The Romney campaign was going to invest considerable time and energy in a 1998 clip in which Barack Obama said he believes in some redistribution of resources, while at the same time fostering competition and innovation in the marketplace.
But that's so two days ago. Now there's a new, silly shiny object Team Romney says "will become a major part of his campaign's message." Jed Lewison had a good item yesterday featuring this clip from Mitt Romney on the stump in Florida.
Yes, as far as Romney's concerned, the president "threw in the white flag of surrender," Romney, unlike Obama, intends to "change Washington ... from the inside."
Remember, the president's quote was about mobilizing the electorate to change politics from the grassroots up, using the power of regular folks to pressure policymakers to do the right thing. This is Romney's new manufactured outrage.
Let's count the ways in which this entire line of attack is absurd.
* Romney agrees with Obama: Mitt Romney said during his first presidential campaign, "I don't think you change Washington from the inside. I think you change it from the outside." That is, almost word for word, what the president said yesterday.
* This isn't new: Obama has endorsed the notion of a cooperative political process, dependent on engaged citizens, countless times before, including at his 2012 national convention. If it wasn't controversial before, there's no reason it should be controversial now.
* If anything, Romney's the one who screwed up yesterday: As Greg Sargent noted, "[Obama] said he hopes to do more in his second term to mobilize public opinion -- not just to achieve more of the change he achieved that way during his first term, but also to force more fundamental change in how Congress operates. If Romney thinks the promise to engage more Americans in the political process is a gaffe, that is certainly newsworthy."
* This won't work: I haven't seen polling on this, but are we supposed to believe the American mainstream will hear the president talk about meaningful political change coming from outside the Beltway and voters will recoil? They'll find this observation ridiculous? Please.
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Has there ever been a major presidential candidate since the Civil War that so forcefully written off half the country as worthless and ungovernable like Mitt Romney has? Never. The basic qualifications for someone seeking to be commander in chief is that they are prepared to be a president of the entire nation and not just their own supporters. This sort of antebellum-style tribalism is both ridiculous and absurd. It reeks of a campaign that is desperate and searching for a line of attack against an increasingly powerful incumbent. Romney is now chasing at every shiny object in a bid to turn his campaign around. Voters will not be fooled. - pprogressive
It might be a wise move for someone on Mitt's staff to review Mitt's old speeches before he criticizes the Pres. for saying the same thing. They might even find something intelligent Mitt actually said.
Those gol durn fernickity taping machines .... why... why they're ruining my campaign.
I do declare, Willard Romney and his campaign staff appear to be Fu*king idiots
sick-n-effin,
You're on fire this week.
They are providing me with so much material.....
They will put the Onion out of business.
I thought the whole point of the Tea Party was to "change government from the outside."
And how did that work out for you Mr. Speaker, having a pack of know-nothing yahoos, overturning the furniture and writing on the walls?
I agree. Did Mitt just slam his own Tea Party grass roots, outside constituency? That must add up to, what, 47% of conservative voters?
The Tea Party crew haven't been trying to do anything. A Tea Party Congressman is like the office worker collecting a $174,000 paycheck while goofing off playing WoW, solitaire or surfing porn. The difference is that their "Boss Key" doesn't look like a spreadsheet, it looks like an anti-abortion bill.
Romney's reactions are instinctively simplistic and aimed at a low-information audience. It's not good leadership, but it is a safe Republican strategy.
RACHEL AND COLLEAGUES!!! Please take a break from the already "known" outcome of the Presidential election (Obama winning in a landslide) and cover GOV. John Hickenlooper selling out to the OIL AND GAS industry in Colorado!!!!!!! I m a recent resident of Longmont, Colorado. I moved here just in time to find a heated debate about FRACKING. The residents DO NOT want fracking in the town. The people have spoken, end of story, RIGHT?? NO!!! Hicklooper is SUING Longmont to allow for fracking. Unbelievable!!!!! AND HE'S A DEMOCRAT!!!! You should bring this story to public attention!! You know fracking is an unproven technology, is unsafe and that YOUR SHOW CAN APPLY APPROPRIATE PRESSURE to guarrantee people rights are not being trampled. PLEASE PLEASE take a moment to look at the story.
Thanks!!!! I watch everyday....Let's take care of this transgression.
:-)
Pick your metaphor. The Romney campaign is:
Of course, "All of the above" is the correct answer.
You forgot: Skating on thin ice.
Right. Oh-oh; did you just hear that cracking sound? ;)
Hey, if Romney wants to spend the next 2 weeks on another silly attack that won't gain him any traction at all, I say go for it! It's not nearly as bad as the welfare lie.
Has anyone noticed how much Romney has the same mannerisms as former President Regan. Politically there is no comparison , but he stands and turns like him. speaks like him etc. With all the flip flopping that Romney does perhaps he has early stages of Alzheimer's. He doesn't remember from one speech to the next or what he says he believes in and that could be a sign. I have taken care of quite a few patients with this disease and he sure acts like he has some memory problems. Also wondering about this blind Terrorist that is in prison. Some Republican was on TV last night insisting that this 9-11 murderer was going to be released and sent back to a prison in his own country, despite denials by the White House. He twisted every word they said on the subject. What lengths they won't go to. I am sick to death of all of this. Both sides just need to state the Facts regarding their plans to help this Country. We know about unemployment, the economy, the war, lack of sustainable fuel in this country, we are living these day to day miseries. Just state what You will do as President to change things. First get rid of the Congress and start anew with intelligent men and women who agree on helping the Country. The Tea Party has to go, we did not vote for them to have a say. My God look at Australia, they are ahead of us and know it. What has happened to the Great Country of the United States of America. All the sacrifices , all the wars to make us great and look where we are because of the few idiots in Government (Congress and Senate ) who cannot agree on how to mend what is wrong. God Help us. When Sept. 11th. happened, I predicted that these Foreign countries would undermine us Financially and try to own America. They would put us out of work and the Terrorist would move in , this Congress is helping that to happen. Where are our jobs? Overseas.!! Romney himself wants to move more over there and said so. We cannot trust any food or product from China , even out pets are being poisoned. To save our country we have to help us first, bring the jobs back here. My area had Mill jobs for four surrounding cities and we are down to three mills that work with skeleton crews as much of the work is done overseas and in Mexico, then shipped back here for distribution. The towns have lost revenue and people moved away. Families torn apart , people losing their homes, kids returning from college and working at fast food places just to have a job. I don't blame President Obama, he has no help from Congress on any change he tries to implement. Whatever they do pass I believe is politically motivated to their advantage. They don't care about our Gay friends, or health care, or any bill that does not profit them in some way. Look at the Veterans bill they just rejected and in a election year. That is the thanks they(Vets) got for fighting for their country. I am sad to be in America today, it is not the America my Dad (WW II) or my former husband (Viet Nam) fought for. Sorry Vets most Americans are appalled that you would be treated so disrespectfully. God Bless America and please help us. Idiots have taken over and we can't get out of this mess without you. I believe in God and respect him and have great faith that he will guide us if we listen. American's are in charge of their destiny and we have to stop letting others think they know what is right for us, what we need and want. American's are intelligent, just a bit to trusting to let others take over. Take back your Power to determine what you want .
I hate to admit it but I have had my issues with Obama. I wanted the patriot act repealed,I had hoped for a one payer system and various other wish list items, but this campaign cycle the republicans have reaffirmed my one core belief--Obama ain't a dang politician but instead he actually cares about the country more than self promotion or big money.
TRY and keep me from voting and watch what a passi-fist can do when pushed!
When you so deperately want to change the subject from the 47%, you take what you can get and hope if you scream loud enough, a compliant press follows.
Team Obama shouldn't get defensive or back down, they need to have a little fun with it, and start throwing this in to his speeches:
". . . now, my friends, I have to admit - Mitt Romney has been saying a lot about me in his campaign, a lot more than he says about his own plans, and most it just isn't true. But Mitt did finally get one thing right. He claimed yesterday that my new campaign slogan is 'No, I Can't.' That's not really my slogan, its not catchy enough. BUt you know what? I agree - I, by myself, can't. I can't do it alone, no I can't but with your help, with you working with me, with you letting Washington hear your voice, hear that you want affordable health care, you want women to be able to make their own medical decisions, you want to keep good manufacturing jobs here, you want clean energy, you want to keep the economy growing and keep economic hope alive, and you want to make the tax system more fair by asking those at the top to pay their fair share, if you give me that help and we work together in a second term -- you know what's coming here, help me out: Yes, WE Can!"
Well said. Applause, Applause. I wish I had said it and the President will speak these very words. He needs to speak to us. The other side is shouting louder.
Seriously, email this to the White House. I can practically hear these words coming out of Obama's mouth!
I'd like to advance the hypothesis that Mitt Romney is not very bright.
I believe that one's already been proven, numerous times. But we'll see more convincing supporting evidence in the debates.
It's the dimmest bulbs who seek out the shiniest objects.
Willard, this dog won't hunt, either. What else you got?
Wow, what a weak-assed rally. Even the fat, white people look indifferent. This clown really might go down! I love the "Protect and Strengthen Medicare" bullshet on the lectern. How even a Teatard would vote for this epic and flagrant fraud is unfathomable. The R's must be voted out across the board this November or this country is so double-dog screwed. Let us change Washington from the outside please before I'm forced to emigrate to Vancouver or Victoria.. Other races would do well to latch onto this.
FUBARRomney in 2007: "I don't think you change Washington from the inside. I think you change it from the outside."
Third paragraph. http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2007/12/30/4429528-mitt-on-huck-mccain-ann
via BlueFranco at DKos
It's easy to see how his audience were all able to get there in the middle of the day - they're all on Social Security. They got theirs, screw you, jack, and we don't need none a them people in the White House.
The comedians are getting a hell of a ride in this election season 'cause of this clown...hahahahahah!!!!