Mitt Romney responded on Friday to John Kerry and other Democrats who criticized his failure to thank the troops or mention Afghanistan in his acceptance speech at the Republican convention, saying he doesn’t regret anything about his address. Chris Matthews and guests examined that response on Friday’s Hardball, ultimately finding it “distasteful,” and an example of his inability to connect with veterans and military families the way Obama has.
“When giving a speech, you don’t go through a laundry list of things; you go over things you think are important,” Romney told Fox News’ Bret Baier. “I didn’t use the word ‘troops.’ I used the word ‘military.’ I think they refer to the same thing.”
Matthews spoke to Roger Simon, Chief Political Columnist for Politico, about how Democrats are successfully rebranding their party as “the party of patriotism and the party of strength,” and Republicans are having to play catch up on military issues and foreign policy. Matthews said that not only do Romney and Ryan have no military experience, but neither of them have any concern or curiosity about foreign policy.
And that’s one reason Simon found Romney’s Fox interview so unsatisfactory:
“That is what’s so unpleasant, distasteful if you will, about Romney’s reply on Fox. Imagine you’re a troop in Afghanistan. It’s 110 degrees, you’re walking around with a pack and a weapon on, or you have a loved one who is, and you hear him or her referred to as 'a laundry list'... You know, that’s dehumanizing of what these people are doing. But to Romney, it’s just another issue. ‘Oh, I don’t need to deal with that in this speech, it’s just a laundry list.’ It’s not a 'laundry list,' it’s human beings.”
Retired Air Force Colonel P.J. Crowley agreed, particularly about what it means to be in the warzone.
“The difference is, Obama and Biden have been there with the troops. Romney and Ryan have not,” he said.
Leave a Comment:
And listen to how the question was asked by FOX's Breier. Breier positions the failure to mention the troops as "opening up the line of attack" as if the only mistake was one of political strategy or communication. Romney misses that insulting padding, and can only joke. He fails to recognize the gravity of the problem. The man running for Commander in Chief fails to realize the importance, duty, and necessity of acknowledging those he thinks he can lead. Its pretty clear from the superficial and disrespectful way in which he has positioned the men and women who put their lives on the line for the country that he is far from qualified for that job.
I know someone once said it best, but I'll paraphrase here: The rich truly are not like you and me.
That's the same way he felt about those he outsourced at Bain, they are just pawns on chessboard to be used to better his position, if they don't provide him with a Profit or Goal he wants, he discards them.
Romney on not talking at all about troops in Afghanistan in his acceptance speech:
“…When you give a speech
you don’t go through a laundry list of things; you talk about the things you
think are important….”
Mr. Romney, with all due respect, did you say a laundry list???? Did you say you did not find it important?
What on earth is more important than the service of these fine men and women serving their country???
Honestly, what are you
talking about? What are you thinking?????
Romney on not talking at all about troops in Afghanistan in his acceptance speech:
“…When you give a speech
you don’t go through a laundry list of things; you talk about the things you
think are important….”
Mr. Romney, with all due respect, did you say a laundry list???? Did you say you did not find it important?
What on earth is more important than the service of these fine men and women serving their country???
Honestly, what are you
talking about? What are you thinking???
This is more Romney ineptitude x10! The list is long and sad.
1. I bet you $10,000...
2. I have FRIENDS who own race cars...
3. Ann's 2 Cadillacs... total unawares that mentioning that is perhaps just a bit off-putting...
4. Huge amount (300K?) in speakers which he labelled "not very much".
5. "I like to fire people"... bad way and poor choice of words to make his point... I know what he meant! But still way to piss voters off FFS!
6. Shopping at a hardware store and then saying he bought "hardware stuff".
7. Borrow money from parents to start your business!
8. If you can not afford a particular university, well
"shop around"
ALL this does not mean he is a bad person, just clueless to the real lives of most common people. And not skilled enough using language (IQ?) to not appear like a dofus to regular folks. Easily putting foot in mouth noes not a diplomat make! Reagan was not brilliant, I loathed his politics, but he sure could talk good! He had charm, humor, common touch, etc. That stuff counts some for a POTUS. It earns some degree of respect at minimum. Compare Bubba Clinton (a Rhodes Scholar btw) to filthy rich Romney.
This is not getting enough play. I think it is beyond reprehensible. It is unbelievable. The republicans lead us into wars and he can't be bothered to even give a shout out to them?Acknowledge what they are doing and fighting for? What his policy might be on getting them home?
Imagine being a mother or father of one of our dear soldiers. Just imagine for a minute hearing that interview and hearing this man WHO WANTS TO BE PRESIDENT say your child wasn't important. That you and your sacrifice and daily fear for your child WAS NOT IMPORTANT.
I don't understand why the news isn't freaking out. On gregs blog at wapo his guest writer called that "not important" comment a political gaffe and the press should move on. (not important enough to cover I guess)
Men and women have been serving there for near to what, ten years now. I don't understand how anyone wouldn't have had that as a priority to be on their "laundry list."