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Wimping out
Author: Raine    Date: 07/30/2012 11:52:10

I strongly suggest this be read.... The article is even more scathing than the cover that accompanies it....


http://www.thedailybeast.com/content/newsweek/2012/07/29/michael-tomasky-a-candidate-with-a-serious-wimp-problem/_jcr_content/body/inlineimage.img.503.jpg/1343574842228.cached.jpg


The episode highlights what’s really wrong with Romney. He’s kind of lame, and he’s really ... annoying. He keeps saying these ... things, these incredibly off-key things. Then he apologizes immediately—with all the sincerity of a hostage. Or maybe he doesn’t: sometimes he whines about the subsequent attacks on him. But the one thing he never does? Man up, double down, take his lumps.


In some respects, he’s more weenie than wimp—socially inept; at times awkwardy ingratiating, at other times mocking those “below” him, but almost always getting the situation a little wrong, and never in a sympathetic way. The evidence resonates across too many years to deny. What kind of teenager beats up on the misfit, sissy kid, pinning him down and violently cutting his hair with a pair of school scissors—the incident from Romney’s youth that The Washington Post famously reported (and Romney famously didn’t really deny) back in May? The behavior extends, through more sedate means, into adulthood.


And what kind of presidential candidate whines about a few attacks and demands an apology when the going starts to get rough? And tries to sound tough by accusing the president who killed the world’s most-wanted villain of appeasement? That’s what they call overcompensation, and it’s a dead giveaway; it’s the “tell.” This guy is nervous—terrified—about looking weak. And ironically, being terrified of looking weak makes him look weaker still.



Romney will go at Obama hard until the election on Pentagon cuts and security leaks and Obama’s alleged apologies for America. Here and there he’ll score a point. But here, too, he’s just trying too hard. You watch something like his recent VFW speech, and you see that he so desperately wants people to see him and think: “He’s like Reagan.” Please. You would no more cast Romney as Reagan than you would Pee-wee Herman as James Bond.


Never have I read a more scathing critique of a Presidential Candidate. I almost believe that no more need be said about Romney. Almost.... but not quite.

and
Raine
 

63 comments (Latest Comment: 07/31/2012 03:16:51 by Will in Chicago)
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Comment by Raine on 07/30/2012 12:35:08
Romney said he refuses to discuss Foreign Policy while on Foreign Soil -- and then discusses Foreign Policy while on Foreign Soil---

Also at about 6:24 minutes in, he responded to the Newsweek cover. This was actually not a bad interview-- he however gave wretched answers.


Comment by Mondobubba on 07/30/2012 13:03:14
No bacon wrapped shrimp at the Wailing Wall. His handlers reigned him in a little.

Comment by wickedpam on 07/30/2012 13:12:30
Morning

Comment by wickedpam on 07/30/2012 13:21:29
Wait - he's not going to talk foreign policy when overseas, yet he supposedly went to give a foreign policy speech in London and then also said he'd give Israel a big thumbs up on taking out Iran's nuclear program. Seriously?

and what kills me is that people will actually believe he's not talking foreign policy



Comment by wickedpam on 07/30/2012 13:24:40
New Rebecca? What happened to Rebecca?

Comment by Raine on 07/30/2012 13:35:07
Quote by wickedpam:
New Rebecca? What happened to Rebecca?
Friday was her last day. Family things she said. I haz a sad.

And she looked beautiful on Friday -- she wore a black dress and everything.

Comment by wickedpam on 07/30/2012 13:36:59
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
New Rebecca? What happened to Rebecca?
Friday was her last day. Family things she said. I haz a sad.

And she looked beautiful on Friday -- she wore a black dress and everything.


awww - sorry I missed that. Hope everything turns out okay for her, she'll be missed. No one could do Ross Perot like Rebecca


Comment by Raine on 07/30/2012 13:45:55
This is kinda funny.
From the department of poor music coordination: CNN says it regrets playing the Pink song “Stupid Girls” ahead of a segment on Sarah Palin’s recent visit to Chick-fi-A.


Comment by BobR on 07/30/2012 13:47:25
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
New Rebecca? What happened to Rebecca?
Friday was her last day. Family things she said. I haz a sad.

And she looked beautiful on Friday -- she wore a black dress and everything.


awww - sorry I missed that. Hope everything turns out okay for her, she'll be missed. No one could do Ross Perot like Rebecca

She did a little of that.

Comment by BobR on 07/30/2012 13:48:57
Quote by Raine:
This is kinda funny.
From the department of poor music coordination: CNN says it regrets playing the Pink song “Stupid Girls” ahead of a segment on Sarah Palin’s recent visit to Chick-fi-A.

perfection

Comment by wickedpam on 07/30/2012 14:00:01
Quote by Raine:
This is kinda funny.
From the department of poor music coordination: CNN says it regrets playing the Pink song “Stupid Girls” ahead of a segment on Sarah Palin’s recent visit to Chick-fi-A.


love that song - and very apropos


Comment by Raine on 07/30/2012 14:14:56
Romney is screwing up royally in Israel.

First there is this.
We cannot stand silent as those who seek to undermine Israel voice their criticisms. And we certainly should not join in that criticism. Diplomatic distance in our public between our nations emboldens Israel’s adversaries.

Romney regularly attacks While Romney is right to say that Israel is a close American ally that deserves our support, that doesn’t mean we can’t or shouldn’t ever publicly criticize Israel when we believe it to be in American (or Israeli) interests. Indeed, though Romney said the United States and Israel have “been the most natural of allies” since 1948, every Republican President since then has publicly criticized Israeli policies:


Then there is the Insurance Mandate (see post below)

Then this sort of insulting comment about Palestine.
"As you come here and you see the GDP per capita, for instance, in Israel which is about $21,000 dollars, and compare that with the GDP per capita just across the areas managed by the Palestinian Authority, which is more like $10,000 per capita, you notice such a dramatically stark difference in economic vitality," the Republican presidential candidate told about 40 wealthy donors who breakfasted around a U-shaped table at the luxurious King David Hotel.

The reaction of Palestinian leaders to Romney's comments was swift and pointed.

"It is a racist statement and this man doesn't realize that the Palestinian economy cannot reach its potential because there is an Israeli occupation," said Saeb Erekat, a senior aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.


AND then this: (which will probably piss off People there more than here, but still, not very diplomatic)
Minutes before Netanyahu meeting, Romney cancels on Yacimovich
Circles close to former opposition leader Yacimovich say meeting cancelled over disagreements surrounding the economic measures the Netanyahu government is about to adopt.
Pretty shitty.

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/30/2012 14:37:30
Quote by wickedpam:
New Rebecca? What happened to Rebecca?



No more favorable treatment when I call the shew.

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/30/2012 14:38:54
Quote by Raine:
Romney is screwing up royally in Israel.

First there is this.
We cannot stand silent as those who seek to undermine Israel voice their criticisms. And we certainly should not join in that criticism. Diplomatic distance in our public between our nations emboldens Israel’s adversaries.

Romney regularly attacks While Romney is right to say that Israel is a close American ally that deserves our support, that doesn’t mean we can’t or shouldn’t ever publicly criticize Israel when we believe it to be in American (or Israeli) interests. Indeed, though Romney said the United States and Israel have “been the most natural of allies” since 1948, every Republican President since then has publicly criticized Israeli policies:


Then there is the Insurance Mandate (see post below)

Then this sort of insulting comment about Palestine.
"As you come here and you see the GDP per capita, for instance, in Israel which is about $21,000 dollars, and compare that with the GDP per capita just across the areas managed by the Palestinian Authority, which is more like $10,000 per capita, you notice such a dramatically stark difference in economic vitality," the Republican presidential candidate told about 40 wealthy donors who breakfasted around a U-shaped table at the luxurious King David Hotel.

The reaction of Palestinian leaders to Romney's comments was swift and pointed.

"It is a racist statement and this man doesn't realize that the Palestinian economy cannot reach its potential because there is an Israeli occupation," said Saeb Erekat, a senior aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.


AND then this: (which will probably piss off People there more than here, but still, not very diplomatic)
Minutes before Netanyahu meeting, Romney cancels on Yacimovich
Circles close to former opposition leader Yacimovich say meeting cancelled over disagreements surrounding the economic measures the Netanyahu government is about to adopt.
Pretty shitty.



So, what you are saying is there is a metaphorical gift of a bacon-wrapped shrimp being given to the Israelis?

Comment by wickedpam on 07/30/2012 14:39:31
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
New Rebecca? What happened to Rebecca?



No more favorable treatment when I call the shew.



you'll have to get it good with the new guy

Comment by BobR on 07/30/2012 14:48:04
Comment by Raine on 07/30/2012 15:06:10
Quote by Mondobubba:
So, what you are saying is there is a metaphorical gift of a bacon-wrapped shrimp being given to the Israelis?
Well, no dear, you said that.

I am surprised you didn't have more snark WRT to the Romney Wimp article.
I thought that was right in your sweet spot.

What I do believe is that Romney is literally tearing apart a lot of foreign policy politics with his trip. He's pandering to the politics of Israel as opposed to the diplomacy of Israeli relations-- and that is dangerous, IMO.

Comment by Raine on 07/30/2012 15:07:36
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
New Rebecca? What happened to Rebecca?



No more favorable treatment when I call the shew.



you'll have to get it good with the new guy
Call Screeners are the ultimate gatekeepers of the show...

Treat a call screener bad and you don;t get past the velvet rope.


Comment by Raine on 07/30/2012 15:10:14
Quote by BobR:
my new favorite thing
This is the awesome.


Comment by Mondobubba on 07/30/2012 15:10:42
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
So, what you are saying is there is a metaphorical gift of a bacon-wrapped shrimp being given to the Israelis?
Well, no dear, you said that.

I am surprised you didn't have more snark WRT to the Romney Wimp article.
I thought that was right in your sweet spot.

What I do believe is that Romney is literally tearing apart a lot of foreign policy politics with his trip. He's pandering to the politics of Israel as opposed to the diplomacy of Israeli relations-- and that is dangerous, IMO.



Dont have time to read it.

Comment by Raine on 07/30/2012 15:18:01
Quote by Mondobubba:
Dont have time to read it.
When you do -- you are going to LOVE LOVE LOVE it.


Comment by Raine on 07/30/2012 15:29:25
Well this caller is the first test of T-Bone.



Comment by Raine on 07/30/2012 15:30:18
This caller is a paid caller.

Comment by wickedpam on 07/30/2012 15:33:30
Quote by Raine:
This caller is a paid caller.


had that feeling of being scripted - he so liberal but he wants everyone to own whatever gun they want but he's only going to sell guns to certain people? WTF - that was though salad



Comment by Raine on 07/30/2012 15:38:31
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
This caller is a paid caller.


had that feeling of being scripted - he so liberal but he wants everyone to own whatever gun they want but he's only going to sell guns to certain people? WTF - that was though salad

I thought so as well.

Darfur? REALLY?


Comment by wickedpam on 07/30/2012 15:44:07
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Raine:
This caller is a paid caller.


had that feeling of being scripted - he so liberal but he wants everyone to own whatever gun they want but he's only going to sell guns to certain people? WTF - that was though salad

I thought so as well.

Darfur? REALLY?



<-- face I made when he said that followed by --->

Comment by wickedpam on 07/30/2012 15:47:53
Comment by Will in Chicago on 07/30/2012 15:53:07
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:
So, what you are saying is there is a metaphorical gift of a bacon-wrapped shrimp being given to the Israelis?
Well, no dear, you said that.

I am surprised you didn't have more snark WRT to the Romney Wimp article.
I thought that was right in your sweet spot.

What I do believe is that Romney is literally tearing apart a lot of foreign policy politics with his trip. He's pandering to the politics of Israel as opposed to the diplomacy of Israeli relations-- and that is dangerous, IMO.



Raine, Romney is pandering to the Likud and the right wing parties in Israel not so much as to support Bibi Netanyahu as to gain favor with a conservative segment of American voters -- including some Jews but many evangelical Christians. Israeli politics includes a constellation of political parties, such as Labor and Meretz-Yachad, the Democratic Socialist Party.


Romney's missteps have been surprisingly bad and I dread his visit to Poland. If Mitt Romney can not handle a simple series of visits as a candidate without committing serious gaffes, how can we expect him to handle negotiations with China and Russia or build coalitions.

Comment by Raine on 07/30/2012 16:08:45
Quote by Will in Chicago:

Raine, Romney is pandering to the Likud and the right wing parties in Israel not so much as to support Bibi Netanyahu as to gain favor with a conservative segment of American voters -- including some Jews but many evangelical Christians. Israeli politics includes a constellation of political parties, such as Labor and Meretz-Yachad, the Democratic Socialist Party.


Romney's missteps have been surprisingly bad and I dread his visit to Poland. If Mitt Romney can not handle a simple series of visits as a candidate without committing serious gaffes, how can we expect him to handle negotiations with China and Russia or build coalitions.
I am really glad you came in to comment, Will.

This is all really a bit of a train wreck -- for everyone except the parties you mentioned. That can't be good.


Comment by Raine on 07/30/2012 16:11:48
Quote by wickedpam:
Zombies vs Westboro
Well played!


Comment by Raine on 07/30/2012 16:17:23
I really like listening to Pap. he's spot on wrt to Romney and his foreign policy. It makes Duby a look like a dove.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 07/30/2012 16:18:32
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Will in Chicago:

Raine, Romney is pandering to the Likud and the right wing parties in Israel not so much as to support Bibi Netanyahu as to gain favor with a conservative segment of American voters -- including some Jews but many evangelical Christians. Israeli politics includes a constellation of political parties, such as Labor and Meretz-Yachad, the Democratic Socialist Party.


Romney's missteps have been surprisingly bad and I dread his visit to Poland. If Mitt Romney can not handle a simple series of visits as a candidate without committing serious gaffes, how can we expect him to handle negotiations with China and Russia or build coalitions.
I am really glad you came in to comment, Will.

This is all really a bit of a train wreck -- for everyone except the parties you mentioned. That can't be good.



I am not sure that Netanyahu will get much out of this visit either. I mean Romney had to cancel a fund raiser on July 29th, which is Tisha B'Av. Many Jews formally commemorate the day that remembers the destruction of the First and Second Temples, the expulsion of Jews from England, France, and Spain by reading the book of Lamentations and fasting. So, Romney -- without planning on it -- probably annoyed several of Netanyahu's Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox coalition members and their supporters.

Still, I suppose the worst may be yet to come. I keep dreading the thought that Romney will crack Polish jokes in Warsaw.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 07/30/2012 16:21:47
Labor, Kadima, Meretz-Yachad and the other opposition parties can point to Romney's gaffes and his closeness to Netanyahu to make people wonder about the company that Netanyahu keeps. Let me say this -- the average Israeli voter likes the health care system and may be wondering about Romney running away from one that he created that is working well in Massachusetts.

I am anticipating our elections, but Netanyahu -- who has lost a lot of public support in Israeli opinion polls -- may have thought that Romney would shore him up with his base and the public. Instead, Netanyahu may feel even more uncomfortable about our elections and the next Israeli elections. (Bye bye, Bibi!)

Comment by livingonli on 07/30/2012 16:45:01
Good day, folks. I think the one thing that might actually make miss me W as President is a Romney presidency although he does seem to be filling track records of the other MBA Presidents like W and Hoover who are now both considered pit stains of American History.

Comment by BobR on 07/30/2012 17:26:18
Quote by Will in Chicago:
[..]
Still, I suppose the worst may be yet to come. I keep dreading the thought that Romney will crack Polish jokes in Warsaw.

"You know, my friends... My Dad used to say that polacks were the hardest working guys down at the auto plant..."

Comment by clintster on 07/30/2012 17:33:57
Just saw this on my Facebook timeline. I am including the photo in case anyone can't see it on the link.

PS: The comments on the photo are pretty much what you would expect.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7131/7677990486_1991eaf849.jpg


This just left a horrible taste in my mouth, so I wrote a letter to McDonald's Social Responsibility division. My letter:

To Whom It May Concern:

As I was going through my Facebook timeline today, I happened to see a posting that a friend of mine had shared second-hand. It shows what appears to be a McDonald's sign making a statement about the recent Chick-Fil-A controversy. I am including the link here, but in case you can't see it for what ever reason, it says "We support Chick-Fil-A / Now try to boycott us"

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3061231709237&set=p.3061231709237&type=1&theater

I would hope that this is not an official stance of the McDonald's corporation, seeing as how McDonald's has been targeted by anti-gay groups for various attempts to reach out to the GLBT community. The sign seems to offer the kind of bullying behavior that I, and millions of other people, find distasteful and offensive

Based on the location of the original poster, it appears that the photo was taken in or near Burlington, Graham, or Mebane NC. Would you please contact me regarding this, to let me know if this is indeed official McDonald's policy?


I am planning on posting this elsewhere, probably in a Daily Kos diary. Would you all mind likewise asking McDonald's about this sign? The link to send the message is here:

http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/contact_us/social_responsibility/social_responsibility.html

Comment by BobR on 07/30/2012 17:36:43
Clint - are you certain that photo is real?

Comment by BobR on 07/30/2012 17:39:11
Quote by BobR:
Clint - are you certain that photo is real?

It's not real (scroll to the bottom)

Comment by clintster on 07/30/2012 17:45:10
Quote by BobR:
Quote by BobR:
Clint - are you certain that photo is real?

It's not real (scroll to the bottom)


Thanks for finding that, Bobber. Luckily I hadn't sent the letter off yet. I guess I should have researched a little before I saddled the horse. Sorry, everyone, sorry.

Comment by Raine on 07/30/2012 17:57:50
Quote by clintster:
Quote by BobR:
Quote by BobR:
Clint - are you certain that photo is real?

It's not real (scroll to the bottom)


Thanks for finding that, Bobber. Luckily I hadn't sent the letter off yet. I guess I should have researched a little before I saddled the horse. Sorry, everyone, sorry.
No need to be sorry. I'd like to think that we are our own little snopes here.

VENT freely. We'll sort that stuff out later.

Comment by wickedpam on 07/30/2012 17:58:51
Quote by clintster:
Quote by BobR:
Quote by BobR:
Clint - are you certain that photo is real?

It's not real (scroll to the bottom)


Thanks for finding that, Bobber. Luckily I hadn't sent the letter off yet. I guess I should have researched a little before I saddled the horse. Sorry, everyone, sorry.



no worries - looks like someone did a rather good photoshop job on it - had the shadowing and everything

Comment by Will in Chicago on 07/30/2012 18:00:36
Quote by BobR:
Quote by Will in Chicago:
[..]
Still, I suppose the worst may be yet to come. I keep dreading the thought that Romney will crack Polish jokes in Warsaw.

"You know, my friends... My Dad used to say that polacks were the hardest working guys down at the auto plant..."



I am afraid that Mitt will say something like that. Or make some quip that would be inappropriate.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 07/30/2012 18:13:55
There he goes again!!

Mitt Romney has managed to offend the Palestinians. Here is the story from the Huffington Post and the Associated Press:



Mitt Romney Comments At Fundraiser Outrage Palestinians
By KASIE HUNT and KARIN LAUB 07/30/12 01:49 PM ET AP

JERUSALEM — Mitt Romney told Jewish donors Monday that their culture is part of what has allowed them to be more economically successful than the Palestinians, outraging Palestinian leaders who suggested his comments were racist and out of touch with the realities of the Middle East. Romney's campaign later said his remarks were mischaracterized.

"As you come here and you see the GDP per capita, for instance, in Israel which is about $21,000, and compare that with the GDP per capita just across the areas managed by the Palestinian Authority, which is more like $10,000 per capita, you notice such a dramatically stark difference in economic vitality," the Republican presidential candidate told about 40 wealthy donors who ate breakfast at the luxurious King David Hotel.

Romney said some economic histories have theorized that "culture makes all the difference."

"And as I come here and I look out over this city and consider the accomplishments of the people of this nation, I recognize the power of at least culture and a few other things," Romney said, citing an innovative business climate, the Jewish history of thriving in difficult circumstances and the "hand of providence." He said similar disparity exists between neighboring countries, like Mexico and the United States.



It is not fair to compare the economies of Israel and the Palestinian territories. The Palestinian territories are occupied and this impacts everything there. I believe that the occupation must end and must end soon. My hope is that in the near future, an Israeli leader and a Palestinian leader will work out a peace treaty. Then, I think we will see the Palestinian people -- who place a high value on education -- build a very strong economy.

By the way, Reuters reports the following: Romney raises more than $1 million at end of Israel trip, Sheldon "the Gambling Man" Adelson was there.

As Adelson stands accused of bribing Chinese officials and encouraging prostitution in Macau, perhaps he should be reminded that the Torah condemns bribes and that the fees of a prostitute (okay, I know it was temple cultic prostitute such as those associated with Asharoth) are not acceptable.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 07/30/2012 19:08:45
Here is a thought: Did Mitt also manage to offend Mexican Americans with his remarks as well as Mexico? A key cause of poverty in Mexico is the fact that much of the country's wealth is held by a very small percentage of the population.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 07/30/2012 19:49:17
Anyone here?



Comment by wickedpam on 07/30/2012 19:53:58
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Anyone here?






Comment by Raine on 07/30/2012 19:56:28
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Anyone here?




I am here... walked away to watch a bit of the olympics.

I posted about Romney insulting the Palestinians, I was really in shock about that one.


Comment by Will in Chicago on 07/30/2012 21:22:23
Quote by Raine:
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Anyone here?




I am here... walked away to watch a bit of the olympics.

I posted about Romney insulting the Palestinians, I was really in shock about that one.



I was stunned but what is particularly upsetting is how Romney is proving again and again that he is inept on the international stage. This is a man who seems to be intelligent and cultured, having the benefits of his upbringing, who seems to personify the worst of the Ugly American stereotype.


Comment by TriSec on 07/30/2012 21:52:22
Home again, home again...Jiggity-Jig!

10 hours at the hospital. Portacath is placed without any complications, and the first 3 hours of chemo (plus 46 more via pump) are so far proceeding without incident.

Mrs. TriSec has gone to pick up my anti-nausea cocktail (3 drugs), but so far I'm frieakin' hungry...you may want to hide children and small dogs.

< munch bite eat chew >