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Emmanuel Dunand / AFP - Getty Images
Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney talks to supporters calling for donations during a storm relief campaign event to help people who suffered from hurricane Sandy, in Kettering, Ohio, on Oct. 30, 2012.
KETTERING, OH — Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney collected donated supplies for hurricane victims on the East Coast on Tuesday, while urging supporters to give money to the Red Cross at a hastily arranged "relief event" in Ohio.
"Thank you for your help and your generosity," Romney told supporters, as he stood on a table surrounded by donated goods, at the location of a planned campaign rally this morning. "If you have a little extra, if you have more canned goods, bring them along to our victory centers that are open. But also if you can write a check to American Red Cross that's welcome as well. We're looking for all the help we can get for all the families in need."
Romney had been scheduled to hold a full-fledged campaign rally in this same building until late yesterday, when the campaign said it was scrapping Romney's political calendar as Hurricane Sandy approached the East Coast. Monday night, the campaign announced this morning's event was back on, but the focus would be storm relief — with Romney making no formal remarks, and no political agenda attached.
Attendees were asked by the campaign to bring donations of non-perishable goods, which are to be trucked to a Red Cross office in Sewell, NJ — or to give to the red cross directly.
Gov. Mitt Romney attended a storm relief event in Ohio, urging supporters to "make the difference in the life of one or two people" by donating goods to benefit the victims of Superstorm Sandy.
Romney's remarks were indeed without a political focus, with no direct mention of the election now just one week away, or of President Barack Obama or any specific campaign issue. After speaking and packing boxes, Romney and Ohio Sen. Rob Portman helped load the donated supplies into a truck for shipment, ignoring questions about whether he planned to tour storm damaged areas, and on his views of the future of FEMA.
Despite effort to the contrary, no political event can be entirely apolitical in late October of an election year, and some trappings of a rally remained here. Romney's long biographical video played once, well before Romney arrived at the venue, and outside the arena vendors sold buttons and hats to attendees as they left.
Mandy Hess, an administrative assistant at a medical office in Kettering who attended the event with her teenage son, said she wasn't bothered by the hint of politics mixed in with the relief effort.
"It's letting you know who he is as a person and what his roots are, and that people and family are what's important to him so I think that ties into the relief effort," Hess said.
The GOP nominee himself kept his focus on the storm victims, and tried to strike an uplifting tone, telling supporters that their effort, however small in the grand scheme of things, would matter.
"I know that one of the things I've learned in life is you make the difference you can," Romney said. "And you can't always solve all the problems yourself, but you can make the difference in the life of one or two people as a result of one or two people making an effort."
The campaign resumes in full force Wednesday, with Romney planning three rallies in Florida, while his vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan hits the trail in Wisconsin.
Leave a Comment:
Isn't Mitt's relief effort a redistribution of wealth?
NO...no one is forcing anyone to give...UNLIKE OBAMA...HE'S GOING TO FORCE ALL OF US...duh
the browneye speaks......
Voluntary charity: good
Forced charity: bad
Extrapolation: Democrats bad, rightwingers good
Let's stop forcing taxpayers to pay for rifles and ammunition for the Army. They should get that from donations only.
Defense Contracts=Redistribution of tax payers wealth, all governments and business redistribute wealth, consumers redistribute wealth, banks redistribute wealth. That is what governments, businesses, and individuals do, all day and everyday. Even Romney and his car elevator redistributed wealth to Otis from Romney's pocket to Otis's pocket which in turn to....?
A "voluntary" redistribution unlike Obamas at the point of a gun.
J, no there's some things government has to do, security, roads, courts.
There's some things they should never do, and do very badly: charity.
Also kinda ruins the whole charity idea, forcing it.
no - its called just plain decency - helping out your fellow man... without expecting something in return. But the liberals cant seem to understand the simple things... people still do something for nothing - out of the goodness of their hearts... This my friends is where a good upbringing of morals and values has come in to play - something that the liberals have simply thrown out the window... :(
I bet Rush Limbaugh is telling all his mindless zombies that Obama caused this hurricane to make himself look presidential a week before the election.
I bet rachel maddow and ed schultz are saying Obama is the Messiah.
Julie, and the rest of the Republicans consider Romney an Emperor with new clothes, redistributed from the 47%'ers.
Obama 2012
better to have new clothes than no clothes at all!!!
liberals can't comprehend acts of kindness or good intentions... they are so hard in their hearts to what is good and right... everything they see is political or bile.. They can't see with the plank in their eye to the fact that people of all stations of life can be good and civil.. but not liberals... they cannot be civil or good...
Keying cars with Obama on them.. when have you heard one car keyed with Romney on it... you don't and you wont... Its a sad life liberals lead... no friends... suspicious of everyone.. dark hearted... un-trusting.. fractured lives.. in need of healing deep inside...
I'd laugh at you and call you a troll, but sadly, I think you actually really believe all that.
Spartan, what have you personally done today to assist someone affected by the devastating New York area weather?
jan, since we do not live any way near the Eastern Seaboard, my $50.00 to the Red Cross helps infinitely more than a can of spam or a bag of old clothes. If I can afford more $$ we will send it, the Red Cross was wonderful during Katrina, I know we lived through that horror in Covington, La. Heck of Job Brownie.
Obama 2012
djames1277
I agree you will never hear of Romney being keyed into a car - it is such a sad time in life when no one has any morals or values anymore. As much as they try to deny it - the liberals are the true party of hatred!!!
God help Mr. Obama if he should collect a few cans of food and some water bottles and donate them to someone. More power to him, but an awful lot of the posters here are going to be forced to come up with a new schtick to explain why donating goods to someone in need is suddenly alright.
wow jan...listen to the crap coming out of your mouth...I'll bet your a$$ is jealous......like I said jan...remember the photo of Mitty eating $100 bills while his BAIN cronies stick them in all their orifices....
Sorry, I'm totally unclear on what you are suggesting is making my ass so jealous.
Yes, its because Romney is a good man.. and he cares about people.. AND that burns up liberals because they hate people like Romney who do good and set a high moral standards... Liberals want people to grovel on the ground like them... they want us to spew out hatred like them so that they can feel normal, when in fact they are NOT.. I feel sad for liberals... bound by their dark chains ... with no escape in sight...
But their is only ONE that can set you free... ;)
well jan, crap is not supposed to come from ones mouth but rather the other end. So lets pretend your a$$ was a UNION a$$, it would be violating their collective bargaining to have crap come from anywhere but their unionized a$$......not from ones non union mouth.....the good news is after next Tuesday, Obama will even be the President for you, not just the rich, and not ignoring the 47% who just want a free ride....
Cowboy, I don't think we are understanding one another. Be well. I wish you the best.
and you also....
Nonsense. That's Obamas entire plan for the middle class if re-elected.
you will never see that happen. he truthfully doesn't care...
http://video.foxnews.com/v/1932745633001/media-coverage-of-attack-in-libya-called-into-question
Look at the Heroic Figure, Standing Tall on a Box.
Everything looks so hastily improvised, so responsive to the disaster several states away to the East. The campaign quickly threw together an urgent emergency response effort, and with simple tables and a box to stand on, Mitt Romney, with jeans on and sleeves rolled up and ready for work, prepares himself to lead America out of the disaster scenario, and towards a bright, hopeful future.
Funniest post of the day !!!!!!
hahahahah
Let's see now, Obama goes to the Red Cross Headquarters to get on television and say contribute to the Red Cross. Romney goes to the PEOPLE and asks for donations and also says to donate to the Red Cross.
And of course the "tolerant", "helping", "progressives" have nothing good to say about a man that is actually out DOING SOMETHING and even attack him for it, and then literally say NOTHING about a man that is DOING NOTHING except getting a photo op at the Red Cross Headquarters, who by the way have absolutely NOTHING to do with disaster relief since that is a FEMA responsibility.
Liberalism at its best.
Red Cross tells us grateful for Romney donation but prefer people send money or donate blood don't collect goods NOT best way to help
and Paul Ryan washes CLEAN dishes at a food shelter.....Hmmmmm........
Right J. Tell that to the people that need clothing and food and NOT money or blood to get by.
If my home is washed away by a flood, I'll take some canned goods and needed clothing OVER a check from the Red Cross EVERY single time. And since my children can't eat a check either, they'll appreciate the food and clothes they receive also.
The Red Cross is not the end all to help during disaster relief, and the MORE that people can give, whether it be money (which the Red Cross sticks in an account instead of using DIRECTLY toward a disaster, just like they did in Katrina), or blood, which very FEW people in this disaster are going to need, or food which EVERYONE needs, and clothing which EVERYONE needs, I'm sure will be appreciated by the victims of this disaster, no matter what the Red Cross "prefers".
And cowboy, why don't you come up with something INTELLIGENT please? I seem to recall Michelle and Barack handing out food at a "homeless shelter" to people that walked in with $300 blackberries, dressed in expensive clothes, and driving NEW cars.
The Red Cross stock piles clothing and non-perishable items in local and regional shelters. It is not cost effective for them to attempt to ship these items from all over the country to an area whose transportation system is still underwater in many places. This is why the RED CROSS is ASKING for donations of money and blood at this time.
From the Red Cross website;
The Red Cross is unable to accept individual donations of household items or collections. We do work with corporate partners on the donation of large bulk quantities of items, based on need.
Romney could have at least had one of his staff pick up a phone or go to the Red Cross website before he started soliciting donations of clothes and goods that the Red Cross cannot use.
http://www.redcross.org/support/donating-fundraising/other-ways-to-give
The Red Cross needs another telephone system?
Call the red Cross and ask them for yourself.
1-800-RED CROSS
You know, I don't care for Mr. Romney, and intend to vote for President Obama, but just this once can't we do what we did in the good old days and assume that we all have the best of intentions in the face of a massive disaster? I am really so tired of folks having no thought for their fellow countrymen, and always seeing the worst in people. How are we supposed to improve the country, no matter who is the president when we all refuse to compromise, and behave like insolent children, each demanding his own way? If we don't find a way to meet in the middle. what next, another civil war?
What a nice thing to say. I have ZERO problems with anyone of any stripe -- religious, political, eonomic, educational -- who tries to do something decent for someone who is suffering. Maybe everybody here needs to take a short break and google-up some organization that could use a few dollars or check out a neighbor that might need a little something...and then take a minute to go do something about it.
Later! Be safe and well, everyone.
This is the reality of Obama's economic policies in his own words. If you can't trust these Obama words when they proved to be accurate, then how can you support him because he's either lying to you now or he lied when he made this speech and in either case that makes him nothing but a political whore that is incapable of leadership.
The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. Government can't pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance
from foreign countries to finance our Government's reckless fiscal policies.
And the cost of our debt is one of the fastest growing expenses in the Federal budget. This rising debt is a hidden domestic enemy, robbing our cities and States of critical investments in infrastructure like bridges, ports, and levees; robbing our families and our children of critical investments in education and health care reform; robbing our seniors of the retirement and health security they have counted on.
Every dollar we pay in interest is a dollar that is not going to investment in America's priorities. Instead,
interest payments are a significant tax on all Americans–a debt tax that Washington doesn't want to talk
about. If Washington were serious about honest tax relief in this country, we would see an effort to reduce our national debt by returning to responsible fiscal policies.
Increasing America's debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that "the buck stops here. Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better.
I therefore intend to oppose the effort to increase America's debt limit.
Sen. Barack Hussein Obama, Jr., (Senate – March 16, 2006)
Here is the campaign still in full force....right msnbc.
http://video.foxnews.com/v/1932745633001/media-coverage-of-attack-in-libya-called-into-question
Romney/Ryan
Amusing really...
After the "47% comment", willard has to pretend like he actually cares about average Americans..
hopefully, his effort here will turn out better than ryan's soup kitchen disaster...
1200
Why is it that you libs feel the need to twist crap to fit it the way you want it to?
Romney has GIVEN more to charities than Obama will ever think about giving. Romney has taken CARE of more people PERSONALLY than Obama ever will. Romney probably KNOWS more of the 47% that you love to throw out than Obama even sees.
While Romney actually visits people's homes and helps them, Obama allows Americans to die in Libya while they are begging for help, and then runs off to Vegas to tell jokes and raise money for himself. Romney is working on getting the NATION back to work instead of just using taxpayer money to pay off UNIONS.
If you would actually CHECK, you'd KNOW that Romney said that he would not get 47% of the VOTE in this election so he couldn't worry about that. And gee, if you check the polls, what does Obama have in most of them? Why 47%!!!! The EXACT number that Romney was REALLY talking about, and NOT the filth that you libs love to throw out there.
Let me answer that Cheryl... Liberals are rejects... liberals hate everything that is good... K1200 is no exception... he is a loser like Obama....HAHAHA
Their the epitome of Obama himself... narcissistic, vile and corrupt!
cheri...have you seen his tax returns ?????
Why do I need to cowboy? If he's done ANYTHING illegal, don't you think the OBAMA APPOINTED head of the IRS wouldn't be crowing from the moutaintops?
Romney is a tither. I understand you don't actually know what that means, but people that tithe DO. And they understand that a tither gives a MINIMUM of 10% of his income to charities and the church. A concept that NO LIBERAL I have ever met would ever DREAM of doing. And I grew up in the projects, where nearly EVERYONE was a liberal, as long as Democrats kept sending those "free" checks of course.
I don't need to see his tax returns to know that he is an HONEST, successful, caring, LEADER. Anymore than I need to see Obama's college transcripts to know that he's a UTTER FAILURE as a leader.
Yes. Have you seen any of Obamas academic records?
Obama graduated Magna Cum Laude. That means straight A's with honors. What is there to see?
Yeah, and after the first job or two most places stop worrying about what you did in school. They assume you are a grown-up now and have a work record, but taxes can be investigated for years. Too bad, but it can happen to any of us.
it sucks to be way down in the polls doesn't it... ;) O's losing momentum everyday....
R 52+% o 45%
..
No doubt the fight is now in the Blue States.. another bad sign for little o...
Dream on Romulans, dream on!
Oh, he is, he is....
Its interesting that when the MSNBC yo yo's dont have any facts to post, they revert to drive-bye insults.
Obama says he has a plan. Here it is in a nut shell. Zingers!
He does; delay the BLS unemployment report until after the election.
Obama is living his plan. That's why we had a recession instead of a depression. It seems to depend on who you are, where you are, and your general outlook. I don't know anyone out of work, and I myself am not working in the field in which I was educated. Turns out I can make more money in something else. That is a personal decision. I never assumed that any job I had would be forever, so losing it is not the end of the world. Also, when the real estate agent showed me the house of my dreams, I turned it down, and bought something smaller. If you are in a bad place, remember not to be narrow minded, and most of all, don't blame someone else for things not turning out perfectly. Sometimes the dreams you have can turn out to be nightmares. What you want is not always what is best for you.
CherylLM-- Mitt held that so called food rally for storm victims IN OHIO at the very site where he originally scheduled his political rally for today. He showed his autobiographical film prior to making his thinly disguised play for air time and then campaign workers outside the venue hawked Romney buttons and stickers. Hooray for Governor Christie who refused Romney's blatant attempt to invite himself to NJ to review the damage with Christie. told Romney the prez was coming and no thanks. Clearly another attempt to capitalize on the storm by Romney.
kat...HOW DARE YOU provide facts to cheri....its like holy water to a vampire.......poor Mitt can't find a port in the storm...
And why didn't Obama give his speech from the FEMA headquarters katin??? Nope, can't do that. Instead he goes to the Red Cross for a photo op and to show "leadership".
Since the Red Cross is a CHARITY how's that showing "leadership"? Why wasn't he at FEMA where the REAL disaster relief is coordinated and run? Even the Red Cross can't do anything without FEMA allowing them to.
Obama at the Red Cross instead of FEMA was the REAL attempt to capitalize on the storm.
But then I guess, Obama not being at the GOVERNMENT headquarters for relief of Americans in trouble is about right, seeing as he didn't want to use GOVERNMENT resources to try to save four Americans as they were murdered by terrorists.
And he sure wasn't going to hang around any GOVERNMENT buildings, including the White House itself while the embassies around the Muslim world were under siege when he had to go to Vegas to get money and tell jokes.
and poor Obama can't find a BLS unemployment report to release before the election.
The ONLY reason why obama is personally assisting FEMA is because he needs to distract away from that little irritating word called:
BENGHAZI
He is glad not to field any questions about it because we all know he failed America.. He can't man up and disclose the info because that would be his complete undoing.. just like his college transcripts...
I know Cowboy hopefully Cheryl is on the floor wrestling with a wooden stake. good post LOL!
The Red Cross specifically asked that people NOT collect donations of the type Romney has encouraged at his recent politically motivated "disaster relief rallies" this man is a real TOOL!
Probably for Obamas new Middle Class.
Who actually CARES what the Red Cross wants? They are about money and blood, NEITHER of which they actually will use for THIS particular disaster. Don't think so? Check what they did with the Katrina money they collected. Very little actually went to Katrina, but instead to bank accounts.
And the Red Cross is NOT the only charity that is going to be involved with this disaster. And they for sure are NOT in a position to be telling the people of this nation what they should or should not be giving to help those in NEED!!!
And if my home has been washed away I'm not only going to want, but I'm going to NEED food and clothing for me and my family. You think a check from the Red Cross is going to FEED MY FAMILY in a disaster area?
Ok, Cheryl, how are all those cans of spam going to get distributed, the Blood goes to the areas needed and the money is spent again where the need is greatest. The Red Cross was wonderful during Katrina, they are consummate professionals. Of course the Red Cross isn't they only charitable organization to assist in relief but they are the best organized and have the know how. Good Will and the Salvation Army were there but not on the scale of the Red cross, give some credit where credit is due.
Why do so many of the photos from Sandy look similar to Obamas campaign?
That's a lot of gas for Mitt to use to truck about 15 cans of food to NJ. That's what it looks like from a photo of the event that I saw.
Why don't you get off your "Mitt" crap and DO SOMETHING YOURSELF?
Oh wait, you're a lib. You don't give, you TAKE.
Never mind.
I like how at this supposed "donation center" they showed a campaign video intended to prove what a great guy Mitt is.
And of course they didn't let anyone donate until Mitt showed up for the photo-op.
It would be awfully difficulty to source those donations locally.
I'll take Mitt Romney and his REAL caring and charity for others over a Barack Obama who gives little and cares not at all.
minor compared to the amount of gas expelled by Obama in the last speech.
Queen Ann: Willard, what on earth are you doing with all these canned goods, dry goods, and used clothing in our lavish motor coach?
Chuckles: This is for the 47 percenters that were caught up in that storm out east!
Queen Ann: Willard don’t you realize we are in Ohio and not New York? OH MY GAWD - Willard, don’t
tell me your actually going to go out east to that ghetto and touch those dirty, filthy people?
Chuckles: Oh HELL NO Annie. Once all the news media leaves, I’ll have the secret service agents toss all this crap in the dumpster behind Wal-Mart across the street.
Queen Ann: Won’t that be deceptive and untruthful to the American People?
Chuckles: F**K the American people and besides, it doesn’t matter. All the press is here and they will take pictures of me with all these relief supplies. It will make it appear that I care for the lowly American people. Remember how well that worked with Paul washing the dishes at the shelter last week?
Queen Ann: Well I hope this rubbish is removed from our opulent motor coach soon, it smells just like those ghetto 47 percenters in here.
Chuckles: I know, I know, we’ll get our people to scrub from top to bottom after we dump this crap.
Queen Ann: Oh Willard, is there nothing you will do to stoop so low as to get some publicity?
Chuckles: HELL NO Annie. The White House is the ultimate pay day, it’s the brass ring. Screw the American public, I want my F**KING brass ring! It will be just like my days at Bain Capital, I will obtain vast amounts of wealth sitting in the White House doing absolutely nothing and once I’m wealthier than GOD, I’ll bankrupt the country.
Queen Ann: Oh Willard, now I remember why I married you, you are brilliant and nothing matters to you more than our wealth no matter how many people you have to destroy to get it………….Oh Willard.
THE END.........
Is that what it is to you people? Is that ALL you have left?
Hate and denigration? Out of POLITICS you throw out the FILTH that you do? Are you that low into the gutter that its all you can do? No FACTS of any kind whatsoever. Just stupidity and moronic junk that actually says NOTHING about who you attack, but says a LOT about yourself.
Keep telling this country how you are the "tolerant" people of this nation, along with the garbage that you continually post. I'm sure that the entire country will see how "wonderful" you are with your attitudes towards anyone that doesn't agree with your ideology.
OOOOHH CHERYL, what a classy and snappy retort, especially for a repubtard. And. let's not forget that Romney really should donate his own bucks since he wants to disband FEMA and make all relief efforts the burden of the states and private businesses--hmmmmm what do you "we built it" guys think of that?
Like Obamas plan better where he donates other peoples bucks, at the point of a gun if necessary.
Gee thanks for the name calling kat. It shows real "elitism".
And actually it's not your business what Romney or ANYONE donates of their own.
And if you actually CHECK he never said to disband FEMA, he said the the local and State governments are in a better position to KNOW where the help needs to go. But of course, like ALL things, you liberals turn it into something else.
And since, if you CHECK, many local businesses are ALREADY doing what they can to help those in need, I'd guess those "you didn't build that" people feel just fine. But you WON'T check, will you? Nope, instead you'll throw out more garbage about Romney because it somehow makes you "feel better". You know, like the "elitist" that you think you are.
Ha ha, Mitt tried to politicize the natural disaster and he failed! He asked people to donate "goods" when the Red Cross clearly stated that they don't want foods and goods because it slows down the delivery.
He can't even listen and understand the responders at Red Cross...what makes you think he could ever handle a natural disaster if he was in charge...he couldn't
Romney/Ryan IS a natural disaster......
as opposed to the wholly man made disaster of Obama/SmilinJoe. The former we can live with and the later needs to be avoided at all costs.
I don't know if this has been mentioned, but the Red Cross guidelines are specific about NOT accepting food and supplies; they only accept monetary donations.
Nice try, Romney, but you don't even know how the Red Cross operates!
Hungry people, on the other hand, have no qualms about accepting food.
(By the way, he specifically asked people who have "a little extra" to write a check to the Red Cross. Have you done that yet this afternoon?)
From the Red Cross website;
The Red Cross is unable to accept individual donations of household items or collections. We do work with corporate partners on the donation of large bulk quantities of items, based on need.
Romney could have at least had one of his staff pick up a phone or go to the Red Cross website before he started soliciting donations of clothes and goods that the Red Cross cannot use.
http://www.redcross.org/support/donating-fundraising/other-ways-to-give
The donations of food are for hungry people not for the Red Cross. He asked people to write checks to be donated the Red Cross.
What hungry people and where?
Perhaps you hadn't heard there are people in parts of our country who have lost EVERYTHING. Including, oddly enough, their food.
At a political rally in Ohio?
perhaps obama can find the missing 7 of his 57 states that can vote for him... good luck ;) hahahaha
Perhaps Romney can find the missing 47% of Americans he does not care about.
Too funny,just spoke to relatives in Ohio and Romney collected barely a truck full !! This was nothing but political and that is all.Romney could have gone to a state much closer to the disaster,but he chose Ohio for a reason.Obama has been very busy these past two days,and now will actually go to New York and New Jersey,all the while Romney is trying to get votes-Unbelievable !!!! Obama also sent out emails to all of his campaign offices to do what they can to help.These are the things that make up a true leader,NOT staying in Ohio to get votes and a photo op !!!
Wow, a truck full of food can feed a lot of hungry people. Thank you for sharing that info!
The transportation system in the effected area's are in a shambles. How do you propose to get a truckload of food from Ohio to NY or NJ?
How do you propose to get money to them? How do you propose for them to get to the grocery store? Yes, there are some logistics involved, but there are ways to deliver these kinds of goods, just as there will be ways for organizations to be set up in disaster areas.
I have been involved in the front lines in similar situations. These kinds of donations are ESSENTIAL in providing minimal basic services until (and even after) charitable and governmental organization is in place.
no - that is people being greedy and not wanting to do good for their fellow man!!! You laugh while others starve ... who gives a crap who collects what as long as it gets to who needs it!! YOU are the typical LIBARD!! How dare you mock someone doing good for the unfortunate!!! Get over yourself - your precious O cares about no one but himself