Romney Ducking Responsiblity -- Mitt Into the Blame Game and Taking No Responsibility

There hasn’t been much interesting in the press on Mitt Romney. His book tour is over and political watchers know Romney bought up most of his books, giving a multitude of books away for free. The past few weeks’ articles also ran regarding Romney attempt to duck out of his ties to the health care issues. Mitt’s attempts are weak at best; most people are not buying Romney’s excuse.

This weekend is a big weekend for Mitt in Utah as he tries to save Bob Bennett’s senate seat. I noted the You-tube which was in a blog on this site of Bob Bennett endorsement of Romney in 2008 has been removed from You-Tube. Was it Bennett’s statement about the democrats he was close in Washington to felt Romney was the best man to win against Hillary, or something else on the tape troubling to Mitt Inc.?

An interesting article by Scot Lehigh had an intriguing statement on Romney’s failed 2008 GOP presidential race which ‘blamed’ advisers close to Mitt. Romney is no longer listening to ‘those’ advisers. This is different than the ‘Game Change” authors, which stated Romney needed endless data from his advisers on issues and Romney could not make even simple decisions with out asking for more data, to his advisers dismay. Mitt must not be listening to himself since he was the decision maker in his 2008 campaign. Is Romney taking advice from someone else regarding his campaign this time around, Karl Rove perhaps?


“Game Change” authors on "totally indecisive Romney"




Portions from Scot Lehigh’s article below:

“It's hardly news that Mitt Romney wants to run for president again. By the informal Republican rules, the horse longest in harness usually gets to lead the party charge, even if that mount is as unlikely as a 72-year-old John McCain or a 73-year-old Bob Dole.

So there's ample reason for Mitt, who will be 65 in 2012, to be hungry for the hunt.
But how will he run?

When I encountered Kerry Healey, his friend and former lieutenant governor, at the GOP's state convention in Massachusetts a couple weeks back, she had this to report: "I think he's going to be himself."

With Romney, though, the question arises: Which himself?

There's the Newly Minted Mitt of the 1994 Senate race, the fresh first-time candidate who asserted that he'd be better than his rival Ted Kennedy on gay issues and who betrayed a distinct lack of reverence for GOP patron saint Ronald Reagan.

There's Masterly Manager Mitt, the accomplished Winter Olympics impresario who ran as a moderate for governor in 2002. He was followed ever so quickly by the Amazing Morphing Mitt of presidential campaign fame. That Mitt tacked so hard to starboard that he was soon assailing McCain from the right. In one instance of chutzpah, he brazenly declared that he spoke for "the Republican Wing of the Republican Party."
Another source who was at the table in the 2008 campaign echoes Healey's comments.

Romney has concluded he made a mistake by competing to be the conservatives' favorite on the social issues and thinks he would have done better by focusing on jobs and the economy, this source says.

The person blames several (unnamed) political advisers for pushing Romney along that poorly considered course. Those advisers, he says, no longer have the Mittster's ear.

In search of what the newest Romney might be like, I read his book, "No Apology: The Case for American Greatness." Several Romney admirers had told me it was quite good, and some parts of it are. Unfortunately, other sections are both silly and contrived.”


Reference found in comments section --

Mitt Romney at Senator Bob Bennett’s Side During GOP Conference – Mitt will be tied to the Senators Hip

According to Mormon Church owned Deseret News, Mitt Romney will be Senators Bob Bennett’s big weapon during the GOP convention. Jim Bennett, the senator’s son said Romney is to be standing by Bennett’s side through-out the convention, in an attempt to strengthen Bennett’s lagging support in Utah. The senator has been under attack by ultra-conservative Club for Growth, in the Beehive State. A blog piece regarding Romney and Senator Bob Bennett’s son Jim’s controversial statements at a Utah meeting, were run as an attack ad by Club for Growth. More can be read on the controversy on a March blog piece titled:

“Could Trouble Be Brewing For Romney In Utah?” can be linked to by clicking on the March blog list located on the side bar of this blog.

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. Mitt Romney at the same meeting told people to vote more than once. Club Growth seized on the statements by the two good friends, Mitt and Bob Jr. on their website complaining of the two encouraging deceptive tactics.



Another good friend of Senator Bennett’s son’s is Karl Rove. Rove along with Romney are out on the campaign trail for Bennett. Yes, Bennett’s son is friends of both Mitt Romney and Karl Rove. This is not the first time Rove has made appearances in Utah for Bennett, All Business in 2009 reporter on Rove, when Karl was in Utah for his 40th High School reunion took time during his visit to campaign for the Senator. All Business, felt Rove’s appearance on behalf of Bennett odd writing: “Perhaps this odd partnering will prove a plus for Bennett among next year’s delegates to the state Republican convention (Imagine! Karl Rove!).”

Is Rove an “odd partnering” with Senator Bob Bennett? Not at all, Bennett groomed Karl Rove. Senator Bennett and Rove have a long history together. Wikipedia sheds light on Bennett/Rove ties.

“In December 1969, the man Rove had known as his father left the family, and divorced Rove's mother soon afterward; it later became known he was homosexual.[8][9] After his parents' divorce, Rove learned from his aunt and uncle that the man who had raised him was not his biological father; both he and his older brother Eric were the children of another man. Rove has expressed great love and admiration for his adoptive father and for "how selfless" his love had been.[10] In 1981 Rove's mother committed suicide in Reno, Nevada.[10]”

“In the fall of 1969, Rove entered the University of Utah, on a $1,000 scholarship,[11] as a political science major and joined the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. As with many others of his generation, enrollment in college protected him from being drafted to fight in the Vietnam War. Through the University's Hinckley Institute of Politics, he got an internship with the Utah Republican Party. That position, and contacts from the 1968 Bennett campaign, helped him land a job in 1970 on Ralph Tyler Smith's unsuccessful re-election campaign for Senate from Illinois. Democrat Adlai E. Stevenson III won.”

“In the fall of 1970, Rove used a false identity to enter the campaign office of Democrat Alan J. Dixon, who was running for Treasurer of Illinois. He stole 1000 sheets of paper with campaign letterhead, printed fake campaign rally fliers promising "free beer, free food, girls and a good time for nothing", and distributed them at rock concerts and homeless shelters, with the effect of disrupting Dixon's rally. (Dixon eventually won the election). Rove's role would not become publicly known until August 1973.”

Roves antics didn’t end with the fake campaign fliers in 1970, Rove is later linked to:

“Sources quoted by Time magazine and CBS' "60 Minutes" maintained that Rove used his influence with a U.S. attorney to get a bribery conviction against former Democratic Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman.”

Rove has also been implicated in several U.S. attorney generals firing, the leaking of CIA agent Valarie Plame’s identity, and involvement in Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.


Outside of both Romney and Rove campaigning for Bennett, the two also share other similarities according to journalist Mark Halperin --

“Over the years, I have covered and interviewed both men and admittedly have found them rather difficult to decode, personally and sometimes professionally.”
Rove and Romney connections and similarities do not end with Bob Bennett, or being difficult to ‘decode’.

Beth Myers, a Rove protégée, was Mitt Romney’s campaign manager in Romney’s 2008 presidential run and Rove became a strong voice in promoting an M&M ticket (McCain/ Mitt) after Romney bowed out of the GOP presidential race after Super Tuesday.

HANNITY: We continue with our friend, FOX News contributor Karl Rove. All right Karl Rove, I never, ever doubt my good friend Bob Novak, and he's saying that you're suggesting that Mitt Romney would be a good VP choice for John McCain.

ROVE: Well, I talked with Bob recently, and we got to talking about the vice-presidential choice, and I shared with Bob, I've been traveling around the country recently — in fact, tonight I'm at the University of Pittsburgh where I'm a guest of the Pitt Program Council. And as I go around the country, I'm hearing a lot of conversation about VP, and I told Bob I was surprised by how often I was hearing the name Mitt Romney, and there seems to be some level of enthusiasm for the M & M ticket, "McCain & Mitt."

HANNITY: All right, but is that Karl Rove's choice?

ROVE: I'm going to try to remain to be a little objective and detached. I'm just reporting to Bob what I heard. And I was in Florida, southwestern Florida on Friday night. I heard it there. I mentioned it tonight; I met with the Pitt College Republicans before the speech I'm going to make later on tonight. I met with the Pitt College Republicans earlier this evening. They asked me the question of what I was hearing about it. I shared with them the M & M ticket, and there was a lot of enthusiasm there for it.

Robert Novak wrote:

“Former White House political guru Karl Rove is urging that Sen. John McCain pick Mitt Romney as his running mate, writes veteran Washington columnist Robert Novak.”
“According to Novak, Rove and other GOP bigwigs want Romney in the No. 2 spot despite the bad blood that exists between the former Massachusetts governor and McCain, an enmity that grew out of their heated rivalry during the Republican presidential primaries.”

Sen. Bob Bennett of course, was a big backer of Mitt Romney during Romney’s 2008 Presidential run.

Bob Bennett for Mitt Romney


And Romney of course is backing Bob Bennett in his re-election efforts –

Mitt Romney for Bob Bennett



Don’t You feel a bit hypocritical Romney?


Karl Rove stomping for both –

Roves appearance on the campaign trial for Bennett lead one journalist to write:

“With Karl Rove stumping this weekend for Sen. Bob Bennett's re-election campaign, should Bennett's Republican opponents -- Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, Cherilyn Eagar and, possibly, Tim Bridgewater -- worry about going to jail anytime soon?”
“It's a tongue-in-cheek question, I admit. Rove's “

“But the fact that the opponents of Rove's clients tend to get indicted, and convicted, on what many critics have called dubious charges and questionable evidence, brings into question what Bennett hopes to accomplish in terms of his sketchy image with the party's right wing.”

“He is accused in the book Bush's Brain: How Karl Rove… with having used his friendship with an FBI agent to get corruption indictments against two state bureaucrats”

“It's a tongue-in-cheek question, I admit."

References found in comment section:

If You Don’t Support Mitt’s Views You Get Fired- or Worst

Early one morning, as the Repeal and Replace Movement, moved from the birthing room into the media limelight, one of the first names I heard on the news was Mike Rogers from Michigan. Mike was making a statement supporting the movement. “No shock”, I thought. “Romney’s puppy is out nipping at ankles.”

A Livingston County Republican ‘who knows’ Mike, has posted on the blog, "Mike did not endorse any candidate during the primaries in 2008". However, members of his close knit and influential county family did support Romney. Rogers appears to possess life-long political ambitions and seemed to be playing politics, not wanting to get on the bad side of any Republican presidential hopefuls and waited to toss his hat into the ring, until after the primary dust settled.



While in Dallas on Mar 19, 2010 Mitt Romney laid out his plan to repeal the health-care bill, later citing the 10th amendment as the bases. Mitt Romney, who is the grandfather of the health-care bill, now attempts to become the darling of the conservative republicans with his repeal-and-replace plan. Mitt always creates his own drama, by being the catalyst of an issue and then rushes in to be the ‘savior,’ from the issues he assisted in creating.

David Frum wasn’t buying what he was hearing --

Frum questioned Republicans lack of in-put into the health-care bill Obama signed into law. In David Frum’s March 21 article, he outlined several points why the health-care bill might becomes republicans ‘Waterloo’. The second point, I suggest, became the reason for Frum’s own Waterloo when he wrote:

“So what? Legislative majorities come and go. This healthcare bill is forever. A win in November is very poor compensation for this debacle now”

Frum’s second point, from appearance is expanded into his March 23 article, on the “fantasy” of the repeal- and replace- movement. Frum writes:

“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”

David Frum’s words must have been a slap in the face to Romney. The movement which is to be Romney’s salvation was torpedoed by one of the Republican’s most prominent writers.

On March 26th, David Frum, during lunch with AEI President Arthur Brooks, was terminated. The generous money donators’ to AEI had decided to put their money elsewhere and not in Frum direction.

Less than two weeks from Mitt announced plan of repeal and replace, Frum was out the door of AEI.

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Meanwhile back in Livingston County,Michigan Congressman Mike Rogers’s stomping ground; one Livingston County GOPer is quoted regarding David Frum:

“Man, that guy is a serious downer.” “I can totally see now why he's fired all the time.”

Does it seem unfair to point a finger in Mitt’s direction for Frum’s dismissal? Not really, others have run into steep head winds when going against an agenda of Mitts, or put Romney’ actions into question. To disagree with Romney had serious consequences -- even for people who appear to have a ‘liberal’ view.

Steve Hindi in the video below disagreed with Romney over a ‘rodeo’. O.K. it is a rodeo, many people may never have been to a rodeo, some may like them, and some may not. It is a rodeo, but it was serious business to Romney.

Guess who showed up in jackets with “Olympics" blazed across the back, while Steve Hindi was being accused of being a terrorist. You read that right, accused of being a TERRORIST! --- PLUS allegations of bomb threats! incite riots? We’re talking serious terrorist here, Romney doesn’t’ take someone disagreeing with him lightly!!



Obviously, there was influence used in the harassment of Steve Hindi. FBI agents bailing and leaving the New Mexico police looking like fools. Undue pressures and influence can come from within the agency by Mormon administrators favorable to members of their own faith, as in the case of Hispanic FBI agents which filed a law suit against the agency.

“Three hundred-eleven His¬panic FBI agents won a class action suit against the agency on September 30. A central argument in the suit was that their careers were stymied by the religious bias against non-Mormons of ranking FBI officials who are Mormon (LDS).

“Charges of a “Mormon Mafia” in the FBI’s Los Angeles office have been circulating for years, The FBI, admitting the dis¬crimination practices and pledging to end them with the recent appointment of a new director, had no plans to appeal the ruling.”

“Just after the case was filed, Richard T. Bretzing, 49, head of the Los Angeles divi¬sion of the FBI since 1982, retired to become the Manag¬ing Director of the LDS Church’s security department, according to the LDS Church News. Bretzing retired after 27 years’ service (three years short of the 30-year government retirement plan).”

Does anymore need to be said?

References in the comment section.

Romney Is For Enhanced Interrogations Techniques

It is amazing Mitt Romney, a man whose family has cowered from military service for generations, is for enhanced torture. Romney also claims strong moral values, supports tortures which includes extreme sexual humiliation, rape, including children raped in front to their parents, and explicit sexual contortions. On second thought, somehow it doesn’t seem too shocking Romney supports the sexual abuse of children and the tormenting parents by mocking the sexual abuse of their children. Not shocking at all.



McCain on enhanced tortures -

–
Romney recently stated:

“I am convinced this is the time to tell Americans the truth,” said Romney. “We have to be honest and people will do the right thing. The silent majority is less and less silent.” Mitt is right; it is time for truth - even if it is the truth Romney doesn’t want told -

Mitt Romney’s support of enhanced torture is not a difficult stretch. Judge Bybee, Tom Flanagan, Mitchell, Jessen, DeLand, McCotter, were involved in the creation of the enhanced torture program. All are fellow Mormon Church members and Temple recommend holders, the same as Mitt,

Cofer Black, one of Romney’s advisers during his last presidential race, hand was in the selection Mitchell and Jessen’s development of enhanced tortures. Romney welcomed Black to his staff with his announcement:

"I am pleased to welcome Cofer Black to our campaign. He has a long and impressive career dedicated to making America safer and more secure in the world," said Governor Romney. "Our country faces a new generation of challenges and Black's experience at the forefront of our nation's counter-terrorism efforts will be a tremendous asset."

In order to begin to untangle the web which created the torture programs the background on the key players is necessary - and their background is where things get really interesting

Mitchell and Jessen had no experience with intelligence interrogations, they worked in the SERE program, which is a survival program for military personal that may be taken captive.


“And sources within JPRA knew a lot about Mitchell and Jessen. They said they were self-promoters, they were cowboys. They disapproved of the kind of techniques and their cozying up to the CIA. But they told us that they live here because it’s a nice place to live. And even though their mailing address is Langley, Virginia…”- Katherine Eban from Democracy Now interview.

According to Jeffrey Kaye’s article on Fireddoglake “…..another insider, who says he has some knowledge of the individuals involved, has indicated that it was Roger Aldrich, Mitchell and Jessen’s superior officer, the man who indeed hired them in the 1990s, who was responsible for the idea of reverse-engineering SERE techniques and contracting out services to the government.”

“Aldrich was an officer in the Air Force Reserve, who was also civilian chief of the Air Force’s Special Survival Training Program (SSTP), which was later folded into the JPRA agency. From this position, the source says, he hired "many people into lucrative civil service jobs at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Washington, paying from $75K to $150K per year plus fantastic benefits." Aldrich used his influence and position to dole out patronage, and gained a loyal, devoted following.

"He took Mitchell and Jessen and promoted them. After 9/11, he hatched a scheme with the two men to offer interrogation and training services to the military and CIA for a great deal of money.”

Their contact at the CIA was Cofer Black.

“By the start of 2002, Dr. Mitchell was consulting with the C3 Center, whose director, Cofer Black, and chief operating officer, Jose A. Rodriguez Jr., were impressed by his combination of visceral toughness and psychological jargon. One person who heard some discussions said Dr. Mitchell gave the C.I.A. officials what they wanted to hear. In this person’s words, Dr. Mitchell suggested that interrogations required “a comparable level of fear and brutality to flying planes into buildings.”

The enhanced torture program was implemented to the dismay of many experience intelligence interrogators who felt Mitchell and Jessen could wind up with charges pressed against them, which earned them the name of "The Poster Boys".The feeling was Mitchell and Jessen would wind up on the FBI's "Most Wanted List".

Mitchell and Jessen were given the nickname of the “Mormon Mafia” by peers at the CIA, due to the power they had within the agency. CIA and FBI interrogators who disagreed with Mitchell and Jessen torture program, found themselves countered with the stern message “you have lost your spine”, from the Mormon Mafia poster boys.

After the story of the abuses broke:

“Panetta fired all the C.I.A.'s contract interrogators, including the former military psychologists who appear to have designed the most brutal interrogation techniques.

DeLand and McCotter were tapped to set up Abu Ghraib

Gary DeLand was recommended by Lance McCotter to assist in setting up Abu Ghraib.

DeLand and McCotter relationship goes back to the Utah Department of Corrections and working for Management & Training Corporation, where both are executives. Management & Training Corporation is a private correction corporation started in Utah in the 1980’s by Utah State graduate Scott Marquardt and Lyle Parry.

Gary DeLand, served as the head of the Utah Department of Corrections from 1985 to 1992. Deland had been named in numerous law suits involving abuse of prisoner in the correction facilities he was over. “Deland was the named defendant in Littlefield v. Deland, where, according to the Court, a young mentally ill man was kept naked for 56 days in a "strip cell" with no windows, no interior lights, no bunk, no floor covering, and no toilet except for a hole in the concrete floor.”

Lane McCotter, served in the Utah Corrections system from 1992 until he was forced to resign in 1997. McCotter had worked prior to Utah for prison systems in Texas, and New Mexico, which resulted also in numerous abuse claims while under his watch.

The “Department of Justice's own Civil Rights Division released a 36-page report documenting inhumane and unsafe conditions at a jail run by a private prison company, Management & Training Corporation, where McCotter is a senior executive.”

“Texas, where McCotter served as director of the Department of Corrections for two years, he faced allegations in 1985 of erasing the parts of a video that showed the beating of a prisoner by a guard.”

In Utah, a SWAT team led to the death of an inmate after they burst into a mentally ill patient’s cell. (Remember the SWAT team for later in the post)

“A statement provided by Schumer's office reviews McCotter's employment history, including his resignation as Utah prison director in 1997 after a mentally ill inmate died after spending 16 hours strapped to a chair. Schumer's news release also calls attention to the Justice report criticizing MTC's management of the Santa Fe County jail, and notes that the New Mexico Corrections Department also raised concerns about the jail."

"While McCotter's company was under state and Department of Justice investigation, Attorney General Ashcroft selected him to serve as one of four civilian advisers to oversee the reconstitution of Iraqi prisons," Schumer noted. "Why Attorney General Ashcroft would send someone with such a checkered record to rebuild Iraq's corrections system is beyond me," Schumer said.

Then, on May 20, in a case of unfathomable irony, Attorney General John Ashcroft announced that McCotter, along with three other corrections experts, had gone to Iraq. The very same day, Justice Department lawyers began their first negotiations with Santa Fe County officials over the extensive changes needed at the jail to avoid legal action.”

“The New York Times reported that McCotter "directed the reopening of the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq last year," and McCotter himself admitted he worked closely with American military police officers at the prison complex.”

“While Lance McCotter worked establishing Abu Ghraib, he reportedly walked around handing out wads of cash, three million dollars worth, to people rebuilding Abu Ghraib prison.”

He also worked with according to “The Nation, Deland and McCotter "worked along with Brig. Gen. Karpinski and MPs from various battalions" at Abu Ghraib.” Brig. Gen Karpinski later became the scapegoat for the prison abuse. DeLand and McCotter left Abu Ghraib prior to the abuse story breaking.

Janis Leigh Karpinski is a central figure in the Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse scandal.

Another destroyed video tape?

Outside of Mitchell and Jessen firing from the CIA, a few low level prison guard charged after taking photographs, and Karpinski made scapegoat, there was been no accountability for the creators of the enhanced torture programs has happened.

Harry Reid, also a member of the Mormon Church, discouraged investigation into the tortures and probing of the memo’s which approved the program. “After the release of these memos why then is Harry Reid not in line with almost every Democratic Politician?”

“A serious setback, however: Harry Reid, whose Senate would rule on an impeachment in the House, doesn't seem to like the idea:”

Reid stated:

"Judge Bybee has a good professional reputation in Nevada," Reid spokesman Jon Summers said in an e-mail "While the memos that have been released are disturbing to Sen. Reid, at this point in time, he doesn't think we should be making a rush to judgment.”

Back in Utah, the legacy of DeLand and McCotter prison system is tragic. Tragic not to the prison inmates, but with children of Mormon Church wards. News papers in Utah ran the abuse stories:

“PROVO — A former corrections officer and SWAT team member at the Utah State Prison was charged Friday with nine felony sex offenses involving a child. Davis was hired by the Utah Department of Corrections in December 1998 and was most recently working for Adult Probation and Parole Region 4, which is Utah County, said Jack Ford, Utah Department of Corrections spokesman”

And –

“WEST VALLEY CITY -- A former LDS bishop and administrator with the Utah Department of Corrections was accused Tuesday of molesting several teenage boys over an extended period of time.
David James Gomez, 57, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on Monday for investigation of 50 counts of forcible sodomy, 15 counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child, 10 counts of sodomy on a child, all first-degree felonies, and 50 counts of forcible sexual abuse, all second-degree felonies. He was being held Tuesday without bail."

"Gomez is accused of raping, sodomizing and fondling several boys 10 to 13 years ago, according to police. He came in contact with the boys while serving as bishop (Mormon Bishop) of the Hunter 10th Ward.”

DeLand and McCotter were sent to Iraq to set up a prison system similar to the prisons in the United States, they appear to have succeeded, as well as succeeding in tarnishing the name of the people of America.

Romney’s stand on enhanced tortures, as well as his selection of Cofer Black on his 2008 presidential staff, will lead some to ask if in voting for Romney in 2012, would return the United States back to the torture programs which brought disgrace on American people?

(The reference are too numerous to list on the post page, and are listed on the comments section. One can link to all sources used in the post)

Is Romney Behind the Eight Ball for 2012?

I expect to take some heat for criticizing Mitt in this piece. Mitt is always amusing with the strangeness of his spins, flips and excuses; which more than once, has a left me crossed-eye and scratching my head saying, “Huh?” “What did he say?”

Mitt’s current polls aren’t looking as healthy as he apparently thinks. The other potential opponents winning the polls, are not working the GOP circuit, or have said they are not going run. I wondered, what was in Mitt’s future for 2012?

I decided to dig out a half-forgotten crystal ball, from a decade’s old PTO fund raiser, and check out Romney’s 2012 prospects. O.k., it really isn’t a crystal ball, but one of those magic eight balls when turned upside down and right again, tells your future.

The ball predicted, Mitt would be in the race for the GOP nomination for president, but would concede to another Republican candidate.

This actually is great news for Romney! It gives Mitt plenty of time to come up with a truly bazaar concession speech that would leave people puzzled for years. Romney’s last concession speech left some in laughter when he said:

"If I fight on in my campaign, all the way to the convention, I would forestall the launch of a national campaign and make it more likely that Senator Clinton or (Barack) Obama would win," he said. "And in this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign be a part of aiding surrender to terror."

Mitt’s campaign was aiding terrorist? His campaign was a surrender to terror? “I don’t get it”, I thought. Then I remembered, THAT movie came out….




http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18772382

"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?

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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

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

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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

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

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-

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

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

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

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

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/

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

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