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Brother Romney Opens Up and talks of Death
Author: Raine
Date: 10/08/2012 13:58:41
After 8 years of running for President, this weekend marked a milestone for the perpetually running candidate: he shared with people parts of his personal life. CNN reports: WaPo tells us about his friend, Billy: The next story was of a young David Oparowski, a 14 year old boy dying of leukemia.
Mr. Romney helped write his will. His third personal story was of Jane Horton:
I understand what the strategy is here. Ann Romney has been begging people to let Mitt be Mitt. She wants people to see the caring loving man she thinks he is. She wants to humanize him, as it were. After 8 years of painstakingly trying to keep his personal life private, these are the stories Mr. Romney is choosing to share. These are the stories that show his softer side. It's stunning that after all these years, this is the tact he is taking: talking about how death has touched his life. Call me jaded, but it just seems creepy.
Maybe this is all an M. Night Shyamalan movie after all: The Mitts Sense.
and 
Raine
Another new staple of his stump speech: the stories of three Americans whose deaths touched Romney. The candidate spent time each day telling audiences about helping write a will for a 14-year-old with leukemia, as well as the death of a disabled friend.
"I know something about great human beings in this country," he said. "It's that that gives me the confidence that our future will be so bright, because I've seen how Americans respond to challenge, and even to tragedy."
“It’s not easy for Billy to get around quadriplegic. . . . He can’t move, of course, his arms and his legs, and he can barely speak, and they brought him forward, a big crowd around him, very hot,” Romney said. “I reached down and I put my hand on Billy’s shoulder and I whispered into his ear. I said, ‘Billy, God bless you. I love ya.’ And he whispered right back to me — and I couldn’t quite hear what he said. He tried to speak loud enough for me to hear. He died the next day.”
Mr. Romney helped write his will.
“It was clear he was not going to make it,” Romney said. “I went into his room one night when he was in bed, and he asked me a very difficult question. He said, ‘Mitt, what’s next?’ He called me ‘Brother Romney.’ ‘What’s next?’ And I talked to him about what I believe is next.”
A few days later, when David was in the hospital, he called Romney.
“I was at work and he said, ‘Can you come by?’ And he said, ‘You went to law school, right?’ ”
Romney told him that he had. “He said, ‘Could you come by and write my will for me?’ ” Romney recalled. “So I went to David’s bedside and got a piece of legal paper, made it look very official. And then David proceeded to tell me what he wanted to give his friends. Talked about his fishing rod, and who would get that. He talked about his skateboard, who’d get that. And his rifle — that went to his brother.”
“I’ve seen the character of a young man like David,” Romney continued. “He had his eyes wide open. There’s a saying: Clear eyes, full heart, can’t lose. David couldn’t lose. I loved that young man.”
a woman from Oklahoma the candidate met at the Republican convention. Horton's husband was killed in Afghanistan days before the 10th anniversary of 9/11, and his funeral was protested by members of the Westboro Baptist Church.
"They came to the funeral of her husband, and she was asked, 'What do you think of that?' And this is the quote. She said this: 'Chris died for them to be able to protest,'" Romney said.
I understand what the strategy is here. Ann Romney has been begging people to let Mitt be Mitt. She wants people to see the caring loving man she thinks he is. She wants to humanize him, as it were. After 8 years of painstakingly trying to keep his personal life private, these are the stories Mr. Romney is choosing to share. These are the stories that show his softer side. It's stunning that after all these years, this is the tact he is taking: talking about how death has touched his life. Call me jaded, but it just seems creepy.
Maybe this is all an M. Night Shyamalan movie after all: The Mitts Sense.
and Raine
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 10/08/2012 13:18:53
Mondobubba on 10/08/2012 13:18:53
Beat me to it, but I have a minor topic!
Comment by Mondobubba on 10/08/2012 13:20:29
Mondobubba on 10/08/2012 13:20:29
http://www.fourfreedomsblog.com/Blog.php?Act=ViewBlogPost&BlogID=2116
Comment by Mondobubba on 10/08/2012 14:04:14
Mondobubba on 10/08/2012 14:04:14
Mitt creeps me out. There, I said it.
Comment by 
Raine on 10/08/2012 14:05:47
I had a hard time writing this without being too snarky, but these stories are just, creepy.
Raine on 10/08/2012 14:05:47
Quote by Mondobubba:
Mitt creeps me out. There, I said it.
Comment by Raine on 10/08/2012 14:06:39
Raine on 10/08/2012 14:06:39
Comment by 
TriSec on 10/08/2012 14:07:46
TriSec on 10/08/2012 14:07:46
Re-Post:
I am very pleased to report that I earned this knot this weekend at SOAR.
It shall be on my uniform in time for the next meeting.
Change is coming, but as I told the gentleman that I spoke to (who in turn handed me the patch as a "friendly"), it will have to come from the bottom up. National will never change a thing; it's up to us in the trenches. If enough scouts and scouters "get it" (which I think most of us do), it will eventually percolate up the chain as the volunteers advance.
And scouts is still a mostly volunteer-run organization; there's very few Professional Scouters per capita.
I am very pleased to report that I earned this knot this weekend at SOAR.
It shall be on my uniform in time for the next meeting.
Change is coming, but as I told the gentleman that I spoke to (who in turn handed me the patch as a "friendly"), it will have to come from the bottom up. National will never change a thing; it's up to us in the trenches. If enough scouts and scouters "get it" (which I think most of us do), it will eventually percolate up the chain as the volunteers advance.
And scouts is still a mostly volunteer-run organization; there's very few Professional Scouters per capita.
Comment by Raine on 10/08/2012 14:08:58
I love that badge!
Raine on 10/08/2012 14:08:58
Quote by TriSec:
Re-Post:
I am very pleased to report that I earned this knot this weekend at SOAR.
It shall be on my uniform in time for the next meeting.
Change is coming, but as I told the gentleman that I spoke to (who in turn handed me the patch as a "friendly"), it will have to come from the bottom up. National will never change a thing; it's up to us in the trenches. If enough scouts and scouters "get it" (which I think most of us do), it will eventually percolate up the chain as the volunteers advance.
And scouts is still a mostly volunteer-run organization; there's very few Professional Scouters per capita.
Comment by 
wickedpam on 10/08/2012 14:14:12
wickedpam on 10/08/2012 14:14:12
why do I suddenly get this image of Mitt
Comment by 
BobR on 10/08/2012 14:14:13
I responded in the other blog, but I'll say it again: Congrats!
BobR on 10/08/2012 14:14:13
Quote by TriSec:
Re-Post:
I am very pleased to report that I earned this knot this weekend at SOAR.
It shall be on my uniform in time for the next meeting.
Change is coming, but as I told the gentleman that I spoke to (who in turn handed me the patch as a "friendly"), it will have to come from the bottom up. National will never change a thing; it's up to us in the trenches. If enough scouts and scouters "get it" (which I think most of us do), it will eventually percolate up the chain as the volunteers advance.
And scouts is still a mostly volunteer-run organization; there's very few Professional Scouters per capita.
I responded in the other blog, but I'll say it again: Congrats!
Comment by TriSec on 10/08/2012 14:14:41
TriSec on 10/08/2012 14:14:41
The GOP has nothing positive. It's always death and dismay with these guys.
Comment by Raine on 10/08/2012 14:23:13
I was thinking more along the lines of the Death eaters.
You know, that WaPo article was just a really strange piece. I didn't include this part in the blog,
Raine on 10/08/2012 14:23:13
Quote by wickedpam:
why do I suddenly get this image of Mitt
You know, that WaPo article was just a really strange piece. I didn't include this part in the blog,
At a waterfront park in downtown St. Petersburg, a crowd of more than 5,500 stood rapt listening to him speak, many with tears welling in their eyes. “Ohhhhh,†they gasped. And with that, the Romney campaign’s all-out effort to reveal the nominee’s character and compassion received a boost: A politician with an aversion to telling personal stories was, at long last, telling them.
Comment by Mondobubba on 10/08/2012 14:31:40
There is clearly something very off with the Mittbot's programing. Perhaps a consult with Noonien Soong would help.
Mondobubba on 10/08/2012 14:31:40
Quote by Raine:I had a hard time writing this without being too snarky, but these stories are just, creepy.Quote by Mondobubba:
Mitt creeps me out. There, I said it.
There is clearly something very off with the Mittbot's programing. Perhaps a consult with Noonien Soong would help.
Comment by Raine on 10/08/2012 14:33:36
Raine on 10/08/2012 14:33:36
Comment by wickedpam on 10/08/2012 14:34:01
I can see that -
wickedpam on 10/08/2012 14:34:01
Quote by Raine:I was thinking more along the lines of the Death eaters.Quote by wickedpam:
why do I suddenly get this image of Mitt
You know, that WaPo article was just a really strange piece. I didn't include this part in the blog,At a waterfront park in downtown St. Petersburg, a crowd of more than 5,500 stood rapt listening to him speak, many with tears welling in their eyes. “Ohhhhh,†they gasped. And with that, the Romney campaign’s all-out effort to reveal the nominee’s character and compassion received a boost: A politician with an aversion to telling personal stories was, at long last, telling them.
I can see that -
Comment by Mondobubba on 10/08/2012 14:48:59
Mondobubba on 10/08/2012 14:48:59
Am I the only person in my office who understand how to use email properly? 
Comment by Raine on 10/08/2012 14:49:08
Please take note that it was the GOP that is trying to say the polls are skewed -- the responses in this thread have a tremendous about of extra research.
I hope that NAte Silver and others (TPM as well) STOP using this firm as a polling data source. It's a fraud.
Rassmussen is more reliable than this.
Raine on 10/08/2012 14:49:08
Quote by Raine:
DU Exclusive: Gravis Marketing exposed as a fraud
I knew something was up with this firm.
I hope that NAte Silver and others (TPM as well) STOP using this firm as a polling data source. It's a fraud.
Rassmussen is more reliable than this.
Comment by BobR on 10/08/2012 15:02:27
I am shocked that WaPo would publish such purple prose from an obvious Romney supporter as "news".
BobR on 10/08/2012 15:02:27
Quote by Raine:
I was thinking more along the lines of the Death eaters.
You know, that WaPo article was just a really strange piece. I didn't include this part in the blog,At a waterfront park in downtown St. Petersburg, a crowd of more than 5,500 stood rapt listening to him speak, many with tears welling in their eyes. “Ohhhhh,†they gasped. And with that, the Romney campaign’s all-out effort to reveal the nominee’s character and compassion received a boost: A politician with an aversion to telling personal stories was, at long last, telling them.
I am shocked that WaPo would publish such purple prose from an obvious Romney supporter as "news".
Comment by wickedpam on 10/08/2012 15:12:22
I may not be the biggest fan of Rothko, but I can't tell where the vandalism is
wickedpam on 10/08/2012 15:12:22
Quote by Mondobubba:
Rothko painting vandalized at Tate Modern
I may not be the biggest fan of Rothko, but I can't tell where the vandalism is
Comment by Raine on 10/08/2012 15:15:28
Raine on 10/08/2012 15:15:28
Comment by Raine on 10/08/2012 15:16:22
I know you didn't mean for this to be funny, but 
Raine on 10/08/2012 15:16:22
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:
Rothko painting vandalized at Tate Modern
I may not be the biggest fan of Rothko, but I can't tell where the vandalism is
Comment by Raine on 10/08/2012 15:18:01
I'm not making fun of you, Mala, I just want you to know that. Rothko is a tough nut to look at --
Raine on 10/08/2012 15:18:01
Quote by Raine:I know you didn't mean for this to be funny, butQuote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:
Rothko painting vandalized at Tate Modern
I may not be the biggest fan of Rothko, but I can't tell where the vandalism is
Comment by wickedpam on 10/08/2012 15:19:05
wickedpam on 10/08/2012 15:19:05
Quote by Raine:I know you didn't mean for this to be funny, butQuote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:
Rothko painting vandalized at Tate Modern
I may not be the biggest fan of Rothko, but I can't tell where the vandalism is
Comment by wickedpam on 10/08/2012 15:20:23
I think he's an acquired taste, I never understood him or Pollock - no worries
wickedpam on 10/08/2012 15:20:23
Quote by Raine:I'm not making fun of you, Mala, I just want you to know that. Rothko is a tough nut to look at --Quote by Raine:I know you didn't mean for this to be funny, butQuote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:
Rothko painting vandalized at Tate Modern
I may not be the biggest fan of Rothko, but I can't tell where the vandalism is
I think he's an acquired taste, I never understood him or Pollock - no worries
Comment by 
Will in Chicago on 10/08/2012 15:21:37
Will in Chicago on 10/08/2012 15:21:37
Good morning, bloggers!! Raine, thanks for a blog that made me feel a bit uneasy. I am sorry but Mitt exudes all the personal warmth of a glacier.
As for myself, I spent time with a friend yesterday who is in town to visit her parents and go to a high school reunion. In bad news, a friend who lives south of Tampa told me that his Dad passed away after fighting prostate cancer.
As for myself, I spent time with a friend yesterday who is in town to visit her parents and go to a high school reunion. In bad news, a friend who lives south of Tampa told me that his Dad passed away after fighting prostate cancer.
Comment by Raine on 10/08/2012 15:30:43
Raine on 10/08/2012 15:30:43
More on the Rothko Vandal.
Rothko Defaced: Vladimir Umanets Vandalizes Tate Painting, Blames It On Duchamp
Rothko Defaced: Vladimir Umanets Vandalizes Tate Painting, Blames It On Duchamp
Comment by Raine on 10/08/2012 15:31:42
Raine on 10/08/2012 15:31:42
The images shown in Modo'd link were the original, this is the damage:
Comment by TriSec on 10/08/2012 15:35:01
TriSec on 10/08/2012 15:35:01
So it's OK to deface a black painting by painting more black on it?
hmmm.
I think I'll stick with Norman Rockwell.
hmmm.
I think I'll stick with Norman Rockwell.
Comment by wickedpam on 10/08/2012 15:35:13
Oh lord
wickedpam on 10/08/2012 15:35:13
Quote by Raine:
More on the Rothko Vandal.
Rothko Defaced: Vladimir Umanets Vandalizes Tate Painting, Blames It On Duchamp
Oh lord
Comment by Raine on 10/08/2012 15:38:17
here as well.
Raine on 10/08/2012 15:38:17
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
More on the Rothko Vandal.
Rothko Defaced: Vladimir Umanets Vandalizes Tate Painting, Blames It On Duchamp
Oh lord
here as well.
Comment by 
livingonli on 10/08/2012 15:41:33
livingonli on 10/08/2012 15:41:33
Good morning, everyone. Car's actually in the shop this morning. I have to have some put-off belt work done and get a new headlight. Saturday night was another nightmare at work because we had a major circuit breaker fail which screwed up the operation of 4 networks that night. So, instead of the overtime and working 11-2 AM, I didn't finish work until 5 AM. At least what happened was beyond my control and it felt like one of those work nightmares I used to have. The only consolation is that I can't get into trouble for this because it was beyond my control.
Mala, did you lose CBS on your Dish system? I know Midnight was the deadline and I have to figure the fight over the Hopper was the deal breaker.
Mala, did you lose CBS on your Dish system? I know Midnight was the deadline and I have to figure the fight over the Hopper was the deal breaker.
Comment by wickedpam on 10/08/2012 15:45:27
they apparently worked out an extension, then a deal - now I just have to get my AMC back. Already stocked up on itunes cards so I can watch Walking Dead
wickedpam on 10/08/2012 15:45:27
Quote by livingonli:
Good morning, everyone. Car's actually in the shop this morning. I have to have some put-off belt work done and get a new headlight. Saturday night was another nightmare at work because we had a major circuit breaker fail which screwed up the operation of 4 networks that night. So, instead of the overtime and working 11-2 AM, I didn't finish work until 5 AM. At least what happened was beyond my control and it felt like one of those work nightmares I used to have. The only consolation is that I can't get into trouble for this because it was beyond my control.
Mala, did you lose CBS on your Dish system? I know Midnight was the deadline and I have to figure the fight over the Hopper was the deal breaker.
they apparently worked out an extension, then a deal - now I just have to get my AMC back. Already stocked up on itunes cards so I can watch Walking Dead
Comment by TriSec on 10/08/2012 15:50:32
TriSec on 10/08/2012 15:50:32
A couple of snippets from our SOAR scout event this past weekend....
We did it - our pinewood derby track was certified at 320 feet, about 90 feet longer than the old record. Javi raced his district car on the track, and won his heat!
We were buzzed by the State Police helo at one point during the day, with lights, strobes, sirens, and all. I was up on the Pinewood Derby platform at the time, and he was low enough I felt the rotor wash. Very cool.
I was able to get in a kayak for about a half hour with no ill effects on the ol' incision - I'll be back on the pond next season, for sure!
And I am barely ambulatory today. I made the now ill-advised decision to camp with the troop. For whatever reason, the staff area and program registration (my duty station) was at the opposite end of the site from the Troop encampment...over a half-mile away. I lost track, but I think I walked between 8-10 miles this weekend.
Captain Chemo is able to camp!
We did it - our pinewood derby track was certified at 320 feet, about 90 feet longer than the old record. Javi raced his district car on the track, and won his heat!
We were buzzed by the State Police helo at one point during the day, with lights, strobes, sirens, and all. I was up on the Pinewood Derby platform at the time, and he was low enough I felt the rotor wash. Very cool.
I was able to get in a kayak for about a half hour with no ill effects on the ol' incision - I'll be back on the pond next season, for sure!
And I am barely ambulatory today. I made the now ill-advised decision to camp with the troop. For whatever reason, the staff area and program registration (my duty station) was at the opposite end of the site from the Troop encampment...over a half-mile away. I lost track, but I think I walked between 8-10 miles this weekend.
Captain Chemo is able to camp!
Comment by Mondobubba on 10/08/2012 15:58:05
w00t! for Capn Chemo!
Mondobubba on 10/08/2012 15:58:05
Quote by TriSec:
A couple of snippets from our SOAR scout event this past weekend....
We did it - our pinewood derby track was certified at 320 feet, about 90 feet longer than the old record. Javi raced his district car on the track, and won his heat!
We were buzzed by the State Police helo at one point during the day, with lights, strobes, sirens, and all. I was up on the Pinewood Derby platform at the time, and he was low enough I felt the rotor wash. Very cool.
I was able to get in a kayak for about a half hour with no ill effects on the ol' incision - I'll be back on the pond next season, for sure!
And I am barely ambulatory today. I made the now ill-advised decision to camp with the troop. For whatever reason, the staff area and program registration (my duty station) was at the opposite end of the site from the Troop encampment...over a half-mile away. I lost track, but I think I walked between 8-10 miles this weekend.
Captain Chemo is able to camp!
w00t! for Capn Chemo!
Comment by TriSec on 10/08/2012 16:10:51
TriSec on 10/08/2012 16:10:51
Comment by Raine on 10/08/2012 16:18:03
Raine on 10/08/2012 16:18:03
Comment by TriSec on 10/08/2012 16:21:31
TriSec on 10/08/2012 16:21:31
"Original" MILF signs peace treaty with Filipino Government
This is my ancestor's island of Mindanao....and longtime bloggers will note I was innocently looking for information on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front when I inadvertantly discovered the other kind of MILF a while back.
This is my ancestor's island of Mindanao....and longtime bloggers will note I was innocently looking for information on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front when I inadvertantly discovered the other kind of MILF a while back.
Comment by Mondobubba on 10/08/2012 16:46:51
Was a somewhat shocked Trisec introduced to MILF porn?
Mondobubba on 10/08/2012 16:46:51
Quote by TriSec:
"Original" MILF signs peace treaty with Filipino Government
This is my ancestor's island of Mindanao....and longtime bloggers will note I was innocently looking for information on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front when I inadvertantly discovered the other kind of MILF a while back.
Was a somewhat shocked Trisec introduced to MILF porn?
Comment by Mondobubba on 10/08/2012 16:50:31
Mondobubba on 10/08/2012 16:50:31
Comment by Mondobubba on 10/08/2012 16:54:18
You are cursed by living in relatively small media market. :ducks incoming brick: Oh, you live in a metropolitian area that includes a well developed public transportation infastructure.
Mondobubba on 10/08/2012 16:54:18
Quote by TriSec:
Carmageddon East! The Little Big Dig! Agita! Angst! Detours!
You are cursed by living in relatively small media market. :ducks incoming brick: Oh, you live in a metropolitian area that includes a well developed public transportation infastructure.
Comment by Mondobubba on 10/08/2012 17:49:00
Mondobubba on 10/08/2012 17:49:00
Yarrr! I kilted the blog! 
Comment by wickedpam on 10/08/2012 17:50:52
wickedpam on 10/08/2012 17:50:52
Comment by Raine on 10/08/2012 18:01:12
Raine on 10/08/2012 18:01:12
When Scarecrows go terribly, TERRIBLY wrong.
Comment by wickedpam on 10/08/2012 18:02:07
wickedpam on 10/08/2012 18:02:07
where is that at?
Comment by Raine on 10/08/2012 18:20:33
Yesterday on Mount Vernon Ave (our "Main street") the day after the Art on the Ave Festival.
The Del Ray civic association decided to line the streets with these Scary scary crows, and then it rained. This was the sunday morning result outside Pork Barrel BBQ.
Raine on 10/08/2012 18:20:33
Quote by wickedpam:
where is that at?
The Del Ray civic association decided to line the streets with these Scary scary crows, and then it rained. This was the sunday morning result outside Pork Barrel BBQ.
Comment by livingonli on 10/08/2012 18:23:27
livingonli on 10/08/2012 18:23:27
Car's fixed. Now, I am just waiting for the ride to take me back to the dealer so I can get my car.
Comment by Raine on 10/08/2012 18:24:49
Raine on 10/08/2012 18:24:49
Comment by Raine on 10/08/2012 18:25:15
Woot!
Raine on 10/08/2012 18:25:15
Quote by livingonli:
Car's fixed. Now, I am just waiting for the ride to take me back to the dealer so I can get my car.