Mitt’s Gettysburg Moment

National Review ^ | 9-18-12 | Michael Walsh

[radioone]

Mitt Romney found himself in an unexpected place last night — in the public eye. He ought to make the most of it.

Milk-Carton Mitt’s surprise turn upon the stage — did you know he was running for president? — came courtesy of the currently unemployed James Earl Carter IV, son of James Earl Carter III and grandson of the ineffable James Earl Carter, Jr., and a big fan of Barack Hussein Obama II, who found and relayed a surreptitiously recorded video in which Romney sounded remarkably like . . . a real conservative.

He ought to own it.

For sure, even Team Romney knows what’s coming next. The barrage of media criticism. The shrieks of “how dare you?” The tsk-tsking of ostensible friendlies. The constant press corps demands for clarification or, better yet, groveling abnegation. And more video’s on the way — be sure to read this story by David Corn for the full details. It’s going to get very, very ugly very, very quickly.

[MestaMachine]

James Earl...Carter. A fitting name for a wannabe assassin.

[longtermmemmory]

Actually I thought his 10:30 pm rapid response press conference was dead center right. (as in correct)

He took posession of the statement, he said the media could quible about the artfulness of the last two lines (he did say he said it better but GASP! he acted human!)

I think this will be a net plus to voters and another excuse for the NYC effete media to ignore obama the failure.

[pgkdan]

I agree...i thought he handled the press masterfully. I think he needs to call more press conferences. He’s very good at it. Of course it doesn’t hurt that I agree with every word he said with every fiber of my being!

[Road Glide]

My thoughts (and I’ve been talking about “the divided nation” here on FR for years):

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2926432/posts?page=23#23

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2928353/posts?page=63#63

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2931812/posts?page=114#114

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2930854/posts?page=56#56

[ken5050]

If we are using military analogies, then Mitt ought to embrace USMC Gen OP Smith, who led his 1st Marine Division in the breakout from the Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War.

"Retreat, hell!! We're not retreating. We're just advancing in a different direction!"

Romney should press forward, go for it..own his comments, and make his case to the American people..I suspect that these comments will secretly resonate with a lot of independents....

[throwback]

Romney always thought he could just be affable and win by default because Obama stinks so badly. Doesn't appear to be working out. The media will not allow him to be affable at the end of the day in case he hasn't figured that out yet. I think if a Republican really wants to win this election he needs to make the case that an economic apocalypse is impending, why that it is, and what it will be like unless the country changes course. People think current conditions aren't so bad and that things will continue to improve. People will stick with Obama if they believe this is as bad as it will get. You need to scare the h_ll out of people to make a change.

[Bigg Red]

That is a great comeback! Perhaps you can send it to the campaign.

[Bigg Red]

From the piece:

This is Mitt’s time, this is his moment. As at the Battle of Gettysburg, neither side was really looking for this fight at this time and in this place, but here it is. And that means going all in.

&&&
Amen!

[Cruising For Freedom]

Romney made it quite clear he was speaking of the 47% who will vote for Obama no matter what. He has a high floor quite well. He went on to say big difference between Obama’s 47% and his 47% is that Obama’s 47% like government dependence.

He then went on to say that he’ll have a hard time reaching the (separate) 47% of people who pay no income taxes on a message of tax cuts alone. He made no judgments on people who are dependent on the government or paid no taxes.

Bottom line: if you aren’t voting Obama, you aren’t the 47% he was speaking of.

[Miss Didi]

Apologize??? Did you see his presser last night?

[Responsibility2nd]

 

(For once - I'm glad for Mother Jones.)

[neverdem]

The fate of his candidacy will hinge on the answer.

It's a tempest in a teapot. The author ruined his otherwise good essay with that ending.