Governor Romney must be a multitasker if he can pound the foreign policy drum and pound Barack Obama at the same time. No, I guess this would be more of a kill-two-birds-with-one-stone situation.
Romney has, over the last couple of months, taken a number of shots at President Obama, most particularly against his actions, or rather his inactions, concerning the situation in Afghanistan. It all started with his “conversation” at the Foreign Policy Initiative Luncheon. Last week it continued in his speech to the Young America’s Foundation, a speech to which David Axelrod took issue with and responded.
Today the drum beat continues with Mitt Romney’s most recent op-ed at Politico: The Cost of On-the-Job Training. The title is apt in that it plays to Obama’s lack of pre-Presidential executive experience in contrast to Romney’s life-long resumé of being the man in charge. An excerpt:
The president refused to focus on what was most important. He took on so many tasks that he underinvested in the most critical ones. The restructuring of the entire health care system and his cap-and-trade proposal eclipsed the economy and the war. Investor Warren Buffett, the “sage of Omaha,” counseled him against such a foolhardy agenda, but Buffett’s wisdom was no match for the heady prospect of all-encompassing change.So it was that in the first 100 days after his appointment in June of Gen. Stanley McChrystal as commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, Obama met with the general only once. After the press took note of it, the president squeezed in a mere 25 minutes for McChrystal when he was in Copenhagen to pitch Chicago’s Olympics bid. In the annals of American history, it is certain that no wartime president has ever spent less time with his generals than Obama has.
Emphasis mine.
Click here to read to the whole thing at Politico.com.
Not to be forgotten is Romney’s 13-minute interview with Sean Hannity yesterday. The topics included Obama and Afghanistan, as well as the economy, Sarah Palin, and the 9/11 terrorists’ trials. For some reason I’m not able to embed the audio here, so you can listen to it by clicking here.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Pretty scathing and on target critique.
I wonder if Obama turned away from the economy and focused on health care because he really thought a) it really wasn’t as bad as he was playing it up publicly, and they could just use the Stimulus to pay back supporters and donors or b) he really thought the Stimulus would take care of it, and he wouldn’t have to give the economy another thought.
Either way, he really blew it, devoting most of his first 10 months to getting insurance for 10% of Americans.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
The whole op-ed is really worth reading, and the part that Nate quoted isn’t even the most damning.
Tip of the hat to Romney.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Romney is right when he admits that he made lots of bone-head mistakes during his business and especially government careers. Glad he could finally man up about that.
The problem is that the man has yet to demonstrate even once that he can actually learn from his bone head mistakes. He’s still trying to justify his version of ObamaCare, RomneyCare, a policy debacle that has locked MA in an out of control cost spiral. He actually tried to argue–even as the journalist snarfed and giggled in Romney’s face–that his disastrous health care plan was never meant to control costs! The article is titled “Romney singing different tune on Mass. healthcare.”
It’s comedy gold!
http://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=749488
November 19th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
It’s true that it is not the most damning part, but it struck me as the most interesting at the time. Perhaps because I’ve heard much of the other things before, but this was newer.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Hey Dotan, have you figured out what Romney’s real name is yet? You keep getting his middle name wrong.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Were I to get it right would that let Wee-Willy-Willard off the hook? Somehow I don’t think so.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
No, but it just might make you a little more credible.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
dotan admit it, your an Obama guy, its really becoming obvious. Only an obama guy, would rip Romney instead of Obama and is on the job training.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
My credibility is not at issue. I provided a link to establish my claim.
xhttp://www.onenewsnow.com/Politics/Default.aspx?id=749488
P.S. Why do mittwits always immediately resort to ad hominem attacks when confronted with data contrary to their narrow world views? It’s a mystery.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Case in point: “dotan admit it, your an Obama guy.” The goofball can’t defend his hapless and harebrained hero, Romney, so he attacks me, as if I’m somehow responsible for the Romney’s pitiable performance as a writer, thinker, or especially as a politician. Well, I’m not responsible for Romney. Romney is. Go talk to him.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
I’m not resorting to ad hominem attack. I’ve just really been wondering for years now if you really know his middle name. I REALLY wanted to know. If you REALLY don’t know it, it does bring into question your credibility. You had a blog for a long-time with the wrong middle name. You’ve made hundreds of allegations against Romney. I’ve asked you several times if you know his middle name. I just really want to know. That’s all.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
How about using a creditable site? Nit wit! Anyone can find anything on the net if they try hard enough.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Sorry. Can’t help you. You’ll just have keep wanting to know.
Allegations? Apparently you don’t know what that word means. Not that it undermines your credibility or anything. I would never be so stupid as to infer anything so nonsensical, like, say, you, when you come all unglued over Romney’s middle name and try to build a castle in the air out of it.
November 19th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
I did. Hotair is a very credible–credible is the word you want, you super genius—at least among conservatives. The link I provided about Romney’s laughable claim about RomneyCare cost control was linked to by HotAir, so they thought it was credible.
November 19th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
It’s an anti-mormon site, you religious bigot.. get a life.
November 19th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Thanks to Mitt for standing up for our troops. Meanwhile, Obama thanks the troops for providing a nice photo op. Our soldiers are mere props for him.
November 19th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Thanks, that’s all I wanted was a response. You could have saved yourself a lot of breath. Unglued? Give me a break. You are the one who has become unglued with my question. I’m just trying to satisfy a 2 year-old curiosity when I’m finally able to catch to online. I have no more questions for you. Have a good life.
November 19th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Oh, that’s funny. The HotAir writers actually like Romney. They’re critical of him, but they’re critical of everyone, left, right, or center, as they should be, as you should be if you’re good and effective citizen of a political community.
But let’s say for the sake of a lame argument that HotAir was anti-Romney, which they are not. Just because you’re anti-Romney it does not follow that you’re anti-Mormon.
November 19th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
I’ve never got the sense that HotAir.com is anti-mormon. I read it everyday and quite like it. A little too much Sarah, but overall very informative.
November 19th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Thank you. That demonstrates credibility.
November 19th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Refresh my memory. Where was Romney during the Vietnam War? Oh, that’s right, France.
November 19th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
#21:
Ed Morrisey, one of the chief bloggers on HotAir, ready for this? Endorsed… Mitt Romney during the primaries. Anti-Mormon indeed.
November 19th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Ed Morrisey, one of the chief bloggers on HotAir, ready for this? Endorsed… Mitt Romney during the primaries. Anti-Mormon indeed.
Maybe Ed didn’t endorse him enough or something, the religious bigot!
Another blog that likes Romney is Commentary’s Contentions. Drives me nuts because it’s my favorite blog, the landing place for many Jewish conservatives–one of J-Rub’s venues.
But pluralism sharpens the critical sense: it’s always a good thing to expose yourself to concepts and ideas with which you disagree.
November 19th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Here is J-Rub’s take on Romney’s speech:
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/rubin/173082
Sigh. She likes it.
November 19th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
It’s an Op-ed. Not a Speech.
November 19th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Thank you.
November 19th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Well, I’ve determined the right word to define Obama’s administration is “Incompetence”. Every time I watch Obama or one of his people I’m amazed at the stupidity I see. They really are incompetent. I’m hoping that either Palin or Romney will surface as a front runner. Palin has that streak of honesty and morality that would help her succeed. Romney is presidential, a brainiac a very hard worker and wants what’s best for the country. It’s a win win with either of these two.
November 19th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
“Obama 2012 – Incompetence you can depend on.”
November 19th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
#28, if you’re going to run against imcompetence, Palin is NOT the right candidate.
November 19th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
except the site you linked was not hotair.com!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 19th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Never said it was, exclamation point boy (or girl). I said it was linked to from hotair, and hotair provided commentary on it.
November 19th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
Nate,
What site does/did dotan run?
November 19th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
I’ll say! Nor is it Mitt “I spent US$40m of my own money on my primary campaign and all I got was this lousy t-shirt” Romney. Or Mitt “Romney care was never about cost control” Rommey. Or Mitt “I saw my father march with MLK” Romney. Or Mitt “there are no lobbyists in my campaign” Romney. Or Mitt “I never said that you said that your plan was amnesty, it was my campaign commercials!” Romney. Or Mitt “I’m a proud defender of a woman’s right to choose oh, er, no, now I’m pro-life!” Romney. Or Mitt “I”m a more staunch defender of gay rights than you are, Senator Kennedy” Romney.
I could go on and on.
We need new frontrunners before 2012.
November 19th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Martha, it was a blog called “Willard Milton Romney”. I don’t think it’s up anymore.
November 19th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
I retired it until the next time Romney runs for anything. Then it will reappear, full archive intact.
November 19th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Might as well start it up now dotan. I’m pretty sure Romney is running.
November 19th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Maybe so. I’m not as certain as you are. But I have no basis for my intuition.
November 19th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
37. I think you meant your intuition has no basis.
November 19th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Huh? My intuition has no basis. Or: I have no basis for my intuition. One is a periphrastic construction, but what’s the distinction semantically? I would argue none.
November 19th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
Most Dems Want to Win, Most of GOP Focus on Issues
November 19th, 2009
This poll does not surprise me at all…
Democrats:
58% Prefer candidates who can beat the other party
38% Prefer candidates who agree with you on issues
Republicans:
43% Prefer candidates who can beat the other party
51% Prefer candidates who agree with you on issues
Source: CNN November 2009 Poll
November 19th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Sounds perfectly rational to me. Who cares if you “win” if your candidates do not advance your issues?
Because the Democrats placed winning over issues, they now confront a party that refuses to endorse their own platform in legislation–e.g. the Stupak amendment, which contradicts point for point the Democratic party platform.
November 19th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
dotan,
You take yourself way too seriously.
Who did you support in 08, and who do you support for 2012?
November 19th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
8 – I wouldn’t be too sure. I was over at the daily kos and huffpo and I was looking at comments posted about romney and they don’t seem to care too much about him. They say some nasty stuff but they don’t seem to take him too seriously. You gotta think that the type of people who would troll their way onto this site would probably be regular posters over on those sites. I’m just saying that I don’t think there is much of a market or reason, in their minds, to fear Romney enough to troll over him. Whatever that means…who the hell knows. AND obviously it is not a scientific example that proves anything…just something I noticed.
November 19th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
I supported [...] in 2008 and 2012 is a million years from now in political years. Why does it matter?
November 19th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
44. Just wondered where you’re coming from. You seem to be more anti-Romney than pro-anyone. Why are you afraid to reveal who you supported in 08?
November 19th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Not afraid of anything. I’m very proud of my support for [...].
November 19th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Hi Dotan! How’s things going. Are you happy?
November 19th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
dotan,
Paul in 08?
November 19th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Paul doesn’t like Jews much. As I said, I supported [...]
November 19th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Never better. You?
November 19th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Sharp and resonant observations by Romney. Romney’s critique is original, intelligent, and appeals to a fair-minded reader. I like the man the more I watch him. Since he quit the campaign he has unselfishly and graciously worked for the Party, singularly avoiding the pettiness of his rivals, and advanced with energy the causes he campaigned for while a candidate himself. Whether he runs again or not, more of this type of sharp-edged, spot-on thinking, coupled with can-do, well-prioritized, pragmatic approaches to fixing problems are exactly what the majority of Republicans long for. If Romney isn’t your guy/gal, I sure hope whoever you do support will imitate his efforts and attitudes so I can too.
November 19th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Dotan comes for a while, causes a tremendous amount of contention with his anti-Romney garbage…then hopefully moves on….I don’t know anyone as devisive for the cause of conservatism or the republican party as dotan.
November 19th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Back on the subject….Mitt continues to be the grown up with a head full of knowledge. People keep acting as if he has changed positions….people would like that give them more of the conservative vote, but Mitt stays fully conservative, yet draws a lot of independent vote along at the same time out of shear competence.
November 19th, 2009 at 4:23 pm
I stir a few mittwits to despair every once in a while and I am the most divisive figure in the conservative movement? Cool! I should put that on my CV–well, if I had any evidence to substantiate that claim other than the bitter complaint of a wounded ego.
Divisive indeed. If I can divide anyone–even just one wayward soul–away from Romney, then I have done G-d’s work, wouldn’t you say?
November 19th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Apparently you weren’t paying attention during the primaries. Romney was never able to consolidate the conservative base; they remained divided even going into the national election. Independents, on the other hand, -never- liked Romney, and they still don’t.
November 19th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
I like the way Romney is positioning himself on the issues, and the substance of those issues for the 2012 campaign. His strong and forceful stance on national security issues, on America’s place in the world, and the book he’s authoring on the subject should really stand in great contrast to other Republican literary efforts as of late. Romney lost a campaign in Mass before he won one. I hope that’s the precedent for the future.
November 19th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
#55 I wish you had some evidence to back that up. I’m sure you wish what you said was true, but simply saying it doesn’t make it true. The facts are that more nationally respected conservatives endorsed Mitt during the primaries than any other candidate. Also, the most recent polls have Mitt and Mike as the most popular republicans among independents.
November 19th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
54. I hate to break it to you, but nothing you say stirs Romney supporters to despair. Around here, you are not much more than Comedy Gold!
It’s possible that if you weren’t so over the top, you might ruffle some feathers. Then again, maybe not.
November 19th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
You wouldn’t know it from the way they howl, yelp, cough, shriek, spit, cringe, clench, belch, gibber and prate in a freaktard onomatopoeia, and lose complete control of their bowels. Unseemly I must say. If only they had been raised in more supportive environments. Those early years are very important you know.
November 19th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Behold the most wretched form of Romney hater: the snakes who pose as Romney grovelers. Their method is simple. They heap thick, sticky praise on their hapless victim, i.e. Romney. The display is so revolting that it repels everyone else from the very name of Romney, for who could long endure the presence of anyone who could inspire such boot-licking displays of shameless ass-kissery?
November 19th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
#2 “Tip of the hat to Romney.”
MWS,
I think you’re a good guy, regardless of what they say about you! I haven’t read the whole thing, but look forward to it. Also, Mitt’s tone against Obama is getting pretty “Look, we gave this guy the benefit of the doubt and now he is taking us down a dark path…it’s time for him to go”
GOP Toast posted an interview on of Mitt on Hannity’s radio show that I really enjoyed listening to. He had some tough words for Obama: http://www.goptoast.com/2009/11/romney-talks-about-state-of-obama-on.html
November 19th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
60. Dotan, I hate to encourage you by replying, but I honestly don’t know how you can stand yourself.
November 19th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Comcon, that was an absolutely great interview of Mitt on Hannity radio. The Palin people especially need to see how kind Mitt is when he talks about Sarah.,,,and he kicks the crap out of Obama’s lack of experience and focus on the wrong things.
November 19th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
November 19th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
Absolutely devastating criticism of President’s Obama first eleven months in office. Mitt Romney continues to seriously, instead of serially, criticize President Obama. As I heard someone say the other day, “No one is wrong 100% of the time.”
I’ve got to think these criticisms would be taken more seriously if Conservatives/Republicans hadn’t been dilly-dallying while they were the majority in Congress and had the White House.
At some point I’ve got to think the lefty media will start to take it to Obama if the important things (the war, the economy) continue to get dropped while the unimportant ones (cap & trade, moving healthcare system toward universal care, campaigning for other Democrats) get focused on intensely.
November 19th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
#51… a constructive comment and one I can respect.
November 20th, 2009 at 9:22 am
I am ready/waiting for Mitt to lay out the same kind of analysis of Obama’s handling of the economy and to begin to articulate a path forward. It is time for him to take the lead in focusing our attention on what we should be doing and where we should be going.
November 20th, 2009 at 10:44 am
67. I think he has been doing that quite a bit.