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Mitt Romney has left me completely speechless. He better hope that this doesn’t get picked up nationally.
Mitt Romney was greeted warmly by a largely African-American crowd at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Parade in Jacksonville. He shook hands with several dozen parade-goers and even hugged a few of them.
Only one woman was noticeably annoyed by the former Massachusetts’ governor’s presence.
“Mitt Romney, go home!” she yelled. “You’re delaying the parade.”
As he posed for a picture with a group of young people, the typically old-fashioned Romney was relaxed enough to quote from a popular hit single from a few years back.
“Who let the dogs out?” he called out, as he stood there beaming in his shirt and tie. “Who! Who!”
There’s video of it at the link. It’s just awful to watch.
(H/T: Commenter MarkG)
January 21st, 2008 at 2:00 pm
He’s not old-fashioned. He’s bleeding edge*!!
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*For 2000
January 21st, 2008 at 2:00 pm
At the risk of sounding completely ignorant: What in the world does it all mean. I don’t get it.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:01 pm
This was already posted within the essential reads and of course it will hit nationally. Romney like some other candidates has a problem in that he is a bit removed from society.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:02 pm
It doesn’t mean anything. It has absolutely no context whatsoever.
That’s Mitt being “hip” and “gangster” — Who let the dogs out, yo!
January 21st, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Romney: Who Let the Dogs Out?
He jumped off the Mitt Mobile to greet a waiting crowd, took a picture with some kids and young adults and awkwardly quipped, â€Who let the dogs out? Who who.â€
He took pictures with many in the crowd and greeted one baby wearing a necklace saying, “Hey buddy! How’s it going? What’s happening? You got some bling bling here!â€
http://embeds.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/01/21/romney-who-let-the-dogs-out/
January 21st, 2008 at 2:04 pm
What this really means is that McCain is feeling the heat.
Both Rudy and Romney are going after McCain’s awful tax hiking record.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Oh, stop it! He did not! He did not say that to that baby!
I refuse to believe that.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:05 pm
OH MY GOD.
HE DID.
HE DID SAY THAT TO THAT BABY.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH HIM?
January 21st, 2008 at 2:06 pm
If we’re lucky we’ll get to hear Mitt quote “Double Lovin’” from the album “Doong Spank.” It’s a classic!
January 21st, 2008 at 2:06 pm
I just watched the video, and I wasn’t at all embarrassed or even stupidified. Of course, LJ was, mostly because he doesn’t like Mitt anyways. It’s just friendly bantering with people. He hardly even “calls it out.” Well, spin it however you want to, McCainites. This, in even the small picture, is nothing to get excited or worried or even feel any emotion at all over. Back to the campaign….
January 21st, 2008 at 2:07 pm
I don’t get what the story here is. Are we supposed to be impressed that he knows some pop culture?
January 21st, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Ohio Repub, it has no context. I was mortified for him because it had no relevance to the situation at hand. It came across as sort of patronizing, though not as much as saying “You got some bling bling here?”
Mitt:
SEES BLACK PERSON APPROACHING…………….
RETRIEVING DATA ON: BLACK PEOPLE…….
DATA RETRIEVED:
>BLING BLING
>YO
>WHAT’S UP IN DA HOOD
>BASKETBALL
>MARTIN LUTHER KING REFERENCE
>ROSA PARKS REFERENCE
SELECT OPTION
OPTION: BLING BLING – SELECTED
DATA OUTPUT INITIALIZING……………
“Hey buddy! How’s it going? What’s happening? You got some bling bling here!â€
January 21st, 2008 at 2:10 pm
I don’t get what the story here is. Are we supposed to be impressed that he knows some pop culture?
LOL!
No! We’re supposed to be EMBARRASSED that he THINKS that that’s pop culture, or that he thinks it’s some ‘black’ thing.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Why are we supposed to be offended LJ? Because Romney sang the song or because he delayed the parade? Please let me know quickly so that I can be shocked and dismayed.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:12 pm
TLG gets it exactly right.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:13 pm
You had me LJ. I’ll admit, I was sweating hard … until I watched the tape. Romney’s trying really hard to relate to the common man. Next time I hope he relaxes a bit more.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:13 pm
This is great material for John Stewart, Jay Leno, and Dave Letterman. Its so retarded that no commentary is needed.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Oh, You guys are soooo desparate!
Isn’t Who let the dogs out a song authored by blacks?
I is not clear that Romney was addressing that woman. It is not clear who Romney was addressing at all. The others near him did not seem to be offended.
Besides, I did not hear or see the “offended” party with the evidence shown. Keep manufacturing guys.. You are hilarious..
January 21st, 2008 at 2:14 pm
hes about the same age as my dad and that is totally something my dad would do. must be a mormon politician thing
January 21st, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Mike,
Romney NEVER would have uttered anything of the sort had he been amongst whites.
It was, undoubtedly, even for a square like Romney, one of the more cringe-worthy moments for him on the campaign trail.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Desperation is a beautiful thing
January 21st, 2008 at 2:16 pm
that was a totally dated reference, but to be fair, they still play that song at pro sporting events all the time
January 21st, 2008 at 2:16 pm
cwpete!!!
Who Let the Dogs Out was NOT a “black” thing, if you’ll recall. And it was NOT authored by African-Americans.
If Romney knew anything about Beyonce or Jay-Z or Alicia Keys, he’d have probably referenced them instead, in an attempt to look ‘down wit da youthz.’
January 21st, 2008 at 2:16 pm
What’s wrong with a politician getting out and trying to meet the people?? While definitely a white guy, there was nothing wrong with what he was doing. Quit trying to make news out of nothing.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Romney NEVER would have uttered anything of the sort had he been amongst whites.
Bingo.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:17 pm
A “black” think? Don’t be like that TLG.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:18 pm
If Romney plays this up as an example of his nerdy demeanor, I think this might actually help his image. It didn’t seemed forced at all. It seemed like a light moment, as seen from the perspective of a 50’s era nerd.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Thats AWESOME!!! The people who are making a deal out of this are the same ones who got their panties in a bunch about Mitt’s joke about the Michigan accent. THEY DON’T GET IT. I love it!
January 21st, 2008 at 2:18 pm
I have an idea.
McCainiacs can keep talking about Romney letting the dogs out.
Romney and Rudy can keep talking about how McCain likes higher taxes.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Another point, is that the audio is really bad there, and who knows whether or not he was referencing something someone else said that wasn’t picked up by the audio? This is a non-story, and ou other guys supporters are just getting desperate. I guess Romney up 5% in FL would make you worry for your guys chances though.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Isn’t Who let the dogs out a song authored by blacks?
Tell me that’s not what post 18 REALLY says.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:20 pm
#12 – That’s actually pretty funny.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Wow. So you’re saying Mitt is an awkward white guy? This is news?
January 21st, 2008 at 2:20 pm
As the resident high schooler on Race42008, please let me assure you that what Mitt Romney said was very cringe-worthy. That was not a successful example of him “trying to meet the people” or “showing that he knew pop culture,” Rombots. That’s the kind of thing you’d expect from some teen comedy, in an attempt to parody old white men. What Mitt did would be a huge laugh line in such a comedy. I do plan on sharing that video with my friends.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:21 pm
They are taking a picture for Christ sake. People would get upset if he said ‘Cheese’ instead because, after all, he is not from Wisconsin. GRASPING AT STRAWS PEOPLE. Grasping at straws… (shakes head)
January 21st, 2008 at 2:21 pm
TLG,
Oh no, don’t threaten us with all so important High School Vote!
January 21st, 2008 at 2:22 pm
A “black†think? Don’t be like that TLG.
I’m looking at it from Mitt’s perspective. But trust me, there are definitely “black things” among high schoolers.
Isn’t Who let the dogs out a song authored by blacks? Tell me that’s not what post 18 REALLY says.
LOL.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:22 pm
TLG #34, I guess it’s a good thing Romney isn’t running to be your class president, huh.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Sampo & TLG:
Who did author Who let the dogs out ? if it was not the performers..
Forgive me for not being hip on 90s rap..
The point is still valid. If blacks can say it, why can’t whites?
January 21st, 2008 at 2:23 pm
That sounded something dumb I would say at my teenage daughter’s party. Give it up Mitt.
Nonetheless, this is not newsworthy. He was probably overhearing someone’s Ipod or looking a T-shirt…or being very lame but again…who cares.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Jason, dont be bitter just because mitt can’t motivate youth to go out to vote.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:23 pm
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; Romney gets traditional conservatives to rally to him in a general election by playing up the dorky, old fashioned, Ward Cleaveresque 50’s demeanor. He wins over the rest of the movement, and independents by sounding like a uber competent, wonkish, executive.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:23 pm
TLG,
“in an attempt to parody old white men” Romney is definitely old and white. So what is the problem?? If he were running for Rapper-in-Chief, we would definitely have a problem.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:23 pm
TLG, you don’t get it. Its a pretty funny thing for Romney to say and I think he was being self conscious about it.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:23 pm
The reaction from the Rombots on this thread is almost as cringe-worthy as the video itself.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:24 pm
It doesn’t matter. This has the potential to be Mitt Romney’s “macaca” moment.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:24 pm
TLG, Oh no, don’t threaten us with all so important High School Vote!
That’s not what I meant to imply. When I said I’d be sharing it, I just meant to give a laugh.
I didn’t mean that I intended to share it to siphon votes away from him. LOL.
I was just saying that it was DEFINITELY an idiotic moment for Mitt.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Sampo,
You’re right, I am very bitter about that super important voting block.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:25 pm
There is no racism here despite attempts by the authors and posters there to insinuate that.
Corney? Perhaps.. Pandering? For sure, but that is what all politicians do..
January 21st, 2008 at 2:25 pm
46…get real.
On the other hand Leno might have a great time with it.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:25 pm
random,
Romney would never say “Who Let the Dogs Out” if he was in a white crowd. It’s incredibly patronizing that he said it in a black crowd.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:26 pm
#46 – Ben that is a stretch at best. So this is the sound of desperation then?? Nice try.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:27 pm
47,
I agree with TLG…very corny..but it does make you smile to think what politicians have to go through to get votes. Ha Ha…
January 21st, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Oh, this is corny and cringe-worthy all right. Romney’s a self-admitted nerd.
Doesn’t bother me a bit. I’m glad to see the Mitt-hater crowd spinning their wheels over this instead of doing something productive.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:27 pm
LJ,
“The reaction from the Rombots on this thread is almost as cringe-worthy as the video itself.”
Now you’ve just lost all respect that I’ve had for you.. Not that it means anything..
This is trash / gutter politics that would even put the National Enquirer to shame.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:27 pm
For the record, I’m a 21 year old black conservative. If anything, this improves Romney’s image in my mind. It didn’t sound “with it”. It sounded like something an old dorky white guy would say, in perfect earnestness, in an imitation of popular culture. If I were a girl, I’d probably say it struck me as mildly “endearing”.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:28 pm
LJ,
While definitely indicative of an old white man’s attempt to look hip, this is nothing more than an attempt to try and make a story out of nothing. You are better than this type of race-baiting nonsense. Grow up a bit will ya??
January 21st, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Hey, everyone is missing this. In the audio, you hear someone say basically “who’s got the camera? who?” and i think it reminded mitt of that song. plus when you are waiting to have a photo taken you always make akward banter. this is just normal out of touch white guy behavior and i think that republican voters are fine to vote for someone who isnt up on the TRL countdown if he can cut taxes and kill terrorists.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:28 pm
51…
I can see him saying this amongst a bunch of white teenagers…because who knows what an adult will try to say to impress a teenager…but It never works!
January 21st, 2008 at 2:29 pm
jason, ask yourself why mitt seems more apt at connecting with people in Spanish.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:29 pm
As a Mitt guy myself, I find this hilarious. I’m sure his sons are all railing on him for trying to act hip. To think this would have any sort of impact on his presidential candidacy, however, is nonsense.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:30 pm
LJ,
And McCain would never say “Bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran” to a liberal crowd. What’s your point?
The people in the video didn’t seem to find it patronizing–more than likely they thought it was funny to have some old guy running for President attempting to be “in” with them. But I’m sure they appreciate you being offended for them.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:30 pm
This was probably the stupidest post from r42008 that I’ve seen.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:31 pm
For the record, I’m a 21 year old black conservative. If anything, this improves Romney’s image in my mind. It didn’t sound “with itâ€. It sounded like something an old dorky white guy would say, in perfect earnestness, in an imitation of popular culture. If I were a girl, I’d probably say it struck me as mildly “endearingâ€.
But it wasn’t just nerdiness. It was nerdiness while trying to appear ‘cool’ specifically to black people. It would be the equivalent of Romney coming up to me and telling me that he thinks that the latest Madonna album is just fabulous.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:31 pm
motion to ban cwpete for post 55…..?
January 21st, 2008 at 2:31 pm
LJ, Romney is a super-nerd and this is a prime example. To suggest he meant something malicious by it, or that it should be taken that way is just politics on your part. It’s McCain or Romney, so I don’t blame you for the post.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:31 pm
It will definitely get poked fun at by Leno and Letterman. I think it will make him seem helplessly dorkish, and I agree with Matthew, that it may even endear some people to him for seeming more “natural” even though it is dorky. Makes me like him more.
Reminds me of my dad.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Sampo & TLG:
Educate me please. As a dorky old white guy, tell me & the board who authored Who let the dogs out ??
I just have to know!
January 21st, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Who the hell cares who authored Who Let the Dogs Out?
January 21st, 2008 at 2:32 pm
#64
Romney might like Madonna…you never know
January 21st, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Sampo,
Ask yourself, why can’t you write more than two sentence at a time?
January 21st, 2008 at 2:32 pm
“Bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran†to a liberal crowd.
I dont follow the logic? I thought only liberals supported mccain anyway?
January 21st, 2008 at 2:33 pm
70.
I like Madonna.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:33 pm
That Romney clip reminded me of one thing only:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-xEzGIuY7kw
January 21st, 2008 at 2:33 pm
jason, how’s that diet coming?
January 21st, 2008 at 2:33 pm
72,
You thought correct.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Not so good, why?
January 21st, 2008 at 2:34 pm
mitt romney: senators talk, I lead.
why’d you pull it?
January 21st, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Why did I pull what?
January 21st, 2008 at 2:35 pm
the quote.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:35 pm
LOL wow, look at the number of posts. I agree with #66. If you’re into that sort of politician, it’s endearing; if not, you cringe. Or maybe you find it endearing yet cringe at the same time. lol, I totally wish I had cable so I could watch the Daily Show for stuff like this…
January 21st, 2008 at 2:35 pm
#74
Absolutely!!!
January 21st, 2008 at 2:36 pm
#62:
Right you are! McCain sings bomb, bomb Iran!
That insensitive pandering bastard!
Thank you LJ, You’ve done your part to lower the discussion here. Got to answer gutter politics with more gutter politics I guess..
January 21st, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Sampo, you’re the one who’s going to get banned if you’re not careful. You crack me up though. I’d hate to see you go.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:36 pm
What quote and where are you talking about?
January 21st, 2008 at 2:37 pm
#74 – That was HILARIOUS!!! Even had the Donny Osmond Mormon connection!! Classic!
January 21st, 2008 at 2:37 pm
85
sampo mentioned it on another thead….
sampo what are you talking about
January 21st, 2008 at 2:37 pm
I’m finding it difficult to see how saying “Hey buddy! How’s it going? What’s happening? You got some bling bling here!†is not offensive.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:38 pm
LJ, are you playing the race card? I would cringe if I saw my dad do that but I wouldn’t think he hates blacks. I would think “Hey, that’s my dork dad trying to show hipness with outdated hipness.”
January 21st, 2008 at 2:38 pm
This is hilarious everyone – Romney had just said “who has the camera?” in a way that would have triggered ANYONE in a light-hearted mood to say that line! PEOPLE CHILL!!!! We are an all white household with two kids that THRIVED on Rugrats in Paris – and this song still gets sung a few times year. Just chill and laugh! It was a light-hearted moment that needs no dissecting or embarrassment.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:40 pm
#88 That kind of behavior describes my dad to a T. I don’t think I’m alone here. It’s definitely not offensive, and anyone who interprets as such needs to try harder to lighten up. …just like Mitt’s trying to lighten up.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:40 pm
TLG,
Yes. Romney was trying to appear cool. When someone old tries to appear cool, in perfect earnestness, and fails, we have a word for them: “endearing”. If you believe Romney was artificially creating this moment, then you’re undoubtedly going to view it negatively. If you believe that Romney just said something, off the cuff, that he thought sounded “hip”, then you’re no doubt going to see it as I have. Even if this incident gets played negatively in the press, I think Romney needs things like this. I think he’s better off, “letting his hair down” as it were. Yes, he’ll come off as cringeworthy, from time to time. But, the more often you say hip things, that really aren’t hip, and the more cringeworthy you seem, the more likely you are to seem endearing. It’s one of the commonest tricks for writers; if you’re trying to make a character likable, make them blissfully unaware of just how uncool they are.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:40 pm
More magic from the Bahamen. I think it’s fitting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-HJmBS38k4&
January 21st, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Man, those people standing with Romney looked soooo offended! I think it is funny that the only people who are trying to use this for political gain are the Romney-haters. This clip reminds me of my dad trying to sound “hip.”
January 21st, 2008 at 2:44 pm
It’s stuff like this that makes politics fun to follow. Ah… I gotta go watch that clip again.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:47 pm
For the record, this is the kind of “pandering” I’d much rather see over the kind Mitt typically gets accused of.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Everyone’s missing the point here.
Now Romney can say that HE marched with MLK!
(Yes, I can poke fun at my own candidate!)
January 21st, 2008 at 2:49 pm
I think how Mitt reacts to this, if it gets serious play, will tell us alot about his political skills. I think he ought to look sheepish and say something like “I’m a dork, what do you expect?” It was a light moment and if he tries to respond to it seriously, I think it’ll show he has a real tin ear for these things.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Jason, the irony in post 48 is that TLG seems light years ahead of the average mittbot in this race.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:49 pm
I pity the fools who care about stuff like this for more than entertainment purposes.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:49 pm
*as far as being informed.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:50 pm
No Sampo,
the irony is that you never could produce a link for the accusations you have thrown at me today. That’s OK, intellectual rigor is not your forte, I won’t hold it against you.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:51 pm
102
sampo,
one would have to agree…just say what you mean…what are you getting at.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Romney is the guy who’s wife explained that the reason his hair was messed up for his win speech (Morning Joe – was a recent interview)in Michigan was because he was rough-housing with his grandkids. Here’s another one to show the “endearing” stiffness when he lightens up (when his son made the Governor of Caulifornia prank call)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGf87FDN9L0
January 21st, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Have you completely lost it?? This was a big nothing! He wasn’t even singing. He was just talking. And those kids were having fun. Man are you desperate.
January 21st, 2008 at 2:54 pm
104..
wasn’t he diabolically plotting to step on someone else’s acceptance speech at that time
January 21st, 2008 at 2:56 pm
555, Mat! I couldn’t agree more. My worst fear is that he will get defensive and try to rationalize it away. he needs to come off as being clueless and dorky. Mitt, there is no good explaination for your comments. You were spontaneously nerdy…trying to relate to the young crowd, but you can’t because you’re a typical dorky adult who thinks you cooler than you are.
In fact, you may not be typical Mitt. You may be exceptionally dorky, even for an adult.
January 21st, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Is this really a big deal? Romney doesn’t come off well but this isn’t a “macaca” moment for sure.
January 21st, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Lame. I still don’t get what you’re trying to say.
January 21st, 2008 at 3:22 pm
LJ-that you actually think there is something in this video clip that makes it worthy of a front-page post leaves ME speechless.
Your perspective has become increasingly bizarre. Signs of desperation???
January 21st, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Yep… Here is Romney again showing how awkward he is under pressure.
January 21st, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Anyone want to guess some silly moments — like, what will Mitt do or say when he is at the Trekkie conference? He’s a big Star Trek fan, after all. Do you think he’s a Federalist or Klingon or what?
This is one of the reasons I like Mitt. I can picture him in various situations comfortably. Let’s try to picture McCain at the same Trekkie conference. I can only picture a William Shatner moment. Rudy? That eyes thing! Fred? That fireman hat thing (I like him, I like him, I do, but that’s the picture I have in my mind when I thought of him at the Trekkie conference). You see why many of us like Mitt?
January 21st, 2008 at 3:27 pm
LJ,
How come you haven’t posted the Rasmussen Florida Poll. Romney in the lead by 5 points:
Here is the link.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2008_presidential_election/florida/election_2008_florida_republican_primary
Now that is relevant news!!!
January 21st, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Those of you posting making fun for Romney having an encounter with some African-American youth–
what makes you experts on this youth culture so that you are qualified to let us know how Romney’s words/actions were perceived?
The idiocy of your remarks here is mindboggling. Almost as hard to understand as your support of McCain
!!! Get a life!
January 21st, 2008 at 3:32 pm
BTW – I’ve worked with inner city youth in Chicago and D.C. and have, on occasion, brought older white men (often financial contributors to our efforts in serving these youth) to interact with these youth. The youth in this video seemed to react in the same positive way that the young men and women with whom I have worked reacted to our visitors.
January 21st, 2008 at 3:41 pm
MACACA MOMENT!
Shawnie, that poll was posted here this morning.
January 21st, 2008 at 3:52 pm
As a young, white Republican who has grown up, gone to school, and lived his entire life in a city that is known as one of the best for African Americans I have to laugh at this post and all of the Mitthaters.
Look, this is more of an older guy trying to sound hip than anything else, especially nothing racist.
This is the worst grasping at straws I have ever seen. He was trying to seem hip by using slang. Whopdeedo.
What is more offensive is those who think that we can bring down a candidate by calling him racist and telling African Americans what should offend them.
All we have here are white people saying that these African Americans should be offended. This is nuts. GET OVER THIS.
This is a non-issue.
January 21st, 2008 at 3:58 pm
This is an excellent clip that shows just how popular Governor Mitt Romney really is. They all liked him except some rude liberal. Romney is a great guy and has a very likeable personality.
I’ve been sMITTen – again!
Go Mitt Go!
January 21st, 2008 at 4:01 pm
#116 – Curious, where is it?
January 21st, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Shawnie:
http://race42008.com/2008/01/21/poll-watch-rasmussen-gop-florida-primary-4/
All you would have had to do is go to the home page of this blog and search for “Rasmussen.” That’s what I just did.
January 21st, 2008 at 4:04 pm
I don’t think this is much of a reason to be offended.
Confused? Yes
Disturbed? Yes
Embarrassed for the guy? Yes
But taking offense is going a little far. But the story reads as if it’s completely out of context. It sounds more like he was just doing his best to act the part of the pandering sociopath, trying to be all things to all types of people, and didn’t do too well this time. He’s been practicing this for a while, so it’s most likely just a misstep.
January 21st, 2008 at 4:05 pm
If Mitt makes it to the Deep South, will he burst out into refrains of “Ole Man River” or stick with Stephen Foster tunes when encountering African Americans?
January 21st, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Other picture in my mind: Mitt in Oklahoma ends up fiddling on a tin roof!
January 21st, 2008 at 4:31 pm
See, it’s so easy to picture Mitt in such a scenario. McCain on roof – I can see it, but instead of fidding, he’ll be stomping, shouting “take me down!” Fred? Just stand there looking omnipresent. Rudy? I cannot picture it at all, him being on any roof.
January 21st, 2008 at 4:38 pm
So how does G-Funk Mitt!compare to Southern Fried Hillary?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu9TQq0C3Ac
In fairness to Mitt!, he is a Multi-Millionaire Massachusetts Mormon who was born to a wealthy governor. The only black people he’s probably ever seen before this election are Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, and Martin Lawrence.
January 21st, 2008 at 4:46 pm
I wanna’ see RastaMitt!
January 21st, 2008 at 4:55 pm
How could this possibly merit a thread?? And how could this thread possibly merit 126 comments?? Life’s way too short for this type of waste of time.
January 21st, 2008 at 5:26 pm
#125
And how does being Mormon cause a Caucasian man to see less or more Blacks in their life? Especially one who grew up outside DETROIT? Can you say b-i-g-o-t?
January 21st, 2008 at 5:29 pm
MWS – If I remember right, you’re a self-described “militant evangelical turned Catholic”. Is that correct?
January 21st, 2008 at 6:09 pm
I thought Romney came across as a good-hearted guy. The group of kids he took the picture with seemed to be enjoying the moment as much as he did.
Some of my friends like to use the word “bling bling.” I didn’t realize we had to be careful where we used it.
January 21st, 2008 at 6:11 pm
I agree with Shawnie, I’m not sure what being Mormon has to do with the number of blacks one sees.
January 21st, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Looks like there are censors scuttling around this room. I sent a post earlier in response to Melissa who said that Huckabee was a man of principle and character. I asked if it was the same Huckabee who lied about having a degree in theology, which he does not. I also asked why evangelicals think that Jesus was a ‘conservative’, and that did he not hang out with the poor and sick, the destitute, the elderly, and did he not chase the moneychangers from the temple.
I asked if Jesus would hang out with a Romney or a Huckabee, a Guiliani, or worse, a McCain- all warmongers? And I asked if he would hang out with a PAt Robertson or a Jerry Falwell, of a Hagee.
That post has been removed, as has Melissa’s. The thought police at the “Fair and Balanced” network are at it again.
January 21st, 2008 at 6:30 pm
I think what is really funny is that Mitt chose probably the whitest song ever performed by a black group in the history of music. “Who let the dogs out” is an arena song that teams play during timeouts. The “Baha Men” went on to record hits for the “Disneymania” series of albums as well as the Rugrats movie.
This is what most of white America thinks black culture is.
What a nerdy dude! Not offensive at all (I don’t think), just hilariously nerdy.
January 21st, 2008 at 6:42 pm
#133
“This is what most of white America thinks black culture is.”
Not Even.
January 21st, 2008 at 6:58 pm
MWS (#125) Wow! How quick you have forgotten Mitt’s claim that his father marched with MLK, especially today on MLK’s birthday. If I recall it correctly, you went down hard on this claim. Anyway, my point is that his father was big on the civil right movement, so I am sure Mitt saw more than just a handful of black actors you named.
January 21st, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Un-freaking-believable, people. It’s a parade, lots of music, partying, etc. going on. He let his hair down a bit. How do you know what he does when there isn’t a camera around?
Perhaps he does sing “Who let the dogs out” when he’s with his grandkids. Who knows, but even more importantly, WHO CARES?!!??!!??
January 21st, 2008 at 7:28 pm
What it points out is Mitt’s life-long conditioning to try to pander to the crowd he’s in front of, and that he’s not in front of racially diverse crowds very often. It’s pretty minor stuff, but the news media will play it up and then it will go away. These are the stories that people watch and the news media are a bunch of clowns. If Romney and his supporters want to keep something hidden from everyone, it ain’t this. It’s his voting record. And to this point they’ve done that.
January 21st, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Neal, can you name a politician that ignores the crowd he around, doesn’t figure out their interests and address them? Reciting a lyric and being social is not pandering. Ease up.
January 21st, 2008 at 8:36 pm
136,
I totally agree….people are trying to make something out of this are out of their minds. I hate Mitt as much as the next guy, but this was a silly moment.
The only thing it showed to me is that he remarkably out of touch with pop-culture
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:52 am
No politician will ignore the crowd he’s speaking to, and they’ll all target their message to that crowd. However, there’s a difference between targeting your message and changing your message. As I said, this video is pretty minor stuff, but it does reflect a side of Romney that is distasteful to me. He wouldn’t say this in front of a white crowd.
Here’s a video which points out the same thing, but in a much more important subject.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Kqjrmb7YSPM
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:55 am
No politician will ignore the crowd he’s speaking to, and they’ll all target their message to that crowd. However, there’s a difference between targeting your message and changing your message. As I said, this video is pretty minor stuff, but it does reflect a side of Romney that is distasteful to me. He wouldn’t say this in front of a white crowd.
Here’s a video which points out the same thing more dramatically, and it would trouble me if I supported Romney. Let me preface this with a statement: I don’t care what religion anyone is and it’s got nothing to do with the election. This is about integrity and standing up for what you believe.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Kqjrmb7YSPM
January 22nd, 2008 at 7:51 am
Video = Yawn
Typically shallow.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:40 am
If that doesn’t raise some questions on what exactly Mitt Romney believes in and what he’s willing to stand up for, I don’t know what would. Does it matter to you that he can’t seem to stand up for what he believes in? Or even clearly define it?
January 22nd, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Okay, I think I understand. Tell me if I missed it. He was talking to some people at a parade and trying to make a connection with them. He did an exceedingly embarrassing/poor job of it. And this is some kind of window into his soul. People are supposed to draw something from this…that he “changes his message”. And for further proof, people are supposed to watch another video of him stating a personal view about religion and assume that it has a bearing on affairs of state. And they’re supposed to believe the interpretation of *other* people–that he made a statement conflicting with his chosen denomination. And even if people believe that’s what he said (about that–you might want to turn your volume up a little next time), they are then supposed to think it’s bad because he dares to share a different view than his church. And because of that, people are supposed to believe he doesn’t stand up for what he believes in. Okay, sure. So I don’t have a degree in political science, but I’m good at seeing the obvious. When you’re busy building propaganda in order to serve some kind of motive, and you get to the point where you’re wondering if it’s actually going to fly or not…if the propaganda defeats itself then the answer might not be ‘yes’.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:14 pm
[...] one comment from Race4-2008 is [...]
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:23 pm
You missed it.
In the first instance, he’s saying something he would never say to another group. But like I said, it’s not that big a deal and I’ll go with embarrassing/poor job.
In the second instance, it’s a little different. According to the Mormon religion, Moses is not the last person who spoke to God. It’s a basic tenent of the faith. Did he forget that? Or did he not want to say that? Or… you tell me.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:29 pm
“he dares to share a different view than his church”
I don’t care about his religious views. Honestly, I do not. But if I say I’m a Christian, and then I say, or infer, that I don’t believe in Jesus Christ… which is it? It can’t be both.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:36 pm
One other point, which I forgot to mention, and then I’ll drop it.
When he said this he was in Boston. Most people in Boston missed the significance of it. The station that was talking about it was in Utah. They knew the significance of it. That’s kind of what I’m saying, isn’t it? Changing the message depending on the audience.
January 22nd, 2008 at 11:54 pm
As far as saying something to one group that you would never say to another group, I could say to you “Neal, you have an acute eye for Freudian slips, and you never cease to present an argument that reveals your genuine quest for truth”. While I might say that to you because I sense that there is some kind of cultural, age, or other gap in our experiences and I’d want to reach across it in a familiar language for whatever “good” or “bad” reason I had, I of course wouldn’t say that as a compliment to another group. And if I were to say that to you, I would hope you’d see it as me just trying to bridge a gap between myself and someone else, however dull or ignorant you saw my attempt to be.
As far as someone forgetting or not wanting to say something counter to a founding principle of their religion, if that founding principle was that God and Jesus clearly spoke to Joseph Smith in a vision, and I were to say “I don’t recall God speaking to *me*. I, uh, *don’t know* if he’s spoken to anyone since Moses, the bush, *or perhaps some others*, but…”–it’s possible I could hope you wouldn’t try to claim that I said something different than what I might have meant–that I don’t personally see myself in the same light of importance as the people written about in my faith, figures that received visions of deep religious significance. Or maybe instead you caught me at a point of personal doubt in my faith, something that many people view as an essential part of faith. And even in that case–assuming my personal religious views were any of your business as someone interviewing me in a political light–I would hope you wouldn’t take a response I made to a question meant as a trap to get me to say something self-damaging and parade it over the media, spreading assumed truths that you have no hard facts to back. And when I would have to watch you do this, because that is the nature of politics, I may even smile to myself thinking that you missed a point–that I was being open and honest. Sort of like standing up for what you believe in. And that’s just one way this kind of propaganda defeats itself. His statement doesn’t even contradict his faith. And even if it did, you couldn’t honestly infer that he “changes his message” because of it. Because you don’t honestly know what he was really trying to say.
January 23rd, 2008 at 3:17 pm
No, you can’t know what’s in someone else’s head. His mumbling “or perhaps others…,” to me, that indicates he understood the audience he was speaking to in Boston, many of whom don’t really know what the mormon religion is about and might be a bit taken aback by a statement that clearly defined it. The station in Utah understood that and that is what their story was about. Their story. I didn’t tell them what to think, they drew their own conclusions. It seems likely they are not anti-Romney. Of course I don’t know what’s in their heads either.
In the end we all have to draw our own conclusions about whether Mitt Romney will change his message based on who he is speaking to and what message is more electable at any given time. I’ve made my decision based on his record, not on any one video or sound bite. But they do tend to back up what I was thinking all along. And you’ve drawn your own conclusions, and obviously these things don’t have you questioning them. And we can leave it at that.