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Subscribe to RSSRepublican presidential candidate Mitt Romney says he "repudiates" a PAC plan to attack President Obama's link to Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Mitt Romney convened a rare press conference Thursday to explicitly distance himself from a controversial, racially-charged ad campaign reportedly planned by a Republican super PAC.
His campaign subsumed by a political firestorm first sparked by a New York Times report on a proposed campaign attacking President Obama for his ties to the controversial Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Romney appeared on camera to disavow the strategy.
"I want to make it very clear that I repudiate that effort. I think it's the wrong course for a PAC or a campaign," Romney told reporters after his rainy event here today. "I hope that our campaigns can respectively be about the future and about issues and about a vision for America."
First Read: Race front and center in 2012 campaign
The press conference -- a rarity for those following the Romney campaign -- reflected the urgency with which Romney and his advisers felt compelled to distance the candidate from the controversial proposal. Romney had initially passed on commenting this morning, saying he hadn't seen the story, before taping a radio interview this morning condemning the proposal.
Mary Altaffer / AP
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, speaks May 17 at the River City Brewing Company in Jacksonville, Fla.
The plan, which was presented by Strategic Perception and GOP ad man Fred Davis to Joe Ricketts, the owner of the Chicago Cubs, earned heavy backlash from the Obama campaign and many Republicans on Thursday. By mid-afternoon, Ricketts had disavowed the plan, and Strategic Perception had taken sole responsibility for the proposal, on which they said no action was taken.
Ricketts: I'm not going to use Jeremiah Wright
Vice President Joe Biden, campaigning this afternoon in Pennsylvania, condemned the proposed ad campaign, saying its proponents "act like it's 1942."
"I think these guys like that so misunderstand the state of the nation," he told reporters at an unscheduled stop at a Washington, PA BBQ restaurant. "They act like it's 1942. I mean, I think the public is so far beyond that."
Biden said that he'd heard reports that the proposed ad had been rejected by Ricketts.
"I mean look there are certain things that are sorta so morally clear and straight and straight-lined about it," he said. "You almost don't even wanna comment."
Republicans anxiously discourage racially-charged super PAC strategy
But for as much as Romney's press conference served ostensibly defensive purposes, the presumptive Republican nominee used the moment to go on the attack, as well.
Romney said he was "disappointed" in what he claimed was the president's campaign of "character assassination," complaining that ads recently released by the Obama campaign attacking Romney's work at the helm of Bain Capital were inaccurate and unfair.
Former Gov. Tim Pawlenty talks about a GOP Super PAC's idea to bring back into the spotlight President Barack Obama's link to Rev. Jeremiah Wright.
"There's this fiction that some have that somehow you can be successful by stripping assets at an enterprise and walking away with lots of money and killing the enterprise. There may be some people that know how to do that. I sure don't," Romney said. "Our approach was always to try and make the enterprise more successful. And the purpose of the president's ads are not to describe success and failure but to somehow suggest that I'm not a good person or not a good guy."
But the controversy of the day largely overshadowed Romney's bread-and-butter campaign speech about the economy. And for the political class, the Wright controversy also sidelined a more favorable story about the Romney campaign's fundraising success last month.
In Jacksonville, Romney argued the election ought to turn on who has the best plan for "jobs and kids," a catchphrase he was first heard using at a fundraiser last month in Palm Beach, where he will return later this evening for another fundraiser.
The Sunshine State has been good to Romney's campaign financially. Pool reports from his fundraisers show he raised more than $2 million apiece at stops yesterday near Tampa Bay and Miami. Romney declined to say whether Florida was a "must win" for his campaign, but closed his press conference by saying it was a state he was "counting on to be successful in."
Carrie Dann reported from Washington, Pa.
Leave a Comment:
" ... They act like it's 1942. ... "
Mr. Vice-President. You're wrong.
You are wrong because a good part of the Right is not even that civilized or advanced. Enlightenment has not yet been theirs. They still live in fear and doubt. They still hate that which they do not understand. Or is different then they are. To them fire is the newest tool they have.
So I am sorry Mr. Vice-President. You're wrong.
And for all you that are about to accuse me of hating the Right. You are wrong. Hate is not what I feel. What I feel is a profound sadness. A deep and profound sadness. So much ignorance. So much fear. So much hate by those on the Right.
Yes sad indeed.
"I mean look there are certain things that are sorta so morally clear and straight and straight-lined about it," he said. "You almost don't even wanna comment."// More bleeding heart liberal garble what is Biden saying here ehh ? Sorta morally clear sorta but not quite clear sooo we spell it out we don't remain mute about it am I morally correct. Take a stance don't just walk bye.
Romney does not want to talk about his business career but claims those are his credentials to become President, does not want to talk about his religion but attacks the President religious values. He does not want to talk about his years as Gov of Mass and runs away from his life's biggest accomplishment Romneycare. The man has no inner core, no soul, no values and .........he's a coward ashamed of his fluency in French...lol
Can you please post the quotes where he has attacked the President's religious values?
Sound just like Obama....... So we have it again, the best of two evils....We tried one for four years and he was a dud So I'll give Romney four and see what happens
Of course he'd denouncing it...he's @!$%# scared a Dem PAC will play the Mormon card. Obama publicly denounced Wright years ago...Romney hasn't and won't denounce Mormonism and he knows that when that mud is thrown back in his direction it will stick because of it.
Since he commented on it he must be guilty. if he doesn't comment on it it is because he/they do not want to be caught in another LIE ! Does Romney have another pair of jeans ?
Now Romney's running from the press....remind you of anyone?? Sharon Angle....This should be fun to watch...Hey Romney, don't turn too red when you have to answer a question. Romney is pitiful and he will never hold up thru the debates with President Obama.
LOL right...LOL
I really have to wonder if he is saying this now, so after the fact, to appear like the nice guy ...when in fact it was probably all his idea in the first place.
What do the liberals think ads the $million Bill Mayr donated will be like...
About the economy, about the past 4 years, or...
Romney being a bully, or rich or he hates Latinos and blacks or he hates gays...
I hope they air Obama sitting in the front pew of Wright's chruch that he sat in for 20 years.
Who cares where he sat and in who's church...It didn't work in 2008 and it won't work in 2012...Is this all you guys got? Do you really have to dig up stuff from 2008?....pitiful republicans...
What didn't work in 2008.
They never vetted Obama. They never aired or question his past history. Nothing.
But they will this time. And with a little help from the liberal media who has already started turning on him
Toyota,
Isn't that more relevant than bring up a bullying incident from 50 years ago, quoting somebody who later said they were not there, the persons sister saying it did not happen that way, etc.
Romney should glue his mouth shut till November 13 th he would win by default !
We all know he wants too and wish he could...
First smart thing hes done so far kinda. He snitched.
That's how it works in the 21st century. Its just you old seniles and ignorantly coersed bigots still think and want it to be the 40-50's. There been 12yrs in this millenum and all these jerks that were around before 1/20/09 gotta answer for it.
The Morman faith is a cult. Most of its members don't know of all of its doctrine. Joseph Smith was a self-proclaimed prophet and so is every single head of the mormon church is as well. Did you know that every head of each church is very wealthy and usually a man. God directs them to rule. Funny how God only wants the male wealthy when Jesus adored the salt of the earth. It is strongly recommended that women do not have a career and stay at home to raise and instruct their kids. Nothing wrong with stay at home moms at all but its the guilt and brainwashing that dicates how their are to behave. Mormons believe baptism of the dead so they can save their dead relatives. They even converted well-known dead like Anne Frank who was Jewish. Bible says though that the person needs to be willing and able to be baptised. Mormons do not believe in the Holy Trinity, three in one, which most Christian faiths do which is why most Christians have a real issue with the Mormon faith. Mormons believe that only the Mormons will be saved and go to Heaven. Most young families start attending the Mormon church because they have no ties to any other faith and like the sales pitch its for families. Most never know the Mormon doctrine and it is not discussed until you are a high leader. Mitt Romney knows everything about his faith why else would he give over $4 mil in just one year alone. The biggest fear having a Mormon as a US President is the hidden agenda that people not knowing the truth would all join the Mormon faith...if its good enough for the president... and finally...most young Mormon men between 17-27 seldom serve in the military, Mitt never did.
Mitt knows this so if he is ever president...he knows that most Mormons would not be sent to war!!
BIGOT Just what kind of religion is black liberation theology? Obama spent 20 years in Rev. Wright's church listening to a theology that came from the communist uprisings in South America. If the Mormon religion is a cult then what every Wright preaches is a cult of hate. Rev Wright preached hate of the white man, hate of government, hate of America, and paranoid conspiracy theories. Mormons are very family oriented, service oriented, proud of America, and now include all races in their church. We know Obama's agenda, socialism/communism. Obama is working for the destruction of the economy so he can remake the US into a more socialist country. Fortunately I believe Obama uses religion like he uses people just for what he can get from them. Obama has pushed more Muslim religion on this country than his black liberation religion.
VOTE ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT stop Obama's economic insanity.
Obama is toast in November.
It will be landslide victory for Romney.
Liberals are desparate right now and don't have the compelling arguments anymore to protect Obama.
They have already used several liberal cards that have failed. Race, Gays, Rich, Religion and so on. All have failed to change the opinion to social issues away from economic struggles. Things are worse with Obama and he can't dodge his way out of his record. Plus we now have PACs who will air a liberals dirty laundry that we always see happen with conservatives with the largest Super PAC known as the media
Total double speak is an art, you are the Michangelo of it.
Does seeing your candidate take the high road worry you?? It must be difficult to learn that there are some sewers too stinky for even the GOP to swim in.
Mitt Robme knows what a three ring circus could evolve around his religion so he will defer an attack on Mr. Obama's religion, or his race, or his past church affliation. Mitt Robme is smart enough to take a pass on the sewer, maybe there is some hope.
You sound like one of tose who claim Romney's successfully rich off your hard sweat and tears....
That evil rich bastard...
Funny your argument against Romney is how to demonize his wealth and success. And now his belief in religious freedoms. He allows Obama his freedom of relgion and to you he's dodging an issue. Typical. Not surprising why you confuse everything politically motivated since Obama calculates everything he does and says politically...
My argument against Obama is complete utter failure...
You have lost your mind, what you say is indiscernible. Robme is not ALLOWING Obama anything. And Robme is not a success.
Newt knows that if Wright's fair game, by God so are those on the list of Nazi's and KKK and worse that are behind him a thousand percent, and that he's stood side by side with while smiling that bleep eating grin and accepting their endorsements and support without batting an eye.
The REFLUBICANS got what they wanted; more free air time for Mittens. He probbaly got wind of all the negativexs posted this morning on this latest tactic of his ( make no mistake, he's the boss and the buck stops with him no pun intended ), was definitely not flying.
It is impossible that Romney doesn't understand asset stripping he sure did enough of it . This isn't too difficult to understand. If a company has a value of $1.00 and has 4 divisions 3 of which operate at a profit of $.50 and a 4th operating at a loss of -$.50 by pushing as much debt from the 3 into the 4th you will decrease its value and increase the value of the 3 good divisions. By selling the 3 divisions even for $.50 you have increased the value by at least 50% and with any luck a lot more. Then the profit is distributed as a dividend taxable at 15%. The 4th division loaded with debt files for bankruptcy protection providing both a tax benefit and a fractional debt. So you screwed the people who hold the debt, you screwed the people who worked for the bankrupt division and screwed any stockholders who still held on. These would be the shares in the employee pension funds and the small investor.
Bain and Romney followed this strategy repeatedly leaving thousands without jobs or pensions.
jkh
sounds like what happened to GM stock and bond holders..let alone the suppliers that had major debt from supplying GM
Golly, justredd, that kinda happens in every bankruptcy, no matter if the govt. is involved or not.
So, what's your point ?
The US work force is at its lowest level "right now" than it's been at at any time in the last three decades. This is the case now under Obama's watch.
When Romney went to work for Bain they were in deep trouble and nearly bankrupt, much like the US now. He turned the company around and made it profitable. Romney did this by surrounding himself with very competent people who knew a little something about business.
Obama was and is clueless on economic matters and then surrounds himself with idiots which none have ever worked or created a job in the private sector.
Obama's expertise is in Constitutional Law and Community Organizing. Electing someone with these credentials and then expecting an economic turn around is reaching to say the least. If you wanted manipulation of the Constitution and a great public speaker then, you got the right guy.
Well, willard is convinced that corporations are people,... Super Pacs MIGHT be people, private equity firms COULD be people,.. Investment Banks SHOULD be people...
Those Mormons are strange......ummm.....people...
K1200rs you are a religious bigot. Check out black liberation theology and see if you think that is mainstream or even a religion.
The Supreme Court made the decision that corporations have the RIGHTS of individuals. Did you miss that or are you in denial. Liberals are such intolerant ignorant people.
Sam - showing a liberal bigot his bigotry is a waste of time - ky isnt that smart to boot
I see we're back to round one again- can't bring up anything that makes people to want to ask real question who the real Obama is. Been in office for little over three years and there still not a clear picture who Obama really is. The only that can't be any clearer is that Obama bad joke. I'm not Palin fan by no means but from what I've seen from Obama, could she have done any worse, don't think so. Any really VP slot, Biden has pretty much shown he's a nice guy but he's still an idiot
Obama sat for 20 years in a church whose pastor preaches black liberation theology. This religion developed in South America an the rise of communist insurgents. It is a contradiction in a way, religion based on communism. Communists are atheists. One of the basis of this theology is racist hate for the white man. So when Rev Wright preaches hate against whitey, hate against the government, hate against America, and a paranoid belief in conspiracy theories it is just what Obama agreed with for 20 years. If not why did he stay?
Did Obama call out the Washington Post for the several page false accusation about Romney being a bully? No because Obama is a champ at dirty campaign politics. Remember the fake accusations against Bush by Dan Rather and the made up story in the NY Times about McCain molesting an aide? Liberals think that is OK, they are just following the Allinsky's Rules for Radicals and the flexible ethics for radical socialists. It is convenient that liberals reject the idea of morals, ethics, honesty, character in favor of intolerance, hate, bigotry, and arrogant ignorance. So instead of shame, liberals revel in their hypocrisy. Obama already started with out right lies in his attack on Romney and Bain Capitol. Just lies and they know it but they follow the Gobbles campaign ad techniques. Yet the liberal press lets him get away with it. When Media Matters controls the media the First Amendment is lost.
Romney WAS a bully...
How telling that willard didn't even deny the vent took place... Because of course he knew it took place, and so did 5 witnesses...
Romney doesnt need to defend himself against 50 year old , desperate smears from the greasey democrats . Your partys getting desperate , ky
Lets talk about Mormonism...Lets play this game! Come on Christians, open your eyes...
K1200, Obama's an appeaser. What's your point?
Yeah !!!
.
Even if there were FIVE corroborating witness accounts to little willard the bully...
The point is that it does not make sense for true Christians to support Mormonism. It goes against most Christian beliefs...And I am a Christian...Are you?
havent you heard - ky - 3 of the "eyewitnesses " were debunked - and even if they wernt - this is the worst the desporate dems can come up with??? hahahahahahahahaha
From ABC News:
The older sister of Mitt Romney’s former high school classmate said she has no knowledge of any bullying incident involving her brother and the GOP presidential candidate.
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/05/sister-of-alleged-romney-target-has-no-knowledge-of-any-bullying-incident/
and another sister's comments from the same report
“The family of John Lauber is releasing a statement saying the portrayal of John is factually incorrect and we are aggrieved that he would be used to further a political agenda. There will be no more comments from the family,” she said.
Really, Yes I am. Can a true Christian support gay marriage?
What's the point charles? Joseph Smith = Jesus Christ. I don't see anywhere where that anyone compares gays to Jesus Christ. Plus I think Jesus would bless them just as he did Mary Magdalena...
Really?#120.6
As a Christian, I was gonna pinch my nose and vote Romney, as I am completely disillusioned with our Irish President O'Bama. (Is he Irish Catholic? Is he a "Kennedy" democrat. Why weren't these truths discovered in 08?
But when Romney equivocated his apology last week with an "if"... my voting ended there. The moral judgment as a Christian needs NOT to be measured against an issue of any candidates religious belief. If either candidate wins, our moral compass includes obeying and praying for the leadership of our land. The early Christians had Nero and others of the Roman Empire...and the Apostle Paul tells us to pray for those who are in the rule of the land. God is not panicking, you shouldn't either.
BTW - I'm still not sure of President Obama's faith...but i"ve survived this long without knowing, it's his leadership that concerns me. HMMMMM, maybe if I pray more for our leaders.
He drove the company broke spending over 500 million I wonder where the money went. Another Solyndra Pooofff all gone. They plan these things out from start to finsh including how much can we borrow while we plan to go bankrupt. Follow the money trail as they carve the steel pork chop chop chop. Yeah they get away with it and there ought to be a LAW !
once again - the GOP takes the high road. There is no need for Romney to lower himself down to the democrat level of smears and slander - although anything would be fair game after all the democrat mudslinging. All Romney needs to do is simply keep steering the coverage back to obamas dismal record of failure. Most of the dunces are coming out of their trances
Lets talk about Mormonism...
sure - liberal bigots love to swipe at ones religion
They brought it up first. Bigotry is in the book of Mormonism. Something you cannot deny. Placing Joseph Smith as an equal to Jesus Christ....
Really, What's your question?
Mormonism is not based in Christianity. Period.
Good point.. No Magic Underwear in the Bible.. None..
Whores?? Yes..
But no Magic underwear...
I'm not a Mormon and haven't read their teachings. If I did I probably wouldn't choose to worship there. That being said one day in Reverend Wrights church would probably be all I would need to hear, as well. To sit in it for 20 years and have him perform my marriage ceremony would be out of the question, unless I agreed with his views.
Charles...Romney has been a Mormon all his life. Let's talk about the Mormon belief. Do you even know what it is about? Are you afraid to take a look at something that may change the way you look at Romney? Look deeper into the religion Charles!!!
willard is big fat liar he know but he act like he s good boy
Like a bunch of piranha they come in and tear these companies apart driving them broke using the assets they stole to move off shore leaving us broke and homeless. Then the banks move in and foreclose on you. Deregulated fools. Then you wonder why your becoming a minority in your own country. Assume the position and grab a number . Freedom has a price.
I agree with the very simple, to the point thought, of "Saxon" he is right, McCain lost because he was too nice in his campaign. We have got to get rid of obama, not because he is a Democrat, but because of him as a person. Mitt, please do what you have to do to replace this sitting president, get down in the gutter with him if you have to. Hell, his campaign adds are already blaming President Bush for obama's problems that is an unwritten rule, you don't denigrate previous Presidents. He in no way shape or form knows how to accept any responsibility for his actions. Please make sure all your Republican friends and those who have wised up since '08, get to the polls.
Maybe we can get willard to tell some amusing anecdotes about bankrupting companies, gutting pension plans, and laying off workers!!
That would be nice...
Tulsa Mike. Face it no matter how you sugar coat it. You want to get rid of Obama because he is Black...
What's black got to do with it? Obama is whatever is popular.