Romney piles on

Posted: Friday, May 16, 2008 4:55 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC/NJ's Carrie Dann
LOUISVILLE, Kent. -- Before an audience of thousands of his party's base voters, McCain's bitterest former rival played on the presumptive nominee's defensive line this afternoon, jumping to join in with his fellow Republicans' hearty thumping of Barack Obama.

Speaking today at the annual convention of the National Rifle Association, Mitt Romney, the former presidential contender, who once exchanged acrimonious jabs with McCain during the primary season, derided Obama for his willingness to grant a "propaganda bonanza" to rogue leaders.

Obama, he said, "wants to sit down personally if he is the president of the United States with some of the world's worst actors: Kim Jong Il, Ahmadinejad, Castro. He wants to sit down with them and bestow upon them the dignity of the office of the president of the United States."

The NRA audience represents a voting block that has clashed with McCain before; the senator even acknowledged his past sparring with the pro-gun group when speaking to reporters on the Straight Talk Express this afternoon. Romney, widely considered to be a possible vice presidential pick, enthusiastically tried to salve any sore spots that the convention-goers might have with the candidate.

"Now, I know that not everybody in this room agrees with John McCain on every single issue," clarified McCain's rival-turned-surrogate. "I didn't. I ran against him.

"But I believe that he is right on issue after issue that counts."

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Comments

You poor bloggers; you don't get it. You would rather back someone (Obama) with no experience, and his best asset is a eloquent spiel with no merit and understanding of how the real world is. Sad,,,,,,

Jim C., Sumner, WA (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 6:22 PM)

McCain, Bush, Huckabee, Rove, Bill, and Romney are all attacking Obama. This shows a sign of fear from these men. Nobody is helping Obama that indicates he must be a strong candidate. Obama still stands tall after all these attacks. But McCain, Bush, Huckabee, Rove, Bill and Romney need to stop all the lying and stick with facts. Men stop stooping to dirty politics.

Linda (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 6:23 PM)

Mitt Rombot wouldn't know foreign policy of the Angel Moroni, in the earlthy garments of Karl Rove, himself handed over the Golden Neocon Tablets. I would love to know when he came to "trust" McCain on "issue after issue that counts." Was that when McCain offered to make him a member of the Straight Off The Edge Express? Good luck in the General Election boys. I understand that the Republican dog food is half price these days. After the general, you're going to be forced to eat it with your crow.

Bitterina, Dana Point CA (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 6:25 PM)

I'm pretty sure the U.S. Constitution says something about titles of nobility. As in, "no title of nobility will be granted by the U.S." What that basically means is, we will not have a King or Queen. Our President will be a leader picked from the people by the people. He or she is just a citizen that we entrust with great powers. He or she is not a King or Queen. And while the Office of the U.S. Presidency is certainly one to be respected worldwide. I don't think our founding fathers wanted all the leaders of the world to bow down and kiss the ring on the Presidents hand. Do the republicans actually think that the leaders of Iran, Humas, and other enemies of U.S. and Israel are just dying to get a sit down with a U.S. President so they can legitimize their government?

Obama said no Pre-conditions. He did not say, no preliminary talks and no preparations. It's not like he's just going to hop on Air Force one. Land in Tehran and knock on Ahmenajad's door. It would be a gradual negotiation with diplomacy. And when the new President and his advisors feel the time is right and the security is there, they can meet. Like Kennedy did with Kruschev, Like Nixon did with Mao. Like Reagan did with Brezhnev and Gorbachev. Like George HW Bush did with the Ayatollah to negotiate the hostages release on Reagan's Inauguration day....oh...ooops. Not like that. Definitely not like that.

Chris K (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 6:26 PM)

Elect Obama? The guy has NO experience...he was basically an accidental Senator...and where's the beef? There's no substance to his rhetoric. Obama just makes it up as he goes along. His supporters are blind to the facts. McCain is a true American hero and up until the Obama media circus started distorting his record and quotes, he has rarely been known to agree with Bush's policies. If it weren't for the liberal press and paid Obama bloggers, this wouldn't even be a contest. Bring on the debates...let's hear the specifics about all these great ideas for change from the Democrats...LOL. The American people are smarter than you think...they will listen. McCain will clobber him in November.

Where's the beef?? Chicago, Illinois (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 6:34 PM)

MSNBC should ask Rommy what eveil plan he is trying to revil indirectly?

uc (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 6:38 PM)

Where is the outrage over Huckabee's indefensible comment about Obama? Of course,heis saying what a lot of Rs actually think. Their hatred of anyone not in lockstep with them continues to be unbelieveable but, sadly, true. Thankfully, it appears the great middle masses have had enough.

Tom Reaves, Houston, Texas (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 6:46 PM)

Okay Mister (Elder) Romney, How in the hell can you support some one that is anti-family?...Doesn't your religion teach you that war is wrong?
Doesn't supporting a Goldwater Republican scare you..
There is no conversion story here for you...
He will use you for gain...Nothing else...
king Noah is his name...

BJ (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 6:49 PM)

Where is the coverage of Huckabee?? Of all the things to joke about. I guess if someone does "take a shot" Huckabee and his friends will say: "We didn't mean it seriously." This is so out there that "Huffington Post" closed the comments section on the topic. Maybe Keith O. will hae the courage to speak out.

DShawn233, LaVergne, Tn (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 6:54 PM)

McCain's foreign policy is simplistic and dangerous. It actually encourages Iran to accelerate its nuclear weapons ambitions. Read about it.

http://fablesexposed.blogspot.com/

FablesExposed (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 6:56 PM)

Romney should stay out of this. He has his own magic underwear problems. He if felt begging for the VP nomination would work he would do it. He is yesterdays news.

Larry Los Angeles Ca. (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 6:58 PM)

I am outraged at Huckabees remarks and he should apologize. Why are all these Republicans talking now (Huckabee, Romney, and Rove) they did not say a thing when Bush let this country get in the mess it in. Now that Obama is trying to restore this country and unify the people, the want to open their bith mouth. I view (McCain, Bush, Romney, Rove, Huckabee, and even Bill Clinton) as little men with nothing more than big mouths and not helping the American people at all.

Linda (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 6:59 PM)

Why is that Snake Oil Salesman Romney being giving the time of day. I am amazed why he's still getting coverage. He lost that when he dropped out of the race. MSNBC don't give him more fifteen minutes of TV time. He hasn't earned the right to attack Obama. Get that loser out of here.

Andy, Glenn Dale, MD (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 6:59 PM)

Is Mitt Romney Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde today? This tool is still running against the "man in the mirror", so don't blame me for not being able to find any relevance in anything this loser says.

Jason, Pittsburgh (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 7:06 PM)

Romney..follow up comment..Didn't some of the greatest prophets sit down and were not afraid of the meanest kings in the Book of Mormon?
Didn't Jesus the Christ talk to Pilot, Herod and Caiaphas...leaders whom were fundamental in his death.? Fear based remarks like you spoke of show a real lack of faith in the United States..I also think you should repent for being so prideful.
Dignity was never one of Christ qualities to aspire to either...eat more humble pie also.

BJ, CA (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 7:06 PM)

It's amazing how out of touch with reality leaders of the GOP are. Sad actuality.

Curly Morris (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 7:07 PM)

THE FEAR YOU NEED AND WANT

THE CORPORATE HEALTHCARE YOU DESERVE

WE PROMISE BETTER THAN A "TANKING" ECONOMY

THE PRICE OF GAS BELOW $ 10 A GALLON

100 YEARS IS REALLY 4 YEARS FOR IRAQ EXIT

carolyn herman, deptford, NJ (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 7:11 PM)

It is curious to me how hard everyone is piling on Obama. That tells me that Obama will be hard to beat.

Obama08

Kendra, LA (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 7:13 PM)

Why not stick your head right up mccains a** mitt? Oh, I see, you already have.

Steve A Jonesboro IN (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 7:19 PM)

I do recall George Bush said during his first term that the United States under him as President would be a "Kinder and Gentler' nation. Dick Cheney said "I want every garage to have an SUV". These two liars took this country into Iraq and destroyed the good will of the United States virtually over night.
The only Hitler I see is Bush and Cheney and yes I am seeing double.
McCain wants to start a war with Iran, he is as crazy as Bush is. The Republicans stood with Bush as he lied to us and now they are standing with McCain as he lies to us. I dont care if either of the two sit down with Iran leaders. I do know this, Obama is not a war monger......I really believe that Bush is going to attack Iran before the election and he hopes McCain wins so McCain can continue the genocide of the human race who does not see things his way.
We have been through this type of rhetoric from the Republican party for the last two elections and many senate, house, Governor, mayoral and even city and county elections. The Carl Rove load dice game was played on us and we need to throw these losers out of office. We need to act like human beings to each other and to the rest of the world, but make no mistake. If another country thinks this giant is sleeping on our values they had better think again. I believe there are enough pissed off unemployed workers and family's here in the US that will not take another 911 from any country. Barak Obama is the best suited candidate to begin the healing and start our middle class on the path to competing for the worlds best jobs.

bill,milwaukee,wi. (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 7:19 PM)

LOSER, HACK, HAS-BEEN...get lost. Your own party disses you and considers you an outsider. Get this moron out of these news cycles

FormerRepublican (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 7:21 PM)

That last post by "Get it!" really disturbs me. Especially if he is referring to Huckabee's comment...someone should trace this guy's IP.
When will this country grow up. God I hope there is more proportional intelligence in America than there is in the GOP.

Sherri (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 7:23 PM)

HUCKABEE IS AN IDIOT FOR SUGGESTING THAT OBAMA BE SHOT AT. ROMNEY AND HUCKABEE NEED TO SHUT UP,DO THEY REALLY THINK THEY WILL BE MCSAME VP.

PATRICIA (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 7:25 PM)

Romney will jump on any bandwagon that he thinks will help him politically. That's why even John McShame called him phoney.

larry, (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 7:25 PM)

Hasn't this administration sat down with all the leaders he just mentioned?

billy, mi (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 7:27 PM)

Crawl back under the rock you came from, loser.

Jane W (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 7:30 PM)

Romney calls it like he sees it. He called it right against Obama. Obama lacks the maturity to see the resulting propaganda from a presidential visit. Now Romney's criticism of McCain was also justified. But he sees McCain as not only the lesser of two evils, but better on national security. Romney will defend the right wherever it is found, and speak out against wrong wherever he sees wrong. McCain is wrong on so many levels, dare we count? Romney is not ignoring his differences, but is firmly in favor of McCain when he is right.

Now the Republican fight is over. I wish the pundits like Chuck Todd would stop trying to dredge up the old fights again. They are over and Republicans have moved on. They are beginning to heal their differences. But the liberal media are determined to interject the fight back among the Republicans so as to damage our side. Nice try, Chuck. Not gonna work. We may not like our nominee much, but we are smart enough to know that we need to work on now is to persuade and to correct McCain's course. And he is such a stubborn hot tempered guy that fighting with him only makes him dig his heels in all the more. Kind support, gentle persuasion, and respectful comments, will do more to serve the party than to continue calling attention to the misdirections of our candidate.

Lori (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 7:39 PM)

"Romney enthusiastically tried to salve any sore spots that the convention-goers might have with the candidate."

Is that appeasement?

nuanced (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 7:39 PM)

I can't believe that you guys aren't
commenting on the ugly joke Huckabee made
Obama. This is a disgrace to the GOP and
when Rev. Wright spoke, it was reported
every where. Well, since Rev. Huckabee is
white, he gets a pass. Shame on you MSNBC.

Julian Shelton, Mechanicsville, VA (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 7:41 PM)

Hey we tried it one way; maybe the guy deserves a chance... After 8 years of faulty invasion plans and fabricated numbers pertaining to the economy the American public must draw a line in the sand. We are better than this as a country.

Conservative Dem, Louisville, KY (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 10:55 PM)

AMY B -- no one can possibly destroy the dignity of the office worse than William Jefferson Clinton. Beyond having sex with a staffer and renting out the Lincoln bedroom and trying to redefine "is", how much less diginity can any person holding that office have?

MMM, USA (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 11:17 PM)

Lies, lies, lies....America is finally seeing what the republican candidates offer. Sad to say Americans, especially white Americans have been giving them the benefit of the doubt, but it has only cost them their childrens lives in Iraq, higher gas prices, their jobs and their homes. If your rich, uneducated, poor white, and culturally conservative and dysfunctional the republican party has taken advantage of everyone except the rich.....the majority of the rest is joining the U.S. Army.

Dutchboy52 (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 11:20 PM)

Dutchboy52 (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 11:23 PM)

Romney: I have two haunting words for you... BIG DIG (Boston) !!! You are a scary man....my anti feeling towards you drove me almost as hard as my pro Obama feelings did and well.... you both stirred this pot for different reasons. One good (Obama) and one evil (Mitt). That is how I saw and see it. The best man is now winning and you are a sour grape, along with your well ripen raisin friend McComeon!

Seriously ! (Sent Friday, May 16, 2008 11:27 PM)

Mitt Romney never met a table scrap he didn't like. That's the way he governs and leads--by licking the boots of those who can give him favor, never really taking a position at all (since the guy changed them more often than not anyway in deference to political wind)

He has all the self-possession of a small-town news anchor who thinks he actually "matters" in the world. We all know the type: Slick, small minded hucksters who are as hollow as dolls, pretty as pictures, and sad in a way only truly self-delusional human beings can be.

danny in Pittsburgh PA (Sent Saturday, May 17, 2008 7:34 AM)

The easiest way to get Romney to shut up and get off the stage is to tell him his hair is messed up. He'll run off the stage looking for the nearest mirror.

David, Paducah, KY (Sent Saturday, May 17, 2008 8:02 AM)

Romney I would listen to your diatribe if you or your sons sacrificed for our troops in Iraq. Funny how they" have more important things to do" than to serve their country for a war you and they support.

I guess then Ronald Reagan hurt the prestige of the office of President when he negogiated directly with the Soviets. Bush is begging the Saudi's on increasing oil production and they laugh at him Prestige? Bush starts a political attack on foreign soil Prestige? Your party and your President hurt the prestige of this country more than any other in our History. Talking to your adversaries is not appeasement Mr. Romney. Spending Billions on a war of convenience costing lives and trasure is a far greater sin against our country.

Terry, Great Plains (Sent Saturday, May 17, 2008 8:41 AM)

So, the Republican policy for the 21st century will be "BOMB FIRST, talk later!" It sounds like that worked really well in Iraq...

Raphael, Lawrenceville, VA (Sent Saturday, May 17, 2008 9:02 AM)

Everyoneis soooo sensative these days. Everyone who knows Huckabee knows there is not an evil spirited bone in his body. A joke is a joke! Just forgive and forget. Get over it people. We are soooo sensative in this politically correct culture. I am sick of it. Move on. Focus on real issues.

Jason, St. Marys, Georgia (Sent Saturday, May 17, 2008 9:03 AM)

Huck-a-bee want-to-be! How much money did he steal from his parishioners? How many wives to Mitt really have?

KD, WI (Sent Saturday, May 17, 2008 9:17 AM)

I can't understand why people don't see there is no difference between Dems & Repubs, Bill Clinton? Georgie Bush? Want change? vote Libertarian - holy cow! Real change.

Nick, San Jose, Ca (Sent Saturday, May 17, 2008 9:37 AM)

Every thing bad is blamed on Bush, when the Dems took over the Congress our econmy was good and average gas price was $2.16 per gallon, shouldn't that tell you where the week link is!1

42.16 a gallon shouldn't that tell you something.

Mary Behm Lake Forest , Ca (Sent Saturday, May 17, 2008 9:39 AM)

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