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Subscribe to RSSIn his first interview since losing the 2012 presidential election, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney criticized President Obama’s early second-term performance and told Fox News Sunday that he’s still very much stung by his defeat.
“I look at what’s happening right now -- I wish I were there,” Romney told Chris Wallace, in a taping conducted last week in California. “It kills me not to be there, not to be in the White House doing what needs to be done.”
Related: Boehner: 'I don't think anyone quite understands' how sequester gets resolved
Romney criticized President Obama’s handling of the budget showdown engulfing Washington, saying, “We don’t have to have gridlock settings one after the other, on issue after issue.”
Romney, who campaigned largely on a promise that he would cut the debt and federal spending, said that the current debate over the nation’s fiscal course, including the so-called “sequester” cuts, represents a missed opportunity. “I see this as this huge opportunity, and it’s being squandered by politics, by people who are more interested in a political victory than they are in doing what’s right for the country. And it’s very frustrating.”
Former Gov. Mitt Romney calls the controversial statement "unfortunate" and admitted that it was "harmful" to his campaign.
His wife, Ann Romney, conceded that she was not fully over the election defeat. "It would have been much better for America, I believe, in my heart if he had been there right now." When asked what she thought about President Obama’s campaign, Mrs. Romney told Wallace “I think it was a winning campaign. It worked.” Wallace asked her if she thought the president’s campaign was fair, and she quickly responded that she did not, and that Obama had distorted public perception about her husband, who she called an “exceptional, wonderful person… that really, truly cared about the American people.”
Romney also allowed he made some mistakes during the course of his campaign. One issue that plagued him at the end of his run was the release of a secretly recorded video showing him speaking at a fundraiser, in which he said that 47% of Americans would vote for the president no matter what, as they were “dependent on the government.” He told Wallace that the statement was “very harmful” and “not what I believe.”
House Speaker John Boehner tells Meet the Press moderator that the House will act on a continuing resolution to keep the government open.
“There’s no question that hurt and did real damage to my campaign,” Romney admitted.
At the same time, however, Romney said that the “attractiveness” of the president’s health care plan was “a feature that we underestimated, particularly among” low-income voters.
The couple were asked what it has been like to be out of the public eye, without the massive staff, security and press entourage that was with Romney's campaign at every move. Ann Romney called the abrupt change an "adjustment, but it’s one that I think we did well."
Romney is making his first public address in two weeks, at C-PAC, a conservative group's annual conference in Washington, D.C. He told Fox that while he was not expecting the Republican party to necessarily hang on of his every word going forward, he does still want to be involved. “I’m not going to disappear,” he said. “I care about America. I care about the people that can’t find jobs.”
The interview was filmed at the home of Romney's youngest son, Craig, in the San Diego area. Craig and his wife, Mary, just welcomed newborn twins, Winston and Eleanor, two weeks ago, bringing the total number of grandchildren to twenty, a reality that was on the former candidate’s mind when discussing current events and his future plans.
“I care about my twenty grandkids – the kind of America they’re going to have. And sitting in the sidelines when so much is at stake is just not in my nature,” Romney told Wallace.
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We already know what you would do in washington mutt/mitt. You made it clear (as clear as someone like you can make it) and we should all be thankful you are basking your egotistical ass in la jolla instead of dictating policy.
Mitt had a great resume. Obama had none! For the good of America I wish Mitt were in DC too. Too many foolish, emotional American voters. Mitts good reputation was murdered. Americas future has been been put at risk. America voted for gridlock.
The one correct thing you stated was "HAD a great resume." Then he became known for being a Gordon Gecko. Americans voted. "Greed is NOT good."
Winston and Eleanor? Cmon...the naming of the kids alone tells you the worlds apart they are from most of the population.
You are correct! That does not stand anywhere close to "Malia" and "Sasha".
Romney will never understand, the voters did not want his brand of right crap.
It is a sad shame he did not stick to his election night position. He could have gone down with a bit of grace and humility.... instead he is back as the failed candidate he always was.
Romney says now that his "47 percent" observation was both "harmful" and not what he "believes." This paradox in and of itself is ample reason to celebrate Romney's election loss. If he meant what he said (as I believe he did), Romney is exposed as an elitist, and as one who really doesn't believe that Americans should be able to elect their own President (you know: the whole democracy thing). If he didn't mean what he said -- and please, Republicans, try to wean yourselves off your rather dishonest use of the term "misspoke" -- then he is insincere and gutless at best. There is no middle ground here, no other possibility.
There are whiners. And there are damn whiners. And then there are the Romneys.
I can accept that Mr. Romney knows the 47% remark was harmful to his campaign.
But to go on and say that is not he really felt?? Just as big a load of stinking crap as
any obama has been cited for. He would have been just another obama but with a
different philosophy
A guy lost a Presidential election because the other guy was the best campaigner in history. I believe the economy would already be in better shape for ALL America if Romney had prevailed. But what I think does not count ...
I was upset with the President because he has not stopped campaigning and after four years started administering. It's not him -- you guys actually believe in those stupid economic, and racial, and gender, and age divisions that were made up to win the Presidential Campaign, and he is listening to you!
Not sure I knew that before I read these comments. Disappointing.
I believe the economy would already be in better shape for ALL America if Romney had prevailed.
Can you give me 1 economy policy, that Romney would have enacted, that would have helped ALL America?
Thomas, Illinois -- 1 economic policy ... Get off the backs of businesses that create 100% of the jobs.
The morning after a Romney victory, companies would have been making plans to dramatically ramp up training, hiring, investing. Businesses are sitting on trillions because they know the President will both tax them out of the country or regulate them where they are punished and fined for not filing paperwork. Literally Wednesday November 7'th, 2012 would have started the hiring wheels turning countless on assistance into proud taxpayers, and bringing in more revenue than the government could even predict at the SAME tax rates. What exactly do you think happened to cause the Clinton / Gingrich roaring economy?
But my fellow citizens made their choice and I support my President. I wish he would both take an effective rather than a destructive, political economic direction, and stop the stupid egotistical campaigning, but he's the only one we have. So deal with the last four months being a continuation of "flat" for our country rather than a celebration of what American workers can do.
I'm guessing you think my 1 policy is silly and are proud of what we have accomplished for ALL America in the past four months.
TomMariner,
I agree there would have been more hiring, training, and investing if Romney would have been elected. Low wage countries abroad would be the primary beneficiaries of the Romney plan. Of course that would only be true after having offered the American people a page right out of the Bain Capital playbook. He probably would have wanted to institute a "training wage" in this country that is less than the federal minimum wage in order to entice corporations to bring jobs back home. He probably would have resurrected the "ownership society" so workers in this country would have ownership rights for their own retirement, and health care with reduced wages to boot. This would allow the trillions of dollars corporations are sitting on to be used for things much more beneficial to the Republicans vision for our country-----funding of blind PACS, bonuses, stock options, tax shelters abroad, and keeping open all those loopholes in the tax code that make it look like the elite in this country are paying there fair share of taxes. I am an independent voter and struggle with the Democrats vision for America. I have in the past been more closely aligned with the Republicans, however since the 80's I am convinced the GOP is the enemy of all who are not well connected, and of the elite class. Therein lies the problem for the GOP going forward.
in few words he lost the election because he pandered to the extremist wing of his party,he's sorry because he knows this.
What un"mitt"igated arrogance from both the Romneys.
We're all eternally grateful that he CAN'T be there...
If he can't off-shore it, outsource-it, or hide it in the Caymans, Bermuda, or Switzerland (and make a few hundred million off of it), then he wouldn't know what to do anyway.
All those 47% "losers" and "takers" to shaft...and so little time.
Please, make this idiot go away. If we wanted to listen to his total BS - we would have elected him. Why do these jerks like him and Palin think anyone cares what comes out of their mouths? All it proves is the very dumb and the very stupid never have a problem proving they are that way - it just comes natural.
refreshing to hear someone say expiration of the bush tax cuts and the sequester were an oppunity to start to fix our fiscal mess and get american growing and creating jobs. is there anyone in the white house that has a clue what he was talking about? politics, politics is all they know and it worked for them but it has not and will not work for the country. obama has applied his skill set dirty politics and good teleprompter reader what now? how about another speech? rally? sit down and talk and put something in writing not yet he's 30 days late on his buget proposal, the dem senate is 4 years late on theirs. his last budget proposal got 0 democrat votes guess he better stick to speeches because he apparently can't do asnything else. what about the country you say, what the country, hey don't you get it it's all about politics.
I watched the Fox interview of Mitt and Anne Romney. Mitt might be over the loss but Anne sure isn't. One thing that didn't get talked about was Mitt's failure to release all his tax returns. That was a big issue for me. He is still hiding something. If he loves this country so much, why hide his money overseas and not pay his fair share in taxes? Also, the thought of Anne being first lady is truly awful. Having that ungracious country club woman looking down on the rest of us is more than I could stand.
sir you got what you wished for good luck. i'm sure you will be fine it's the country many of us worry about. each year 40% of the money we spend is borrowed, $1 trillion plus, you can't raise taxes enough to cover that shortfall period. reduce the growth of spending no can't do that then what in the world do you folks suggest?
I just looked at their 2011 returns.
Income:$13,696,951
Federal Taxes Paid: $1,935,708
Percentage Paid:14.1
Let me know when the 47% start paying anywhere near 14.1%!! Most pay no Federal Taxes.
Let me know when it is your turn to write your check for $1,935,708
Hell, if my income was $13,696,951, I'd be happy to pay 50%.. Wouldn't you?
It would actually be a double-douse of happiness, knowing that my 50% was going to help my fellow American.. Plus, I'm still rich...
No! I am in total favor of everyone paying the same rate and absolutley not allowing anyone to pay nothing!
Jeff,
Mitt only showed the tax returns that he sanitized knowing that he would be running for president. He wouldn't show any from 2009 and earlier, probably because he had to take advantage of the 2009 tax amnesty. As for the people whose income is low enough that they don't pay any federal tax, would you like to trade places with any of them? I wouldn't and I don't resent them.
thank you, dapper1. trust me, you don't want to be in this position!
He wishes he was there!!! God forbid!! The powerful and rich always amaze me with their narcissism. Wish he would go into a sinkhole.
Tax returns, Mitt?
Would have been a good start.
..and maybe we'll see those Obama college transcripts, by the end of the second term.
ROMULOUS, if you think you can do something start by replacing Boehner (BONER) !
Careful what you wish for.....After having potentially-won the popular vote (minus proven electronic voting illegalities)....what's needed is a "Reagan-Like Champion of Unification Science Upgades That GUARANTEE To Eliminate The Deficit In 12 Months" (as Reagan "Test Piloted" the Social-Security-Deficit-Eliminating-Prototpe in he 1980s, PROVING IT WORKS)....the "lower math physics" ("Relativity-") REQUIRING that FUNDING ANYTHING IS FUNDING CRIME/DEBT EXPANSION (as only these Upgrades can prevent), even "Real Republicans" who didn't know about and advocate these "Manhattan Project-like Upgrades" (to "U.S. Grade", as the USDA and USP Grades of 1904-Relativity), were left only with the option of "ELIMINATING THE GREATEST-CRIME-RIDDEN-PROGRAMS" (the ones with the most cost-overages or death-rates; or hoping the "cut-details" would entail implementing these deficit-elimination-upgrades), which is the relative-best thing to do without these upgrades that allow the elimination of the deficit, without benefit-cuts or tax-increases...the first exam is at www.PRLog.Org/10439874 (the first of 9+ Unification Science Upgrades the Deficit CANNOT be eliminated wthout)....AND PREVENT THE "TRIPLE DOWNS" THAT MUST OCCUR OTHERWISE (ANY OTHER WAY IS 3X+ THE CRIME/DEBT EXPANSION OF THESE PROPER-FUNCTIONS/UPGRADE-IMPLEMENTATIONS).....Which "Sequester" could (and should) be ruled to be Unconstitutional by the Congress itself (as "Double Jeopardy"/"Tax Increases" and "Bills of Attainder"/"Benefit Cuts" are Constitution Violating---AS THESE UNIFICATION SCIENCE UPGRADES REPROVE, BEYOND DOUBT)!!!
RCCFM: Always(c):
Dr. Eric
USRecovery@Gmail.com
Alternately, of course, you could enforce the DEFAULT that occurred prior to the 2012 Presidential Elections on the "We The People Website" for the illegal-usage of copyrighted-materials by the Obama Administration (for $10M of the $2-3B Recovered in MAOI and SMAD Pharmaceutical Lawsuts), which the Administration DEFAULTED Upon in 10 days of failure to answer (DEFAULT-ORDERS/WARRANTS AUTOMATICALLY-ISSUING THEREAFER, CARE-OF THE "FOUNDING FAHTHERS", AS DEFAULT IS A 1776 DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE "SUPREME LAW OF THE LAND" REMNANT, CONTINUED UNDER THE LAST ARTICLES OF THE 1777 ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION AND THE 1787 U.S. CONSTITUTION, AS WELL AS THE CONTITUTION'S EXPLICIT PROVISIONS FOR A "BILL BECOMING A LAW IN 10 DAYS OF UNATTENDANCE")!!!
Romney's comments prove just how unaware and unfit he is concerning the job we didn't give him. And let's say an extra "thank you" that we have Michelle Obama as First Lady for four more years.
Hey Mitt wake up it not a bad dream you're having.You lost get over it, call John McCain and you two can get together, and talk about what might have been.
It sounds like Jerry Sandusky watching a Boys Junior School basketball game and saying "I wish I were there".
What roy wilson fails to explain is that all of that net job loss under President Obama happened within the first few months of his term when we were still in the grips of the Bush recession. Since then we have had 35 months of consecutive job growth in the private sector, more than at anytime during the Bush Administration. http://www.dpcc.senate.gov/?p=blog&id=172
One may "Retire te Position",but, they don't "Retire the Commission"......Book "em Danno....RCCFM: Always(c): Dr. Eric......Uh, MMMM "Governor Danno"..
IF we had a Justice Department, they'd PROVE the election was a FRAUD. A non-native born American in office, dead people voting, illegals voting, Black Panthers threatening people going to the polls, etc., etc. But we don't have a Justice Department. It seems we have politicians that want to divide and conquer, and they are doing it. The citizens of this country don't have what it takes to take their country back from this queer loving, socialist, marxist, muslem loving, non-American born idiot. How in the world did we EVER let him in office? Oh, that's right, he DIDN'T win the election, the CROOKS from Chicago got it for him and the media, no matter how filthy, helped as well. They cry when the hear the truth. Yup, that's America.
hey freddy, did you know that Mitt was born in Mexico?
Hey Freddy, grab another beer and pound on the coffee table if you think it's going to help. Button up your shirt to cover that 54" gut you fat bstrd. Stay in the trailer park tonight and give those sheep a break. Go take aunt mommy out to lunch.
Again when does this loser go back into his expensive hole with his elevated garage? The country decide it didn't want him , it's time for him to shut up. The only way Mitt Romney could ever get this country back on financial stability is outsource all the people to China, like he did with BAIN capital.
I wish he was in the White House also. He couldnt be doing any worse than the Bozo that is there now.