns victory celebration to announce Browns victory win. Romney’s appearance was a surprise to many of people not linked to the political arena in Mass. Romney not to be undone by the Mass. victory of Brown and Brown's surging popularity among the conservatives, brought Brown as a surprise package to CPAC, where Brown introduced Romney to the crowd. Unfortunately, for Romney, Browns rousing endorsement didn’t help Romney win CPAC’s vote, Romney lost, Ron Paul won to the Romney crowd dismay.

There are some interesting things about CPAC; I was reminded of them, as I was closet cleaning, and thinking about Mitts recent loss at CPAC, especially after Mitt winning the vote for several years. Romney in 2007, blogged a thank-you to Keene for backing Mitt for President, titled “Wham! Bam! Thank you David Keene”, stating: “Long courted by Romney, Keene agreed to formalize his endorsement of the former governor during a face to face meeting in Florida on Tuesday, according to knowledgeable sources.” “Of Keene, Romney said he was “proud”.

However, questions linger on the integrity of CPAC and ACU regarding their endorsements. I stumbled across a You Tube a few years back, done by John Ziegler questioning how things were being done by David Keene, who is chairman of the American Conservative Union, which runs CPAC.

The concerns are regarding the leaderships expecting pay-off for endorsements and opt-end pieces. Ziegler takes umbrage on how Keene has ‘talked’ about Palin. There was plenty of talk during the McCain/ Palin race that Romney’s people who had joined McCain’s staff were behind the attacks.

On the Conservative side -

David Keene Threatens to Punch John Ziegler at WCPAC



A liberal view of FedEx and payments on support and op-end pieces -

The Young Turks



It is going to be interesting to see if the NRA gives Mitt the endorsement this next time around in 2012, since David Keene will be heading not only ACU, but also goes on to take the reigns of the National Rifle Association.

Referenced articles:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/03/baker_im_no_mit.html
http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2010/02/romney-takes-ownership-of-brown-victory.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0110/31602.html#ixzz0htlQXBwk

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Romney Breathtaking Ignorance

Romney’s “No Apology” book tour is giving journalist and bloggers plenty of ammunition. "Ignorance" is a word popping up among many describing Romney’s views from health care, to Romney's foreign-policy. Dr. John Herpel, MD, after hearing Romney on “Talk of the Nation” program, wrote a comment titled “Ignorance is Amazing”. The good doctor after hearing Romney statements on free emergency room care, being the current ‘universal health’ coverage the US has, wrote: “The breathtaking ignorance and arrogance shown by this response just simply floored me — from a major politician, no less.”

"Ignorant" is one of the kinder words used in describing Romney's positions on foreign-policy by Spencer Ackerman, article in the Washington Independent, who also used the words imagination, paranoid global fantasies, ignorance, invective, deterministic myopia. It is nice to see Romney picking up rave reviews as he barnstorms across the nation promoting his book.

Ackerman’s article in full can be read here:

http://washingtonindependent.com/78105/romneys-no-apology-outlines-foreign-policy-for-fantasy-world


Romney’s foreign policy seems to be as out dated as his statements regarding Toyota in his newly released book. It is good Romney is giving away free copies at several of his book tour stops, the admission price is one must listen to Romney’s speech. Ugh!

Patrick Barry posted a piece which speaks for itself:

Kansas State University is quietly becoming DOD's preferred venue for saying nice things about the State Department and USAID and warning about military dominance of US foreign policy, and that's a problem for Mitt Romney. Admiral Mullen, yesterday:
“US foreign policy is still too dominated by the military, too dependent upon the generals and admirals who lead our major overseas commands and not enough on the State Department.”

Mullen's speech followed a 2007 Kansas State address by Secretary Gates, which called for a "dramatic increase in spending on the civilian instruments of national security." Though not exactly news (Gates and Mullen have made such comments on several occasions), the timing could not be worse for the Mittster. This is because nestled among the bizarre foreign policy ideas catalogued in Romney's new book, No Apology, is his recommendation that diplomatic relations be turned over to an "ambassador from CENTCOM or any of the other regional military commands.” So, just as the Pentagon is reiterating its concern about the dangerous militarization of U.S. foreign policy, Mitt Romney is releasing a book arguing that U.S. foreign policy should be militarized even more? Yikes.

http://www.democracyarsenal.org/2010/03/romneys-kansas-state-problem.html

The one positive note -- Romney has plenty of time for a change of opinion. There may even be time for a revised edition of his book!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Romney's Word Games

W. James Antle, III in his blog today wrote, “ Mitt Romney: Pro-Choice? Who, Me?” on the American Spectator. Antle reported on Mitt Romneys interview with Don Imus, which went as follows:

DON IMUS: Talking with Mitt Romney here on the "Imus in the Morning" program. This book is called No Apology in the Case for America's Greatness. Now, when you changed your mind abortion and went from pro choice, I guess, to pro-life, what -- walk me through the, what caused that.

MITT ROMNEY: Well, you know, I never really called myself pro-choice, but I did say when I was running for governor that I would keep the law as it was.

ROMNEY: Look, I was pro-choice. I am pro-life. You can go back to You Tube and look at what I said in 1994. I never said I was pro-choice, but my position was effectively pro-choice. I changed my position. And I get tired of people that are holier-than-thou because they've been pro-life longer than I have.

After reading through Mitt interaction with Imus on American Spectator, Romney may have been hoping to leave people confused on his position. The reality of Mitt is, he is not an honest man.

It wasn’t too long ago in America; a man would pride himself on being taken for “his word”. Saying someone was “good for his/her word” was a mark of honor. It was a mark of honor, because one knew whatever the person said, they would stand by their word,one could rely on him/ her to do what they said, or do their best to stand by what they said. One could put trust in that person. Trust is important.

In the jaded jungle in America’s bejeweled elite, somehow for some, standing by one’s word is less than sleek, undesirable, maybe even deemed stupidity. In following Romney, one gets the impression this could be his view, that words are meant to deceive.

Romney on Abortion - 2002

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Romney Forgets Facts During Interview

Enter Romney’ interview’

1. All though Romney claims he did not raise ‘taxes’, Romney raised fees in the state – essentially a hidden a tax.

2. Mitt mentioned shoring up America, or China will surpass America, the reality. Romney has sent American jobs overseas, has numerous over seas accounts, and was criticized by Duncan Hunter for attempting to jointly purchase and American Defense Company with the Chinese Defense Company



News busters reported on Hunters calling on Romney founded of Bain Capital, to terminate a proposed business deals with a controversial Chinese corporation seeking to acquire U.S. defense contractor 3COM. Bain Capital. Romney was attempting business ventures with Huawei Corporation. Huawei is a Chinese corporation was founded by an officer of the Peoples Liberation Army of Communist China and faced allegations of assisting Saddam Hussein in the targeting of U.S. aircraft and in helping the Taliban develop surveillance equipment.

Not to mention a page out of Romney's new book "No Apologies" on page 55-Romney writes:

"They have not yet built their military to challenge us head-to-head around the globe. Instead, they have shaped it to deter us, to match us, or even to defeat us in the specific theaters and missions that are most important to them."

One can understand Romney's dismay, since he was going to jointly help build their military challenge!


Romney stripped assets, sent people into unemployment, bought then sold off companies. Romney helped eligible investors to avoid paying US taxes in his off shore operations many are mail boxes with no staff and no offices located in the Cayman Islands, and Bermuda.




Romney views of the stimulus buy outs was taken on by Fellow Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger

Schwarzenegger chided Romney saying:
"I find it interesting that you have a lot of the Republicans running around, and pushing back on the stimulus money and saying, 'This doesn't create any new job,'" said Schwarzenegger. "And then they go out and do the photo ops, posing with the big check and they say: 'Isn't this great, look at the kind of money I've provided for the state and this is money to create jobs, and this has created 10,000 new jobs, this has created 20,000 news jobs, and all those kinds of things.' It doesn't match up."


Romney again claims he did not raise taxes in his interview. Romney put in strong penalties for people who do not buy into the Mass. Health Plan, hitting people and families who find it hard having extra income to pay for his state insurance plan. In effect Romney taxed the people and families struggling to make ends meet. Romney uses hidden taxes in the form of fees.

Say That Again, Didn't Quite Catch That

This is a favorite You-Tube. It highlights a few of Romney's flip and flops, or maybe it is indecision, but serving Mitt in his campaign is equal to military service?


Romney "Totally Indecisive"

Romney was one of many in a hotly contested run to grab the Oval Office, stepping down after his Super Tuesday loss. The public, unable to catch it’s breath from the 2008 Presidential run, as soon as the election returns were in, Romney was been back on the campaign trail with almost non-stop criss-crossing the nation. Mitt is now, attempting to put his political allies into state and national offices. However, Romney leaves the question begging, "Who is the Real Mitt Romney?"

Romney has worn different political suits; his first suit was tailored for liberal leaning Mass.,in his bid for the Mass. Senatorial seat. Mitt was no buttoned-down conservative, but a progressive, pro-gay, abortion rights candidate against the Lion of the Kennedy den. Losing to Kennedy, Mitts focus was the Governor’s mansion, where he quickly upped the ante for the Oval Office desk, earning him the title of one of the states most absent Governor. The liberal suited Romney changed suits and donned a pin-stripped, button-downed shirt, becoming a wing-tipped conservative in his attempt to win the hearts of the Republicans soul. Romney became a gun totting, pro-life, and anti-gay candidate, landing Romney the reputation of a man of ‘no moral compass’ and flip flopping by both Republicans and Democrats.


Romney No Moral Compass Republicans and Dems agree



Romney staked out a slot as a high powered, decisive corporate executive needed at the reins of power at the White House, touting his executive abilities. According to the authors of “Game Change”, Romney is far from a decisive decisions maker, needing endless amounts of data, and constant input from advisers, leaving Romney paralyzed in making even the simpler decisions required by a candidate. “Romney was ‘totally’ indecisive”.

How did Romney get along with the other candidates? About as well as Romney got along with Sky Blu.

“Romney's relationship with the other was horrible”
Romney “would not have debates, would not have his make-up done in the same room”

Game Change co-authors on Mitt Romney



In mentioning Sky Blu, Romney while in Palm Beach on March 8, 2010, giving a speech, Romney discounted Blu’s claim he used a Vulcan grip on the rapper stating “I think that’s more of a mind projection,” Romney said of the Vulcan grip accusation. “But I grant Sky Blu poetic license.” Mind projection? Couldn’t Romney some up with something better than that?

Mark Foley attended Romney's Palm Beach speaking luncheon, making his return debut back into to politics from the sex scandal which rocked Washington D.C., reported by George Bennett from the Palm Beach Post, Post on Politics. Romney also drew Kevin McCarty, a one time bond underwriter and GOP activist, who was recently released from federal prison “for failing to report wife Mary McCarty’s honest services fraud as a Palm Beach County commissioner. She’s serving a three-and-a-half-year sentence. Kevin McCarty declined to comment” according to Bennett.