Audio: Mitt Romney Reads the Introduction to No Apology
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlG0lo7MKvc[/youtube]
Transcript of Mitt Romney’s audio introduction to the book:
Running for President of the United States is an extraordinary experience. New profound friendships are unquestionably the greatest reward. They will last a lifetime. And there were moments of laughter, such as when Ann got up from a collapsed stage in Dubuque Iowa, dusted herself off and later ad-libbed, “Well, I fell on dubutt in Dubuque.” There were times of exhilaration. Winning the Michigan primary, the state where I was raised and where my dad had served three terms as Governor was one of them. Then there were the inevitable ‘lessons learned’. My dad, George Romney, use to say of his 1968 presidential campaign that it was like a mini-skirt: short and revealing. Mine was a little longer, but just as revealing.
I’ve run for office three times, losing twice and winning once. Each time when the campaign was over I felt I hadn’t done an adequate job communicating all that I intended to say. Some of that is because debate answers are limited to 60 seconds, ads are 30 seconds, and lengthy position papers are rarely read at all. This book gives me a chance to say more than I did during my campaign.
That being said, my interest in writing the book goes back well before my political life. My career in the private sector exposed me to developments abroad, and conditions at home, that were deeply troubling. At the same time, I saw that most of us were not aware of the consequences of blithely continuing along our current course. We’ve become so accustom to the benefits of America’s greatness that we cannot imagine any significant disruption of what we have known.
I was reminded of a book I had read when I was in France during the late 1960’s. Jean-Jacques Servan-Schreiber was a journalist and a business person, and from his perspective he became convinced that France and Europe were in danger of falling far and irretrievably behind the United States. His book, The American Challenge, stirred his countrymen to action and helped to galvanize Pan-European economic and political collaboration. While I am sufficiently realistic to recognize that this volume is highly unlikely to have as great an impact as did his, it is my hope is that it will affect the thinking and perspectives of those who read it.
Thus, this is not a collection of my positions on all the important issues of the day. In fact, a number of issues that I care about are not included. This is not a policy book that explores issues in greater depth than do scholars and think-tanks. I treat topics in a single chapter that others have made the subject of entire volumes. Nor is this an attack piece on all the policies of the Obama administration. Criticism is unavoidable, however, with policies which I believe are the most harmful to the future generations of America.This is a book about what I believe should be our primary national objective: to keep America strong, and to preserve its place as the world’s leading nation. It describes the course I believe we must take to strengthen the nation in order to remain prosperous, secure and free. There are some who may question the national objective I propose. I make no apology for my conviction that America’s economic and military leadership is not only good for America, but also critical for freedom and peace across the world. Accordingly, as I consider the various issues before the nation, I evaluate our options largely by whether they would make America stronger or weaker.
In my first chapters I consider geo-political threats and lessons from the history of great nations of the past. In subsequent chapters I describe domestic challenges to our national strength and propose actions to overcome them. My final chapter is intended to provide a means for future Americans to gauge whether we have been successful in setting a course that will preserve America’s greatness throughout the 21st century. It describes, as well, the source of my optimism for America’s future.
These are difficult times. Homes have lost value, nest eggs have been eroded, retirees have become anxious about their future, and millions upon millions of Americans are out of work. Inexcusable mistakes and failures precipitated the descent that has hurt so many people, but even as we endure the current shocks we know that this will not go on forever. We know that because America is a strong and prosperous nation the economic cycle will eventually right itself, and the future will be brighter than the present. While I will touch upon today’s difficulties my focus is on the growing challenges to the foundations of our national strength. How we confront these challenges will determine what kind of America, and world, we will bequeath to our children and grand-children. This is a book about securing that future of freedom, peace, and prosperity in the only way possible: by strengthening America. A strong America is our only assurance that prosperity will follow hardship, and that our lives and liberty will always be secure.
The strength of the nation has been challenged before: at its birth, during the civil war, in the peril of world wars. It is challenged again today. In our past Americans have risen to the occasion by confronting the challenge honestly, and by laying their sacrifice upon the altar of freedom. We must do so again.
We’ve been keeping an updated reference for anything related to the book here. It includes where to buy it, a review, book tour dates and other news.
February 3rd, 2010 at 5:35 am
While there has been a plethora of books by former candidates (Huckabee, Palin, Obama), each has been about themselves. In many cases (especially in Huckabee’s case), it was a way to settle perceived slights.
However, here is real leadership. Romney is looking beyond the mark into what is best for this nation. There appears to be no tit for tat with Huckabee or any other of his critics. Unlike Huckabee and Palin, this book appears to be about us as a nation and how we can return to greatness and the pit falls we need to avoid.
While I expect the usual hits from Romney’s usual unthinking critics, hopeful the more thoughtful individuals will appreciate the need for a Road Map for our nation.
Here is the one of the real differences between true conservatism and those who are wanta bees and liberals. A true conservative wants to lift everyone while others want to drag the successful down. This is especially true of Obama and the liberals in Washington. They think the only way for the less successful to succeed is to drag down the very successful. The liberals want to make everyone equally poor, while conservatives want to give everyone a chance to be successful. True conservatives want the government to get out of the way and let the American Spirit fly high bringing all of us up.
February 3rd, 2010 at 6:33 am
Nice post Thunder……I agree totally…..Especially with the part about true conservatives wanting to lift up the entire nation rather than tear down the fortunate and successful.
That’s why I say the class warfare warriors to the right of liberals are only socially conservative…..in every other measure they are budding socialists.
That doesn’t mean honesty and integrity is business and finance are not required, but it does mean we don’t hang the honest businesspeople with the rascals in a group lynching.
February 3rd, 2010 at 7:00 am
This actually looks like promising writing, sans a typo or two (accustomed, not accustom); much better than Turnaround.
February 3rd, 2010 at 7:38 am
#1 – Well said. We need a candidate that can rise above the petty rancor and lead our economy and our country back to prosperity. Romney shows that he has the right temperament for the job.
February 3rd, 2010 at 7:59 am
#4 is clearly a spammer of some sort…
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:12 am
@Matthew I did the transcription, so the typo’s are mine.
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:14 am
I deleted #4. We now have a new non-spam #4.
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:25 am
With all due respect, Romney (especially in light of Scott Brown) is so “yesterday”; the GOP base does not want Romney for ’12 (the only real base for Romney is the MSM who would promote Romney and/or Huck, the weakest of the out front GOP contenders).
And, boarrrrring.
Palin/Rubio ’12!!!
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:26 am
This appears to be an adult book about policy. I hope to read it soon.
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:48 am
Speak for yourself, as a proud Reagan (I actually voted for Reagan), I have no desire to see a Palin candidate, and
would have great concerns for the Party if she even gets close to the nomination.
The Adults in the Party prefer compentence to in-experience. I would have a very hard time ever voting for
Palin for President (which is a notch above Huckabee, who I could not vote for at all).
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:52 am
I am still in the camp that is not excited about the idea of Mr. Romney becoming our next President, but he certainly is better than what we have now and that 5 minute and 53 second video clip was impressive.
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:56 am
It’s nice to see that at least some Palin supporters least have some brain cells.
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:59 am
1 – I have no idea why you continue to take swipes at Palin and/or Huckabee to prop up Romney? Palin’s book was never supposed to be about policy but you did get an introduction of it in her memoir…because that’s what it was…a memoir.
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:10 am
I, actually, don’t mean to be rude but this introduction is rather benign. If it’s any indication to the rest of the book then I am afraid Romney continues to lack one major trait that is needed to run a successful Presidential campaign…inspiration. Even the brief discussion about policy…which he claims the book will not be heavy on, (I thought Romney was supposed to be the policy guy?)felt recycled and uninspired. Hopefully I am wrong…we can use every political soldier we can get this year.
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:16 am
It’s because of the foolishness of those who try to prop her up as a Presidential material. As a conservative, I think she
is fine. As a potential President, she is wanting.
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:18 am
I guess you prefer a soap opera rather than what will bring American back to where it should be.
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:21 am
Haha, I the risk of talking about our own candidate, you are correct Jersey that Mrs. Palin’s book was not about policy per se. However, it appeared to be an adult book to me and I enjoyed reading the segments where Mrs. Palin did talk about a variety of policies. In fact, it should not take a rocket scientist to figure out that after reading only a few pages of her book, she did not about Conservative principles. And Jersey, I do find it interesting that some Romneyites feel that they have to paint their man as the only adult in the room. One does not have to like the other two of the Big Three, but we are all adults here. If the Romneyite truly felt that their candidate’s policies were clearly better than all the other major candaites (Big 3, 4, 7 or how many candidates) they might not feel the need to paint the others as childish.
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:24 am
“I guess you prefer a soap opera rather than what will bring American back to where it should be.
” Well, it has been years since I watched the Young and the Restless, so I do not know what is going on in the soap opera world these days, but while I admire Mr. Romney for wanting to take America to “were it should be,” I am not sure he has what it takes. He has some convincing to do.
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:26 am
What is it you want from Mitt. Yelling? Crying? Fist pounding? Mitt Romney loves America deeply, as do most of us. He is tremendously intelligent and has a rather unique background that qualifies him to be a tremendously successful president. I wish some of you would give this great man a fair chance. Just as you did in your #14, you use every chance you get to persuade others that Mitt is just benign, or boring, or uninspiring. It makes me wonder if you have even watched his speeches in the past. Do you not realize that according to those present, there were few dry eyes when Mitt gave his speech on faith, when he was talking about our founding fathers?
This book will be a great book. However, many people, including most on here will use it to attempt to find the little tidbits they do not agree with, and bring Mitt down, rather than to unify, uplift, and use it as a springboard to a much greater America than we have heretofore known. I would just pray to God that some of you will read this with other intentions, but I have my doubts. Any, btw, my prayers do reach heaven just fine.
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:29 am
No, Pawlenty seems like a Grown up. But when it comes to Palin and Huckabee being Presidential material, there are
many guestions there, and few answers. As political pundits, they should both have successful careers.
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:36 am
#13 Swipes aren’t always gracious, are they? Not many of us who lean toward Romney are as good at turning the other cheek as he has been, especially in an anonymous format like this, (not really geared for helping us be our best selves). And Mike hasn’t exactly conducted himself with restraint or good will when it comes to Romney, has he?
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:52 am
#19
Right, and Mitt must have inspired a few Conservatives since he won the straw poll at their CPAC conference 3 years in a row!
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:52 am
What I find ironic is that Jersey apparently does not recognize his own comments in #13 abd #14 to be swipes at Romney? Does he really not recognize them for the same as he accuses others of doing, or does he thing WE are too stupid to recognize it?
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:59 am
16 – Palin’s book was always supposed to be a memoir of her life up until now. If you find that to be a soap opera…then whatever. Romney’s book is supposed to be a book on policy…how can you compare the two?
For a book that was marketed as a book on policy, I feel, it is lacking, in its introduction, to be some new revelations that propel him to a higher standard of candidacy. Hopefully the rest of his book will change my mind.
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:05 am
23 – are you serious? My #13 comment was a response to Thunder’s #1 comment. My #14 comment was a response to the entire thread. Not once in my #14 comment did I compare Romney to Palin or use Romney as an example as to why Palin is a better candidate. It was merely my thoughts and opinions of Romney’s introduction to his own book.
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:06 am
“No, Pawlenty seems like a Grown up.” That is easy to say when he is in 7th place with 3% of the vote. He is not one of your biggest rivals at this stage in the game.
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:09 am
When other people offer thoughts and opinions on Palin, they are taking swipes? But, you are free to throw out words about Romney such as ‘recycled, uninspired’?
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:20 am
Well IG, if you really want a contest between whom might be a non-adult versus who might be uninspiring……?
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:21 am
19 – I don’t remember ever saying that your prayers do not reach heaven…whatever that means? I’m assuming you are attempting to use religious bigotry as a motive as to why people may not like Romney? I don’t care about Romney’s religion or yours or my own sometimes. I do not judge a person by the way they choose to worship or practice their faith.
You obviously are very passionate about Romney…I applaud that…I appreciate that…I just don’t see it.
I don’t expect yelling or screaming but I do expect him to use words to inspire. When you write a book subtitled, “The Case for American Greatness,” one expects the author would use inspiring words and anecdotes to live up to such a grandiose title…especially in the introduction.
It started off good…I liked the little story about Ann’s fall and quick-witted joke. I could feel Romney’s respect and admiration for her. But when he started writing about America…it fell flat. I didn’t feel his enthusiasm in the writing. Now obviously I am not questioning his love for America…he is a great patriot.
And, from this excerpt, I didn’t read any kind of new understanding of policy that I haven’t heard from any other potential candidate or pundit on cable news.
I think in the back of my head I believed, the rumors, that Romney is the policy guy, and like I said before, if this introduction is any indicator, then that title is still up for grabs.
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:23 am
For a book titled “No Apology”, the introductory tone is quite modest.
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:27 am
27 – I am sorry, you are wrong.
Thunder used his #1 comment, on a thread about Romney’s book, to compare and insult Palin and Huckabee. What does Palin or Huckabee have to do with Romney’s book? Let Romney’s book stand on its own merits…I called Thunder out on that.
In my next comment I reviewed Romney’s introduction, without ever mentioning Palin or Huckabee.
This is a thread about Romney’s book isn’t it?
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:27 am
I think the sales of Romney’s book will be a barometer of his Presidential chances.
I think, at a minimum, it needs to hit #1 on the bestseller lists.
Let’s see if he can pull it off.
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:28 am
30 – THANK YOU! That was my point…and we barely ever agree on anything.
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:31 am
32 – I hope it does. The voters need to see every side of the Republican Coalition.
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:32 am
I agree that it was a bland introduction.
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:32 am
But then again, I never care at all for these types of books by would be or has been political figures.
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:38 am
24 – The book is not marketed as a book on policy.
Perhaps you didn’t catch what Romney said in the above intro: “This is not a policy book that explores issues in greater depth than do scholars and think-tanks.”
Keep looking for reasons to disavow a book you know nothing about. You should at least wait until you’ve given a good gander at the inside pages of Romney’s book before you deem it lacking. We’ve had that level of respect, even for Palin’s melodramatic memoir and Huck’s tear-provoking tales of Christmas.
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:39 am
There’s clearly a camp that wants a rabble rouser to inspire people and there’s a camp that wants someone serious and thoughtful in charge. There could not be a larger difference between Palin and Romney, and I think that’s great for our party. The bad news for Pawlenty is that he is going to get lost in the middle.
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:43 am
Aaron of Rome, up until his own introduction, that it isn’t an in depth book on policy, the common belief was that it was supposed to be. Why isn’t it? I have never disavowed the book…how could I, I haven’t read it. I merely critiqued the Introduction on a thread about the Introduction.
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:46 am
“19 – I don’t remember ever saying that your prayers do not reach heaven.” Good point Jersey. Haha, maybe their candidate is in need of prayers.
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:48 am
38 – I know it may seem ludicrous to you but I do think Palin is serious and she has the pulpit to inspire. I also think Romney is serious and thoughtful, I just like Palin’s inspirational, thoughtfulness much better. As for Pawlenty, I’m sure he will emerge to be a very fine candidate. He seems to be paying attention. And I agree…it is all great for our party.
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:52 am
When you use Facebook as your primary means of communication, and your most vocal concerns are over whether we can say the word “retarded” or you sink to the level of David Letterman, I don’t find that serious. Palin represents a wing of the party that is mad as hell. I get that and I respect that. What Romney is trying to do is have a serious conversation with the American people. I think he had a difficult time articulating last go round why he should be President and he has formulated (I hope) a clear path for the future of America. I haven’t got that sense from SP yet. SP seems more of a reactionary figure, i.e., we know what Obama is doing is wrong and we want to reverse it, but it says nothing about where we are going in the future.
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:03 am
The very last word I would ever attribute to Palin is ‘thoughtful’.
Jersey, the comment about ‘my prayers’ had nothing to do with you or your beloved candidate. Huckabee was asked if he thought Mitt’s prayers reached heaven, and he side stepped the question, rather than stating whether or not he thought they did. No, I actually hate to have these thread turn religious. Since I had invoked that I was going to be prayerful that some of you would give Mitt and his book a fair chance, I just added that little note about the fact that my prayers really would reach heaven, in spite of our buddy Huckabee’s unwillingness to answer the question.
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:07 am
42 – I get your point and why you may think that but it’s not like Romney has introduced some sort of revolutionary policy initiatives. It’s not like Romney isn’t just using the Republican check list on where the country should be headed. Like I said before, I think I was convinced, by the rumors, that Romney was the Policy Guy. Hell, by all accounts, he was writing a policy driven book…from this introduction…I don’t see it.
I think you underestimate both Palin’s potential and importance. She is using her pulpit(FACEBOOK, etc…) for policy commentary and for social, cultural commentary. It may not seem important to that she call out Emmanuel on his use of the R word and I admit I use the word out of context on many occasion myself. But to many people it means something very different and to many people it is hurtful to hear…in any context.
If a leader…or a potential one, does not use their voice as a calling for a cultural shift as well as a policy shift, then what kind of leader are they? Would Reagan be so well endeared if he didn’t use his voice, and influence, to help mold a cultural shift…both domestically and worldwide?
Palin is serious and she has the voice to be heard.
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:11 am
I have no doubt that Mr. Romney wants to have a serious conversation with the American people. Whether or not the American people want to have a serious conversation with him, we shall see how things unfold. If one thinks that Mrs. Palin’s only concern is the misuse of the word ‘retarded’ one is missing the big picture. As far as Facebook is concerned, I would not underestimate that either. Last night, my wife went to a Chamber of Commerce meeting and the businesses were told that if they want to survive, they had better get a Facebook page.
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:15 am
43 – illinois I, thoughtfully, disagree. As for the religious comment…don’t worry about it. I just didn’t get your point at first…I thought it was directed at me. Also, I will read Romney’s book and I will give it a fair shake and I will be brutally honest in my critique…just as a lot of people are/were about Palin and her book. But it doesn’t mean I will read it with one-eye closed.
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:18 am
44 – There needs to be a roadmap that can be accepted by the American people before we can convince Americans to support the kind of policies that we as a party have been arguing for. I will reserve my judgment on the roadmap until I read the book, but from what I’ve heard from Mitt, his explanations on the threats facing America have opened my eyes on a number of items. Everyone assumes that our standard of living and level of freedom will be around for years to come, but as we’ve seen in the last two years, neither freedom nor prosperity are our birthright. We have to fight to keep them. I look forward to reading his thoughts.
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:25 am
@JerseyRepublican –
Remind me again who campaigned against Obama in your very state to get your a Republican, Chris Christie elected? And in Virginia? And in Massachusetts?…
http://mittromneycentral.com/2009/11/04/romney-behind-both-gop-gubernatorial-victories/
http://mittromneycentral.com/2009/10/29/romney-adds-final-muscle-to-va-governors-race/
Romney Continues his Golden Streak: http://mittromneycentral.com/2009/10/29/romney-adds-final-muscle-to-va-governors-race/
The sort of leadership it takes to propel conservatives into office is not found in Facebook posts. Its found on the battlegrounds. That’s where Romney is.
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:25 am
#45 – I’ve been away for several days, taking a little vacation before the tough medicine begins, but did I understand it correctly that Sarah is paying other people to write some of her facebook, and that it came out as part of Sarahpac divulging their numbers. For a long time, some had believe it wasn’t Sarah writing many of those releases, and the idea was poo pooed by some on here. Did I read that right. I don’t want to say something not true, but it seems I read that a couple days ago. Is it true, or not? I’m just asking because I don’t know.
Jersey, we just see each other’s candidates very differently. I don’t think we believe much different on the issues. It’s kind of like the blind men being given a few seconds to feel an elephant, then describe it. They all see it differently. I am completely dumbfounded at some of you believing Sarah is currently prepared to be a good POTUS, and some of you find Mitt lacking, something I can’t even fathom an intelligent person believing.
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:37 am
No, as usual that is an assumption on your part, much like attributing the strike at a Bain Company firm was to Romney, don’t think they won’t bring up that old chestnut again. Now I think the problem
with healthcare really goes back to Kennedy’s authoring of the original HMO, that was the first time
that medical practices were really redistricted by other than strictly const criteria, That causes
the ‘preexisting condition’ loophole that the left has been exploiting as far back as Dukakis, in my
imagining
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:48 am
“The sort of leadership it takes to propel conservatives into office is not found in Facebook posts. Its found on the battlegrounds. That’s where Romney is.”
I don’t underestimate the importance of behind-the-scenes, on the ground, campaigning–it is hard work that can really pay dividends now and in the future.
At the same time, technology advances, electronic/wireless communications, social networking, new media–whatever you want to call it–are very important to a lot of people. Sarah seems to be ahead of the curve on this and I think the others would be well-advised to invest some resources into communicating directly with constituents in this, or equivalent, fashion.
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:50 am
narciso – I’m not assuming anything: I have read in the last few days that Sarahpac divulged that others have been paid to write for her? Is that not true? I’m sorry, but just you saying so is not enough, ok? Do we have anything from Sarah that denounces or denies that it happened?
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:58 am
52. I’m not sure I understand what the difference would be between that and, say, a speechwriter writing POTUS’s speeches. Why is it of such interest as long as the candidate or Prez has guided the message?
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:02 pm
No, they listed some consulting work, could be on speeches, strategy, et al. Now on the wider point, one of Mitt’s less inspired moves last spring was applauding the sacking of the GM management, by a Govt retainer, notably Ron Bloom the Mao spouting former trade union consultant and now manufacturing
czar. We see now how they will they will use this perch to force out any competitor who didn’t take
the ‘king’s danegeld’ today, Toyota, tomorrow Ford, and rearrange the company not based on profit but
their own political considerations. And you say, well we’ve really stopped them, you have stopped nothing, they mean to barrel through this entire system
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:04 pm
52 – from what I understand…Palin has paid writers on her staff. Nothing I have found states that they write her Facebook pages for her. 2 Democrat sites…the mudflats and kos state otherwise but they offer no proof…other than she apparently contradicted herself on Greta concerning something she wrote about on Facebook concerning NOW. That is their proof. I guess believe what you lke.
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:08 pm
Ok, that’s good enough for me for now. Thanks.
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:10 pm
No problem, your mentioning of it was the first I had heard of it…I had to do some digging, or googling…it’s much easier than digging.
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:12 pm
52. “I’m not sure I understand what the difference would be between that and, say, a speechwriter writing POTUS’s speeches. Why is it of such interest as long as the candidate or Prez has guided the message?”
Well, if it were true, many of her supporters on here have adamantly defended in the past that she writes her own facebook entries. Many on here have brough up that it appears they are well written and have knowledged beyond what Palin appears to have when speaking on the same subject matter. So, if this were true, that others actually are doing the writing, it would, at least, confirm what non-Palin supporters have suspected, and what Palin supporters have defended against.
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:22 pm
#8,oh boy,over 1 year from now on nothing show that the economy will get better from your same old unvision as democrats that tear down the real leader Mitt last election for Mr.Obama who has o experience in any thing as you will repeat Obama second bankrupt this great nation by endorse Palin and Rubio for 12 for yourself,but American people had already so tired of too much EDD pay checks,too much welfare EBT cards,too much broken promised,too much lie,too much failure policy,too much apologies,but no ideas what to do.American had learned a great lesson from last election by ignored their real leader Mitt,so now they won’t repeat any more mistake to give this great nation for the inexperience to play around and use American tax dollars for fun as Obama is doing now.American will stand for the right man for the right job,the right person for the right place,the right leader for the right country,Mitt Romney/Rick Santorum 2012.
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Yes, you drop an insinuation, just like Mudflats, Kos, Huff Po, doesn’t matter that it’s not true, it leaves a suggestion that it may have happened. Russo and Mansour started up the C4P site, in reaction to all the lies that were told during the campaign, mostly from dubious sources. Lies that apparently have gained traction here.
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:40 pm
Clearly still lots of you out there looking for entertainment and charisma. This book is for serious-minded people wanting to turn the country back around and step up to a greater position of strength.
February 3rd, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Personally, I’ve got no problem with a politician paying someone else to write their speeches and/or books as long as they thoroughly go over and edit the product before making it their own. This goes double if not triple for the President. To write a good speech takes hours and hours. There are usually far more important things a President should be spending his time on than writing speeches.
Now if said politician claims he wrote all those things when he really didn’t, THAT I would have a problem with.
February 3rd, 2010 at 1:06 pm
As to those people who find Romney “boring”, I can only say, “Yes! Yes!” I’ve had all the excitement I can stand with our current President, thank-you very much. I am ready for “boring”, aren’t you?
February 3rd, 2010 at 1:20 pm
Well, give the choice between what we have now and boring, yes I would choose boring, not I still would not mind some excitement from our side of the spectrum.
February 3rd, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Is that the alternative, how about between correct policies and incorrect ones Now should we take the words from the preface, or that of one his lead advisors, Mike Murphy, who thought the GOP would face an Ice Age unless we watered down most of our principles. Like I say I’m indifferent about Romney, not so much about his relentless boosters
February 3rd, 2010 at 1:32 pm
That was not my intentions at all. I think I made that clear. I agree with Mark when he said “Now if said politician claims he wrote all those things when he really didn’t, THAT I would have a problem with.”
February 3rd, 2010 at 1:43 pm
65 I think that is a false choice. When it comes down to policy there is little difference between SP and MR. We have a choice in terms of style and strategy against Obama. With SP, you get a terrific critic of Obama with a charismatic and polorizing personality. Ultimately, the ’12 election can be framed as Obama’s promise of a wider government safety net versus a call to personal responsibility. I’m concerned that SP, while a strong opponent of the Obama agenda, would not be able to deliver the kind of assurance to the nation that Obama could deliver with his power of government spending and taxation. Ultimately, if you are struggling financially, you might grudgingly opt to soak the rich to ensure your own personal security. Whether MR can deliver greater assurance remains to be seen, but this kind of proactive response seems to be a step in the right direction.
February 3rd, 2010 at 2:49 pm
When a politician lacks charisma and a questionable ability to inspire…they’re now called serious-minded. Sorry I didn’t get the memo.
February 3rd, 2010 at 2:53 pm
Romney = John Kerry 2.0!
1. Esablishment good ole boy.
2. Boring.
3. From MA.
4. Flip Floper.
Death Nail. Supports a subsidized health care plan that is the same as Obamacare, and that makes him 100% neutralized just like john kerry was when he voted for the Iraq War.
February 3rd, 2010 at 3:08 pm
I must say that I miss the good old days when everything was an argument about Romney and Huckabee.
I also think it’s funny that we have so many so-called experts on Romney’s charisma, and personality who have NEVER met or seen the man in person.
February 3rd, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Good one Jersey.
AK, you are a bit harsh, but the comparsion to Kerry ‘I actually did vote for health care before I voted against it’ is funny.
February 3rd, 2010 at 3:19 pm
“I also think it’s funny that we have so many so-called experts on Romney’s charisma, and personality who have NEVER met or seen the man in person.” I never met Mr. Obama in person either, but like others, I have an opinion on his charisma level. More to the point, if we are playing that game, I find it funny that people are so sure that Mrs. Palin has all these ghost writers, yet they never met her. Hey, perhaps she does have a few ghosts writers for all I know, but it is still funny how people who have not met her are so sure about her.
February 3rd, 2010 at 3:49 pm
I don’t know anything about ghostwriters, nor do I care. I also don’t think basically saying that you don’t think Obama has charisma is the best argument to support the idea that watching somebody on TV makes you an expert on their charisma.
I will say that I’ve met Romney in person, and seen his deliver a stump speech in person. I’ve also seen other politicians give speeches, and Romney blew them all away.
February 3rd, 2010 at 3:56 pm
“I also don’t think basically saying that you don’t think Obama has charisma is the best argument to support the idea that watching somebody on TV makes you an expert on their charisma.” I did not say that, but with respect, I will probably never meet my own camp leader face to face (although I am going to see her speak) let alone your camp leader. But even more to the point, most Americans will never see the candidate in person or face to face, so in short they will have to come across with charisma over TV.
February 3rd, 2010 at 4:43 pm
I would like to know how AKReport, Flip Dixon, and many others get by with posting meaningless garbage like #69 month after month, but yet Martha got banned when she nearly always put forth well thought out commentary about the candidates. She may have been pretty tough, but she told the truth, and tried to do it in a semi-respectful manner, unlike what we see here aimed at Mitt Romney. There is definitely a different standard being applied.
February 3rd, 2010 at 4:46 pm
Romney is clearly near the front of the pack. Palin won’t run; why on earth should she do so? She’ll make more money doing what she’s doing, and can do a lot of good for the party if she helps us take back some deep red districts the Dems have no business holding. Remember folks, she’s only 45(?), so 16, 20 and even 24 would be possibilities. I’d love to see her sit it out, maintain her national standing, take out Begich in 14 and think about a presidential run in 2020 (she’ll only be sixty).
Romney’s biggest hurdle will be the Mass healthcare bill. He’d better come up with some really good answers on that, and fast. Interestingly: he’s fund-raising for Thune, who would very possibly balance a ticket and reassure Evangelicals. Also, Salt Lake City is in the final four for convention sights. Is it mere chance that the last mega-event in the city had Romney’s fingerprints all over it? I think not.
One more thing: Rjomney is three for three on big elections: McDonnell, Christie, Brown, and he stayed out of the New York 23 mess. Will this last hurt him with conservatives? Maybe, but it’ll (A) help with moderates and (B) be overlooked, I think, because he helped get Brown elected. I’m undecided on the twelvestakes, but think Romney is well-positioned to win it.
February 3rd, 2010 at 4:58 pm
Please bring back Martha. Race is one of the few places on the net where Romney people can express themselves without getting personally insulted and banned. Don’t turn this place into FreeRepublic.
February 3rd, 2010 at 5:04 pm
As a proud member of the Free and Strong America Pac, let me say that Mitt’s agenda will best be understood by reading the book. It’s clearly about where he wants to take the country—something I have a pretty clear picture of by now—and I challenge the critics on this site to read the book and rebut it on this site if you can.
But if you do this in a serious way, you run the risk of becoming relevant—a participant in the future of the nation. Mitt is poised to win the nomination, and Republicans are poised to seriously challenge Obama in 2012, so get involved or get out of the way.
February 3rd, 2010 at 5:05 pm
oh come on Illinoisguy your to sensitive. Palin bots deal with much worse
February 3rd, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Not on here they don’t AK! You and others get by with continuously posting meaningless garbage about Mitt, but when someone actually does their home work and provides accurate appraisals of your gal, they get banned. It’s a double standard.
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:57 pm
IllGuy, watch it– you’re next on the train to Banville. Choo Choo…
Play nice.
February 4th, 2010 at 11:59 am
Illinoisguy, you do yourself a disservice standing up for Martha. When it came to Sarah Palin, Martha was irrational and spent probably 50 comments a day spewing liberal talking points, rumors and lies as the truth. To say she didn’t do that is to not recognize reality. I was actually sorry to see her go because I enjoyed the back and forth but she was warned on many occasion.
I find it funny that you are calling for people to be banned but you never question the Martha’s or Pablo’s of the site when they say bad stuff about Palin. I guess it’s just a one way street for you?