Posted on 01/18/2008 9:56:36 AM PST by restornu
See what the Netherlands is saying....
You say “running,” I say “advising.”
Let’s call the whole thing off!
Romney slapped him around pretty good.
The guy was emulating the lauded brand of journalism practiced by Mike Wallace and Morely Saefer back in the 70’s, on 60 minutes. Nothing out of the established norms.
I was stunned at what a dick that AP guy was. Comparing to the Clinton meltdown is nutso.
no sound card here at work, what is the text of their conversation?
As many may know. I am a Huck supporter. But Romney is quickly moving to my 2nd choice. I think he is strong and can handle the press. I like that in a candidate (especially after 8 years of President Bush’s inability to handle the press).
Fred handles the press better than anyone. Why on earth do you support Huck? Are you out of your mind?
“it’s about time some of our press started to bust some balls for once...”
ever see someone from the press “bust some balls” at a hillary! conference or a bill conference? never.
‘Dupe’ implies gullibility, somebody who is being fooled. This guy is a partisan impersonating a journalist.
The mainstream media has become part of the DNC claqueThat's right.
Let’s look even another level down. What’s wrong with lobbyists being in a campaign?
Don’t all campaigns (all professional ones) produce white papers from profoundly knowledgeable people on various issues? Aren’t those people often “lobbyists”, with lobbyist being a label for an expert person who advises politicians who are not and cannot be experts on all issues?
Don’t all campaigns take contributions from special interest groups, who are clearly lobbying that politician to be sympathetic to their positions?
In that context, isn’t every single person working on a campaign a lobbyist for his own particular array of desires?
The comments from Romney seemed to be focused on a broad and overarching concept of him being from outside Washington and much more subtly, but certainly real, a very rich man who cannot be bought. If the entire campaign staff is essentially lobbying for their own desires, this is not incompatible with the overarching theme. They would not be on his staff if they didn’t think they shared his perspectives.
I just watched the video. The journalist was a liar and a spinner. Mitt was talking about who is “running his campaign” and the “journalist” tried to make an unpaid adviser have the status of “running his campaign”.
Romney wasn’t being truthful.
Romney is a professional, who is cool under tremendous pressure. He handled the situation well and did not fall into the trap of being too meek or losing his temper.
They have a strong sense of entitlement even more than their electoral counterparts.
When said sense of entitlement is not met, they get mad.
Sort of like dogs peeing on a fire hydrant.
McCain and Huckabee get good press because they meet their sense of entitlement.
Fred, Rudy and Mitt get bad press because they don't.
In this instance? How so?
Romney made the point that his campaign isn't run by lobbyists. Entirely true, and easily verified. He would be foolish if he intended to lie about this.
A veteran reporter from Boston got under Mitt Romney’s skin during a South Carolina stop yesterday after he aggressively challenged the former Bay State governor’s claim that he does not have lobbyists “running” his campaign.
“I’m appreciative that you think that’s funny,” a clearly annoyed Romney told Associated Press political reporter Glen Johnson, who sat feet away on the floor with his laptop.
Johnson had interrupted a press conference in which Romney said flatly that lobbyists are not directing his White House bid.
“That’s not true,” Johnson said, pointing out that Romney’s top adviser is Ron Kaufman, a Washington lobbyist who worked on President Bush’s campaign. “How can you say you don’t have lobbyists running your campaign?”
With TV and video cameras rolling, Romney and the reporter argued over Kaufman’s role, with Johnson pointing out that Kaufman is a member of Romney’s inner circle. Kaufman, who works for the politically wired lobbying firm Dutko Worldwide, regularly sits next to Romney on planes between campaign stops. In Michigan on Tuesday night, he held an impromptu press conference during which he described himself as a top adviser.
“Ron is a wonderful friend, an adviser,” Romney said. “He’s not paid. He’s an adviser like many others, but I do not have lobbyists running my campaign.”
Johnson noted in a story he penned after the flare-up that another top Romney adviser is former U.S. Rep. Vin Weber (R-Minn.), who is also a lobbyist.
After the heated exchange, Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom scolded Johnson, telling him “save your opinions.”
“Keep your arguments for later,” Fehrnstrom said. “Act more professionally instead of being argumentative with the candidate. It’s out of line. You’re out of line.”
Johnson declined comment last night, saying The Associated Press would let the story and video “speak for itself.”
Romney and AP reporter’s heated exchange:
+ Video: Heated exchange
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