Last week, in the midst of swirling questions about Mitt Romney's private-sector background, there was one line in particular the Republican campaign seized on. Stephanie Cutter, the deputy campaign manager for President Obama's re-election team, raised the specter of Romney having committed a "felony" with misstatements in his SEC filings.
Cutter wasn't alone -- even fact-checkers siding with Romney had raised the same point -- but Republicans pounced. For the Obama campaign to even mention "felonies" was proof, they said, of viciousness. It's precisely why Romney asked for an "apology."
That was a few days ago. When we compare Cutter's comment to the latest tirade from former Gov. John Sununu, arguably Romney's top campaign surrogate, let's just say it puts a new spin on who might owe whom an apology.
For those who can't watch clips online, Sununu, in an unhinged attack, told reporters, "I wish this president would learn how to be an American." The quote was in direct reference to the ridiculous, out-of-context talking point we discussed this morning.
Sununu, who has a well-deserved reputation as a GOP loudmouth, also said this morning the president "has no idea how the American system functions," in part because "he spent his early years in Hawaii smoking something." (Update: Sununu also went berserk on Fox.)
Remember, this is one of Romney's top surrogates, speaking on behalf of the candidate himself. The intensity of the over-the-top vitriol, following staff shake-ups, and hastily thrown together interviews, also reinforces the perception that the Romney campaign is feeling a sense of desperation and losing its composure.
For its part, the Obama campaign issued a statement, quoting spokesperson Lis Smith saying in response to Sununu, "The Romney campaign has officially gone off the deep end."
Update: Hoping to walk back some of his nonsense, Sununu later said, "What I thought I said but what I didn't say is the president has to learn the American formula for creating business."
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Obama asked for it, now he's going to get it. The aggressors determine the rules of engagement and Obama's campaign made it personal. Oh well.
Asking about Bain and tax records is making it personal? No, laughing at a guy who is stupid enough to put the family dog on top of the car for many hours at highway speed would be making it personal. Obama hasn't done that. He doesn't need to.
Just the two narratives for Republicans: "those so-called 'victims' you're mewling about had it comin!" and "hey, I'm the real victim here!"
He made it 'personal'? Really. I love how when the Democrats fight back or release facts, they make it personal. When Republicans do it they are playing 'hardball'. Romney decided that we were to look at his business experience to see why he would be a good President. Don't love at his GOVERNING experience, but his business experience. We did. And we made it PERSONAL?
Really Obama asked for it. No Obama is just bringing out facts not making allegations on innuendo. Romney is sending out this rabid hate monger and making stupid allegations about smoking something. Obama just using facts there is a differences.. Who' crying wanting an apology. Romney needs to put his big boy pants and stop whining if he wants to play with the big boys.
The GOP and Romney started off with the personal attacks; Obama hasn't even put his pinky toe in the water with them. Again, if you want a counter-factual statement, go no further than Shooter.
shooter242
June 11, 2012 at 6:54 am
I’d like to encourage more trollery on left wing sites. Specifically pushback on common memes such as identified by Jonah Goldberg as unchallenged cliches. It can actually work, and it can actually change the course of debate.
For instance, I always challenge “the rich take too much of the pie” meme. There is no pie, no one decides who gets what, and the “pie” is a measure of contributions to a total. Ergo the rich don’t take they contribute. It’s been gratifyingly effective.
Try it you’ll like it. Don’t curse and keep the personal insults to a bare minimum, don’t allow moving goal posts or distractions. Ignore trollish responders, and be four times more civil. They hate that.
http://moelane.com/2012/06/09/troll-hunting-101/
Personal?? When you hold a press conference to state your involvement, or lack of, for all of the nation to see, any questions regarding that issue should not be deemed "PERSONAL". I very much would like to know how to get paid $100,000 from a company that I have no involvement with what-so-ever. Yeah, he's not out of touch with the "middle class". He claims he was getting paid more for doing absolutely noting that the middle class household makes annually. He's in touch... haha
What a joke.
Personal my left foot!!! The next wave of Crony mittens problems... Sununu..please! Be sure to ignore the rabid rights attempt to divert your attention! Next they will name call and lie!
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=19973336&title=report-brings-up-olympic-contract-for-romney-donor&s_cid=queue-1
Good. Obama should make it personal. Republicans have been "making it personal" for four years. It's time the left fights back.
Let's go after Romney's religion. That personal enough for you, Shooter?
"The Romney campaign has officially gone off the deep end."
Sounds to me like the Obama team is mostly unperturbed.
You know what it looks like to me? You know when you corner a vicious animal and it becomes--you know, more vicious out of desperation? That's what the Romney campaign looks like right now. But, you know, they're still cornered. A perfect shot with a tranquilizer to the neck and it's nappy time.
This is so incredibly knee jerk. Even if they could change the subject, don't they know Obama has a trump card on patriotism?
Bin Laden. Obama took care of business and vainglorious Blowhard Bush didn't.
The aggressors determine the rules of engagement..
You have got to be @!$%#ing kidding me, right?!
So much for more 08 campaign promises...broken...oh how fast the libtards forget.
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/07/flashback-obama-decries-negative-ads-as-disservice-on-08-cedar-rapids-visit/
....and so much for those gas price promises too. Is Obama in big oils pockets like Bush was when gas was $3/gal, prolly not hey libs?
Apparently Shooter got too much blowback, and has now switched to his other identity, Timmy the Meek.
@Timmy 3 - don't blame us because the GOP considers the truth to be a negative.
The thing I find so odd (I mean, it really reads like Tucker Carlson fake-outrage writ large) is the LEAP to thin-skinned wimpiness if anyone so much wags a finger at the GOP for anything.
Then, OMG, they are just OUTRAGED at the GALL, and how could anyone DARE to suggest such a thing! That is just beyond the pale, it crosses the line, hits below the belt, OW MY BALLS! What have you.
Weenies. Except they seem not to care that they can dish it out over the top, but apparently have an inability to take even the slightest criticism without an out-of-proportion outraged response.
When Tucker used it (on Crossfire, a show I was forced to watch, back in the day), it was an obviously fake ploy for whenever he didn't have a engaged argumentative come-back. It was like an overworn trope, how he was "SHOCKED, SHOCKED, I SAY" that his argumentative opponent would dare to say such a thing.
Yeah, they were shocked the exact same way on Casablanca.
But for all the fake macho desire for constant bullying and d*ck-waving in the GOP as the go-to policy stance, they sure do go crying to their momma an awful lot, eh? Wah wah wah. Big babies.
Bigger Question: Why do the Dems get sucked into even replying to such rhetorical actions with anything other than a derisive snort and perhaps a gift of a child's pacifier, maybe the kind with a rattle at the end?
Petulant crying generally means the rhetor is throwing a tantrum because he LOST the argument, right?
I mean, if you can't debate with the big kids, go home and practice some more until you can.
But what kind of debaters are the Dems if they react to such a ploy with guilt and soften their debating tactics until they are more suited to the padded playpen the GOP is demanding to play in?
Timmy3 ... If the Republicans don't run any more negative ads, I'm sure the Dems would be happy to debate on policy and the candidates' backgrounds.
Unilateral disarmament isn't on the agenda for the Dems in 2012. Or, I hope, in any other year.
Looks like a couple of raging GOP aholes (shooter, timmy) have hit the comment sections today.
And it looks like the panty-waisted, chickenshhithawk Republicans are having a hard time dealing with the fact somebody's coming back at 'em.
Too be honest, I'll bet the Obama campaign and Democrats in general actually liked Sununu going all batshhitty on the world, today. It's kind of funny.
Don't like getting punched in the mouth, aholes? Get used to it. It's just beginning. Paul Ryan's going to be taking his hits pretty soon.
Did Obama make it personal before the birther thing? Was it personal for Romney back in 1997, 2002? Just release your business dealings and be done with it!
The Obama campaign pointed out the inconsistencies in Romney's questionable record and asked Romney to follow precedent by releasing more of his tax returns.
To quote The Godfather: It's not personal, Sonny. It's strictly business.
I thought that Stephanie Cutter said, "If Romney deliberately misfiled documents with the SEC he MIGHT have committed a feloney; if he did not misfile, he mislead the American public."
Sununu did not use "if" and "might" he inferred he had proof and just flat character assassinated the POTUS. Big difference.
Shooter, nobody is interested in your lies or distortions, just go away.
His sock puppets and fellow travelers are fascinated.
The SEC probaby was too busy surfing porn when Romney submitted his paperwork...they let the country melt down when democrat policies caused the housing market meltdown. Yeah MORE big gov, MORE gov waste, you know you libtards get off on this crap....lol
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/sec-pornography-employees-spent-hours-surfing-porn-sites/story?id=10452544
Timmy, dude, put down the bong, get out of your mother's basement and get some fresh air.
Oh Please, Shooter! They were calling Obama names when he took office. In actuality, it's about time Obama started hitting them back!!
"What I thought I said but what I didn't say is the president has to learn the American formula for creating business."
ROFLMAO!!!!!!! I'm not sure what is funnier, the fact that the Republicans keep saying such stupid things, or the fact that there are people like shooter and timmy, who agree and support them when they do it.
Just want to say, Rollo, I really appreciate you posting that quote. Please do so more often, Shooter has been a constant troll on this forum.
Stephanie Cutter is smokin' hot.
John Sununu.......................not.
Oh, I suppose Sununu could be radioactive, which could explain some things.
Ahhhhhhhh...code for 'that black man oversteps'. Pretty rich from the former Guv who's state is 96% WHITE. Maybe HE should learn 'what makes an American.
Ok, we get it.. the Governor only knows 'offensive'.
It might behoove him to learn to play some defense. Not to mention calling out the Sununu's to toss red meat at his own choir.. well.. I'm no political pro, but if the Governor thinks the best strategy is to keep only the troops he already has riled up, he is going to lose badly.
It's time he quit hiding behind the surrogates, and address the issue with the tax records in question. The ONLY reason he wouldn't is if he knows they are going to lose the election anyway, and are intent to fire up the big money and rake as much in as they can in between times.. it's a GREAT way to bring in the choir and get them to empty pockets.. However it is politically lightweight if he actually planned on trying to win.. in fact it is counter productive.
Unless he can reach out beyond the gated comunitites, he looses.
When you have no defense, attack.
It was just a matter of time.
Okay John, I'll make it personal.
You're fat!
Awww, isn't that cute? Romney thinks he's going to pull the "Sonny Coroleone" make Obama show his a** by making him mad maneuver, just like Rove did to McCain in South Carolina in 2000. Yeah, that'll totally work because Obama, just like McCain, is known for flying off the handle.
The most self-defeating delusion Team Romney has is the belief that they're fighting in their own weight class.
'Learn how to be an American?'
Americans revere the right to vote, and despise voter suppression.
Americans understand this country to be a haven of freedom of thought, with no religious test for office.
Americans attest that, rich or poor, all have equal value and should have an equal say. This is not a nation of nobles and commoners, but a nation having only citizens.
Republicans should, indeed, learn how to be Americans.
Sununu is correct in stating that Barack Obama is not an entrepeneur. Barack Obama is President of the United States, which is a powerful and respected democratic country, not a mere business.
How are yer sister-wives, Shooter242?
That's a personal attack.
Asking for a presidential candidate to release his tax returns when you've already done so? Not so much.
They also need to learn geography...Hawaii became a state in 1959 so all those 'stoners' are stoner AMERICANS.
Never forget folks..."entrepreneur" rhymes with "horse manure"!
In 1991, John Sununu stuck the taxpayers with the bill for a $5,000 limousine ride from Washington, D.C., to New York City, where he attended an auction of rare stamps at Christie's. In other words, he exemplifies the values of the Romney campaign.
I wonder, though, how many Republican Evangelicals remember Gov. Sununu's refusal to condemn the UN resolution stating that Zionism is a form of racism. Has he retroactively condemned it now?
john sununu has always been a horse's ass, so what else is new? and i agree that this sounds like total desperation by the rmoney camp.
once again John...Rush Limbaugh is a drug addict,college dropout who has been married multiple times!!!
blankfrank -
you just described a huge portion of Republican voters. You can also add religious fanatic to that description.
Let the defense get cuts since the wealthy doesn't want to help by paying their fair share. I feel the Republicans are going to push as far as possible to destroy our country just cause they are greedy and totally prejudice that a black man has more smarts that all them together.
Yes to reference to the pie! In mathematics, the measurement of a circle is referred to as pi pronounced the same way. This is why it is called a pie, because it's circumference is 360 degrees! Personally, I love pie charts! They are very informative.
And tastey!
The other side has no way to fight the Bain problem. They are going to just ride it out (according to a few Republican analysts on MSNBC. ) However, they try hard to make someone out to be "the other", "Not like us", "scarey", "probably a secret Muslim". etc. That didn't work in 2008 and it won't work now. People are not scared by Obama at all. He's logical, fair and tried bipartisanship until I was screaming for him to quit. Romney is an unknown, with a business background he wants to brag about, and since he brought it up, its all fair in this game.
Yes and when both George Will and William Kristol tell Mittens to just provide the returns, take the hit and move on, one wonders what good old Mitty is hiding.
Typical Republican behavior:
- Attack!
- Attack!
- Attack!
- Be attacked!
- CRY VICTIM!!!!!!!!!
Republicans are really good at dishing it out. When it comes to taking it--not so much.
This typical for the right wing. Make an outrageous statement then explain it away by telling the media they misspoke or they were misunderstood. This is the worst politics since Joe McCarthy.
Thought experiment: imagine a much younger Mitt Romney being cornered by a gang of boys at school, held down, and getting his hair (or clothing, or whatever) cut.
Or as Rico said (Little Caesar), "You can dish it out, but you got so you can't take it no more."
This president should learn to be patriotic. Huh. So that is the latest code for 'he is a black man who wasn't born near you! Hate and fear him!' President Obama has had many personal attacks on him and has never stooped to the haters' level.
What qualifies someone to be a candidates surrogate? Seems a stretch to me.
I originally thought Bain Capital was a consulting firm with a few employees and that Romney was the boss. Now I discover that Ban is a HUGE, multi-billion$$ operation with many offices in many countries. If Romney was the sole owner of this huge operation, he was not just a businessman. He was a multi-national mover and shaker on the scale of Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, Rockefeller, etc. I don't want that kind of guy in charge of my country - I don't trust his motives.
Yes, I agree. Obama is very diplomatic! He always appears to be cool, calm and collective.
I think the pun/stereotype went right past a lot of readers.
http://www.theonion.com/articles/who-was-i-and-why-was-i-important-again,18715/
Great Onion piece on John Sununu.
Man, if I had a nickel for every time I wanted to question someone's business acumen but instead called them an anti-American drug addict...
Sununu is never going to like anything President Obama says or does. Obama could say "Jesus was a swell guy" and Sununu would find fault with it.
Stick a bad wig on Sununu and he becomes Sarah Palin or Michele Bachman. If you can't see past your party's talking points and are unable to work "across the aisle", you're part of the problem. All three of them need to learn how to be real Americans.
YeeFunn-
Sununu is another republican stooge. How did such a clown get into public service ?
Republicans politicians are such dull, bland and unimaginative individuals. They might as well be selling life insurance.
Romney is hypocrite, a liar, not transparent, and hobbled to the secretive practices of his faith.
This is recipe for diaster for the office of the presidency of the US.
If the Romney campaign is going to put out a surrogate to question Obama's Americanness, they might not want to have someone born in Cuba speaking on the subject.
And if living abroad somehow diminishes one's Americanness, then what effect does living in France for two and half years have?
Maybe the president should spend more taxpayer dollars on personal travel?
In the end, Romney is going to lose because of one simple fact: people don't like him. He's a phony. And the more he attacks Obama's patriotism and his "Americanness," to more they'll dislike him. In the end, voting for president of the U. S. isn't that much different from the way people vote for high school student body president.
They're looking for reasons to vote against Romney. He's obliging them by giving them LOTS of reasons to do so.