Slog
News & ArtsMonday, April 16, 2012
2012 The Romneys Accidentally Told the Truth at a Private Fundraiser, and the Media Was Eavesdropping
Posted by Paul Constant on Mon, Apr 16, 2012 at 10:44 AM
Over the weekend, Mitt Romney was at a closed-door no-press fundraiser with wealthy donors. He spoke candidly of his plans for what he would do when he won the White House, which is something he doesn't do in his stump speech. Hilariously, a bunch of reporters on the sidewalk outside the private event could hear everything Romney said:
"I'm going to take a lot of departments in Washington, and agencies, and combine them. Some eliminate, but I'm probably not going to lay out just exactly which ones are going to go," Romney said. "Things like Housing and Urban Development, which my dad was head of, that might not be around later. But I'm not going to actually go through these one by one. What I can tell you is, we've got far too many bureaucrats. I will send a lot of what happens in Washington back to the states...The Department of Education: I will either consolidate with another agency, or perhaps make it a heck of a lot smaller. I'm not going to get rid of it entirely," Romney said
I've said this before, and I'll say it again, but let's think about this for a moment: The Republican nominee won't talk about his plans for government in full because he knows they'll be too unpopular. Even the little bit that he offered at the private party sounds too drastic for mainstream consumption. In any case, Mitt wasn't the only Romney blabbing away. Ann said she loved being "attacked" by Hillary Rosen last week:
She also discussed the criticism she faced this week, and her pride in her role as a mother.
"It was my early birthday present for someone to be critical of me as a mother, and that was really a defining moment, and I loved it," Mrs. Romney said.
Mitt similarly called the Rosen attack a "gift." And he went into further detail about his plans to eliminate taxes for the wealthy and the need for a "Republican DREAM Act" to win back the Hispanic vote. You should read the whole account, because it's a look at a world that's always hidden behind closed doors. In response, the Romney campaign is saying that Romney was "tossing ideas out, not unveiling policy."
2
Oh my goodness, pass around the smelling salts! That's what good Republicans should do is to tame bureaucratic bloated gluttony. I trust Mitt will include the GSA at some point.
Days to election: 204
Days to election: 204
4
@3
Not "Russian agent".
But his primary allegiance is not to the USofA or the average middle-class citizen residing there.
Not "Russian agent".
But his primary allegiance is not to the USofA or the average middle-class citizen residing there.
6
Mr Obama's entirely accurate comments about bitter po'buckers' clinging to guns and religion, as embarrassing as they were to him at the time, helped cement my support of him; maybe this will help Romney on the Right.
8
Honestly, what politician wouldn't love the opportunity to present themselves as the victim of unfair and savage attacks from the opposition? I'd imagine that at any given time, 65.7% of either side of the political spectrum is sitting there and saying to themselves, "Please let the other side say something stupid, please let the other side say something stupid, please let the other side say something stupid..."
And then the 'Wealthy political beaus don't work because "being rich and connected" may be a job but it certainly isn't labor' comment happened, and everybody on the right high-fived eachother because someone was doing their job for them.
And then the 'Wealthy political beaus don't work because "being rich and connected" may be a job but it certainly isn't labor' comment happened, and everybody on the right high-fived eachother because someone was doing their job for them.
9
i swear.. this doesn't speak well of me at all, but i like anne romney a lot less than mitt and i absolutely dislike him.. by the by , did anybody see the bbc's exploration of his mormonism ?
i'd think that'd be enough to sink a whole nation of undecideds
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01f87w2
i'd think that'd be enough to sink a whole nation of undecideds
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01f87w2
10
I don't see how these comments are really any big deal, since most of this KKKuntree's ignorant, sadistic, hate-crazed, right-wing population agrees with them.
Even if you tell the public that drastically slashing things like education and infrastructure have the full effect of committing economic suicide, these braying submorons will start screeching that they wanna commit suicide harder.
Even if you tell the public that drastically slashing things like education and infrastructure have the full effect of committing economic suicide, these braying submorons will start screeching that they wanna commit suicide harder.
12
It strikes me that this is exactly the opposite of how the business world works. What large company would say "let's break up into many smaller companies, each with their own rules and management, because that will be more efficient"? Really, I'm baffled why Republicans, who are generally pro-corporate, are also pro-decentralized government.
13
I gotta say, Riz... I love me some Anne Romney. Maybe America needs a bitch running the staff at the Whitehouse?
At least she's got balls.
At least she's got balls.
14
@12: But the government doesn't operate using a business model, nor should it. Because each govt. department's budget must be spent each year or else less will be allocated next year is why efficiency is less of an incentive than in the private sector.
Republicans do agree that centralized government is more efficient for, let's say, the FAA and the FDA but that other agencies could be consolidated or given to the individual states.
Republicans do agree that centralized government is more efficient for, let's say, the FAA and the FDA but that other agencies could be consolidated or given to the individual states.
15
I bet it was reassuring to these wealthy donors that Romney immediately backed off everything he told them he was going to do. Because it's not like they're worried he won't stick to his word.
16
Hey, Gay Dude Against Obama is back!
Have you come up with one of Romney's policies that you can support yet? You can't count this one (like you try to do the word salad of @14), since Romney already decided it was no longer his policy.
Come on. Just one!
Have you come up with one of Romney's policies that you can support yet? You can't count this one (like you try to do the word salad of @14), since Romney already decided it was no longer his policy.
Come on. Just one!
17
Oh wait, I apologize. I missed this gem from you, in which you come up with one of his policies you can agree with by saying this:
Well, I'm sure the far right will be disappointed to hear that. Because up till now, they totally trust him! I apologize for implying that you are being paid by the Romney campaign to post here. Now I'm wondering if it's not the Democrats.
By the way, here - according to you - is how Romney "implies" something:
Sorry, if it's not actually his policy - as you claim it's not - you can't really count it as one of the policies that you support.
Next?
Adding a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage
Will never happen. It will never pass Congress let along 3/4 of the States. Although Romney may have implied that he supports it at one point, he really doesn't and was just throwing a bone to the nuts on the far right for political expediency.
Well, I'm sure the far right will be disappointed to hear that. Because up till now, they totally trust him! I apologize for implying that you are being paid by the Romney campaign to post here. Now I'm wondering if it's not the Democrats.
By the way, here - according to you - is how Romney "implies" something:
I would also propose and promote once again an amendment to the constitution to define marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman.
Sorry, if it's not actually his policy - as you claim it's not - you can't really count it as one of the policies that you support.
Next?
18
@14: Apart from start-ups, that's exactly how every company for which I've worked has been run.
And that's nothing to how 'success' is always a function of popularity and primate dominance displays rather than getting useful stuff done.
And that's nothing to how 'success' is always a function of popularity and primate dominance displays rather than getting useful stuff done.
19
@16: Ask and you shall receive.
I want a president who loves this country, who isn't embarrassed by it, who doesn't apologize for our consumption of resources, and who doesn't apologize for past U.S. Foreign policy.
I want a president who is not influenced by the anti-American dictates of Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
I want a president who's citizenry can appeal EPA decisions.
I want a president who recognizes that America has an abundance of fossil fuels and that they should be tapped from public as well as private lands.
I want a president who wants to restore America to its greatness and be not transform it into a leftist utopia.
I want a president who really does understand the U.S. Constitution and would not even think of passing a bill that would risk being declared by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional.
That should be enough to get you going. Shred away!
I want a president who loves this country, who isn't embarrassed by it, who doesn't apologize for our consumption of resources, and who doesn't apologize for past U.S. Foreign policy.
I want a president who is not influenced by the anti-American dictates of Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
I want a president who's citizenry can appeal EPA decisions.
I want a president who recognizes that America has an abundance of fossil fuels and that they should be tapped from public as well as private lands.
I want a president who wants to restore America to its greatness and be not transform it into a leftist utopia.
I want a president who really does understand the U.S. Constitution and would not even think of passing a bill that would risk being declared by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional.
That should be enough to get you going. Shred away!
20
the Rosen attack (yes it was an attack) WAS a gift. what a stupid ass she was. i don't care what she actually meant. what she said was dumb.
21
In other words, you want the second coming of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney.
And what's this Republican thing about never apologizing? Are you guys so arrogantly insecure?
And what has Obama done that shows that he's influenced by Jeremiah Wright? Jeez, stop beating that dead horse. Get with the times.
And all this fake reverence for the Constitution? Only where it's convenient.
I want a President who can relate to his people and isn't out to screw them to please his wealthy and corporate base. I want a president who believes in government and is on a mission to better the lot of his fellow man. I DON'T want a president whose guiding philosophy is "Corporations are people too, my friend." In short, I want a president who gives a damn about America, not about exclusively serving the richest. I don't want a president whose policies would set the nation on course to becoming a third world country, mired by cronyism and corruption, where there are only two classes, the small super rich who own and control everything, and the large mass of the very poor, who don't have any opportunities for advancement in life. In other words, I want a president who will keep America the place millions flock to start a better life, not the one they flee because of lack of opportunity.
And what's this Republican thing about never apologizing? Are you guys so arrogantly insecure?
And what has Obama done that shows that he's influenced by Jeremiah Wright? Jeez, stop beating that dead horse. Get with the times.
And all this fake reverence for the Constitution? Only where it's convenient.
I want a President who can relate to his people and isn't out to screw them to please his wealthy and corporate base. I want a president who believes in government and is on a mission to better the lot of his fellow man. I DON'T want a president whose guiding philosophy is "Corporations are people too, my friend." In short, I want a president who gives a damn about America, not about exclusively serving the richest. I don't want a president whose policies would set the nation on course to becoming a third world country, mired by cronyism and corruption, where there are only two classes, the small super rich who own and control everything, and the large mass of the very poor, who don't have any opportunities for advancement in life. In other words, I want a president who will keep America the place millions flock to start a better life, not the one they flee because of lack of opportunity.
22
Please provide a link where Obama apologized for past foreign policies. Oh wait. It never happened, and has been debunked several times.
Right now, oil is being drilled on public lands, you dolt. In fact, Obama expidited the approval process, sadly. And oil production is the highest its been since 2003. (He did prevent uranium mining at the Grand Canyon, though. What an asshole.)
Nothing you mentioned is a stated policy of Romney's that is not also a policy of Obama's. (Really? Romney's "policy" is not to be influenced by Jeremiah Wright!? I bet he aces that!)
Again, hating on Obama is totally fine. I hate him some days myself. But I'd expect someone calling themselves "Gay Dude For Romney" to be, you know, actually FOR Romney, and not just against Obama.
I'm disappointed.
Right now, oil is being drilled on public lands, you dolt. In fact, Obama expidited the approval process, sadly. And oil production is the highest its been since 2003. (He did prevent uranium mining at the Grand Canyon, though. What an asshole.)
Nothing you mentioned is a stated policy of Romney's that is not also a policy of Obama's. (Really? Romney's "policy" is not to be influenced by Jeremiah Wright!? I bet he aces that!)
Again, hating on Obama is totally fine. I hate him some days myself. But I'd expect someone calling themselves "Gay Dude For Romney" to be, you know, actually FOR Romney, and not just against Obama.
I'm disappointed.
23
I'd rather have a president be influenced by Jeremiah Wright than Joseph Smith and Brigham Young.
Will Romney organize a NASA mission to locate Kolob?
If he campaigns in Missouri, will he visit the Garden of Eden while he's there?
Will Romney organize a NASA mission to locate Kolob?
If he campaigns in Missouri, will he visit the Garden of Eden while he's there?
24
@22: Yes there are gas leases on public lands but hardly any since Mr. Obama took office. We can thank George W. Bush for the increased oil production we have today.
One of his first acts was an 'apology tour' of the middle east. So you're wrong on that.
True, Romney needs to articulate a vision rather than just going after Obama. But as a default, a vision of our future without the worst president ever is indeed a very sweet vision.
One of his first acts was an 'apology tour' of the middle east. So you're wrong on that.
True, Romney needs to articulate a vision rather than just going after Obama. But as a default, a vision of our future without the worst president ever is indeed a very sweet vision.
25
If you think Obama is the worst president ever, you're an idiot. This is a very narrow statement, so let me clarify: I'm not saying all Republicans or Romney supporters or even anti-Obama voters are idiots. But Obama is not the worst president ever, even if you are a radical right-winger.
What's your standard? Progressive politics and expansion of entitlements? Incompetence and running the country into the ground? Corruption, abuse of power, or criminal acts? Without leaving the land of the demented right-wing, I give you: FDR, Carter, and Clinton.
And that doesn't even TOUCH the massive corruption that obtained before there was any real national media... For Actual Worst President Ever, how about Jackson, who gave away money, favors and political offices like cheap cigars and committed genocide in overt defiance of the Supreme Court?
You'rrrrre an idiot.
What's your standard? Progressive politics and expansion of entitlements? Incompetence and running the country into the ground? Corruption, abuse of power, or criminal acts? Without leaving the land of the demented right-wing, I give you: FDR, Carter, and Clinton.
And that doesn't even TOUCH the massive corruption that obtained before there was any real national media... For Actual Worst President Ever, how about Jackson, who gave away money, favors and political offices like cheap cigars and committed genocide in overt defiance of the Supreme Court?
You'rrrrre an idiot.
Advertisement
Most Commented on Slog
-
Foie Gras Tastes Like Cat Food by Callan Berry
-
SL Letter of the Day: The Tell-Tale Handjob by Dan Savage
-
Cap Hill Is Becoming a Little Like What? by Charles Mudede
-
Pizza Update: Breaking the 5-Minute Barrier by Goldy
-
President Obama Says NSA Spying Is "Transparent" by Paul Constant
-
Today in the Surveillance State: The "War on Reality" by Brendan Kiley
-
Slog Bible Study: Leviticus 20:9 by Goldy
-
The Full Text of David Guterson's Controversial Commencement Speech by Dominic Holden
-
The Monday Morning News by Goldy
-
Egyptian Theatre to Close at the End of This Month by Paul Constant
Stranger Personals
The Stranger
RSSSeattle Art & Performance Quarterly
A complete guide to Seattle's current art, film, dance, and theater season.
Facebook
Twitter
Comments (25) RSS