Mitt Romney, AP reporter exchange words re: lobbyists

[deneco4]

johnson@globe.com

PHONE

617 929-3233 You can thank the reporter here.

[RUconfuzed]

Mitt Romney you're a bold face liar and a piece of dog shit!!

[jedmerrill]

Right on Mitt.

[rembertervin247]

you have to watch Mitt Romney's words he says "He's not running my campaign" but that lobbyist may be supporting his campaign. These politicians are very clever with their wording.

[eltiare]

"He's not running my campaign! He's not running my campaign! He's not running my campaign!" Hey, Mitt: maybe if you repeat a lie enough it'll become true.

[2AProductions]

Mitt looks like he was gonna cry there. What a spineless, pathetic plastic man. He's only in this race to help his lobbyist friends. Pathetic.

[deke76]

"Don't be argumentative with the candidate"? How about you kiss my fucking ass? As if running for office somehow makes someone holier than thou.

[elf13buddy]

Someone PLEASE call Romney out on his dishonesty about his record as governor... Spending INCREASED, taxes INCREASED, and debt INCREASED! This information is all in the Massachusetts Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. Check for yourselves.

[shaneshopnet]

hey glen johnson, youre my hero of the month. Good going buddy. You did your job very well. Keep going with that kind of work

[tvguides]

Oh man.....Romney has the typical Mormon fake smile pasted on his face!!!

[tvguides]

Boy....I'm sure this got Romney's garments in a wad!!!

(Google Mormon garments)

[Cubbermom]

Is Romney about to hit this guy? Romney just keeps repeating the same carefully-parsed evasive sentence, which is not even true anyway. Then he can't let it go -- he finishes the appearance, then has to go over and take it back up with the reporter. But all he does is just repeat that same dumb sentence, all over, again and again! (Then his nasty press guy insults the press, also repeating himself!). Not very presidential temperament. Romney always seems so angry, wound so tight, so arrogant.

[mkl62]

1 month ago, I was let go from my job after 16 yrs. & 4 mos. I am also being denied unemployment benefits. I am a 45 yr. old white male, SC resident, Navy veteran & American Legion member. I am a hard worker that doesn't believe in sitting on my rear collecting a check. If anyone can aid in my quest I would be greatful. Either reply or call 864-445-8545 or 864-554-0517. Any assistance is appreciated. Thanks. By the way, I wonder what Mitt would do about this.

[scorpianscorpian]

Hmm, Senior advisor... Doesnt advisors advise you on running your campaign, so in a way, wouldnt he be part of running his campaign? I dont know that troubling, a Senior advisor, not just any adviosr, but the top dog is a lobbiest? Hmm.. I dont know who to vote for now, maybe Ron Paul I guess.

[coldfireshot]

wow if he gets mad over this just think what will happen if he becomes president and gets mad

[EZaccessBTV]

Reporters should ALWAYS be argumentative with candidates (and politicians generally).

[CO2Junkie]

Woo boy don't cross the Mitt. He'll get in your face, and give you the crazy eye. LOL. Yeah this guy would make a great president; he can't even field a reporter's justified criticism without losing composure. (And his gang of sycophants circling around like dogs, is really charming. They bark at anyone who makes the Mitt look foolish.)

[SunnyDaysRFun]

In 1913 Congressman Charles A. Lindbergh Sr. warned as follows:

"This [Federal Reserve Act] establishes the most gigantic trust on earth. When the President [Wilson} signs this bill, the invisible government of the monetary power will be legalized....the worst legislative crime of the ages is perpetrated by this banking and currency bill."

-- "From now on, depressions will be scientifically created." --

Mitt Romney will support the Privately owned Federal Reserve

[G5F4D3S2A1]

oh Romney you CFR Council on Foreign Relations piece of crap!

[Sherlyjames]

Gosh, just think how much richer the Romenys are going to be if they get into the white house, All the really cool 'chat with Mitt at Staples' fireside chats. Think of all the free ad time Mitt can put on the air for his business interest, all the really good business contacts!

Frankly, if I came across a staples caculator I would the tempted to toss it a Mitt!

[WadeBlazingame34]

To the lady at the end: Glen the AP reporter knows you're not "with the candidate", b/c he lives and travels with him every single day. That's how he spotted this lie, and called him out on it. See how it works? When people pay attention, they can spot the lies...

[neta570]

SAVE YOUR OPINION. what happened to freedom of speech. Romney can not handle the exposing the truth.

[Sherlyjames]

Romney is treating the press the way church members who objected to abuses were treated,except the church members were treated worse.

[CazK88]

Romney is softer than silk!

[brandalthor]

Yunginspirit is obviously blowing the candidate.

[brandalthor]

Or the candidate is blowing Yunginspirit?

[Yunginspirit]

Romney currently is winning in popular votes; has the most Delegates (52); two wins (WY & MI) and two runner-ups (IW & NH); the most Congressmen endorsing him; the most Conservative Talkback radio/TV hosts backing him; and the most conservative GOPs behind him.

MITT even got more Evangelicals votes in Michigan than Huckabee, and more votes than Clinton in MI. That's saying an awful lot!

MITT'S THE MAN!

[Yunginspirit]

robyyo: How would you like it if someone accused you of something that was untrue, and in front of others, and then persisted in it? Mitt wanted to set the record straight before he left.

You must have already been biased against Mitt before viewing this video, obviously.

[Yunginspirit]

FACTS:

Romney currently is winning in popular votes; has the most Delegates (52); two wins (WY & MI) and two runner-ups (IW & NH); the most Congressmen endorsing him; the most Conservative Talkback radio/TV hosts backing him; and the most conservative GOPs behind him.

MITT even got more Evangelicals votes in Michigan than Huckabee, and more votes than Clinton in MI. That's saying an awful lot!

MITT'S THE MAN!

[bluecobalt27]

Perhaps the reporter's importunity was slightly inappropriate for the situation (what kind of place for a speech was that?!) but Romney handled it fairly well; the guy at the end probably made the biggest mistake by being so standoffish.

[af796]

That man is a brave journalist. I wish more reporters would have the guts to cut through politicians' hollow rhetorics and confront them as they weave lullabies for the American people.

[Yunginspirit]

af796: Baloney!

[af796]

why is it "Baloney" my friend?

[Greedy37]

lets talk glenn lets talk..we prolly will never see glenn again..mitt will take him on the plane and throw his ass off..and i think your rude and ugly..? wtf does that have to do with anything stupid bitch needs 2 shut that mouth..glenn to pimp smack her keep the pimp hand strong.!@

[Yunginspirit]

Mitt didn't want to leave without the reporter understanding the truth. Unfortunately, Romney should have just let it go, and leave the dim-witted, numskull reporter to his taunters, like that brave lady! LOL! I loved that!

She who should have bopped Glen with her umbrella! LOL!

[robyyo]

If Romney's so pissed about lobbyists running other peoples campaigns then he should disassociate all lobbyists from his campaign just so he doesn't look like a total Jackass, which he did. This is America Mitt, don't talk shit and not expect to be called on it.

[Yunginspirit]

robyyo: you still didn't watch the video and listen with "open ears" I see. Mitt wasn't pi**ed about lobbyists running other people's campaigns. In the beginning, (not on film) someone asked him about lobbyists and then Mitt tried to explain to Glen that "a lobbyist was NOT running Mitt's campaign. Glen needled Romney and insinuated that he was lying. Romney was telling the truth

[robyyo]

I see your point. So Romney wasn't pissed about lobbyists running other people's campaign, but he sure was trying to make a distinction between himself and other candidates, to which realistically there is none. He has a lobbyist who is his "friend" that is "volunteering", but he's not running his campaign so it's ok. Gimme a break.

[emkoch]

He isn't talking crap he is simply stating why he doesn't have or pay lobbyists to WORK for him, like he said when he gets to the White house he doesn't want to owe favors to people who have in some way helped him that is another reason he uses his own money for his campaign.

[brandalthor]

Funny how a journalist who calls out a falsehood is deemed "unprofessional". Members of the media are expected to be lap dogs in America. Anyone hear the Rumsfeld interview on the BBC from 3 years ago? It was brutal. And refreshing. Its the media's job to be tough, and its something thats been forgotten, so when it does rarely occur it seems off color. We have to be most critical and suspicious of those who wish to lead us, lest our ignorance come back to haunt us.

[Yunginspirit]

brandalthor: I guess that you weren't listening to what Mitt was trying to explain. The "accusation" was, that Mitt has "a Lobbyist running his campaign." Mitt was being truthful; he tried to explain that Beth Myers (on TV with Mitt) is running his campaign, NOT an unpaid lobbyist/friend who has acted as an adviser in Debates-all legal and above board.

[facelesscoward]

"I don't have lobbyists running my campaign. I don't have lobbyists tied to my--"

Even if Kaufman isn't running his campaign; he's tied to it. Unless you think Romney was going to say "ass" or something.

[Yunginspirit]

Hey facelessgutless: Ron is an UNPAID 'advisor,' to Mitt's campaign, nothing wrong or illegal about that. Beth Myers IS being paid to run/manage Mitt's campaign...not Ron. Could I say it any simpler?

Some people like to make a big deal about nothing, cause they can't find any 'dirt' on Romney or his family. No skeletons in his closet, no scandels, no nuthin'! Sighhhh!

[facelesscoward]

I don't understand how a lobbyist working for a politician for free is better than a lobbyist working for a politician for money. At least if the candidate is paying him, the lobbyist can't really expect anything in return afterward. But whatever. It doesn't really bother me anyway, mostly because I was never considering voting for Romney anyway (at least not after I read his positions).

[Yunginspirit]

Faceless: I think it's because, if money is passing from one person's hand to another in this situation, albeit legal, there is always the suspicion from some folks, that someone can be 'bought, sold or bribed.' With approx forty thousand lobbyists in WA, I would guess that all the candidates have a number backing them, paid and unpaid. Both legal.

[jsirch817]

When the lobbyist is in on strategic debate practices, and is a close friend and recognized "adviser" to the campaign and candidate, it reeally makes you consider what the true significance is of serving an advisory capacity, versus being a more formal "manager." what is romney suggesting- that, in not requesting a salary, the lobbyist is doing him a favor?

[Yunginspirit]

Jsirch: Romney and the other candidates have many friends volunteering/helping with their campaigns, no matter what their other jobs may be. Mitt's friend is there as an unpaid advisor, one of many that candidates have. Romney is a man of integrity and certain numbskull liberal reporters love to try and take him down.

MITT FOR PRESIDENT!

[Greedy37]

mitts an idiot he just lies lies lies and is spreading his shit all over hes full of shit look at this he cant even take a little heat from a reporter how will he handle iran iraq pakistan? scarey stuff

[Yunginspirit]

Greedy37: is that all you can say...negative spiel? I've been following Mitt Romney ever since he succeeded in saving the 2002 Winter Olympics and read Huge Hewitt's book on Mitt and perused everything there is to know about him over the last 2-3 yrs. Your biases are totally transparent and unfounded.

ComMITTed to MITT for President!

[Greedy37]

wow saving the olympics..? is that it? is that all he has done? besides raising taxs in his state..wow come on people your gonna try and elect a man that has only saved the olympics..i think he needs a little more experience and items under his belt cause thats pathetic..get real people...but i will say hes not as bad a julie annie and mccain

[emkoch]

Bud you should listen and get your facts straight Romney didn't raise taxes in his state he raised fees for a reason which he has explained why,and in my opinion for good reasons which turned out to help, and he hasn't just saved the Olympics he has saved companies from failing that is the kind of guy who needs to get government out of our financial ruins

[danceslikeawhiteman]

13 Lobbyists work on Romney's campaign and or raise money for him. He's biggest liar on face of earth. Thomas Wrath, lobbyist/senior adviser to Romney, Jim Talent, lobbyist and senior advisor to Romney, Greg Butler Sr., Northeast Utilities, Jack Gerard lobbyist for chemical industry, Alberto Cardenas, Will Harrison, David Rancout, John Thrasher, Scot Baugh, Dan Cumezich, Robert Grand, Eric Ganenblatt all lobbyists

[danceslikeawhiteman]

raising fees are same as raising taxes fees are taxes. Didn't he also increase taxes to businesses by stopping loopholes? Romney biggest liar on face of planet.

[Yunginspirit]

Greedy: you don't realize what saving the 2002 Winter Olympics really entailed, beginning with the huge inherited debt and awful scandals. Remember too, it was only a few months after 911, a scary time. Mitt not only had (guts) to employ scores of building contractors and thousands of employers (and pay them) but also thousands of volunteers had to be organized. cont:

[Yunginspirit]

greedy: You should read Mitt's book, "Turnaround" for the full, incredible story of the Winter Olympics 2002. He didn't accept the $800,000 plus salary due either, and Romney also donated his salary earned as Governor. Now, I know that Mitt could afford to do that, but how many rich folk and politicians do you know who've done something similar?

[nolinFamily]

Did you see this one?

DUNCAN HUNTER: Romney wants to sell us out to the Chinese.

1/21/2008

Don't believe me?

Watch the Foxnews Clip:

YOUTUBE(DOT)com/watch?v=_bX2hk­mE5zA

Or search "Hunter Romney China"

[emkoch]

How is Romney not dealing with the reporter he confonted him to talk and set the record straight, how is that not handling it

[danceslikeawhiteman]

Some of the 13 lobbyists who raise money or advise Romney. Thomas Wrath, lobbyist/senior adviser to Romney, Jim Talent, lobbyist and senior advisor to Romney, Greg Butler Sr., Northeast Utilities, Jack Gerard lobbyist for chemical industry, Alberto Cardenas, Will Harrison, David Rancout, John Thrasher, Scot Baugh, Dan Cumezich, Robert Grand, Eric Ganenblatt all lobbyists

[emkoch]

I would love to see the proof that you have that they are in fact raising money for him. Last I heard he didn't need it. And even if they did raise money for him it's not their money, so why would he feel obligated to return favors.

[Yunginspirit]

danceslikeanidiot: would you like some cheese with that whine? It's true, Mitt is NOT beholden to lobbyists EXACTLY because he doesn't have any on his PAID staff or strategic team. He has friends who are lobbyists and no doubt some may even be LDS. They can support/help/donate etc, to any candidate's campaign they like. The person actually RUNNING Mitt's campaign is Beth Myers with help from many sub-managers. It's all above board.

[Greedy37]

wait wait wait..scrategic team? so being advised for a debate or before speaking in front of people isnt strategic? is that what you are telling me? because it seems like thats bullshit and it is strategic to have someones advice before a debate and apperances

[moparmuscle1970]

Yunginspirit

"Romney is a man of integrity"

AHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!! THAT'S A GOOD ONE!!!

[Yunginspirit]

jsirch:

If you listen to your own video again, you'll hear that Mitt's lobbyist friend IS NOT in on important "strategic meetings" but has advised on Debate sessions. Perfectly fine. I notice that you inserted the word "strategic" in front of "debate practice." You wouldn't be trying to mislead us with that rhetoric would you my friend?

[Yunginspirit]

jsirch: most smart people can see right through you LOL! Don't give me none of your rhetoric, puleeze. By you inserting the word "strategic" before "debate practices" you are trying to twist things. It was..."strategic senior meetings," not 'debates.' How often does the GOP have debates? Twelve in 2008? Not too frequently. Too, a campaign manager has one heck of a frenetic job, and this is why Beth Myers has many deputy managers to assist her. They're doing a fantastic job.

[Yunginspirit]

Jirsch: In case you didn't hear him CLEARLY enough, Mitt said...Ron isn't in any "senior strategy meetings." On the other hand, an adviser can give advice via phone, mail/email, from overseas, anywhere. But Ron is still NOT running/managing Mitt's campaign. He and the other advisors are hardly even in there with him! Sighhhhh!

[pettdog78]

The guy was obviously grasping at straws and just being outright rude. There is a huge difference between having a lobbyist leading your campaign and having one as a unpaid advisor. The lobbyist mentioned is a un-paid advisor and has no control over which direction Romney leads his campaign. This kind of smear news is no different then when the media freaked about Romney having his dog on the roof of his car. It's just pathetic and is one more example of why not to trust the media.

[Yunginspirit]

Exactly...well said pettdog!

Nevada for Romney!

[emkoch]

well put, the media has there own agenda or should I say the huge corporations who run the media. You have to watch what the media tries to push just like books and crap, someone is always trying to push their points

[plasmacoolant]

Right on Glen.

[castandard]

That reporter was out of line calling Romney a liar in the middle of his speech. What a jerk!

[tigerslap]

He didn't call Romney a liar. He said "That is not true Governor, That is not true." Did you hear what he said? (see how annoying this is?)

Meanwhile look at the way Romney stumbles over his words right before he starts spinning about Lobbyist participation. This is even before the reporter says anything.

Haha, what a joke.

[pettdog78]

Glen did suggested that Romney was a liar by claiming that Romney had lobbyists leading his campaign. It was'nt true and like Glen said was "semantics", only it was Glen who decided who could nit pick and who could'nt. Totally unprofessional.

[ibo1978]

we need more reporters like this romney is a joke. pay attention to the lady at the end she is mad at the reporter!

[puckkcup]

"i think you're rude, and ugly"

hilarious.

[lordjadams]

ROFL! Mitt looked like he was about kill that guy! You could just see it in his eyes, as soon as he came off that stage... It made it even more hilarious that he kept turning around and shooting that goofy, fake smile at everyone else.

[firelikeme]

why is mitt picking on that poor reporter who is just trying to get to the truth?

oh yeah...mitt romney's a dick.