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Carrie Dann/NBC
Ann Romney, in a West Des Moines, Iowa, home on Friday, discusses the softer side of her husband, Mitt, the former Massachusetts governor seeking the Republican presidential nomination.
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa -- Standing comfortably among couches, coffee, and an impeccable Christmas tree in a suburban Iowa living room, Ann Romney wants you to know about the softer side of the man mocked in the press as "The Mitt-Bot."
"He's there," Mrs. Romney said of her husband after describing his tender support for her when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. "He's steadfast. You can count on him. He won't abandon you in the hardest times."
Speaking to a group of about 25 women supporters outside of Des Moines, Mrs. Romney offered the emotional story of her struggle with MS and her associated spiral into depression. She described her husband as a deeply compassionate partner whose unconditional love offered "a turning point in the disease."
The family motto oft repeated throughout their 42 years of marriage, she said, was: "No other success can compensate for failure in the home."
The deeply personal anecdotes about the Romney family aren't new material for the former Massachusetts first lady; Mrs. Romney has long spoken about her husband's compassion during her illness.
But the emphasis on the Romney's 42-year marriage -- and the struggle associated with Ann's illness -- strikes a new nerve as the campaign battles against surging Newt Gingrich, a candidate once largely dismissed as an also-ran because of his personal indiscretions and extramarital affairs.
Offering a stark contrast Friday to Romney's caricature as the political equivalent of a CPU with Ken-doll hair, his wife described him as a fun-loving and even mischievous father.
"Mitt is not what you think at home. He is my most disobedient child," she joked.
"He likes to play jokes. He likes to always have a light moment."
Garrett Haake contributed to this report.
Leave a Comment:
Of course not, Willard will only abandon whatever his principle of the moment is!
Mittens is
cluelesscore-less - end of story!But if you're among the 99%, he will throw you under the bus.
Good to see ya Jack!
I see you're as addicted to FR as the rest of us! ;o)
Trust the daughter arrived at the cotillion safe & sound!
I waiting for the pizza!
Fiesty,
Gawd, it is addicting, isn't it?
Yep, she's there. Now I'm going to go curl up with a book, maybe watch a little Rachel Maddow, and wait for a text to pick her up.
This time I really am going away!
Enjoy the pizza!
(Whoa! Who's the nut below who wants to blow up the world with TNT? And is it her soul that Mrs. Romney is baring? Maybe I ought to stick around.)
Mitt is like a SLINKY...the only way he is any fun is if you push him down the stairs !!!.....................Oh great ...I'm sittin' on dynamite...perfect ...
I think at this point,the GOP should try a Jehovah's Witness candidate.....Oh thats right...the GOP doesn't like ANY witnesses.....
Thanks Jack but, I can handle myself!
As for Mr. DYNAMITE (below) - the bartender should of cut him off hours ago!
Enjoy your book!
We have a nice fire burning in the hearth & there isn't enough bile & hatred that will snuff out the buzz! ;o)
Mrs. Mitt wont say that in Michigan as hubby Mitt got the vote and later said let the Auto Industry fail, after promising the State he would fight to save the Auto Industry. Man of his word Mitt isn't but he will tell you what you want to hear.
Life for middle-class Americans has continually gotten worse through every GOP administration over the past 30 years.
GOP is the enemy of the American People.
.
Ann was just contrasting her husband with Newt. Hell, Newt would have went for another model 5 minutes after the diagnosis.
I think this is important. I detest people that are disloyal ....
If there's a chance the Repub will be President, give me the loyal one...
[Mrs. Mitt on Mitt: 'He won't abandon you']
Uhm, not so fast...Seamus might have somethng to say about that...
and to think this is the best the T-Pubs have to offer. For all of the hate that is thrown at the current administration, you would think these guys would find someone to challenge.
Man, you people suck! what a cynical bunch you are. Don't you all just wish you had a spouse who would stick up for you like that.
WEAK AND PITIFUL
Memo to the RNC: This is why we DON'T WANT HIM. Romney is weak and pitiful. Now he is calling out his wife to attack the Big Bad Newt.
BTW, mostly, I like to keep my religion and politics separate. O.K., but tell me Mitt, if you are a Christian, did you ever hear of forgiveness. Also, you know those Salt Lake Olympic Games you are so proud of -- those -- well, there happens to be some dirt there too -- payola, hookers for Olympic Selection Committee. Not the sort of stuff one might expect of a church going man. Sling mud -- look out for the mud.
Mitt and the rest of the Republicans have no ethics or principles. They've demonstrated that, ad nauseum(sp), over the last twenty years. The massive lies and hypocrisy have gone into massive overdrive in the last few years. They don't even try to hide it any more.
They are the American Taliban who loathe women and are jealous of the freedoms the US was supposedly founded on. Freedoms require courage-which these folks lack. Grand Olde Perverts is what they continually demonstrate.
On the Democrat side what's mainly demonstrated is a terminal lack of spine. The Republicans did have a good bunch of ideas, but since Obama has tried to utilize them in efforts to solve problems the Repubs have gone rabid on them.
Rhino: Cynical?? Surely you jest....When all you have standing up for you is your spouse (and no doubt his dog)...might be time to re-evaluate the "calling" thing. Romney is the BEST thing to happen to Democrats since McCain/Palin...
Mitt is squeaky clean in his personal life. It is his political and business life that need not be analized to deeply. But if he is the nominee the hate radio jocks and the faux reporters will have thier minnions walking in lockstep by November. If nothing else it will be entertaining to watch the Baptists, Pentecostals, and Evangelicals go marching to the polls like they are told to vote for a Morman. Also watching gunnuts, teabaggers, and antichoice zombies going to vote for a man whose position on such issues until 4 years ago was to the left of the current resident of the Whitehouse will be amazing to watch.
As someone who had to endure Mitt's term in office in Massachusetts, I can say he won't leave you - he'll just scr*w you over. He spent 50% of his time out of state, bad mouthing his constituents. What time he did spend in the state was on two things - the Big Dig and health care. Well, I have to admit, the health care thing worked out pretty good, but he was kind of backed into a corner by the legislature on that one. As for the Big Dig, we'll be paying for that for decades to come, never mind all the repairs that are already being done. The day the finished it is the day we began repairing it.
Feisty Redhead Roselle, you are an idiot. A woman bares her soul and talks about her supporting husband and you accuse Romney of loving his wife for what? a vote of convenience? That makes no sense.
If someone wanted to shift like the wind they would hire and fire their SPOUSE, hit the strip clubs, and be non-commital.
I am not in favor of any politician but it seems to me that that mr. romney has a good woman by his side and he has a good marriage.
Then vote for him @!$%# & quit while you are ahead! ;o)
TNT - so what - it doesn't make him presidential material - It's what he did with his life that's important - like Bain Capital - buying up companies - dismantling them - selling bits and pieces to the highest bidders - with no consideration for the workers just to line his pockets
I'm glad they have a good marriage but so has Obama - it's the man you vote for not the spouse!
I'd have to agree as far as Romney's personal character being important. Give credit where credit is due. Yes Romney flip-flops all over the place but I like the fact that he's a family man and seems to have some kind of character and personal loyalty, important traits for a President me thinks...
Newt, have to agree as his personal life is important. And I am happy he is happily married, and very happy for his wife to have him. His business side is also important. And because of that, no f ing way would I want him for a dog catcher position.
Do you know how many lives he may have ruined so he could make more millions? Research his work history. He is IMO, a piece of doggy doo. And I apoligize to the doggy doo for lumping him with you.
TNT : ok, so his wife likes him and there aren't any exes he's walked out on. Well now that's something to write home about isn't it. And you don't think the Republican bar for presidential candidates is just a tad LOW??
This is why i totally lose interest in a candidate.. when they drag out the spouse . I have enough problem believing the one who's running ...Then for some unknown reason .. they think their spouse can seal the deal .. I see her as a dishonest person just because she knows he is lying. And doesn't call him on it .She backs up his lie !.Its like the minute i see any candidate on the TV.. i change the channel or turn off the sound!
Hard to believe that they believe in same sex marriage !!! .... Well, she said they had the same sex every time...all 5 times.......I'm just sayin'...
say it isn't so
1. hate when candidates drag out their wifes - you must have loved Cain until he actually had to drag her out.
2. turnound down onf tv when candidate is on - guess that could work for the masses - who needs to know anything about a candidate they may vote for..
3. guess you must not be a supporter of the debates - with no sound and all...
No i truly believe he is a pervert ! And your right i don't trust anyone in our current government ! Everyone of them is bought and paid for ...no need to hear more lies ..! The debate questions are chosen ahead of time ..
Thats it ! I could never figure out what he remonded me of... Yes. A CPU plug-in, ken doll,robotic presence. Either way, I wasn't going to vote for him anyway. Since he is another Wall Street Exec. It seems he will allow the same stuff that put us in this mess in the first place. Even though in this election, I will be voting Republican. Bachmann-Paul or Paul-Bachmann 2012 !!
He's MAX HEADROOM.....
Imperfectly Frank - thank you - for throwing away your vote - one for our side - do you have friends and neighbors to cnvince them to vote like you?
Actually, Mrs. Romney, we were hoping he would abandon us.
What else would she say?!
This is a doozy of a story...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
"He won't abandon you"
But as a politician, he is required to cornhole you.
From the article: "Mitt is not what you think at home. He is my most disobedient child," she joked.
There you have it. I will leave all of you with the image of Mitt as a naughty child in the Romney household.
Sailcat - I really am rolling that phrase in my mind - what exactly does that mean - she rules the roost - or he puts his hands in the cookie jar - or he gets himself dirty playing in the sandbox - needs to be spanked "What a Phrase"
Most women do not speak of their husbands that way unless they are in charge and not he!
Excellent observation, Barbara. It's very apparent Mitt's wife does not regard him as an equal, does she?
Is that the first wife ? Or is that one of the sister-wives ?
Congratulations- I've voted you 'most ignorant commenter of the day!'
This is BS...I have Multiple Sclerosis too, and her husband wants to get rid of the health care law which ensures that people like she and I do not get thrown off of our insurance, but what does she care her husband can take care of her, and she has Romneycare. What a hypocrite!
Excellent point.. And I'm wondering why, to date, nobody has called her out on it..
22philli I had a friend in VA with MS - do you know what helps - the weed - it enabled her to run her General Store - walk straight - and be a functioning adult - see if you can get some medical mariyuana
Marijuana is a God send. Its qualities rival that of aspirin. Ask any who uses for medical reasons. As a cancer survivor I smoked and it really helped with the chemotherapy & radiation. Legalize and tax it.
I would much rather consume marijuana in brownies. It should legalized and taxed. By doing that, it would save America millions every week by not fighting a useless war on drugs, especially along the Mexican border.
Mitt wouldn't throw us under the bus. He would have shut down the bus company and sold all the buses overseas or something. There wouldn't be any buses to run over anyone. Transportation is a pesky government agency to be gotten rid of.
Just because you stay married to the same person doesn't mean they make good political decisions for the country. One has nothing to do with the other.
The only thing Mitt wouldn't abandon is abandoning one side of issues for the other side, and abandoning supporters of one side of issues for the supporters of the other side of the same issue. Meaning, he is unstable on all issues. His wife knows that, too, but Mit has robbed off much on her after what they call a long marriage, that she doesn't even know where she now stands.
Let me get this straight: "He won't abandon you" is the Mitt's politcal slogan? OMG, you've got to be kidding. We should vote for the slug because he won't abandon us? Pitiful. GOP, you are a pitiful lot.
Yeah Romney won't abandon you: lobbyists, Wall Street, Oil companies, Big Business, Special Interest Groups. The rest of us you might as well kiss your a$$ goodbye, because we don't have the money good ole Mitt wants.
A choice between the dismal failure, a candidate that puts me to sleep every time he speaks and another one that has morphed into a womanizing troll?
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm, what a choice. Thanks for the lame ass options right wing, this is reality....sad
Mitt's new campaign slogan:
ROMNEY -- THE BEST OF A BAD LOT.
Sorry Mitt these Republican Pharisees have chosen Barabbas (Newt). They are out for blood so you have to be crucified. Family values have given way to destroy Obama. They have sold you (Mitt) out for twenty pieces of silver and a promise of a hatchet attack on Obama. As the good book says "there will come a time when men will not endure sound doctrine".
Carl - you're actually right until you came to the "sound doctrine" Willard has now adopted Paul Ryan's "kill Medicare bill" so much for standards
Carl Posts with a good book theme are like when I was in the 6th grade when the sisters would use them to teach us about math, american history, and english. You make a great point with it.
Not exactly a ringing endorsement. "He won't abandon you." How many presidents do? They all serve out their terms, unless they are forced out by impeachment. Of course, Palin did abandon Alaska, probably a relief to the people there.
Democratic trick, Tax Corporation,
but in fact, corporation don’t pay any taxes, any increase in taxes is passed
to the consumer. Cut in corporate taxes will increase profit for investors
along with your 401K. Think you should
have Federal tax and State tax, Federal tax goes to DC and State tax goes to
your state. That will eliminate trillions in PORK, make the system more
efficient and states have money on hand to run its business. Gasoline tax that
is embedded tax used to build road and bridges should be collected in its
entirety by the state The problem with Romney is no plan, can’t find it on
internet or in the news Gingrich outlined his plan, was on the news, on his web
site and Forbs internet magazine article. On the issue of flip-flops, people
change overtime, always voted Democrat, not any more. Social security should be
phased out, you could use Social Security tax to pay your mortgage, and this is
an investment. However, if you opt out, government have to pay you back all
social security taxes you paid in one lump sum or installment
They said tax the rich not corporations but considering the rest of the stuff you typed there is no getting through to you....Looks like you think Newt is the answer...What are you a little Kid whose parents said you can't have Ice Cream Truck money and you think Newts gonna let you scrub toilets for it ?
She must be speaking to the rich and Corporate American and especially gluttonous Grover. Romney cannot identify with any other class in order to abaondon them.
If she means by "not abandon you", that mittens will buy up your job fire everyone then send the business over seas and make a bundle for himself, then sure he won't "abandon you".
mittens; bringing ken doll to life.
Mitt is the man.
He sure abandoned Massachusetts!
Give Perry a break!! What do you expect he is a Texas A&M graduate?
I read recently that Perry's alma mater changed its school motto to "We're sorry! We're a real institution of higher learning! Honest!"
"Texas A&M: We can TOO walk and chew gum at the same time!"
Enough already! What wife is going to say her husband is anything but wonderful. We are not talking about running a family, he wants to run the country with his "flow-with-the flow" policies. Which ever way the winds blow, Mitt blows. These type of so-called news stories have to stop. People don't give a hoot about how he is around the house, they have seen and heard his political policies. Do they thinki people are that stupid?
He won't abandon you? Bull@!$%#; he's abandoned his stances on just about everything he stood for in the past, including Romneycare. He should be considered a fish out of water. He's been flip-flopping more than Newt.