Mitt Romney Responds to Me

[MKB2814]

As for Willard Mitt Romney's accusations of "sanctuary Cities" thriving under other candidates, he had three under his watch:

[National Review Online 8/9/07]

Despite his recent opposition to sanctuary cities, as Governor, Mitt Romney recommended over $324 million in state aid to Massachusetts sanctuary cities Cambridge, Orleans and Somerville. (Commonwealth Of Massachusetts Fiscal Affairs Division Website

All public record.

[MKB2814]

According to the Pew Hispanic Center, Massachusetts' illegal immigrant population exploded during Romney's one gubernatorial term.

[jaredjbrown]

duh, immigrant populations exploded all over the country during that time. You really think the immigrants made their decisions based on who was governor?

[MKB2814]

Well here's how Mittney dealt with "sanctuary cities":

[National Review Online 8/9/07]

Despite his recent opposition to sanctuary cities, as Governor, Mitt Romney recommended over $324 million in state aid to Massachusetts sanctuary cities Cambridge, Orleans and Somerville.

All while hiring illegal immigrants to do his lawn.

[MKB2814]

And for a little turd who wants to sound tough, here's a quote from Mitt in 1994:

Romney, however, acknowledged he did not have any desire to serve in the military during his college and missionary days. 'I was not planning on signing up for the military,' he said. 'It was not my desire to go off and serve in Vietnam,

[MKB2814]

As for his fiscal claims:

According to The Tax Foundation, a conservative tax research organization, in 2002 (the year before Romney came to power), Massachusetts state and local tax burden was 9.8 percent: the 34th highest in the nation. The Tax Foundation reported that in 2006, Massachusetts state and local tax burden had increased to 10.3 percent: the 28th highest in the nation. Thus, DURING the Romney administration, Bay Staters saw their taxes burden increase by 5.1 percent in real terms.

[poppyink]

Just so you all know Mitt was not running while he was Governor. He was never running while he was Governor so all your arguments are silly.

[MKB2814]

So essentially, Romney just didn't even stick around to do the job he was elected to do.

A weak, pathetic imitation of leadership was all Romney was.

[MKB2814]

"He was never running while he was Governor so all your arguments are silly."

So then all the time he spent out of state was essentially the act of a useless politician.

[poppyink]

You all don't make any sense. If he does it while he is in office he is not doing his job, if he finishes his office and runs for another he is a useless politician? You all must be real smart people. Also he didn't quite his term, he finished it then just didn't run again because he was running for president. Maybe you should use your brain a little before you talk next time.

[MKB2814]

His absence from his governorship is well documented. As a one-termer, he was afraid to run again because he knew he would have lost. As a poor governor, he spent more time insulting the state than actually staying to do his job.

However, his lack of presence in MA (unless a photo op was presented) was due in part to set up networks for his presidential run. Instead of doing the job he was elected to do.

Thinking you have a valid thought or any substance is obviously delusional.

[MKB2814]

So did Romney answer why he allowed gay marriage in MA? Considering that there was no court order or legislative approval and he issued them anyway. He's got some 'splainin' to do.

He almost became violent with Sandy Rios over the issue.

And Hadley Arkes' article "The Missing Governor" in the National Review probably made Mittens so angry he threw gardening tools at his illegal immigrant lawn care workers (in Belmont MA as soon as 2006)!

[opforusa]

What means could he have used to outlaw gay marriage in MA? You want the executive branch to be able to create and implement legislation without Congress? The MA congress refused to let the ppl vote, so they are the assholes, not Gov Mitt.

[MKB2814]

The courts NEVER ordered Romney to issue the licenses and the legislature NEVER voted on the issue.

Granted, they had two bills ready to be voted on for the issue in 2006, but considering how many times Mitt the twitt was out of the state, there seemed no point in presenting it.

Essentially, when Romney issued same sex marriage licenses, he created his own legislation. The MA constitution is very specific on the governor's ability over marriage issues, BTW.

[MKB2814]

Here's a sction of the State Constitution:

Part II, Ch. III, Article V. "All causes of marriage, divorce, and alimony, and all appeals from the judges of probate shall be heard and determined by the governor and council, until the legislature shall, by law, make other provision."

Legislature never made it law, and the poor performing "Governor" never made the determination that it shouldn't be allowed.

[opforusa]

But by what method could he have done that? That's what I'm getting at - it seems we agree on the issue overall. I think the tricky part is that the judicial branch, in making a ruling, apparently created this question of what a marriage is. You probably remember as I do when we didn't even consider these things as a question. So, now we have the question thrust upon us, and the legislature won't just let us vote and be dont with it.

[MKB2814]

Again, look at the MA State Constitution.

Simple answer is that Romney had authority to stop the issuing of same sex marriage certificates. He did authorize and approve them.

Then played political theater to try and cover his own mistakes and stupidity.

[opforusa]

OK - it seems that you don't treat the SJC ruling as either binding or even valid - massresistance^org calls it "just a court opinion." I think Roe v Wade is the same type of thing, and that's been around for a while. We have to follow precedent until legislature can fix it by law. Technically, he could ex-order it, but that's a loser politically, especially when the measure has the votes once our crap legislature allows us the chance.

[MKB2814]

"Technically, he could ex-order it, but that's a loser politically"

Which sums up Romney very accurately. For someone who's so supposedly "shaocked" about gay marriage as Willard was, he did nothing to stand by any convictions. Therefore, Romney is an enormous political coward.

Roe V. Wade isn't a valid comparison, as that was a Federal decision. Romney never bothered to bring it to that level. Most likely due to the damage his own political whoring would take.

[MKB2814]

And if this presentation isn't enough:

Rob Thompson, director of the New Hampshire Coalition of Families, a Christian group.

As for same-sex marriage, Romney's longstanding opposition won't suffice, Thompson added. Conservatives will focus on the fact that "on his watch, gay marriage became law." [Concord Monitor 12/10/06]

[MKB2814]

Then there's the anger and hostility Willard "Mitt" Romney displayed to radio talk show host Sandy Rios. She basically asked him the same questions.

We could also look at "The Missing Governor"(very accurate description of Romney's one term) by Hadley Arkes from the National Review.

The pathetic political theater Romney played to cover up his overreaching was just cowardly.

[opforusa]

He submitted legislation to let us vote right? He opted out of a war between the executive and judicial branch and chose the legislative route (the best long-term solution). It makes sense to do battle where you're most likely to win.  Trying to avoid alienating the gay community over this issue is not a bad decision. Doing the ex order would totally have outraged the GLB's and made things worse for his own cause (our cause, traditional marriage).

[opforusa]

As for the absence issue, initially I'm with you, but consider this: You are on a web enabled computer now, and probably have a cell phone - certainly you can see how business can be done even when you are not on scene. I want a President who can use his time most efficiently. His term in MA may not have been stellar, but they're not near comparable to the worst. That he was out of MA often shows he can manage the gov from anywhere, and that's a key Presidential quality.

[MKB2814]

"I want a President who can use his time most efficiently."

Then Romney is definitely out of he question. Insulting the state, barely staying to do the job he was entrusted to do, and just generally being a political whore.

Not to mention a hypocrate and impotent little coward.

Face it, Mitt's Shitt!

[opforusa]

You'd have to be a total purist to make that final judgement. Is a nationally politically active governor without precedent here? Didn't other governors in previous years, when considering a W.H. bid, travel similarly, and still run their states? If it's never happened before, I'll share your outrage more readily. If it has, then your argument is dead due to relativity.

[MKB2814]

Frankly, that's your opinion. In terms of practicality, a symbol of dedication to the position elected, and Romney's insulting the voters who elected him while persuing his egotistical exercise of ambition, there's no clearer example of lack of leadership than Willard Mitt Romney. He's a coward and weak little thing.

After all, this is the same hack of a governor who demanded Kerry give up his seat while seeking a similar role. That also makes Romney a hypocrate.

Not to mention a dog torturer.

[MKB2814]

"Is a nationally politically active governor without precedent here? Didn't other governors in previous years, when considering a W.H. bid, travel similarly, and still run their states?"

To give examples: George Bush, Bill Clinton, and Bill Richardson at least completed one full term as governors before exploring a presidential run.

Romney held one term (his first in politics) and didn't even stay focused enough for it.

Mitt's just an incompetent one-termer too distracted by his own narcissism

[opforusa]

"Mitt's just an incompetent one-termer too distracted by his own narcissism" & "He's a coward and weak little thing" That doesn't sound like proper discourse. "Kerry [had] missed 64 percent of last year's roll call votes and 87 percent this year" when he ran for president.(Globe) What percentage of events requiring his presence did Romney miss? If you don't have that figure, you cannot pursue the prosecution of that line of thought.

[opforusa]

Sorry, you can pursue that argument, but it will get you nowhere as it would not be based on facts.

[MKB2814]

212 days in one year.A Governor does not have the same responsibilities as a senator.

Romney spent more times out of state than in it.

Face it, he was an incompetent one-term Governor and a hypocrate.

As for being a coward, just remind yourself how gay marriage happened under his watch and that he never decided to exercise his legal authority.

[opforusa]

Senators must be present to cast votes - they can't be made from abroad, right? Governors can direct policy from anywhere they want. It's just more pleasing to the sensibilities of some people that they spend every second in-state. Not being on Beacon Hill didn't prevent him from balancing the budget, vetoing crap legislation, or finally getting Big Dig control back to the executive branch. More pluses than minuses.

[opforusa]

Thanks for the debate, all the best...

[MKB2814]

Well, as long as you're fine with a shitty governor who insulted the voters that entrusted him to do his job, go wild.

Just don't believe that the majority will accept Willart "Mitt" Romney as anything but a hypocrate.

[opforusa]

Indeed we shall see what the voters will say in due time. Iowans & New Hampshirites seem to like what they hear. Best of luck to you & your guy (ahem, or girl).

[MKB2814]

Romney can only buy so many votes.

Those illegal immigrants who tended his lawn for 10 years (until 2006) can't help.

Then there's his finding inspiration in Hitler and hezzbollah.

Even Hilary has more balls than Romney.

[MKB2814]

Governors have to stay and sign bills.

Romney failed to do that on a few in 2006.

BTW, he also had more can control of the "Big Dig" than he let on.

Romney was a crap governor with political theater and thorough incompitence.

He obviously takes advantage of ignorance, as any governor (with the NH) must present a balanced budget. In that . Mittkakis was no different than Dukakis.

[JOKAMAJA]

This guy is sharp! We should elect him for President or V.P. at least. I live in Massachusetts and Mitt did a fine job as Govorner of this Liberal rump swab of a state. That does hold water!

[moebeel]

go huckabee

[gfoneill]

"Fmaily Values" should mean healthcare for everyone and good enough pay and jobs where it's no longer necessary that BOTH parents have to work to make ends meet.

[KGH5151]

American values are that we fend for ourselves, not that government dolls out funding. Research the Founding Fathers and you will be surprised how we have left those individual responsibilities. And remember the satisfaction that comes through hard work.

[gfoneill]

Romney's a politician, albeit a very clumsy one sometimes. (That Irish Setter on the roof of his car didn't fly as well as Mittens initially thought it would.) You'll never get acomplete answer from Multiple Mitt on how to effectively address the real concerns facing Americans, because he either doesn't have the answers, or thinks yapping about 'family values' bullshit is always easier than actually coming up with real solutions.

[kewpiesbadhairday]

Republicans have already lost 08 when they have delusionals like Romney as one of their candidates

[Geodextro]

I agree with physphys. He directly answered your question it seemed to me.

[physphys]

I think you are wrong about his response. What he said about American families is correct: the deterioration of the American familiy will result in the deterioration in the American economy.

I don't think that it is "rhetorical maneuvering." He is running on the 3 legged stool: family values, strong economy, strong military. So it is crucial for him to make the case as to why those values are important and how they are inter-related, which is what he did in his response to your video.

[Unklebillybob]

At least Mitt Romney knew who Thomas L. Friedman is. Poor mr paul would confuse Thomas Friedman with Morgan Friedman

[transamspirit]

I really like your coverage! Keep it up. But one thing. He probably strayed from your question a bit because he does not have time to post 67 responses. He probably tried to cover them all in 3 videos. Its better than nothing.

[politubing]

Totally agree, I watched his response to your question and I was left thinking, huh? why is he talking families when the question was about globalization? With comments like yours, politicians will get their politubing act together soon enough :-) - Marisa

[prophetofdoom]

he talked about families because we need strong families to have a strong economy

[asiantiger01]

Please interview Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX)! Thanks!

[warren49682]

Do you ever ask these politicians whether 9/11 was an inside job?

What do they ususally say?

[SputnikMedia]

They say :"where is your tin foil hat dumb ass"~!

[timmunderwood]

They usually say that you are a moron

[QuelDr0ma]

well Guiliani usually walks away in shame or gets some cops to arrest reporters on charges on espionage

[honeybearbaby]

When I watched his videos I felt that he was (as you touched on) straying from the topics at hand. It seems that he was trying hard to change every question into his own preplanned agenda.

[alh1993]

good

[OnlineMaven]

Great analysis. You're dead on about YouTube not being a soundbite medium. I found Romney's approach made the video hard to watch.

[Martlar]

Say, that's a nice picture in the background.

[EmergencyCheese]

Indeed it is.

[RogCBrand]

That's great James! I'm wondering if any of the candidates will pass their finals at EmergencyCheese University, or if they'll have to repeat for 2012?

: )

[TheoVanDerDeer]

yeah but he paid to have it advertised on the website.

[MediaSpinner]

Very good.  Congrats James!