EXETER, NH -- The Romney campaign debuted two new attacks against President Obama this morning, with a side of alphabet soup.
In a release this morning, Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney rated the president's approach to the budget "Triple A" -- for arrogant, absent and alarming.
At a lunchtime town hall stop here, the critique expanded to the entire Obama presidency, with Romney telling an audience of around 75 people the Obama presidency would become known for three D's -- Debt, Downgrade and Delay.
The line drew applause from a supportive crowd in the town, where, party legend has it, the Republican Party was first named in 1853. Attendees questioned Romney on health care, the economy, and on his stated desire to have the Lockerbie bomber extradited by a new Libyan regime.
"I'd like to see him extradited and face justice in the United States, and whether that's a military tribunal or a criminal trial and where it's held... I mean Guantanamo always serves a useful purpose in settings like this," Romney told a questioner, who asked if bringing the bomber to U.S. soil would make Americans less safe.
Romney also made news with a question he did not answer: who among his colleagues currently running for president would he be most likely to choose as a running mate.
As he has in the past, Romney called such speculation presumptuous, but said that the most important quality he would consider in selecting a running mate if he got the chance, would be that the person selected be "unquestionably capable of becoming president." He alluded to a belief that he had more confidence in some of those running than others, but added that any one of the other candidates running for president would, in his view, be a better president than President Obama. He continued, saying the Republican Party has a deep bench of talented governors, senators and legislators, many of whom aren't running for president -- a line that drew a few laughs.
Also notable on the candidate's first of two campaign stops of the day, a new, more personal, opening anecdote. Romney, who has long been criticized by some as being unable to relate to regular folks and those hurt by the economy due to his personal wealth, told the story of how his father returned to the U.S. from Mexico to find work as a lath and plaster carpenter, before eventually rising to become governor of Michigan. He also explained that his wife's ancestors immigrated to the U.S. from Wales, where her grandfather had been a coal miner, and how his father-in-law became the first in their family to attend college.


This guy is a total weirdo and a fraud ! And hes losing to the loser Perry
Now, let's give credit where credit is due. The "alphabet soup" approach to campaign sloganeering is relatively clever.
If your target audience is comprised of four-year-olds.
Romney should fire the hack who dreamed that up for him.
Of course, when it comes to what the letters stand for, then Romney has to take responsibility.
For lying.
say it aint so,
what you said "is so"...about President Obama, who will lose to Rick Perry.
Really?
Arrogant - Actually Romney is too kind here, narcissistic is more is accurate - but arrogant applies.
After-all, isn't this the guy that said the planet started to heal when he was nominated? A guy that can lower the tides obviously doesn't have to mess with mundane things like budgets - normal people can do that crap, right?
Economic recovery plan? He has one in his head - normal humans have to organize their thoughts on paper and use graphs and charts and explanations etc.
Why even bother anyway, all that really matters is Obama getting re-elected. The guy has a Nobel for BS - he can fool America again.
Absent?
We get down graded and Obama party's for 3 days, fund-raising to do, the bitch and moan bus tour, then vacation time!
This is guy is going to come up with a plan when he gets back?
What is that ..... 930 days into his presidency?
Alarming?
A first time in history down grade is not an alarm?
Nothing alarming about record swings in the stock market, confidence poll numbers going through the floor?
So the "scholar's" best is to call Romney a liar?
In reality, since the President was sworn in:
"Debt, Downgrade, Delay" has defined the Republican congressional strategy. Republican Leader McConnell has espoused said strategy to the press many times over the last 30 months.
Despite that, Barack Obama prevented a full-on Depression.
In spite of the Republican party's mission to crash the economy & in spite of their relentless message of doubt, disdain, denigration and despair: Democrats continue to work to create a good future for all Americans.
To all Americans: END THE GOP WAR ON JOBS; END THE GOP WAR ON OUR RECOVERY.
First Read has become a daily showcase of all the best liberal comedians. It doesn't matter what republican candidate is showcased in their articles, the liberals come out shooting off their best stuff. I enjoy it so much because they are on the sidelines (as am I) with no skin in the game. This will become very interesting in March of 2012 when the front runner is actually out in front. I can't wait to see what the liberals come up with then. The one thing liberals can be certain of... the pressure and attacks on Obama will heat up just as much. I'd better keep my fire extinguisher handy.
Did I miss the 'WRP'- What's Romney's Plan??
"A first time in history down grade is not an alarm?"
Not according to Hannity and the teabagees. They WANTED to see this happen. At least, on OBAMA'S watch, that is.....
"This will become very interesting in March of 2012 when the front runner is actually out in front. I can't wait to see what the liberals come up with then"
Oh, we won't have much to say. The press and everyone else doing the public vetting might, though. Of course, there will be debates, too, in which the 'front runner' can really shine.
Backhouse - You can spin it, twirl it, toss it up in the air, throw it on the floor, spit it, swallow it, hand it off to someone else... but everything that happens, happens on Obama's watch and he is responsible for it. If it's good, he takes credit for it... if it's bad, it's his responsibility. I learned this from a liberal when they were talking about Bush... It wasn't congress, it wasn't any other entity... it was Bush's fault. Now if that is true, then it's Obama's baby. He owns all the bad... and people will not forget it either.
Brian,
Ha! ha! haha! ha! ha:
Your very own, standard one-size fits-all response.
Direct from the GOP-DoubtDespairDenigrationDespairDowngradeandLie-101-Factory.
Nothing alarms the Teapublicans like mentioning any support for the middle class.
The Weeper of the House 'crowed' about getting 98% of what he wanted!
Where are the jobs?
The recession peaked - the tide turned in September 2008.
In other words, it was improving before Obama was even elected.
The recession was officially over in June 2009, we have been in a "recovery" since that point.
So what legislation, what economic interventions did Obama take to turn the tide before he was elected?
What economic interventions did Obama take that turned the economy by June 2009 ...... trying to pass Obamacare?
This is probably pretty difficult for you to grasp, so why don't we leave the other stuff for another time.
Yep.... the front runner will really shine and the one falling back might have a lot of 'splainin to do.
Backhouse - no.. really a liberal told me that very matter of factly... and he was totally serious... so since I figured it came from a liberal.. it just had to be true... so I accept it... everything that happens, happens on the presidents watch... he gets credit or he gets blame. We'll see if that liberal was true to form... I don't think he was lying... because Bush didn't win the last election, Obama did....
::snicker::
And we got the shaft! Obfuscate and obliterate! We will baffle them with BS and destroy their safety nets! It's the GOTP way! Brought to you by the Koch Bros., "We're the Name You Know".
Obama/Biden 2012
Yeah, okay if you say so. It sure didn't feel like an improvement. How did Dick Cheney put it?
Those remarks were made in December 2008. Sorry, No revisionist history allowed.
John A.-400474
If your target audience is comprised of four-year-olds.
Romney should fire the hack who dreamed that up for him.
Of course, when it comes to what the letters stand for, then Romney has to take responsibility.
For lying.
Good afternoon John A
I so agree. The just might quit on his. Mitt is known for his exploitative skills. Mitt didn't do the letters "M" "I" "W" and "T" "F" "Y"as in: I, Mitt, will take from you.
I read your post in FT and found it very informative.
Are you read for another chuckle?
Leezza, Leezza, Leezza. ... I love her very much.
Libyan rebels rummaging through Moammar Gadhafi's compound discovered a photo album with pictures of Condoleezza Rice, who has long fascinated the Libyan leader in an interview in 2007 with Al-Jazeera TV, Gadhafi gushed about the former secretary of State, the Associated Press reports.
"I support my darling black African woman," he said. "I admire and am very proud of the way she leans back and gives orders to the Arab leaders. ... Leezza, Leezza, Leezza. ... I love her very much. I admire her, and I'm proud of her, because she's a black woman of African origin."
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2011/08/rebels-find-album-of-condoleeza-rices-photos-in-gadhafi-compound/1?csp=34news
Here's the ironic part I thought about the interview last night. That is truly hilarious. I saw the video on an Arab TV website several years ago . I can't remember it. It starts with a "M". I think it's MRTV . Anyhow, the video was an interview of his speaking in his words . I searched but could not find the old video.
I did find this.
Maybe Ghadffi is mad and removed the video.
http://www.mathaba.net/news/?x=604252
http://www.mathaba.net/news/?x=553609?related
Gaddafi also considered President Obama a friend. I don't think Gaddafi feels that way now.
Romney better start going after his GOPTP opponents first before spending so much time on the incumbent who is not, at this time, his opponent. Otherwise, it's Goodbye, Charlie--I mean Mitt.
It's one thing to point out the hard times of parents, it's another to have lived hard times first hand.
"aid to the industry"?
I don't even know what he is talking about - do you?
I don't know nor care what Cheney's opinion was - what difference does it make.
The peak is a historic, economic fact.
BTW - Boehner said "he" got 98% of what "he" wanted.
The tea party never said that.
Boehner and McConnell are not the big problem Obama and libs are, but I have no problem throwing Boehner and McConnell out - they are simply old DC go along to get along politicians that helped get us into the mess.
Hellllllooooooooooo Mitt:
I don't know where you've been, but DeLay is your guy - you know, the one who's smellin' like a felon.
Next Romney is going to get Count Dracula from Sesame Street.
So he's saying he can relate to "regular folks" simply because his ancestor's were "regular folks"... Give me a break.
Right?
All us regular folks are planning on bulldozing a 12 million dollar mansion & replacing it with one FOUR times it's size...
Most regular folks I know are struggling to keep a roof over their head!
PS: Willard doesn't strike me as a Campbell's soup kind of guy - more like a lobster bisque for his silver spoon!
TOM----What are you worried about your state has only about 4.8% un-employment and you went from a 4.2 billion dollar deficit to a 1.8 billion dollar surplus and your state was upgraded to triple a status from S&P. Be Happy.
Crazy right time4truth? Funny how a little "change" in government can do eh? I'm thinking Tom is "Big" Government, so what happens here in Florida doesn't count. But that's jut my opinion.
What's Governor Scott's approval rating again?
Not sure where you're getting your data from, Florida has a 10.6% unemployment rate (above the national average). Not sure about the S&P rating for Florida, but if Rick Scott keeps going the way he is, we won't be sitting pretty soon.
Me myself have had a 100% employment rate since I was 13 and had a paper route (I'm now 47).
I believe it's 35% or close to it, but I thought you said approval rating don't count or would that only apply to people you don'y like? Fair question.
Ah, paper routes, boy those were good times, I too had one at 14.
There's over a million people unemployed in Florida. I own a house in West Palm... but I can't live there... I have had to go out of state to find work. My family is there and if I'm lucky, I get to see them once a month. If I'm lucky. Florida isn't doing well. Too many homes were speculated and the inventory is so great that sales of existing homes are in the toilet. I have lost over 50K in equity and I bought my home in 02 before the bubble... That means I can't even think about selling it until the economy turns around and property values go up... if they ever do. The bubble didn't just flatten prices, it dropped them into a deep hole.
Tom & Paul in FL: hope you've battened down your hatches.
Wasn't your governor the hack who stole all the money in the health care industry ? No wonder he doesn't like the ACA. It will make it harder to steal in the future.
dirp,
I'm on the Gulf Coast, but I hope it goes right out into the Atlantic.
Mitt's referencing his grandparents from Wales just proves that Mormons know their geneology - doesn't make him a regular guy...
Richey Rich Romney can destroy companies, fire workers and make money for himself. Just how is that experience suppost to be good for America?
Successful businessman and Governor is a much better resume for President than 'radical community organizer'.
So you think a successful businessman should kill companies and fire workers to enrich themselves.
No wonder you don't like President Obama.
Obama 2012
Regular guys do not live like Mitt lives.
This "regular guy" crap has to stop. Chris Matthews pulls this too. And where is he this week? On Nantucket hanging out in his 4 million dollar house most likely. Not exactly a place where regular guys hang out.
These people are so full of it. Regular guys don't hire gardeners, Mitt. We do our own gardening.
And fight in wars.
President Obama is the only person in this country who should be president. No one comes close to his intellect or making something out of himself by hard work and tenacity. And he did it on his own, without all the white privileges Mitt got.
Mitt Romney is a joke. Perry is another one.
These "men" are pathetic. They aren't leaders. They are kiss ups to the wealthy only.
Mitt is worth $250-$300 million.
And he has the audacity to think he's a regular guy?
Pat, you are delusional in using this class warfare crap, while your President is in Martha's Vineyard, for God's sake, hanging out with multi millionaires.
Regular 'guys' also don't strap the families Irish Setter ,'Seamus' to the roof of the car for a 'road trip' with the kids...
Pat If President Obama is the smartest how come he can't fix the mess the dumbest person let for him? By the way I would never vote for Romney and I wont vote for Obama again.
Hillary 2012 ( still hoping)
If President Obama is the smartest how come he can't fix the mess the dumbest person let for him?
Republican-Tea Baggers road blocks.
How about the republicans blocking and filibustering any bills that might have a chance of jobs or turning our economy around?
time4thruth doesn't want to admit to that the republicans not only caused this mess, but are fighting to keep the mess in place so they can put the blame on Obama.
Lying is the only way a republican can hope to win. All the little minions on here, doing the masters bidding by repeating lies over and over like they think they are faux news.
2/3 to 1/3. Let's blame our own party for awhile. Mr. Obama Pelosi and Reid have let us down.
Hillary 2012
time4truth: It's called the "procedural filibuster". Look up how many times Senate Republicans have used it in the last 3 years, then come back here and tell me how Democrats had "control" of Congress.
Go ahead, I'll wait.
"Republican-Tea Baggers road blocks."
I think those are called "record numbers of fillibusters"??
But just like the word 'Bush'- I suppose we are not supposed to bring those up...
Bravo, Pat Boston!
Time 4truth - Well you've got the 2/3 right again. However, I would take blame away from Pelosi as she has consistently been the strongest of the triumvarate you listed.
Perhaps I share some of your angst against our elected democrats even if I don't share your enthusiasm for a potential Obama primary contender. I wonder who you will support if Clinton does not run against Obama. Surely you would want Obama to win if only for his veto pen?
Romney's wife's grandfather was a coal miner, Kevin Bacon played a mentally-challenged houseguest in Digging to China, which is like mining for coal; Mitt Romney is three degrees of separation from Kevin Bacon!
Amy----Kevin Bacon may be more of a "regular guy" than Mitt Romney.
And, Mitts father was born in Mexico (reportedly to American citizens)....umm
Enter the Birthers!
Is he related to Perry then?????
Maybe they are brothers....
@Not as stupid as yo uthink........
Now, that's curious......Perry and Romney....brothers or perhaps cousins!..lol
Why would it matter where Romney's father was born?
Paul-Florida
Why did it matter where Barack Obama's father was born?
Mitt Romney is an anchor baby !!!!!
Who the hell names their kid Willard anyway?
Comedy club hits FR. LOL and thanks Chilled, Not as, Amy, dirp, Feisty--
I don't know why Amy, who cares, but why do you make it an issue? Because others do?
dirp,
If your parents are US Citizens and have a child out of the country, they're no anchor babies.
Actually I like eggs with my Bacon!
i've never cared much for people pretending to be something they're not. but maybe he is a '"regular" republican?
He is definitely a regular politician.
Poor Romney. He is so hogtied. He can't state any of his progressive positions. (He is trying hard to forget them.) So, he is stuck with this pathetic alliteration of D's. His attacks on Obama are SO weak and he should be attacking Perry's extreme positions. Last time, McCain was really mean to Romney in the debates and Romney could not counterattack, because he is completely vulnerable to the slam that he has flip-flopped on everything in his political life. It is sad what the teabaggers have done to moderate conservative realists that can't show enthusiasm for all of the bat----. Romney better get mean - better show some stomach for talk of treason and beatdowns for those don't agree with him. He needs a swagger. Both W. and Perry have a Texas swagger. And they have mastered those four and five word sentences. Romney even looks like a nice guy - looks like he doesn't even want duke it out with Perry. Whereas, Perry's got that crazy look in his eyes.
The only way any of the moderates will be able to get past the crazies is own up to their positions and embrace them. Instead of distancing himself from his Mass. plan, Romney should say he signed it because that is what the people of MA wanted.
He could then say that his plan could work in another state, like Texas, but it would require a strong executive like himself to get it through the legislature. He could say "Now take Mr. Perry for example, bless his heart, he's done a lot for Texas. He rolled back education funding, rolled back the average wage, increased the number of people eligible for the new health programs for uninsured.
For those who don't know, "bless his heart" is one of the lowest "compliments" a person can give. More of Mr. Perry's less ardent fans should start using it.
Now
Gov. Romney is wrong to play this silly game because anyone can do it. Romney: Awol, aloof, arrogant. or Romney: Desperate, deceitful, doubtful. Gov. Romney would do better to concentrate on HIS ideas for the country and on HIS ways of making that happen. That might include explaining HOW he would get Congress to pass his legislation....it might include talking about other people he will listen to or depend on... We do not need a family history to decide if Gov. Romney is "everyman," and his painful attempts to link himself with the stories of his parents and grandparents more or less prove the point.
Romney supports the immediate balance budget.
Ask Romney why he wants 55 million Americans having to take an immediate cut of 30% in the Social Security checks?
Ask Romney why millions more should take an immediate 30% cut in their Medicare?
Why does Romney support our troops taking an immediate 30% cut in their paycheck?
Why does Romney support an immediate 30% cut to our children's education?
Or does Romney support 30% tax increases to produce a balanced budget today?
Americans are demanding to know what Romney would cut and what taxes he will raise to produce a balanced budget today. If it doesn't result in 42 cents in less spending or more revenue for every dollar spent, than he's flip flopping again.
Dan,
Post the link on where Romney supported military pay cuts?
Romney's father was a profile in courage. He lost the 1968 Republican nomination to Nixon because he said that his earlier support for the Vietnam War was due to "brainwashing" by the U.S. military and Vietnamese diplomatic officials. Mitt learned the wrong lesson. George Romney laid it on the line. And yes, the American military brainwashed alot of American politicians on the Vietnam War. The skeptical ones, like Mitt's old man eventually became, WERE PROVEN RIGHT. George Romney would have made a splendid president. I am afraid Mitt just can't be his own man. If he could look into the cameras and state that some people in his own party are NUTS, he might just slog through to the nomination. But this strategy of bashing his own healthcare program is pitiful.
So Mitt's story of personal struggle was his Dad's. Mitt's never seen a hard day in his life. This guy is totally out of touch with the struggles of today's middle class. Yeah Mitt keep telling people you're unemployed too. Most unemployed people tear down mansions on the beach to build new bigger ones. Happens all the time...
D-nice,
What's the pay scale for Middle Class? No I'm not saying Romney is Middle Class, I just curious what YOU think Middle Class is.
Mitt is a 4 times loser. He is a total flip flopper. He sways with the wind. President Obama is the smartest person that has been in the white house ever. You know the Bushes were dumb. The whole Republican motif is to trash the country and try to takeover the white house. After the country has hit rock bottom, there is no where to go but up.
Mitt is so played!. The Repubs won't nominate him because he is in a cult. What happened to Newt? When the congress is returned back to the Dems, you will see a change. But remember to get your own house in order. Stop eating out so much. Grow a garden in your yard and teach your kids a little Botany. Help your kids in school. Maybe they can boost their grades and get a scholarship for college. Teach them about work ethics. Even if your kid volunteers, make sure he does it on a regular bases. The government cannot help your individual household. Only you can. Husbands stop being punks and take care of your family. Do whatever it takes to feed your family. Even if it means working two jobs, joining the reserves or selling one of your cars.
Romney was being way too kind.....! I could easily go thru the entire alphabet finding appropriate words to describe the harm Obama has caused the country! The impossible task would be to come up with a positive word to describe Obama's effect on the country!