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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.
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The DNC and Mr. Obama will be the ones bringing the slime factor in to play, as ususal.
Get ready for a nice helping of HATE, ANGER, and attempts to divide the country from the left.
Desperation time means throw everything you got to see what sticks.
Sad from the man who said he would unify America.
NO MORE Years!
Nuf C Nuf !
How could he "unify" America when the re(pubes) refuse to compromise. Filabuster after filabuster...etc...etc. He held out the carrot and the repubs went to lunch and ate steak.
car56, even his own party doesn't support his budget proposals and not everyone of the dems supported ObamaCare. As long as Obama makes this into class warfare (note your comment about eating steak which I am sure many Dems eat as well) their will never be unity. Simply put, division never created unity.
geterright:
Whilst I agree with the "meat" of your statement, Obama HAD to do something about healthcare. It was in shambles with the cost of ordinary healthcare costs skyrocketing because of the capitalistic nature of it. Now I'M NOT a SOCIALIST BUT either regulate the industry to lower rediculous costs of healthcare so it is affordable to all, or come up with a new plan. At least he TRIED. NOW I will agree with you on this point: AND all parties will agree, when a new plan arises on these issues, there is ALWAYS some glaring "sub-plan" imbedded in the proposal, i.e. All Americans REQUIRED to pay into the OBAMAcare plan" that really is unfair to a certain section of our population (disabled, etc.)
memo to super PAC: it didn't work 4 years ago and it sure as hell isn't going to work now. But, if you want to throw your contributor's money away, feel free. It stimulates the economy.
In 1820 a 15 year old boy named Joseph Smith said that the angel Moroni (other versions say God or three angels) appeared to him and told him all churches were wrong, their professors were corrupt, and all their creeds were an abomination. So in 1830 he Founded The Mormon faith. Seems Romney is just following his faith.
“God was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens.” (Joseph Smith, Times and Seasons, Aug. 1, 1844). Maybe Romney thinks he is above bashing Christians. Good for him!
If Reverend Wright has an ax to grind he should go to the mainstream media, if he can find an outlet that will air or print his claims; avoid FOX because the negative connotations would discredit Wright.
No doubt Wright would be turned away by most liberal media but maybe there is one that will let him talk. A couple of late night TV shows would get a lot of attention.
In the end, no amount of illegal activity by Obama and his campaign will lose him one vote. 99% of blacks vote for him because his skin tone is 'black'
Mr. Obama, our president is headed to Charlotte, NC.....why?
His new job coming up......coaching the Charlotte Bobcats
Mr. Obama says he can turn THAT team around! :)
Who's been dividing this country?
The GOP from the day after the President was sworn into office, aided by the trusty faux noise, that have never had one good story, or giving this President credit for one accomplishment. Not even OBL.
The GOP is scared, they know that Mittens isn't Presidential material, he is good at vulture capitalism, he has made millions off of American jobs, pensions and benefits!
Let's see the tax returns Mittens, and how many off shore accounts do you have?
Two thirds of General Motors employees are outside of America
lmao..... its funny how un-informed the elite uber educated can be!
The evil of Citizens United is two-edged. Of course, with the Supreme Court in their pocket, the Republicans believe they can have it both ways, "disapproving" of the racist vitriol that will be spewed at Obama this year, while still reaping the political benefits. However, even if Romney's disapproval were sincere, an electorate rendered cynical by the role of money in our political system will never give him credit for it. Add to this the fact that Romney is seen as spineless by his own side, the perfect Republican president as described by Grover Norquist in a speech two weeks ago: "I don't need a president who thinks. I just need his fingers to work so he can sign the legislation we put in front of him." Bottom line, Norquist and other extreme right-wing billionaires will flood the airwaves with hate in order to put their puppet in the White House. That's the plan. Let's see if the people go along into it.
Good fo you Mitt.
If President Obama were actually a bigot and had ever acted in a bigoted manner, then it would be fair game. But he's not and never has.
This also just shows another reason why "Citizen's United" was a horrible law.
One person's opinion. Your saying it does not make so.
Ok...VI ....please give me an example. Just one example of something bigoted coming out of Pres. Obama's mouth. Just one thing where he disses blacks, gays, poor, women? Anything?
The radical right wing fringe isn't going to like this.
A billionare could do so much good for people, and the country with their great wealth. Instead we get this. THIS is the class of people in America that make it to the 1%.
They do! Look at who gives to charities in this country, actually look at what Mr.Biden gave to charity last year......lol!
If these posts don't show how divided this country is, nothing does. The political discourse has gotten so vulgar that a popular poster named Fiesty uses a disgusting logo for Fox News and she expects people to take her seriously? Really?
What we lack in America is a leader. Pres. Obama is not that person. It's so obvious.
Another reason doesn't want to go there....he is Mormon. If he starts bringing up Obama's religious past, then Obama would be free to do the same. Obama hasn't and won't go there.
He doesn't have to; MSNBC does it for him:
MSNBC Top Headline Friday: “Pastor backing Perry: Romney not a Christian”
MSNBC Top Headline Saturday: “Romney denounces 'poisonous language' against Mormonism"
MSNBC Headline Saturday: “Romney responds to Mormon flare-up; Perry passes”
MSNBC Top Headline Sunday: "2 Romney challengers dodge Christian question"
MSNBC Top Headline Monday: "Romney forced to revisit religion issue”
MSNBC Video Monday: “Romney’s Mormonism an issue”
MSNBC Top Headline Wednesday: “Romney campaign puts Mormon faith in spotlight”
MSNBC Top Headline Thursday: “Herman Cain and race, Romney and his faith” and on and on ...
Did you catch that stellar performance by Chris Matthews on Jeopardy? He belongs on MSNBC.
How about that Chris Wallace's performance on Jeopardy yesterday. WOW
As Fox does for the right.
Of course he won't make it an issue,If he did he would have to explain his extreme mormonism. Awkward!
HOW NOBLE--BY HALF!
Romney is the one who put the Rev. Wright issue in his campaign playbook--and in January played it first in Hannity Show at Fox. He sets it up and denounces it publicly while later his PAC (oh, "not connected to the campaign") could have a field day with it. It's all a shell game!. Furthermore, Romney talks about Obama attacking his character--what he calls "character assassination. He said his main claim to the Presidency is his business experience; but he doesn't want that experience or record to be examined. He wouldn't even want reporters to come near to ask questions. How convenient!
Pathetic mob of hate mongers. Hate the rich because they don't give you what they have.
However, you do not hesitate to call on the government to take from the rich and give to you.
You will get politicians' attention but only because they want to find out what you want to hear.
Your calls to confiscate wealth and redistribute it to you will not come to fruition. Why? Because too many politicians are in that class of people you call "rich."
Smith concocted this Book of Mormon business as an outgrowth of his money-digging schemes. Even as successful as he was as a money-digger, it never paid much and he got in trouble with the law, so he fabricated the idea of the gold plates as the ultimate con. For him it meant the change from a poor and obscure life to fame, fortune, women, and power. The con worked so well that even today, 150-plus years later, he is adored and revered by 10 million people worldwide who are blind to the notion that Smith's background was that of a con man. And history lives on!
Good try V.I Ulyanov lol
Republicans collect more welfare and free sh-- than democrates ever thought of,I lived in the south for years so don't give me that nonsense.Been there seen that.
I've noted that Republicans treat politics as politics. Democrats treat politics as a religion.
I think Romney is making a bad mistake to leave Wright's influence on Obama out of the campaign. Obama attended Jeremiah Wright's church for 20 years and, more importantly, allowed Wright to shape his daughters' views for their entire lives. Obama was a member of the Trinity United Church of Christ in 2007 when they bestowed their highest social achievement award upon Louis Farrakhan, the head of the Nation of Islam, racist, and Muslim.
It is an integral part of who Obama is, and should be taken into consideration by voters. After all, can you imagine the DNC campaign ignoring any of Romney's prior affiliations?
Willard already has the far right, teapublican whackjob vote locked up..
Now he has to actually concentrate on Americans who THINK about their political positions..
Kannin I could go to a church for 20 years and have the same preacher/pastor inspire me in the teachings of God. Now it's not Obama's fault that Rev. Wright went haywire and started spewing hate speach when he learned one of his congregation was up for election to our nations highest office. He just wanted to make a name for himself but that does NOT mean Obama condonned his behavior when he went whacko.
car56, you're that naïve to think wright only began his s(p)ewage when Obama ran for president. his damning America and 9/11 spewing were even before bho's election to the senate.
Car56 - As an adult, you are capable of separating the teachings of God from political rants. But if you had infant daughters like the Obamas, would you want them exposed every week of their lives as they were growing up to sermons like this: “Hillary is married to Bill, and Bill has been good to us. No he ain’t! Bill did us, just like he did Monica Lewinsky. He was riding dirty.” or this, “Racism is how this country was founded and how this country is still run!…We believe in white supremacy and black inferiority and believe it more than we believe in God.”
I think any child raised with a continuous diet of hate speech like that is doomed to a life of distrust and hatred. I feel sorry for them.
Its more...that Mr. Obama knew his relationship with Rev. Wright was a detriment to his election.
Actually, that is factual statement. This country was founded on racism and racism is still alive and well. I see it every day when so-called Christians conveniently ignore that Jesus taught to care for the poor and the sick. I am a born again Christian but stopped taking my children to church a while ago. Don't need some right winger teaching my children how to hate the poor and less fortunate in this country.
Joseph Smith said the Book of Mormon was more correct than the Bible.
"I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book," (History of the Church, vol. 4, p. 461). So really Romney never bought into Wirght's teaching anyway.
When you quote scripture you get into one of those circular arguments like "it is true because the 'book" says it is true. The 'book' says it is true because it is true." Kinda stoopid when you stop and think about it. You can more successfully argue your point if you use your opponent's scripture.
Finally,... willard makes a solid call..
"""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."""
Mitt called a truce on religion because he doesn't want anyone bringing up the Mormon religion.
Character assination means you can't say anything truthfully about Bain Capital because he used it as his proof that he knows how to create jobs.
Remember that Ricketts children distanced themselve from their father because they are working on a deal with the Mayor of Chicago, former Chief of Staff for Obama to revamp Wrigley Stadium when money is envolved everyone is mum.
So liberals, where does the dog on the car 20 years ago, the supposed bullying incident 50 years ago, the idea that Romney doesn't care about anything else but money, the dumpster diving media and "Repugs", "Tea Baggers", "Right Wing Neo-Cons" and "Ann Romney hasn't worked a day in her life" fit into all this. It's amazing and unbelievable that liberals would ever whine about bringing up the past on Obama, go so far as to call it racist and then get back to their dim witted attacks on all things conservative.
I hope Romney continues to take the high road and leave you liberals in the mud where they belong.
Joseph Smith - "God made Aaron to be the mouthpiece for the children of Israel, and He will make me to be god to you in His stead, and the Elders to be mouth for me; and if you don't like it, you must lump it." History of the Church, vol. 6, p. 319-320 (1844).
The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round, all around the town.
Whom will the Obama-ites throw under the bus next?
First all, Wow! The diversity in that crowd! Incredible! (/sarc)
Second, many of your supporters are mean and indecent people who don't really care about the issues. They don't love Romney and never will. They just hate the idea of a man of color in the White House. Enough for many of them to vote directly against their own economic interests. Of course Romney will just allow the vicious among his 'supporters" to run wild while saying he finds such slanders unpleasant. That's what Citizen United was all about. Those spewing this GARBAGE will want their payment later in the form of legislation favorable to their interests. And it won't be Romney writing that legislation, no matter what happens in November.
I must be a non-white group of one. I don't like or dislike Romney because he is white.
As for Obama, I don't like or dislike someone because he has the same brown skin colour as I.
I am still waiting for someone besides Obama and Romney to vote for in November, maybe an open communist will show up? Communists are one step higher than socialists.
I was holding out for an honest candidate but we can forget that. Who was the last honest politician?
I didn't know what color you are , nor do I care, you know whats going on and I give you credit for TRYING to explan it to these people.
Christians and Jews, Mormans (members of the Church of Latter Day Saints) are Christians in that they believe in Jesus Christ pretty much the same Baptists and other Christian sects.
N.B. By their own faith Muslims can not convert to any other religion. Barack H. Obama's father and stepfather were Muslims, he was raised Muslim, he attended Mosque and prayer services as a devout Muslim, he attended Muslim schools.
Not until he had a need to learn about Christianity and how use for political purposes did he bother to study it. Though he says he is Christian, he will not denounce his Muslim faith.
A Muslim who converts to Christianity is condemned to death by followers of the Muslim religion.
"Behold there are save two churches only; the one is the Church of the Lamb of God and the other is the church of the devil; wherefore whoso belongeth not to the church of the lamb of God belongeth to that great church; which is the mother of abominations; and she is the whore of all the earth." (The Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 14:10)
It would help if you can quote the Bible in relation to LDS beliefs. The anti-Morman crowd will interpret scripture from any other source as heresy. FYI: I am not a Morman but I have read the THREE principal books used by the LDS church; I do not condemn any of the teachings even though I do not totally agree with some, nor do I condemn anyone or their beliefs because they differ from mine if they are not harmful to me or others.
I'm voting for you V.I. :)
He went to a public school when he was six when he lived in Jacarta (not a muslim school) the rest of his school years he attended Catholic schools. Wow, I guess Obama was an emancipated child at the age of 6...chose his religion and school. You repubs are beyond ridiculous. You have to go back to when he was 6 to dig up dirt on him? He only saw his father a few times in his entire life. His dad was NOT an influence on his life. His values came from his mother and grandparents.