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MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Even presidential candidates, it seems, can be taken by an April Fools’ joke.
Today in Milwaukee Mitt Romney fell prey to a good one by his staffers, who captured the moment on camera with help from Sen. Ron John and Rep. Paul Ryan, both Wisconsin Republicans.
The prank, as re-told by Romney at a pancake breakfast here, unfolded as follows:
"Downstairs is a room just like this one, and it was all set up. They had the black material," Romney said, gesturing to the large ballroom in which his event took place Sunday morning, framed with black drapes to hide the candidate until he is introduced.
"We’re standing back there. You wonder what happens before we get started — we’re all three standing there," Romney said.
As Romney recalled, his staff said to him, “We didn’t get much of a turnout this morning. It’s really small, but it will be okay.”
Ryan was the first to emerge from behind the curtain. Romney could hear him say, “Let’s welcome Ron Johnson and Mitt Romney, the next president of the United States.”
“And so the two of us go out there and it’s completely empty,” Romney continued. “There’s nobody there. I thought, Oh, boy, this is gonna look really bad on the evening news, let me tell you.”
The video of the incident – shot by campaign staffers – shows Romney, known to be a prankster himself, turning bright red as "Born Free" blares in the empty room and he realizes he's been had.
"Oh jeez, you guys are bad," Romney can be heard saying on the camera cell phone.
To those who attended the pancake breakfast Sunday, Romney joked, “This is known as forgive but remember. I’ll tell ya. We’re gonna remember this."
At a lunch stop at Culvers in Johnson Creek, Romney Gave the prank high ratings but said he prefers playing the jokes himself.
"I think they’re much funnier when I do them on other people than when they do them on me," Romney said. "But this was very good. Very very good, this was classic."
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I don't see what's so funny about it . . . seems entirely plausible to me . . .
I think the prank was the part where they introduced Etch-A-Sketch as the next president. Like that is ever going to happen!
Here I thought Romney's entire campaign was an extended April Fool's prank.
Not a good one, though. A good prank needs a hint of plausibility, and nobody's going to believe anything Mitt Romney says.
The GOP clown circus never ends
Hey Mr. Flip Flop Mittens where is your Etch a Sketch?
Has anybody asked Romney to produce his birth certificate?
The GOP still isn't happy with Romney buying the presidency. But it was noted this morning on talk shows that they can't do anything to stop it .They have the supreme court to thank for the downfall of the GOP! Citizens United was a secret way to get the upper hand and it has backfired terribly. And then Romney pulls out his "TOP GUN" lol " RYAN"? This is another "moron" who thinks people don't remember a few months ago when he tried to pull that stunt taking "OUR" Medicare and Social Security .
Here's some April Foolin':
Mittz in da' Hood.
Woke up Mitt at about noon, just thought that he gotta' be in D.C. soon.
Gotta' get drunk on some power again, before America starts bitchin' about his friends.
About to go and damn near went blind, Obama on the pad tryin' to say, "things fine".
Mitt went in the house to get the clip, with his Mac 10 on the side of his hip.
He bailed outside and he pointed his weapon, just as he thought, Biden kept steppin'.
He jump in the Nash, hit the juice in his ride, he got front and back, side to side.
Then he let the Alpine play, he was pumpin' that sh!t the R.N.C. way.
It was "Reid/Pelosi" at the top of the list, then he played his own sh!t, it went somethin' like this:
"Cruisin' down the street in my 64, jockin' the Dems, slappin' the hoes.
I went to the park to get the scoop, Karl Rove out there, flinging some poop.
A car pulls up; who can it be? It's a stretch limo rollin' the Kochs you see.
He rolls down the window and he start to say; "It's all about hittin' that pay for play."
'Cuz' the Mitt in the hood, he try be hard. Come talkin' that trash and we'll pull your card.
Knowin' nothin' in life and he ain't legit. Don't quote him boy, he ain't said sh!t.
Bored as hell and Mitt wanna' get ill. So he go to the club where his homeboys chill.
The fellas out there tryin' to steal that dolla', the 64 Nash just makes 'em holla'.
Greeted with some Dom and Mitt starts drinkin', from the eight ball Mitt's breath start stinkin'.
He gotta' get America to rock that body, before he left, Mitt hit the Bacardi.
Pulled to the house, get her out of the pad and America said somethin' to make Mitt mad.
She said somethin' then he couldn't believe, tried to get her in an economic squeeze.
Started talkin' back; wouldn't you know? Mitt reached back like a pimp, tried to slap, oh no.
Uncle Sam stood up and he started to shout, threw a right cross and knocked Mitt's old ass out!
'Cuz the Mitt in the hood, he try be hard. Come talkin' that trash and we'll pull your card.
Knowin' nothin' in life and he ain't legit, don't quote him boy, he ain't said sh!t.
Punk ass trippin' but it's all right. Willard scored a key, he's gonna' fly, punk ass fly.
(apologies to Easy E)
I know T-Party would love to Ban Gay Marriage? What do they think of Polygamy? Isn't polygamy protected under first amendment.
MoChuck - no one seems to care, but his circumstances are similar to Obama's. Daddy was born in Mexico because Granddaddy took the whole clan South of the Border to escape religious "persecution" for their extreme Mormon beliefs. That's right, the Romney's were illegal aliens in Mexico. His Daddy was a Mexican anchor baby. Family had to sneak back across the border.
In -- Romney buying the presidency? You can't be serious. President Obama spent nearly 3/4 of a BILLION dollars to buy the election (after flip-flopping on his statement to use public funds as all eligible previous candidates had done) and outspent the GOP by nearly 2-to-1.
Projections are he will spend 1 BILLION to try to get reelected.
With all of the crony capitalism and favorable treatment of his donors it would seem that most got their money's worth. The President does not represent Hope and Change but, rather, is a clearl example of a corrupt politician.
This is just his campaign staff's way of letting him down easy for November.
"Look! See? He's human just like you because we pranked him!"
Hey, he was also pranked while wearing jeans! He is a true man of the people who has a home with an elevator for his car, or at least in one of his homes.
"Oh jeez, this is going to look bad on the evening news."
Mittens didn't even seem surprised. lol.
"Isn't polygamy protected under first amendment."
It should be. Either we have religious freedom or we don't. Why should marriage be defined by one branch of the Christian cultists? Why is the Mormon church any less legitimate than any other nutty Christian sect? As long as marriage is between consenting adults, it's none of your business.
Simply having Ryan in the same vicinity is a mega prank. Can you say "huge elephant in the room"?
james-1937467 - oh you should NOT go there. Not after Bush was given the Presidency - twice - because of family money and influence. President Obama was voted in - legitimately - by the majority of Americans. And, will be again in November! Get over it!
Ryan is a Phony, his endorsement is a waste.
Romney supporters are the "fools."
Snoot Dog - would you care to qualify that snooty remark?
And Obama supporters are criminals:
Top Obama campaign donor accused of fraud
"A major donor to President Barack Obama has been accused of defrauding a businessman and impersonating a bank official, creating new headaches for Obama's re-election campaign as it deals with the questionable history of another top supporter."
http://news.yahoo.com/top-obama-campaign-donor-accused-fraud-204442621.html
Mitt...please stop...you and your staffers...you're killing me...you're such hystetrical cut-ups...remember that time with the sick dog on the family's car roof...and the other times when you skimmed those companies for all they were worth, like the characters in Good Fellas did to that restaurant...and then when those companies were basically busted...you down-sized them and sold their American jobs to China...
Just what this country needs!!!
That "secret swiss bank account" joke was a hoot!
pjam09 - there is ONE donor being accused. Let's check out little Mitt's supporters - oh look - how many countries are represented????
Mitt Romney, the next AND greatest president ever! Go Mitt! We love you! America will be back and better than ever! gop house senate prez! Yayyyyy!!!!!
April Fools! Just Kidding! You are doomed in the general election.
russ, you got us, happy april fools to you too!
Dude,,, Even in the outback of Australia people laugh at Romney & republicans,, that's republican with a small "r"
all you hatemongers. who cares what you beggars and clowns think. gooo, mitt!
russ why do you have your back turn..
russ-2423574
Yet another great April Fools joke... goooo russ!
Just saw your shirt... calling us hate mongers... that's a good one!!!
And all this time I didn't think Russ was smart enough to understand the concept of irony!
Gooo Mitt? You got that right Mitt is a gooey candidate! Gooey, mushy, and slushy on every issue.
Speaking of clowns, two cannibals were eating a clown when one turned to other and said, hey does this taste kind of funny to you.
Hey I am the funniest beggar in the park right Russ.
I'll tell you what a good prank would have been, if they came out from behind the curtains and the only four people in the audience was the President, Vice President, and their wives! "Ok Mitt lets hear that stump speech in person" Romney would have pooped his magic underwear!
No it's not an April's fool day prank.... yet another Obama supporter is a known criminal.
Top Obama campaign donor accused of fraud
"A major donor to President Barack Obama has been accused of defrauding a businessman and impersonating a bank official, creating new headaches for Obama's re-election campaign as it deals with the questionable history of another top supporter."
http://news.yahoo.com/top-obama-campaign-donor-accused-fraud-204442621.html
It's no problem the SCOTUS has already fixed it, this guy can donate all he wants to a superpac that supports Obama and he then is insulated, neat huh! Thank you.
Bain Capital is worst than Goldman Sac. Profiting from intellectual properties of others.
I want to know how republicans win without Rush.
or Coultergeist...
Good April fools !
you are too funny....best prank i read all day !
It's nice to see his human side. Paybacks a mofo. Like to see what he pulls on his staff.
He is so ZANY...I thought he was pranking us about running for President ??!!
"Like to see what he pulls on his staff."
He is going to lay them off.
If your employment contract is written on an Etch o Sketch you should be nervous.
Human side? Okay Mitt, turn around and show us your human side...OMG, is that gold bullion?
Romney is an empty suit.
and Obama is?
Why he is the president of the USA of course, he is your president!
The hell he is oh lets see lets reelect a muslim - globalist
who hates his own country. Good God people are you
serious?
@flyingskindog
We are serious when it comes to voting for Obama over the GOP candidates.
flyingskindog - did you really post that stupidity? Your idiotcy is showing big time! Typical right winger. We have a good President who is helping the country recover from the disaster that George Bush created and you buffoons play the muslim crap! Please, go back to mom's basement where you belong!
Best April Fool's joke ever pulled? I sewed the front of all of hubby's underwear shut - and the tops of all his socks. Never have seen a more confused human being.
Ha Why you dirty sneaky sew and sew!
Wow you poor souls.....don't be so uptight.....
Breath in breath out.....
It's humor don't be afraid of it. It won't hurt you. It won't bite you. It won't take something from you. I know you've heard the stories of the evil republicans. They want their kids to die of smog inhalation during a climate change supernatural heat wave with temps of 135 degrees....a nice medium rare as long as the 1%er's profit big who cares.
Isn't that Barack O'failures campaign plan for the upcoming.
Lighten up for Christsakes!
Romney/Rubio 2012
Stand up for our country before it is forever ruined by progressive idealism!
Forrest,
He figured the sock part out in a day. The underwear? Well, took a day or two to figure out I had nailed all of them, too. Would have loved to have been a fly on the wall (get it fly) the first couple of times he had to go the men's room!
Rob,
Hard breathing was what Mr. p was doing when he finally figured out the prank pulled on him! :)
Touché
Point awarded to you! Phine.
Rob,
For the next April 1st that is on a workday morning - I plan on substituting all his socks and underwear with silk (as is ladies silky undergarments). Did I also mention I will be out of the house taking a LONG walk after he gets out of the shower and finds his "surprise"? It may be April Fool's day - but Mama didn't raise one. Discretion is the better part of valor.
Got get 'em
Hey Raab, where did you run off to this morning...had to make a CVS run?
If a man had been drinking that prank might just have caused him to hold his left thumb in his right hand and pee his pants!
Thanks for the humor tip Rob, cause when I think of lighthearted and humorous I think of you pal.
Mickey the Moocher!
Hi - de - hi - de - hi -de - ho!
Don't be a lonely girl??? Theres plenty of websites for you to explore. Freaks abound. Just like you. Revel in it!
Forrest,
The picture of that in my mind just cracked me up! Thanks for the laugh!
[Thanks for the humor tip Rob, cause when I think of lighthearted and humorous I think of you pal.]
Poor Raab...seems everyone is pissing in his Corn Flakes today...
Keep your chins up, Raab...you're bound to get it right sooner or later.
Where did you go Mickey? Stick around.
Our Country. You know A- M - E - E - H - D - E - C - A, we even pay for illegal border jumper's hormone therapy for transgender folks like yourself. Are you preop Mickey? Where are you in your restoration too your "true" self"?
I don't mean to pry,
Just asking. Share who you are Mickey. I don't judge. I'm sure you are a fine fine......individual.
Rob - You didn't know? Mickey is Fiesty's evil twin sister.
What up Mickster?
So Jesus worn a hoodie, eh? Cool - did he have a twitter account with a screen name of 'No limit Nigga'?
Mickey, man my man, what exactly is a 'no limit nigga?
Shall we ask Jesus, Malcolm X, Loius Farrakan, or Al Sharpton?
Oh heck no Mickey, why bother those guys when we got us a big brain like yours.
So, ummm Mickey - No limit, right brother?
Rob....I'm going to add you to the loooooooooong list of arrogant republitards bloggers who I'm going loooooove saying "in your face!!" when Obama gets re-elected in November.
Oilman-Wow,if you think that way,you're really going to be in for a surprise in November.
I'll share, I am a lesbian trapped in a mans body.
Hey Forrest - I suspect you have limits.
I wonder, if by chance you know what Treyvon meant with the whole 'No Limit Nigga' thing?
Seems really odd. No limits/no laws. America = the rule of law.
Strange that no one seems to be able to articulate a response.
Oh well. As long as Rev. Al has a show to do, right?
Plus I just hope my man Mickey is tucked in tight, all night, night.
Well Spanky you say you can't explain it and don't understand it, but at the same time you seem to have decided that you do know what it means, you are saying that it means he did not believe in any laws, he did not believe in rule of law. Not the cold objectivity I would from expect from a lawyer who is a bystander, maybe from a lawyer defending Zimmerman and trying to muck up the facts and influence a jury, but not a tax guy, number cruncher like yourself. The fact is there is no evidence that he broke any laws the day he was killed, wearing a hoodie is not against the law, skittles are perfectly legal, walking down the street talking on a cell phone is legal, even having a ridiculous screen name is legal, and with a stand your ground law that lets you use a handgun on others, I would think scuffling with some guy that is following you and jumps out of his car and approaches you with a handgun on his side in civilian clothing must certainly be legal if that is what happened. This is the second time I have articulated a response, I gave you a response on another thread a day or so ago. I suspect it is something he picked up from a movie or song lyrics and being seventeen thought it was cool. Is it any worse than the goofy kids I see everyday with all kinds of crap poking out of their heads and lips and ears and noses, geez they look like they fell in my tackle box. But it is not against the law and some of those kids are actually pretty intelligent and I suspect many will regret the tattoos and piercings when they mature. But until they do should we question their respect for the rule of law and wonder what the hell that means when they have a hole in their ear as big as a quarter. Can you articulate a response for what the hell these kids mean by haircuts that look like they were done at PetsMart, should we follow them, should we engage them in a scuffle, should we blow them away because they look pretty damn strange and out of place to me? Zimmerman pursued this kid even after he was told not to by police who were on their way, the kids goofy screen name has no bearing on that, it does not justify that. I'm no lawyer but I'll tell you what I think, the same law that gives him his right to stand his ground gives the kid the same right to stand his ground if he did when approached by this goofball Zimmerman. BTW I am still waiting for a good rational explanation of that paint job on your car when you were a teenager.
Maybe it meant there was no limit to the amount of Skittles he could eat?
Maybe it was a premonition and statement that there was no limit being placed on adults like Zimmerman playing Cops and Robbers with real guns?
Maybe it meant there was no limit to his cell phone minutes.
It is odd isn't it Spanky.
Forrest - Spanky is proving again that she is a fool not just April 1st but every day!
Preempt for 2012 Presidential Election Night. "Where did everybody go, it's still early - right?"
nascar is on
And the Prez was re-elected by 14%.
Which Romney came out to speak? No foolin'. It has been an empty suit Muppet all along, and eight actors are taking turns speaking for it, Colbert, Letterman, Stewart, and other jokers. Tune in for November Fool, the defeated Wall Street Muppet who just wanted celebrity and a hobby.
Wow! That's almost as funny as Mitt's dad George having to hide from the people of Michigan that he was closing a factory and moving it to Wisconsin. Those Romney people are so darn funny! <sarcasm>
Ya...those Romney boys...they are a real cackle..just ask Seamus the dog....No $hit !!!
It seems even the bench-warmers over at the GOP are getting hammered lately:
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/04/01/rep-paul-ryan-i-really-misspoke/?hpt=hp_t1
Misspoke? Maybe Ryan "misunderestimated" General Dempsey? Or maybe General Dempsey "misheard" him? Or, Maybe Ryan should stick to putting out bull@!$%# bills that's all "smoke and mirrors" instead of pissing off the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs:
It seems there is already a H-U-G-E problem up there in CheeseLand, what with all the sleepless nights Governor Walker and his merry band of idiots will have between now and June 5th, Rep. Paul Ryan has to go and dig the grave deeper, and throw dirt over Romney in the process.
Wow, i'd know General Dempsey called Paul Ryan a liar in the Wall Street Journal. Folks back in Wisconsin must ge so proud.
Good one Amy! :) Were you in the Congress St. area Friday night? The President and Snoop Dogg! Crazy busy night in Portland.
I was in front of the Museum of Art Friday night, cheered both Obama's limo and Snoop Dogs big, red bus. Were you there?
Excellent! How fun! I'm jealous! No...I was home sick but really wanted to go! Darn it.
It was freezing cold. Just as well you stayed home!
Its nice to hear and see about the human side of Romney or anyone else that is caught up in this political circus.
It is interesting in 5 years we have never heard of the human side of Obama other than him making jokes about Jerry Lewis kids.. I guess where there is no smoke there is no fire.
Obama does have a leg up though on most, he is the fool every month.
Oh billy boy...is that the best ya got ???? APRIL FOOL.......OBAMA/CLINTON 2012 !!!
That had to be an April Fools Day joke huh Bill? --- Or was that the way Fools really think?
Well, back at ya!.... Your neighbor ran away with your wife!
Ha he is going to miss that guy!
Yeah - Apris Fools, you all know kinda like Obamacare.
What, it's a ginormous ball of illegal-ness? The Constitution actually means something?
But, but, it helps people/ it's for the children. It's from Obama, and he's a lawyer.
April Fools!!!
I guess the April fools joke is on Massachusetts too, don't states have to follow the constitution as well?
Oh no, not you Forrest!
Enumerated powers and all Forrest. Rule of law?
Come on Forrest - I know you are better than this.
10th Amend?
Wait, I just got it - you are April fooling me, right? Please, say that's what you are doing. This is too important.
I thought Obama was very funny in the evening Osama was killed.
No I am serious Spanky I don't know the particulars of the Massachusetts law, I don't live there, but I hear it was the model, so how is it that the federal government can't interfere with constitutional rights but a state could. If a state could ignore the constitution then whats the point, can a county government ignore the Constitution, can a municipality ignore the constitution then. Your right this is important because if a state can usurp the constitution based on "Enumerated powers and all" then what is the point of a constitution as a national document.
"but I hear it was the model,"
That's the problem with you Liberals, you "hear" so you must assume that it's true. How many times do you get burn with that type of thinking? Some major example include the Congresswoman getting shot, you guys blamed the TeaParty, This Martin case, which is not even at the Grand Jury yet and other notable stories. This why people just smile and shake their heads.
So Paul-Florida is there a state mandate to buy health insurance or not in Massachusetts?
No there is not. The Citizens of Mass still have the option. Read the Law a little better. Besides..... Obama drafted the Health Care Bill off of Hilary's original Health Care Plan. Go back and read it from the 2008 election. They had the same fight then (Hilary and Obama) on whos socialistic plan was better. Romney's plan wasn't really brought up then. It wasn't until Clinton was assigned to her office did the new Health Care plan really get put through the ringer.
What an amusing gag! It ought to make him feel better when he appears before other empty rooms. What about the thousands of empty seats he played to at the stadium in Detroit? Will that now be seen as a light-hearted pre-April Fool's warmup?
It would have been a hilarious trick for his staff to hire back someone Mitt fired. Now that would be funny. Or they could have told him his offshore banks accounts floated away with the Island. Ha Ha
Santorum is a radical Catholic who is part of the extremist cult Opus Dei. He is constantly quoting it's founder, Josemaria Escriva, and he sends his children to an Opus Dei school. There are only 3000 members of this cult in the country. The fact that anyone would consider this religious nut for president is astounding. You think Obama isn't salivating on a Santorum match-up? Tricky Ricky is the fiscal liberal of the bunch, and a big union supporter. I lived in Pittsburgh during the Santorum years. He's a joke in Pennsylvania, and I guarantee you he won't carry his home state, if he lasts that long. Don't waste your vote on this losing whiner.
Josemaria Escriva
Unfortunately, this is not an April Fool's Day joke. Google it yourself.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/rick-santorums-journey-to-devout-catholicism-view-of-religion-in-governance/2012/03/16/gIQAj4NzNS_story.html
today i introduce to Americans. one of you.a working class person who work for his money growing up. president Romney..Aprils fool
Funny. He forgot to pay people to show up. Did he fire anybody?
He's just such a common, everyday dufus, isn't he? Obama 2012 in a landslide. No April Fools joke.
Right obama in a landlside because we are all so happy with the country as it is. Soon this mess of a president and his crooked cronies will be gone. Thank you Mitt for coming in at this time, a Godsend and an answer to so many prayers.
Bill - your ignorance is showing. Our economy is growing and President Obama is fixing the abysmal mess Bush and his crooked cronies (Cheney being the top crook) left the country. Romney is no Godsend - just a pathetic joke!
Only because the GOP are idiots and we do not have anybody else to vote for. I had hoped for a miracle candidate but alas it is not to be. I do not understand why no one can challenge Obama for the Democratic ticket just because he currently has the office. Shoulda woulda coulda. Obama will win.
Bill F., if Mutt is the answer to your prayers maybe you would be better off praying with a Catholic priest who plays hide and seek with little boys. Both are scary.
With these merry pranksters, all the other days of the year they will be fooling you; they are pretty good at that, sort of, well at least Romney knows the other joke owners.
Yep indeed........."Mitt Romney, the next president of the United States.” April fools!!!
Not to mention nauseating. Euw
If Romney becomes President ,That will be the end of that term ,from then on it will be a Monarchy and only the very wealthy will be allowed to run or it will become a family affair and the king will be replaced by his son or his daughter will become the queen. IT AINT GONNA HAPPEN!!!!!!!!!!!Not a chance in hell that the GOP Money can buy the Office of the President.
Anything is better than the socialist that we now have. I would rather become England than France! Wake up you puppet!
ED-Grow a brain.Romney is not a monarch.If our country did turn into a Monarchy or Dictatorship,there would be uprisings all across the U.S.Infact,the possible threat of an uprising is the only thing that's keeping Obama a president,not a dictator.
No, it wouldn't be a monarchy; it would be an oligarchy or plutocracy, rule by the wealthy.
What kind of election-day prank will Willard's staff play on him? Perhaps they can tell him he won—and then say "fooled you—you lost!"
Spin: See, Mitt is a good-natured guy.
Truth: Mitt Romney--the new face of organized crime
spin: what you have to do for a long time to get dizzy enough to think something that stupid
truth: Mitt Romney is the next president of the United States, He'll beat Obama in the general with about 55% of the vote. Give or take 3%
Well we know what Romney's theme song should be.
Shake...shake..shake...shake your....
gbgentleman - no I think it's "the rich get rich and the poor get poorer"...
The April Fool's joke was when they introduced him as the "next President of the United States", not when the room was empty, that was real.