Romney: "Helping me get elected" same as serving in Iraq

By: TheGreenMiles
Published On: 8/8/2007 2:06:41 PM

Oh, please.  From the Associated Press via TPM Cafe:
BETTENDORF, Iowa - Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney on Wednesday defended his five sons' decision not to enlist in the military, saying they're showing their support for the country by "helping me get elected."

Romney, who did not serve in Vietnam due to his Mormon missionary work and a high draft lottery number, was asked the question by an anti-war activist after a speech in which he called for "a surge of support" for U.S. forces in Iraq. [...]

The woman who asked the question, Rachel Griffiths, 41, of Milan, Ill., identified herself as a member of Quad City Progressive Action for the Common Good, as well as the sister of an Army major who had served in Iraq.

"Of course not," Griffiths said when asked if she was satisfied with Romney's answer. "He told me the way his son shows support for our military and our nation is to buy a Winnebago and ride across Iowa and help him get elected."

I thought Laura Bush's "no one suffers more than their President and I do" was bad, but this takes the cake.

UPDATE: The Romney campaign has YouTubed the audio of Mitt's remarks.

Comments



You're joking (Silence Dogood - 8/8/2007 2:17:02 PM)
PLEASE tell me someone got that on camera.


Such dedication (Catzmaw - 8/8/2007 2:23:50 PM)
That Mitt, he's all about the giving.  In reading the Nightingale's Song I found this great quote from Jim Webb.  He was on a talk radio call in show during Desert Shield, explaining his opposition to the war, when someone called in and called him a wimp and wuss for opposing the war.  Webb replied that he didn't have to justify himself to someone willing to bleed to the last drop of someone else's blood to win a war.  'Nuff said.


It runs in the family! (buzzbolt - 8/8/2007 2:39:31 PM)
Romney's father, George W. Romney, was a front runner for the 1968 Republican Presidential nomination in August 1967.

In a taped radio interview, Romney declared that he was shifting from supporting the Viet Nam war to opposing the war because he had been "brainwashed" during a 1965 visit to Viet Nam.  His campaign was over within 90 days.  The common concern was that anyone who admitted to being "brainwashed" was too stupid to be a serious presidential candidate. . . . . . . . . .



Mitt's Man in Virginia (Bubby - 8/8/2007 3:03:22 PM)
When people hear his message, he has the ability to inspire people like Ronald Reagan did.

Bolling touted Romney as a candidate who can reach beyond the traditional Republican base ...

Bill Bolling, Mitt Romney's Virginia campaign chairman

Roanoke Times

As in inspiring the 101st Fighting Keyboardists?



I'm gonna say it all primary season long (mkfox - 8/8/2007 3:30:31 PM)
Every time someone votes for Romney in anything, a puppy dies.


Romney is great ! He should be nominated !! Dem. Landslide !!!! (Tom Counts - 8/8/2007 3:50:07 PM)
Let's help Mitt get the nomination. Who could the Dem. Party possibly find anyone who couldn't beat Romney ?

Are we sure that Mitt isn't a Dem. plant to make sure we don't have a viable opponent next year ? Just a joke(or not ?). This is just another example of how really stupid and desperate the GOP has become. "None of the Above" is looking more and more like a possible GOP nominee; I don't know where None of the Above lives on the Planet Duh -- dark side or not -- but he may be the best they have.

Attitude Adjustment Hour (formerly Happy Hour) is getting closer.

  LOL.

  T.C.



"Helping me get elected... (Teddy - 8/8/2007 3:51:18 PM)
is same as serving in Iraq" is sorta like "I took an oath to the President" is the same as taking an oath to protect the Constitution.  I mean, what's the diff?

Dear Heaven we've suffered one of these people for seven years, please don't let's repeat the mistake.(Sound of maniacal laughter)



I pledge allegiance to... (Rebecca - 8/8/2007 4:40:25 PM)
The President of the United States and whomever my immediate Patriarch happens to be. What country was it again?


Showing a tin ear for politics (Quizzical - 8/8/2007 6:24:30 PM)
Of course, whether or not his sons choose to serve in the military is the personal decision of each of his sons, not Mitt's.  So without knowing more, I can't really hold that against him. Would it matter if one of his sons decided tomorrow to enlist and volunteer for Iraq?  Well, maybe it would, not because it would be a reflection on Mitt somehow, but because Mitt would have to go through the same experiences that all parents of deployed soldiers go through.

On the other hand, that he gave that kind of answer, which certainly sounds flip however he meant it, was a terrible blunder, and has to make you wonder whether he has got what it takes to be an effective President.  In my view, it's a blunder comparable to Kerry's joke about how if you don't study hard in school, you'll end up going to Iraq.  Kind of an unwitting admission of the role of class and privilege in America.  As if to say, "If you are the son of someone important like me, you serve the country by serving me."