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With 100 days until the world's attention turns to London for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney says he plans on attending the "first day or two" of the events.
Romney explained this morning to WTVN radio in Columbus, Ohio, "Ever since the games in Salt Lake City in 2002 the Olympics is a big part of my life and I would love to be there and see the kickoff of their games."
Romney's role overseeing the Salt Lake City Olympics has become a critical selling-point for his campaign. It's also an experience voters are likely to continue to hear more about as this campaign shifts to the general election.
In 1999, facing a bid-rigging scandal and financial disarray, the Salt Lake Organizing Committee hired Romney as president and CEO to get the city out of what was becoming a national embarrassment. In his official biography on the Romney for president website his campaign explains, "Mitt set to work. In a remarkably short period, he revamped the organization's leadership, trimmed the budget, and restored public confidence."
On the campaign trail, Romney often cites that experience as an example of his management style and ability to turn around a troubled organization.
He also routinely invokes the American ideals he admired during those games by recalling his interaction during the Closing Ceremonies with U.S. speed skater Derek Parra.
At campaign stops across the country Romney says Derek Parra told him his most meaning full experience was not winning gold or silver, but it was instead carrying the American flag that had flown above the World Trade Center on Sept. 11th, 2001, into the Opening Ceremonies.
It's a story that often leads supporters to wipe away tears.
Yesterday in Lancaster, PA, Romney recounted Parra’s describing of the scene as a 1930s version of the National Anthem, in which the last stanza is sung as a reprise, was being performed.
"He said Mitt, this time as the choir sung it again a gust of wind blew in the flag and lifted it in our hands. And he said for me it was as if the spirits of all those that had fought and died for American liberty had just blown in that flag. And he said the tears began to roll down my face."
Romney then pivoted to a central theme of his candidacy, saying, "If we have leaders that will tell truth and live with integrity, and know how to lead and are willing to draw upon the patriotism of the American people and ask them to rise and join together, not to be divided, but to come together and to overcome the challenges we have that we will do so."
As voters prepare to choose their next president, for Team Romney the Olympics offers the campaign an opportunity to focus on the candidate’s experience managing an organization facing multiple challenges while also invoking the greatness of America.
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I'm sure Willard will someone manage to weave into his tale of vast leadership superiority how he saved London as well! lol
Willard is more ZERO than HERO!
Wait, these games were supposed to be in Chicago, right?
Obama, at great taxpayer expenses [and really, aren't they all?] went to the Olympic committee and pitched Chicago.
Of course Chicago does have that tiny, weenie murder problem, right Bev.?
Not a good place to be a black youth these days.
OMG Feisty,
Romney brags about winning more federal pork for the Olympics than any other previous director?
Bailouts for Utah businesses, but not for Detroit's automakers?
The hits just keep on coming, don't they Ames? lol
Willard is a walking contradiction, think of how much fun it's going to be dissecting his multiple positions in the coming months... lol
Gee, Feisty---if Mitt does away with all those federal agencies---you know, the ones he won't tell us he plans to do away with----where will the money for the next Olympics come from?
So glad Mitt can jet over to London for a "day or two" of the Olympics. It will put a crimp in his fund-raising but maybe he figures the free publicity will make up for it.
Let's tout the "entertainment games" which have become nothing more than a platform for promoting big corporate interests. Yup lets sell Americans more stuff made in China. And of course let's not forget "financial services." Tell me Spank...How many jobs will the Olympics create?
Excuse me.....but our President went to pitch Chicago for an Olympic bid-went on taxpayer dollars to represent Chicago with the International Olympic Committee, to promote a city and a state that have slipped to the bottom of the national economic heap in just over 5 years....and for more than 5 years, liberal Democrats have been systematically tearing the state down, brick by brick. Now, it is OK for him to do that, but not OK for Romney to offer assistance and money to any Olympics that had already been awarded to this country????? We didn't even have the bid when Obama went and spent for his flights, accomodations, transportation of his limosine, not to mention the entourage of secret service agents required on such a trip......If Romney wishes to go to the Olympics in London, more power to him. I am sure that the Obama's will be there on the American dime again, giving their children yet another "trip of a lifetime" that the 99% of American families will never be able to give their children...
At least Romney will be traveling on his own dime. I am willing to bet Obama will also go to the Olympics but on the tax payers dime.
I'm sure he will, just like Bush did to China in 2008!
I am also confident this President will be sober!
Obama will still be busy trying to spin why the Supreme Court threw out Obamacare.
2016 games Spanks. Went to Rio. Less crime in Rio.
The Chicago pols thought they had it locked up. With Chicago's own prez and first lady on their side flying around the world to give speeches on their behalf, the Chicago Way kind of politics with the correct kind of payoffs, everything was lined up for Chicago. Chicago came in 4th, 4th out of 4. They were the first one voted out.
WILLARD "FLIP-FLOP" ROMNEY TO COMPETE IN LONDON OLYMPICS HIGH JUMP! Which Mitt is it?
'The TARP program... was nevertheless necessary to keep banks from collapsing in a cascade of failures.' [1]
'When government is... bailing out banks... we have every good reason to be alarmed.' [2]
'I like health care mandates. The mandates work.' [1]
'I think health care mandates are unconstitutional on the 10th Amendment front.' [2]
'I respect and will protect a woman's right to choose.' [1]
'I never really called myself pro-choice.' [2]
'I believe the tax on capital gains should be zero.' [1]
'Capital gains taxes are a tax cut for fat cats.' [2]
'Roe v. Wade has gone too far.' [1]
'I believe that since Roe v. Wade has been the law for 20 years we should sustain and support it.' [2]
'I'm not trying to return to Reagan-Bush.' [1]
'Ronald Reagan is... my hero.' [2]
'When I first heard of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, I thought it sounded awfully silly.' [1]
''Don't Ask, Don't Tell has worked well.' [2]
'If Massachusetts succeeds in implementing health care, then that will be a model for the nation.' [1]
'What works in one state may not be the answer for another.' [2]
'In Massachusetts...the costs of health care will be reduced.' [1]
'We were unable to deal with... health care costs in Massachusetts.' [2]
'I've been a hunter pretty much all my life.' [1]
'Any description of my being a hunter is an overstatement of capability.' [2]
'I'm going to take burdens off the back of the auto industry.' [1]
'Detroit needs a turnaround, not a check.' [2]
'I would like to have campaign spending limits.' [1]
'The American people should be free to advocate for their candidates and their positions without limitations.' [2]
'I supported the assault weapon ban.' [1]
'I don't support any gun control legislation.' [2]
'Based on the numbers of American Muslims... I cannot see that a cabinet position would be justified.' [1]
'A person should not be elected because of his faith nor should he be rejected because of his faith.' [2]
'I'm not in favor of privatizing Social Security or making cuts.' [1]
'Social Security's the easiest to privatize and that's because you can give people a personal account.' [2]
'I don't line up with the NRA.' [1]
'I'm a member of the [NRA].' [2]
'The all-Democrat stimulus that was passed in early 2009 will accelerate the timing of the start of the recovery...' [1]
'The all-Democrat stimulus passed in early 2009 has been a failure.' [2]
'I saw my father march with Martin Luther King.' [1]
'I did not see it with my own eyes.' [2]
'It does take a village to raise a child.' [1]
'It takes a family to raise a child.' [2]
'I'm a strong believer in stating your position and not wavering.' [1]
'I changed my position.' [2]
You have to addMITT ....
MITT does at least understand math ....
Obama out in 2012 ....
You got that right Big......and the word is official from the government. Obama has spent $5T so far during his administration.
How much of that amount will the liberals attribute to Bush? They still won't assign the spending to Obama.
BBA,
Since you're fond of repeating yourself, let me also repeat myself:
But Mitt sure wants to dismantle the Department of Education, so future generations won't understand math. What a guy.
Question: Will the Secret Service be on duty with Mitt and Ms. Ann?
Bryan,
So what is the problem?I find noissue with this. Return the educational concept to the states, and keep the Feds from dictating what the children will learn.
In CA it's now time for the STAR testing to begin. The CA don't teach children unfortunately, they are dictated to teach their students how to pass the test.
Too bad Romney didn't go and visit the auto workers when they were in dire straits not that long ago. Too bad he didn't take the time to listen to them.
Too bad Romney doesn't take the time to understand who will lose their health care coverage if the Supreme Court knocks it down. He also wants to scale down the Dept. of Education and other program that help our struggling children.
Romney will go to the Olympics and show off.
Quite the leader. He just might get booed. Our current president is quite popular in England and around the world. Romney is a joke.
Pat, that meme is worn out. No, Pbama is not particularly popular in the UK. In fact, he's downright resented.
See, they don't think he's particularly mindful of the special relationship between the two countries. Goes back to the beginning of his presidency- the disdainful treatment of Gordon Brown, the then Prime Minister. You remember- a gift of DVDs that would not even play because it was the wrong format? To say nothing of his returning, without ceremony, the GIFT of a bust of Churchill. No, dear, it was not a loan. That particular lie is, also, worn out.
Just this week, Obama did more damage to the relationship- on the subject of the Falkland Islands. Of course, referring to the Maldives- rather than the Malvinas- made him look an utter idiot, and took some of the sting out of the attempted backstabbing.
So, now the Brits see him as not just a moron, but a backstabbing moron. We know how the French Presodent thinks about him- a dangerously naive ego maniac. Germany's Merkel is not overly fond of him, either.
The crew in the cult is rapidly diminishing, Pat. I'm pretty sure it's just the Klubhouse Kids, and the crew at NBC.
What a sad little group.
"Romney then pivoted to a central theme of his candidacy, saying, "If we have leaders that will tell truth and live with integrity, and know how to lead and are willing to draw upon the patriotism of the American people and ask them to rise and join together, not to be divided, but to come together and to overcome the challenges we have that we will do so."
Empty words that have pretty much been the "central theme" of 90% of the political campaigns in my lifetime.
Of course, for Romney it's probably a good strategy. He won't have to flip-flop on something if he doesn't say anything of substance to begin with.....
ask them to rise and join together...after you've obliterated them with attack ads, as Romney kneecapped Gingrich and Santorum.
Mitt left out an important part of that phrase---he meant to say "rise up and join together in supporting the 1% because they know what is right for everyone based on market economics".
I can't wait to see how Santorum "rises up and joins together" after that mailing he was still sending out in Iowa this week:
"It truly frightens me to think what’ll happen if Mitt Romney is the nominee."
"My friend, Republicans and conservatives will be crippled by a nominee who presents zero contrast with Barack Obama on the major issues of this election," the letter says, repeating an attack on Romney that Santorum made constantly on the campaign trail. "Any attempt by Mitt Romney to attack President Obama's positions on healthcare, energy policy, social issues, or the economy will be easily neutralized."
Oh, and my favorite part:
"P.S. Mitt Romney has spent over $60 million already, but still can't win over the heartland voters needed to win this race. That should set off major alarm bells for conservatives"
Talk about challenges that you need to overcome - that one should keep Romney busy for a while.....
Hey, what's that ringing noise???
That ringing noise? Alarm bells from Noeth Carolina
http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/04/18/2008052/perdue-asks-democratic-party-chairman.html
Harassment. Misappropriation of contributors funds. Hush money.
Oh my.
remember when the President, on our tax dollars, went to convince the Olympic Committee to choose America? That was one of the early precursors to his inability to lead. One candidate succeeded remarkably at achieving something on behalf of America and the Olympic dreams of its citizens and the other failed just as remarkably.
james, remember when Romney said the DREAM Act was a hand out? I don't think citizens from around the world are going to like that.
He wasted billions of dollars at the Olympics btw.
Pat---remember when the Republicans cheered when America lost its bid to host the Olympics in Chicago because they perceived it as a defeat for President Obama? Sort of the same way they cheer any bad economic news even today.
There is no way, that the city of Chicago, nor the state of Illinois, could have absorbed the costs associated with hosting an Olympics as we have the worst debt record of any state in the nation. In case you missed it, Illinois moved to number 50 on debt and unpaid bills......Michigan and Ohio are both laughing in their rear view mirrors. It is not about Obama's "failure"....it is the fact, that in a recession/depression, there were simply alot more important things to be devoting time and attention to than an ill fated Olympic bid, which wasn't going to happen anyway.
Pat -- Governor Romney wasted billions? Did a Google search and could not find anything. Please provide the source of your claim.
Thanks
Who cares? Who cares what Fiesty thinks? Talk about a walking contradicktion.
You tell em justredd64 ....
Obama out in 2012 ....
Save what's left of America ....
Hmm I wonder what Willard will take to the Olympics. Perhaps one of the Lanterns that was supposed to go to that were promised to the children that skated in the Salt Lake Olympic Games. Many a child went home in tears over that incident. Now, I wonder if he even knows which house the lantern is at.
It would be much better if ETCH-A-SKETCH didn't go to the Summer Olympics! We laugh at him here for being such a phony, there's no sense of him going over there and make the Englanders think we're ALL PHONY! He needs to go visit his kinfolk in MEXICO, on second thought, he better not, he wouldn't be safe there either!
Can you fit Obama's debt and deficit on an Etch-A-Sketch ....
It may have to be about 3 feet wide .... "LOL"
Hey there bigbenalaska.....
Dubya put the debt and deficit on an Etch-A-Sketch for years!
Did you care?
What maudlin claptrap! Talk about appealing to the basest emotions- Romney is showing himself to be morally defective. Would anyone really trust him? He will say anything to achieve his goal-and he thinks that it is moral because he is serving some higher purpose. When his ideas become known by the wider electorate he will be defeated in November. Religion matters to people; as it should. The very craziest ideas come from religious extremists. From my understanding Mr Romney tried to convert people to his religion, so I presume he would have no objections to answering a variety of questions about his religious beliefs as well as being receptive as to the idea that some other religion might have better ideas and offer even more heavenly riches than his current one.
For those who forget, after 9/11 the world wept for Americans. The world wanted to help America. The world stepped up and bought many American products during 2002 and 2003, including rallying for the Olympics in Salt Lake.
Why was Romney opposed to Chicago getting the Olympics?
An American politician we can be proud to represent us overseas.
It's about time.
Mitt should pay attention this time. Non-Americans really do put their hands over their hearts when their national anthem is played. Skip dining with the Rothschilds and join the commoners. Money isn't everything, Mitt.