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In a way, I blame my friend Greg Sargent. In the first week in January, he noted, almost in passing, that Mitt Romney seemed to be making a lot of false claims, and someone "really should document them all." That struck me as a good idea, so I decided to tackle this on my own.
After all, I thought at the time, how hard could this be? Once a week, I'd let readers know about Romney's whoppers, which I assumed would total about a half-dozen a week, and maybe after the election, I'd do a top 20 list of my favorites. The project would be a nice little Friday-afternoon feature.
Little did I know at the time that Romney would become an ambitious prevaricator, whose rhetoric would come to define post-truth politics. Nearly 11 months after Greg Sargent's harmless suggestion, I've published 40 installments in this series, which, before today, featured 884 falsehoods. (If you include today's edition, the new total is 917 falsehoods for the year.)
I wish that were a typo. It's not.
The outcome of next week's election remains in doubt, but regardless of who wins, I suspect this will be the final edition in the series. If President Obama wins, the project will have run its course. If Romney wins, I rather doubt I'll be able to keep this going every week for four years. So, with that in mind, enjoy the 41st and probably final installment of my weekly series, chronicling Mitt's mendacity.
1. At a campaign event yesterday in Roanoke, Virginia, Romney again suggested the president is to blame for the fact that "gasoline prices" have "gone up."
This is wildly misleading. It's true that when Obama took office, gas cost about $1.81 a gallon, and it's more than double now. And how did gas prices get so low in late 2008 and early 2009? Because there was a global economic catastrophe -- gas was cheap because the economy had fallen off a cliff, and demand crawled to a stop. As the economy improved, demand went up, and the price of gas started climbing. It's Economics 101.
2. In the same speech, Romney said he should be elected in order to prevent "four more years of trillion dollar deficits in Washington."
According to the budget plan Romney endorsed, we'll have four more years of trillion dollar deficits in Washington anyway.
3. Romney added he has a "five-point plan ... that'll get this economy going."
The five-point plan -- oil drilling, trade, privatizing K-12 education, vague assertions about debt reduction, and ambiguous promises about doing nice things for small businesses -- is a rehash of Bush/Cheney promises. No credible analysis of the vague agenda has found it capable of boosting the economy.
4. At a campaign event in Doswell, Virginia, Romney said "Obamacare" is "crushing small businesses across America."
There is literally no evidence to support this claim in any way. Indeed, a a significant portion of the ongoing cost of the Affordable Care Act is to give small businesses a tax break.
5. In the same speech, Romney also argued, "The president wants to raise taxes on small business."
In reality, Obama has repeatedly cut taxes on small businesses -- by some counts, 18 times -- and if given a second term, his tax plan would have no effect on 97% of small businesses.
6. Romney also vowed, "I will not raise tax on ... middle-class America."
There's ample reason to believe the exact opposite -- independent budget analysts have concluded that once Romney slashes taxes on the wealthy, increases defense spending, increases entitlement spending, and cuts corporate tax rates, all while promising to balance the budget, he'll have no choice but to ask more from the middle class. Indeed, there's no other way for Romney to keep his other promises.
7. In a television ad, Romney claimed Obama "gutted the work requirement for welfare."
This continues to be as obvious a lie as Romney has told all year.
8. In the same ad, Romney claimed there's been "record unemployment" under Obama.
The unemployment rate topped out at 10% a few years ago, and that's not even close to being a "record."
9. The ad went on to say the rates of "women in poverty" are at their highest rates "ever."
Poverty rates were vastly worse during the last global financial crisis, the Great Depression.
10. The same ad claimed Obama financed the debt by "borrowing from China."
The implication here is that U.S. debt is financed by the Chinese, but this isn't true -- China only holds about 8% of the nation's debt.
11. In a different ad, Romney claimed to "have a plan to help the auto industry."
Asked for a copy of that plan, the Romney campaign refused to provide one.
12. The same ad suggests Jeep production is moving "to China."
This is breathtakingly dishonest.
13. Romney said on Monday he'd cancel his campaign rally in Ohio on Tuesday, out of sensitivity for the victims of Hurricane Sandy.
He held a campaign rally anyway.
14. In a radio ad this week, Romney suggested Obama saved the auto industry "for China," adding that "GM cut 15,000 American jobs" because of the president.
GM itself responded to this by saying, "We've clearly entered some parallel universe during these last few days. No amount of campaign politics at its cynical worst will diminish our record of creating jobs in the U.S. and repatriating profits back to this country."
15. The same radio spot adds, "Mitt Romney grew up in the Auto Industry. Maybe that's why the Detroit News endorsed him."
No, the Detroit News specifically called Romney's approach to the auto rescue "wrong-headed."
16. At a campaign event in Avon Lake, Ohio, Romney claimed, "[W]e're at a 30 year low in the number of new businesses that have started up."
17. In the same speech, Romney said, "In Europe ... their corporate tax rate, which used to be higher than ours is now down to 25 percent. Ours is 35 percent. So businesses that are thinking of investing are interested in going elsewhere."
This is wildly misleading, since the actual income tax paid by corporations "is one of the lowest in the world."
18. Romney went on to say, "I'm going to make sure that we finally get America on track to have a balanced budget."
No he won't. Romney's plan slashes tax rates (which makes the deficit worse, not better), increases defense and entitlement spending (which makes the deficit worse, not better), and every independent analysis reaches the same conclusion: Romney's numbers don't add up.
19. Referencing the president, Romney said, "He's cut Medicare $716 billion."
This is deeply silly. Obama strengthened the Medicare system's finances by reducing payments to insurance companies and hospitals. Benefits for seniors have been expanded, not cut.
20. Romney also argued, "[T]he president's been spending massively more than he's been taking in."
Government spending is down, not up, under President Obama.
21. Romney went on to boast, "I have a plan that'll create 12 million new jobs."
Putting aside the pesky detail that Romney doesn't actually have a specific jobs plan, the claim about 12 million jobs has been definitely proven fraudulent. His own economic advisor was forced to concede the candidate's -- and the campaign's -- talking point was based on a falsehood.
22. Romney also claimed, "I was governor of a state with a legislature that was 85 percent Democrat. I knew from the very beginning to get anything done, I had to reach across the aisle and I did."
23. At a campaign event in Tampa, Romney said, "Latin America's economy is almost as large as that of China."
That's actually not true.
24. In a speech on the economy in Ames, Iowa, Romney said Obama "doubled" the deficit.
Romney is still having trouble with the definition of "double." The deficit on Obama's first day was $1.3 trillion. Last year, it was also $1.3 trillion. This year, it's $1.08 trillion. When he says the president "doubled" the deficit, as he has many times, Romney's lying.
25. In the same speech, Romney said Obama has "proposed any solution at all" to address Medicare's finances.
Actually, Obama shored up Medicare's finances by finding $716 billion in savings, and has a long term plan through IPAB.
26. Romney went on to say the president "did not tame the spending and borrowing."
Not only did government spending go down under Obama, the deficit also went down under Obama.
27. Romney added that Obama "did not reach across the aisle."
Obama repeatedly pleaded with congressional Republicans to work on common solutions. GOP lawmakers responded by opposing every idea, including their own.
28. Romney also said the president "did not stand up to China's trade practices."
29. Romney claimed Obama has "added almost as much debt held by the public as all prior American presidents in history."
He's said this before, but it's not even close to being true.
30. Romney also argued the president "launched an onslaught of new regulations, often to the delight of the biggest banks and corporations."
Putting aside the irony of Romney suggesting Obama is beholden to corporations, there has been no regulatory onslaught.
31. Romney went on to say, "Energy prices are up in part because energy production on federal lands is down."
Nice try, but no.
32. Romney claimed, in reference to Obama, "[H]is tax plan has been calculated to destroy 700,000 jobs."
33. Romney added, "[C]utting one trillion dollars from the military will kill jobs and devastate our national defense."
Romney appears to be referring to cuts, which have not yet kicked in, and which were crafted by Romney's own party and endorsed by his own running mate.
Previous editions of Chronicling Mitt's Mendacity: Vol. I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII,XIII, XIV, XV, XVI, XVII, XVIII, XIX, XX, XXI, XXII, XXIII, XXIV, XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXVIII, XXIX, XXX, XXXI, XXXII, XXXIII, XXXIV, XXXV, XXXVI, XXXVII, XXXVIII, XXXIX, XL
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Thanks for calling our attention to the fact that Romney is a liar. It cannot be said enough times. Lying is endemic with the Republican Party. Most all of them do it.
President Bush’s declaration of state of emergency August 27, 2005 for Katrina did not include the coastal parishes of Orleans, Jefferson, and Plaquemines (the hardest hit areas). In fact, the declaration did not include any of Louisiana’s coastal parishes, whereas the coastal counties were included for Mississippi and Alabama (Republican governors).
Bush appointed FEMA chair Michael Brown lied under oath and testified that this was because Louisiana Governor Blanco (Democrat) had not included those parishes in her initial request for aid, a decision that he found “shocking.” After the hearing, Blanco released a copy of her letter, which showed she had requested assistance for “all the southeastern parishes including the City of New Orleans” as well specifically naming 14 parishes including Jefferson, Orleans and Plaquemines.
Republicans play politics with peoples lives. (Something that 47% of you better think about before you vote for Romney.) To put the comparison into perspective: If President Obama had acted like George Bush, he would not have returned Christies phone calls. Fortunately for the people of New Jersey, Obama is no George Bush.
Yes President Obama saluted a Dead Ambassador, 2 Dead Navy Seals ( a Total of 4 dead Americans) and what did he do?
Went to Nevada for a Political Fundraiser
President Obama went to New Jersey for a Photo Op and then what did he do?
Back on the Political Campaign
Pathetic
What did Mitt do?
Right because Obama, who is president of the United States, has stopped his efforts to help clean up New England, New Jersey, and New York, right? Because FEMA totally follows the president around *eyeroll*
This is just stupid. If you want to make a point against the president please make one that is substantive. It's OK to disagree on substantive policy issues. What you're doing here, instead, is playing political fodder with these crises specifically so you can attack the president. What is the point of this? Is it not enough that people died and homes were lost? You still need to dig the knife in deeper? What is wrong with you?
That's my biggest annoyance. But then people say "we just want to know and investigate" and you are just covering it up. What they want is to use the misery of others to sway a voter to vote against the President.
President Obama did his job. These folks seem to think there can be no other thing he can do. But if he did go to NY and NJ to help he is on a photo op, if he goes to fundraise (he doesn't have Adelson or Koch Bros) he should go be on a photo op.
It's pathetic that people expect the President to be Superman or Jesus and when he isn't, they call him not (___something___) enough.
The President did his job (ask Gov. Christie) and Mitt staged a food drive in Ohio, where he was scheduled for a rally, he turned it into something synthetic. Rmoney can only be synthetic. Only in quiet rooms does he let the truth be heard. 47%, Israel is kicked like a can. But he spouts and stages lies in public.
MSDNC Political Expert who ran the Campaigns for John Kerry and Al Gore
Expert???
Maybe in Being A Loser!!!
He knows NOTHING about being a winner, Maybe that is why Bob Shrum is on MSDNC!!!
Let me guess, you're piling up "troll bytes" to turn in to whoever pays you as you know you'll be out of job after next Tuesday?
The corn syrup's been taken out of Pepsi, maybe the same could be done for Cheeto?
And no, I'm not taking you seriously because you aren't being serious.
That coming from someone who because they have an opposing opinion from you Doug, as half of America does also, thinks we get paid?
I guess since the Polls show a CLOSE Presidential Election, Anyone who does not agree with you must be a Troll?
LMAO
By the way, Great job in avoiding the post you supposed were reacting too!!!
The latest swing state polls via Political Wire.
I’ve been avoiding talking about the polls lately because they’ve been all over the place with a lot of noise between them, but now that we’re four days away from the election a more clear picture is beginning to emerge.
The president is in a very strong position heading into the weekend and Romney is blustering, planning trips to Pennsylvania, Nevada, and New Hampshire. States that are unlikely to go in his favor.
The reason the Romney campaign is making these moves is fairly easy to explain — their path to 270 electoral votes is precarious at best. In fact there is a scenario in which the president can reach 270 even without Ohio. Mitt Romney would otherwise have to run the table to win.
http://bobcesca.com/blog-archives/2012/11/swing-state-polls-4-days-out.html
BOOM!!!
This should be fact checked a little better...
Just glancing at a few items that are easily checked via the historical tables at the US gov site, I was able to verify that certain assertions made by Romney are accurate.
Deficit spending...
last 4 years that Bush was in office: (in trillions) .318, .248, .160, .458
since Obama has been in office: 1.412, 1.293, 1.299, estimate for 2012 1.326
(these figures are from the Budget Historical Tables, US Gov web site)
So... Deficit spending has gone up not down.
And the debt...
last 4 years that Bush was in office:
7,354,657, 7,905,300, 8,451,350, 9,986,820
Since Obama has been in office:
11,875,851, 13,528,807, 14,764,222, 16,350,885 (estimate for 2012)
(Also from the US gov web site)
So, the debt has also risen.
And, please don't steroetype if I am pointing this out that I must be a)wealthy b)ignorant of the various issues c)a right wing loon/ tea bagger
I am a middle class 54 year old registered Independent. A small business owner. A news junky who watches CBS morning news, ABC evening news, and switches between CNN, MSNBC, and Fox through the evening. Oh, ABC and NBC Sunday morning news shows.
Also, as a small business owner, the health care bill did not address the biggest area of concern for me... cost containment. I pay 100% of my premium costs. Guess what? My costs have not gone down, they continue to rise. In fact, I just needed to move to a high deductible plan in order to still afford insurance.
Congratulations Lisa on being an informed American
Must be difficult since your facts fall on deaf ears on this MSDNC posting site !!!
But do not give up on your beliefs no matter how hard they try here to drown your opinions down by name calling or worse.
close your ears, nolaughingmatter, I wouldn't want to challenge your opinion with facts in any way.
I will not stereotype you, lisafp. Yes, you have copied some numbers off one website for the debt and deficit. The numbers are real and they are large, and yes, Obama has responsible over them.
Now tell me where that debt came from and where the money is being spent. If you are intelligent enough to find that one website, then you are intelligent enough to further investigate the facts that two wars, tax cuts and subsidies, inherited debt, and recovery measures are all included in those numbers.
The matter of debt and deficit are very complex and cannot be held up in a set of unexplained numbers off one website as any kind of accurate measure of Obama's successes or failures, as much as nolaughingmatter hopes they can.
Your vote is your own, but beliefs and facts are two different things, one can't be measured, but the other one can. Debt and deficit are factual measurable things with real reasons for being what they are. Respectfully...
Thank you NeedMoreCoffee for entering into a respectful debate. I do endeavor to always look further and be a critical thinker. Consider this... the two wars, tax cuts, and subsidies were already in place, so this would not have resulted in the steep rise in the deficit. In terms of recovery measures, it is open for debate as to whether TARP funds (given that very few shovel ready jobs were created) were well spent given that we needed to borrow to do it.
Certainly interest on inherited debt adds to the current debt. But when the deficit is triple what it had been under the previous admin times 4 years... that adds up.
I think that both parties have to recognize that this is not monopoly money. We have created a political aristocracy that has as it's first priority maintaining their own existence. (Look at the net worth of individuals when they enter congress versus when they finally leave congress).
I am most interested in politicians who are willing to do the tough work to reign in spending. We cannot afford to continue on the same trajectory.
As i said on the last page: smart enough to look up the numbers, not smart enough to figure out what they mean
And let's not forget, the 2 wars were "off" the books. President Obama put them "on" the books. Bush tried hiding the amount, Obama brought them out in the open.
FTR, it's not easy to research and find the the pattern of fluctuations for US gas prices mirrors the pattern for nations around the world. Two logical conclusion: (1) Either the premise that the President controls gas prices is obvious ludicrous or (2) Barack Obama has so much pull around the world that he controls gas prices everywhere; wouldn't we love for American President to have that influene?
I don't know if anyone already posted this. if so, consider this a reiteration.
If you are a true American, you would not send your money outside of the US to avoid paying your fair share of taxes. Taxes are investments paid into the country that support our economy. If you are a true American, you would never cheat to win an election...block the vote...several ID's needed to prove that you are an American citizen (changed that list later). If you are a true American, it would not have taken you so long to get one year of taxes. Even the Bush's and prior candidates have shown years of taxes. "Personal thought:" His accountant had to "create his taxes." If you are a true American, you would be representing 100% of Americans, not just 47%. You'd have to be a fool not to believe that because it was said behind closed doors, not intended for "the public." If you are a true American, you would not outsource jobs, for cheap labor, to add jobs here in the US. If you were a true American you would not make a reckless idea about letting the housing and transportation jobs go rock bottom...If you had any confidence, you would not do anything to lie, cheat or steal to win. Wait,,,I have bipolar,,,were it not for meds, my mind and moods would change in a matter of minutes...maybe we should consider this...I have some Lamictal that I can share..I can get him some Lithium whatever the man needs, I can look in my medicine cabinet and share!!! Mittens is crazier than me, he's schizo and he knows it. If he wins, we may get to see his many wives and 1000 children!!
Haven't you realized yet,, jupiterthunder4??
They do,,,, with "Big Corp." pulling the strings.
In as much as I want President Obama to succeed, I think your responses to the Romney statements need to be expanded to include more facts that argue your position. Just sayin'.
Click on the bold words and you shall find facts and more facts.
Not to mention, that Steve goes into more detail the first time the mendacious element is offered and less detail, often just the link, when it comes up again.
There's only 33 items on the list. Evidence that Romney took some time away from the campaign trail.
Do you think his name is really Romney?
Thank you for your hard work and I'm so glad it was not me doing it - I would have slit my wrists by now have to listen to that windbag
Should have chronicled the occasions when Mitt told the TRUTH... it'd be a MUCH shorter list and a lot less work!
917 examples of Mitt's Mendacities, says it all. Thanks for not letting a single one slip by, you've been an example the rest of journalism should've followed. Attacking every fact that doesn't fit on their island as being born from a liberal bias has successfully pressured a large chunk of our supposedly free press to give Republicans free reign to lie away. Volume is all they have. Whatever facts get in the way and whoever delivers them will suffer the full wrath of the liberal bias brand. We may be surprised at how well this has worked to neutralize the objectivity of journalism, but no one should be surprised that they're going to keep it up unless more of us vote against it. Volume always works and I'm never surprised that it reaches people but it is a true disappointment that more journalists don't directly fight back against what has been a disturbingly high level of lying, because volume only works if you don't control the volume. I'm still the sort of person that doesn't like using the word liar, but I can't think of anything else that fits the bill.
The wishful thinker in me hopes that after the election journalist will feel free to get back to the facts and not be afraid of favoring a particular candidate because you're not favoring any one, if it's the facts that determine favor. But this is still only wishful thinking because I can't understand how come so many can't see that they are choosing sides by covering up one side's lies and weakening the other side's facts. It's got to be pressure from the CEOs, because I still believe journalists at their core want to fulfill their call to be great journalists. And this pressure from CEOs has to be based on their own personal special interests because it's not based on what will get them more followers. The only industry with lower approval ratings than the political press is Congress.
No matter what, it is clear after this election that Mitt Romney and the Republicans have set a new standard for lying to the public and way too many in the press have set a new standard for how much they will let them get away with. I just keep telling myself everything can change, and that includes journalists and politicians. Sorry if this seems a little harsh to both professions but keep in mind that there are still a lot of solid public servants in both of these fields. Our President, this blog, Steve Benen, Rachel and way too long a list of others to continue on with, gives me hope for a future that somehow always seems to come, even if it's a bumpy ride. So thank you to all of those, whose work makes a difference.
#1.9 - Fri Nov 2, 2012 6:37 PM EDT
917 examples of Mitt's Mendacities, says it all. Thanks for not letting a single one slip by, you've been an example the rest of journalism should've followed. Attacking every fact that doesn't fit on their island as being born from a liberal bias has successfully pressured a large chunk of our supposedly free press to give Republicans free reign to lie away. Volume is all they have. Whatever facts get in the way and whoever delivers them will suffer the full wrath of the liberal bias brand. We may be surprised at how well this has worked to neutralize the objectivity of journalism, but no one should be surprised that they're going to keep it up unless more of us vote against it. Volume always works and I'm never surprised that it reaches people but it is a true disappointment that more journalists don't directly fight back against what has been a disturbingly high level of lying, because volume only works if you don't control the volume. I'm still the sort of person that doesn't like using the word liar, but I can't think of anything else that fits the bill.
The wishful thinker in me hopes that after the election journalist will feel free to get back to the facts and not be afraid of favoring a particular candidate because you're not favoring any one, if it's the facts that determine favor. But this is still only wishful thinking because I can't understand how come so many can't see that they are choosing sides by covering up one side's lies and weakening the other side's facts. It's got to be pressure from the CEOs, because I still believe journalists at their core want to fulfill their call to be great journalists. And this pressure from CEOs has to be based on their own personal special interests because it's not based on what will get them more followers. The only industry with lower approval ratings than the political press is Congress.
No matter what, it is clear after this election that Mitt Romney and the Republicans have set a new standard for lying to the public and way too many in the press have set a new standard for how much they will let them get away with. I just keep telling myself everything can change, and that includes journalists and politicians. Sorry if this seems a little harsh to both professions but keep in mind that there are still a lot of solid public servants in both of these fields. Our President, this blog, Steve Benen, Rachel and way too long a list of others to continue on with, gives me hope for a future that somehow always seems to come, even if it's a bumpy ride. So thank you to all of those, whose work makes a difference.
Economics 101 continued. The same thing - a drop in demand this time because of the catastrophic natural disaster along the eastern United States and well inland - has forced the price of gas down. Nothing to do with government economic policies. But don't think for a minute that Republicans will accept that!
This is a good photo. See how red his face is and white his hands are. He gets his face spray painted everyday. He pays more for that than I do to live on each month.
I wish more on MSNBC were as committed to the truth as you and those at TRMS are. Most of media has given Mitt a total pass on lies this entire campaign cycle. Thanks for all you have done!! Much appreciated.
I always knew that one day, Nixon would be deposed as the world's biggest liar. Romney has totally kicked his ass!
One of Romney's lies is that Obama and his supporters are angry. He said the voters should send Obama and his angry croud back to Chicago. The truth is that it is the far right that is angry. Witness Rush L. and the likes who are angry and pessimistic.
Classic projection.
#15 is wrong. Though Detroit News did not endorse Romney's plan for the auto industry, it did endorse him for president. This is just sloppy. There's enough bull@!$%# coming from the Romney camp that there is no reason for these mistakes.
Steve, you've done a tremendous job cataloguing this. It's sad and somewhat terrifying the number of people who are utterly convinced that every one of the 917 lies of Romney are the unvarnished truth....
Does anyone know who Myth Romney is?
One thing I will to say about Obama, he doesn't need to be evasive, after four years, I have no idea what he stands for, (except raise taxes on the rich), and what his plans are for the next four years, other than raise taxes on the rich.Oh, I forgot, blame Bush and the republican house of representatives. If it were'nt for Bush and the house unemployment would be at 5%.
After literally reading every single entry, I was so impressed with Steve Benen's truly heroic job of chronicling all of Myth Romney's public lies that I decided to compile them and put them all in one long list, so all 41 volumes of lies are together on one webpage, instead of 41 separate web pages. Since I'm technically old and definitely slow it took me most of the day yesterday to get it together. Check it out if you want to. http://chroniclingmittsmendacity.blogspot.com/.
when you first began this column, you were still at Washington Monthly. I had hoped that you would continue it when you came here.
you have not let the readers down.
you have no idea what kind of service you have given to your country.
thank you, no matter how November 6th turns out.
Bless you, Benen.
Even worse than Mitt circulating the lies, you have Ralph Reed organizing right-leaning churches to distribute the lies by way of paper voter guides, cell phone text messages, and viral posts on Facebook!
http://bluemassgroup.com/2012/11/last-minute-romney-surge-nmb-fmwb-poll/
my thoughts after reading some of these comments... sometimes i wonder what u older folks think of us gen x and gen y.
for the record, we dont just listen to 1 side of the story even if it appears on a blog or a particular news piece. we sort of (surprise!) do research on opinions....alot faster, and alot more effective than what u might think we do... to the tune of up to 10 articles per session, sometimes even more. (look it up, tonnes of empirical studies backing this statement)
some of the older folks get really stuck in their way of thinking, and to be truthful, not putting blame on 1 particular person, but this country has come to where we are today because of your doings... yes, I can confidently say that u big kids have ruined the playground for us.
obama has won because he spoke to todays generation and problems, not to u older folks who think u know it all. and yes, we hear obama's bs when he speaks too.
When asked, Myth Romney's advice for Obama, "Start Packing".
I thought, Oh, " the Mormons are coming! the Mormons are coming!
After his concession speech, as I saw Myth and his family exiting the stage, I said,
"The Mormons are leaving! The Mormons are leaving!"