Perry backs off 'vulture' attack on Romney and Bain

 

BLYTHEWOOD, SC -- The vulture flies no more.

Gov. Rick Perry's address to about 40 diners at famed Southern cookin' joint Lizards Thicket Thursday offered a healthy helping of anti-Obama rhetoric with a side of swipes at the "insiders" who are running for the presidency.

But his least appetizing metaphor for Mitt Romney -- one in which he graphically compared Romney's former company Bain Capital to a vulture picking at the carcasses of damaged companies -- had vanished from his speech.

The Texas governor first unveiled the "vulture capitalism" term on Tuesday, echoing a similar line of attack to Newt Gingrich has used against the former Massachusetts governor.

Perry used the term three times in one speech yesterday but then appeared to abruptly drop it during later campaign stops.

The wave of Bain attacks has subsided as conservative commentators ripped Perry for being "anti-free-market" and providing fodder for Democratic critics of Romney, should the presumed frontrunner become the GOP's nominee.

In Blythewood, he began a sentence that sounded like a possible wind-up to a defense against those pundits.

"I'm a capitalist and I believe in the profit motive, but there is a point in time where we have to say 'Wait a minute, what is going on here?'" he began.

But instead of launching into the story of workers in Gaffney, SC laid off at the hands of Bain -- a staple for the last few days in South Carolina -- he dinged the US Treasury for its cozy relationships with Wall Street banks, a months-old critique.

Perry's tempered criticism comes against the backdrop of a defection by a top Perry backer, Barry Wynn, to Romney's campaign. Wynn told the Associated Press that the Texas governor's recent attacks on Romney's record at Bain had spurred his decision to switch sides in the primary.

Asked about the "vulture" capitalism swipe on a Fox News interview Thursday, Perry did not disavow the attack outright but implied that his examination of Bain's record could help voters determine if Romney is a "flawed candidate" before the general election.

"The fact is, this process is about winnowing out individuals and testing whether or not they're a flawed candidate or not," he said. "And I will tell you when people can point to where you made a quick profit and kicked people out of their jobs, that is an issue that has got to be addressed."

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When Mitt Romney Came To Town — Full, complete version

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLWnB9FGmWE

Mitt Romney's campaign to be POTUS is really a quest at the ULTIMATE HOSTILE TAKEOVER. He will dismember our economy and sell it off to the highest bidders (whether they be foreign or domestic).

Those who were duped by George W. Bush now wish to double down on that mistake.

  • 3 votes
Reply#26 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:24 PM EST

you see an interesting looking world, in that drug-induced stupor of yours......

    #26.1 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:49 PM EST

    Grandpa...if you can't handle the truth get out of the kitchen...nothing to add so you try to discredit... old game and very lame...

    • 1 vote
    #26.2 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 3:49 PM EST

    Did you watch the (Newt Gingrich's) video production Grandfather-2041741 ?? Or, have you decided you don't want to know anymore about RINO Romney?

    Perhaps, the drugs you would do best to discuss, GRANDFATHER, are: Aricept, Namenda, Exelon, Razadyne and Cognex.

      #26.3 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 4:09 PM EST
      Reply

      Well, well--someone's cracking the whip on Perry for actually thinking for himself.

      • 1 vote
      Reply#27 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:26 PM EST

      It is not so much that people object to what Bain and Romney were doing- as much as the fact that they were seriously overcompensated for what they "contributed". This gives rise to the perception that the usual "fix" is in- that is to say that rich insiders skirt ethics, legality and morality to reap in huge unwarranted profits at the expense of the workers. That these profits are than shared with office seekers who protect their wealthy donors only adds fuel to the fire. Most people are not envious of money and power (envious of Ghaddafi!? for example). But when they choose to use that wealth and sought after power to do things in the public arena then they may expect that there will be questions about how and where they amassed that wealth.

      • 1 vote
      Reply#28 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:32 PM EST

      Will any conservative please explain to me how every candidate espouses less regulation in business and then complains about Romney's un-regulated venture capital business.

      Do you guys remember Enron, MF Global, Lehman Bros.???

      All of them had no watchdog, all of them failed and took hundreds of billions with them to the wastebin.

      • 4 votes
      Reply#29 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:33 PM EST

      They are only complaining cuz they are losing....nothing magic about it...

      • 1 vote
      #29.1 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:50 PM EST
      Reply

      How many times on Newsvine (and elsewhere) have we seen GOPeaParty supporters say "Anyone but Obama 2012" ?

      These folks are so desperate to defeat Barack Obama, they will literally throw the doors to the White House open for ANYONE who can defeat him. They could not care less what that person's motives are for wanting to be POTUS.

      Thus, they are lining up behind Mitt Romney EVEN THOUGH they KNOW he has a history of saying and doing anything to anybody just so as to gain his objective.

      Today's GOPeaParty is driven by sheer emotion. They are sheep being led to the slaughter. The VERY BIG problem is that they wish to take all of us with them to that doom. These are the folks that gave us two helpings of Bush/Cheney. What does that say about their judgment?

      • 4 votes
      Reply#30 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:38 PM EST

      Yeah....maybe they have too much time of their hands, what with being part of the 4.3 million folks who lost their jobs SINCE he came into office.....just saying

        #30.1 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:52 PM EST

        Grandfather-2041741......

        Please excuse President Obama and us (democrats) for not yet completing the repair of all the damage you folks created between January 2001 & January 2009. You see, we have been working in an environment of active sabotage (from your side).

        Do you recall what the economy and public confidence was like on Dubya's last day in office ? Don't worry. YOU WILL BE REMINDED.

        Good Grief ! The folks that made us sick would have us abandon the sincere efforts of our physician and surrender, yet again, our health to them. In the immortal (corrected) words of George W. Bush: "Fool us once, shame on you. Fool us twice, shame on us." Stopping the loss of jobs (or blood) is not always immediate when (you folks) slit our national throat.

        • 2 votes
        #30.2 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 3:59 PM EST
        Reply

        He finally says something that is correct...and then backs off of it...Ricky, Ricky, Ricky...

        • 2 votes
        Reply#31 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:42 PM EST

        About time...but probably too late. I have an issue with anyone seeking high office (and this is as high as it gets) being this vitriolic (and largely wrong) in a campaign. It points to the candidate's ability to surround him/her-self with something other than gutter trash. Reminds me of the stupid tactic in VietNam that said: We have to destroy a village to save it". What utter nonsense then, and today. Here is a candidate who apparently thinks to destroy his opponet and save himself, he has to destroy himself. Well...mission accomplished, a-hole. Actually, he seems like a nice guy....hard to understand why he didn't recoil at the suggestion of a 'vulture' attack in this case. You get behind in the polls, your advisors tell you to do things that no reasonable person would do, you do them, and commit political suicide....what was the point?

          Reply#32 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:45 PM EST

          As a life-long Liberal, it pains me deeply to see the jackals in the GOP falling out amongst themselves, with each one doing his best to rip his opponent's throat open. Why "can't they all just get along"??? LOL Oh dear, time for a Billy Graham intervention or perhaps Gov. Mike Huckelberry can invoke the word of god and bring about rapture, sooner, rather than later.

          I know this is all too good to be true and it can't last all that long but it sure is fun to watch the piranhas take each other apart. So bring on the popcorn, sit back and enjoy the show folks.

          • 2 votes
          Reply#33 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:50 PM EST

          Why not take a look at all those companies that Bain grabbed up? See how many are still in operation today and hiring workers. Trust me, its a real short list.

          Check on American Pad & Paper. Bought for $5 million, company charged $100 million for "management fees" and then scrapped. This is the type of "capitalism" that Romney fronts.

          No way I want this guy for my President. Can you imagine what he could with a little help from his co-horts in Congress?

          • 3 votes
          Reply#34 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:50 PM EST

          Now that you mentioned Congress.......The govt. "fat cats", like Pelosi, Reid & Obama, in Washington, are using OUR MONEY.

          After they collect OUR tax dollars, they decide what to do with it. (i.e. Solyndra and other "green" money pits, Union bail outs, etc.) What do we get from those losses????

          Answer: NOTHING.

            #34.1 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 3:54 PM EST
            Reply

            Vulture Capitalists Unite...Romney is your man!

            Romney parried the question, noting that Bain Capital had launched Staples and Sports Authority.

            "We didn't take things apart and cut them off and sell them off," Romney said. "We instead helped start businesses."

            OK Mitt, what kind of businesses are you claiming you created?

            STAPLES AND SPORTS AUTHORITY WAGES CAN’T SUPPORT A FAMILY OF 3

            Average pay at Staples and Sports Authority is $8.95/hour according to www.glassdoor.com

            The federal poverty level for a family of three is $18,530.00

            Average pay at Mitt’s start up companies is just $86 over the poverty level for a family of three.

            STAPLES DOWNSIZING /CLOSING LOCATIONS

            Chain store news -May 18, 2011 Framingham, Mass. -- Staples reported Wednesday that first-quarter profit results were softer than expected, and the company slashed its full-year earnings guidance and said it is scaling back on new store construction. Same-store sales slipped another1%.

            The retailer now expects to be closing 10 stores, Reuters reported. In addition, Staples is also in the process of "trimming significant square footage" from its current 18,000-sq.-ft. format, Sargent said. He also said the chain "plans to be aggressive in reducing the size of existing stores," as it has about 500 leases up for renewal over the next three years.

            STAPLES INTENTIONALLY UNDERPAYS EMPLOYEES

            Chain Store News Jan. 28, 2010 - Framingham, Mass. Staples said Friday that it has agreed to pay $42 million to settle several class-action lawsuits related to overtime pay violations. Staples will also drop its appeal of a verdict against the company last year in New Jersey; the $42 million settlement amount includes those associated with the prior New Jersey verdict. The settlement is subject to court approval. It resolves claims dating back to 2002 and covers more than 5,550 current and former employees.

            STAPLES VIOLATES PATENT LAWS

            http://tacticalip.com/2011/01/13/bad-tactics-staples-stapler/

            A lawsuit filed in 2007 against office supply mogul Staples accused Staples of infringing on three of Accentra’s PaperPro patents. A federal jury in California agreed with Accentra last December.

            “We created the best staplers in the world, only to have Staples intentionally try to steal our technology,” PaperPro CEO Todd Moses said.

            Apparently, Staples met with Accentra in September 2003. Back then, Accentra was shooting for a distribution deal with Staples and offered them a sample of its “One-Touch” spring-powered stapler.

            When Staples showed Accentra it’s own “internally developed” stapler technology, Accentra said that Staples’ product raised patent infringement issues. According to the suit, a Staples official even told Accentra executives: “We have tried to work around your patents and have failed.” Nice.

            Critics raved and raved over Staples’ (infringing) spring-loaded stapler, while Staples basked in the stapley glow of its game-changing stapler.

            In a line sure to be imitated in cease-and-desist letters for ages, Accentra’s suit stated, “While imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, imitation by way of patent infringement is theft.”

            Since the jury determined that the Staples’ infringement was willful, there is a possibility of treble damages and injunctive relief, and possibly legal fees as well. Federal District Judge Audrey Collins will probably rule on damages (the jury awarded a total of $2.2 million, which the judge could change) in the first quarter of 2011.

            • 3 votes
            Reply#35 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 2:57 PM EST

            Corporations and the "wealthy" are using their own money ( whether you believe in Capitalism or not).

            The govt. "fat cats", like Pelosi, Reid & Obama, in Washington, are using OUR MONEY.

            After they collect OUR tax dollars, they decide what to do with it. (i.e. Solyndra and other "green" money pits, Union bail outs, etc.) What do we get from those losses????

            Answer: NOTHING.

              #35.1 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 3:53 PM EST

              You forgot to mention the Cheney/Bush years..Talk about putting us in a tail spin..

                #35.2 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 4:32 PM EST

                LEONA-2986819

                Corporations and the "wealthy" are using their own money

                Uhh, actually they aren't. MF Global illegally used client money, Hostess which just filed for bankruptcy leveraged the employee's pension fund and lost it, Madoff just plain took it and spent it.

                No one would be pissed if the wealthy lost their own money, alot of us are pissed for them leveraging and losing OUR money.

                • 2 votes
                #35.3 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 4:40 PM EST

                Leona, it may surprise you to learn that one of the jobs that Congress does is to set the budget for the Government, so of course they decide what to do with Government funds, failure to do so would be a failure to do their job. That applies to both parties and independents, by the way, it's not like the Democrats are the only ones making fiscal decisions or "spending".

                Solyndra was a failed investment, just like many of the investments that Bain made. The critical difference is that Solyndra was done in by unexpected competition and a sudden drop in solar panel prices, but the failed Bain investments were done in by having their working capital drained into Bain accounts and huge debts leveraged onto those companies for Bain's benefit. Bain always made millions in profits, even when their corporate victims went bankrupt and jobs were lost and pensions disappeared.

                • 1 vote
                #35.4 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 5:09 PM EST
                Reply

                "he dinged the US Treasury for its cozy relationships with Wall Street banks, a months-old critique."

                Perry is off tune with this remark since this happened under the Bush Administration. He is sounding more and more like a progressive as opposed to a lefty.

                • 1 vote
                Reply#36 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 3:03 PM EST

                The GOP Clown "Scary Perry" has no political spine, and economically he is the GOP/Tea Begger "Cowardly Clown." Again!

                • 2 votes
                Reply#37 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 3:11 PM EST

                Perry is working hard to go lower than 1%. Maybe Jon Stewart will beat him in S.C.

                • 1 vote
                Reply#38 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 3:38 PM EST

                Honestly, who cares about Rick Perry says? He had something like 500 votes on New Hampshire, it something like 1% or less. He is not on the race, it is very clear. Now what about reports on candidades that really have a chance to win the Republican nominee. Is it much? To ask for MSNBC to get real?

                • 1 vote
                Reply#39 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 3:48 PM EST

                We saw it with Bush-Cheney. We see it with Norquist, Cheney, Rove, the SuperPacs and PACs enforcing it. Boehner, McConnell, Cantor, Ryan and others stubbornly serve it. Cain, Perry, Bachmann, Gingrich and Romney are obviously “puppets” to it. The Tea Party, the Republican Party and even Evangelists have sub-come to the duping and now cater to it. What is “it”? “It” is the “more” mentality, the insatiable “more” appetite that they strive to constantly feed in exchange for the strong overt and covert support from the influential, powerful and extremely wealthy few. It is with that appetite that “the few” take pride in their accumulation without having any conscience for honesty or integrity. It is what is aggressively pushing America towards being a two-class society with “the few” (1%) competing in having it all and the majority (99%) struggling to survive, as statistics clearly prove. To ignore it, to fail to recognize and reject it, will simply encourage the return to “more of the same”, Bush-Cheney style, which will again serve only “the few” while giving the majority just more apathy, more costs and more of the subterfuge to rationalize and deceive. Even worse, to now be swayed that the majority can ever expect to gain while keeping the focus on feeding “the few’s” “more” appetite, is not only economically impossible but also historically proven to be a costly con.

                • 1 vote
                Reply#40 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 3:55 PM EST

                Honestly, who cares what Rick Perry says? He had something like 500 votes on New Hampshire, it is like 1% or less. He is not on the race, it is clear to anyone. How about corvering candidates that have a chance to win the Republican nomination? What about Ron Paul, he finished on a strong second, lets hear what he has to say. Is it much to ask for MSNBC to get real?

                • 1 vote
                Reply#41 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 3:58 PM EST

                Perry's money guys were getting nervous and shut him up

                • 2 votes
                Reply#42 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 3:58 PM EST

                I wonder how many zero's were on the check that made Perry sell out America,,,,,,,,,,,Again

                • 3 votes
                Reply#43 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 4:10 PM EST

                when his lord and savior Rush Limbaugh calls, Perry is more than happy to sell out his country or state for free...

                • 2 votes
                #43.1 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 4:44 PM EST
                Reply

                Perry needs to go home to Texas. We all know he wants to kiss Romney's butt now because he will want something from Romney if he gets the nomination. Fine. Go home and shut up, Mr. Perry, everybody has figured out you a doofus.

                • 1 vote
                Reply#44 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 4:18 PM EST

                Bonhe head finally speaks some truth, and backs away. This guy is so allergic to reality he can't even stand by, or anywhere near, his own statements when they are true.

                How do you know Rick Perry is lying? He won't stick to the story! LOL!

                  Reply#45 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 4:32 PM EST

                  thanks for clearing that up Rick,

                  It's OK to be a greedy, job killing capital elitist - but only if you are a Republican Conservative running for President...

                    Reply#46 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 4:42 PM EST

                    Romney should be glad all they r talking about is Bain capital (venture capital or vulcure capital?)

                    what really should be the story is Solamere. a romney family company, some very interesting things happening there

                    here's some ammo

                    he Romney’s family personal investment firm of Solamere
                    needs to be transparent. The Romney family formed Solamere investment firm for
                    their family and close friends use. Solamere is tied to the Romney campaign.
                    The Romany’s formed two different but linked companies out of Solamere,
                    Solamere Advisers, its secondary group, has people from Stanford which are
                    under criminal charges and investigations for scamming investors as part of a
                    Ponzi scheme.

                    John Rakolta Jr. CEO of Walbridge along with Scott Romney
                    are National financial co-chairs for Romney’s campaign. Rakolta is linked to the pay and play under
                    investigation in a Detroit Corruption probe.
                    Wayne county executive Fanico, has refused to hand over the bid and
                    contracts of Rakolta’s in a corruption probe on a jail slated to be built. Terry Mullins, was working with Rakolta on
                    the building of the jail, and Mullins is rumored to have been having an affair
                    with Rakolta. Mullins was working for Wayne County when the bid to build the
                    jail went to Rakolta. Mullins has
                    donated money for Rommey’s campaign switching from the Democratic Party, to
                    Republican Party. Scott Romney is also a
                    director for Solamere.

                    an even more

                    Romney has refused to release his tax records, refused to
                    give names of his bundlers. Many
                    Americans do not know of Romney’s links to an ongoing corruption probe in
                    Michigan, the state Romney grew up in and many of his family members remain
                    living in.

                    • 1 vote
                    Reply#47 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 4:55 PM EST

                    no problem. BHO will pick up the meme where these scared rats left off and then some!

                      Reply#48 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 4:58 PM EST

                      remember when Perry announced he was jumping in? The republican Ditto Heads beat a path to his door. He jumped to the top of the poles..Same with the other presidential republicans.What an embarrassment to the party...

                        Reply#49 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 5:02 PM EST

                        I said it before and I'll say it again...they need to completely postpone these elections and get all new candidates...why must we settle for these idiots I ask. I think the people need to grow a set and stop settling for the lesser...that's what got us in this mess. We need someone with a far more stronger character than the pathetic candidates we have we have at the moment. They have proved beyond question they are just a bunch of dolts not worthy of consideration.

                          Reply#50 - Thu Jan 12, 2012 5:36 PM EST
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