The Official Mitt's Summer Vacation/Credentializing foreign policy expertise - Politics and Economics

Wynton · 07-26-2012, 12:17 PM

As many presidential candidates do - particularly governors with little prior experience in foreign policy - Mitt is now in the beginning legs of his trip abroad.

Personally, I always found these trips pretty absurd. They are meant to show that the candidate has some diplomatic ability or finishes the trip with some newfound insight. But I guess they do produce some good photo ops.

Anyway, I understand that the stops include London, Israel and Poland, but not Afghanistan. Mitt is now in London and apparently is making quite the impression.

Initially, we had the story that "Mitt Romney would restore 'Anglo-Saxon' relations between Britain and America".

That story prompted The Guardian to offer "Some good Anglo-Saxon values for Mitt Romney"

Then, Romney inexplicably decided to diss the Brits readiness to handle the Olympics:

Quote:

The US presidential candidate Mitt Romney has questioned the readiness of London 2012, saying there have been "disconcerting signs" in the buildup to the Games – but said the focus would soon switch to celebrating the athletes.

Before meetings with David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband on Thursday, he told US television: "It is hard to know just how well it will turn out."

Romney told NBC News: "There are a few things that were disconcerting. The stories about the private security firm not having enough people, the supposed strike of the immigration and customs officials – that obviously is not something which is encouraging."

In the interview he also called into question whether the British people were behind the Games.

"Do they come together and celebrate the Olympic moment? And that's something which we only find out once the Games actually begin," he said.

Evidently, the empire was not amused.

Quote:

That prompted a tart rejoinder from the British prime minister, David Cameron. “We are holding an Olympic Games in one of the busiest, most active, bustling cities anywhere in the world. Of course it’s easier if you hold an Olympic Games in the middle of nowhere,” an allusion to Salt Lake City, which hosted Games that Mr. Romney oversaw.

Or consider this from The Daily Telegraph:

Quote:

Mitt Romney is perhaps the only politician who could start a trip that was supposed to be a charm offensive by being utterly devoid of charm and mildly offensive.

His derisory comments questioning Britain’s preparedness for the Olympics in an interview with NBC were a strange way to build bridges with a country that he says should be restored as the umbilical ally of the United States, and a strange way to demonstrate the persuasive qualities needed as leader of the free world.

Mr Romney is the scion of Liverpudlians who sought and found fortune and the freedom to practice the Mormon faith (eventually) across the pond. His wife Ann has Welsh pedigree.

The Republican candidate supposedly values these connections so highly that foreign policy advisors told the Daily Telegraph that a Romney presidency would restore the “Anglo-Saxon” dimension of the transatlantic alliance.

But his comments to NBC, particularly his doubts about Britons’ ability to celebrate the games, showed how poorly he understands the land of his forefathers.

If he possessed a smidgeon of insight into the British psyche he would have known that despite all the pre-match whingeing and the carping, that on the night we will celebrate the games with all the gusto and fervour they deserve. We moan, and then we smile; that is just our way.

Meanwhile, Mitt is pretending to be totally uninterested in his wife's horse.

Coming soon: Mitt will bond with the most far-right Israeli politician he can find, surely promising that US will never do anything that ever could slightly offend Israel.

I'm not sure what will happen in Poland, but you can bet it will be riveting.

Wynton · 07-26-2012, 12:23 PM

Oops.

Evidently, Brits don't like to discuss M16. How quaint.

Jules22 · 07-26-2012, 02:29 PM

Hi wynton, post more pls! Also mitt lolmney

jjshabado · 07-26-2012, 02:41 PM

Holy hell. Is it really better to come off as a "down-to-earth" dick head who ignores important events in his wife's life?

Ineedaride2 · 07-26-2012, 02:43 PM

Thread title needed the word "extravaganza" in it somewhere.

Ineedaride2 · 07-26-2012, 02:46 PM

I heard Mitt Romney's overseas trip was going to cost the American taxpayers $200 million dollars PER DAY!

kurto · 07-26-2012, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wynton

Meanwhile, Mitt is pretending to be totally uninterested in his wife's horse.

holy poop, I was almost going to not watch the clip. After first, I thought... this isn't so bad. Halfway through full douche set in.

I mean... your wife is in the Olympics and you're not even interested in watching it?! ****

seattlelou · 07-26-2012, 02:55 PM

His wife is in the Olympics? Not bad for a 60 year old with MS.

BAIDS · 07-26-2012, 02:58 PM

Quote:

That prompted a tart rejoinder from the British prime minister, David Cameron. “We are holding an Olympic Games in one of the busiest, most active, bustling cities anywhere in the world. Of course it’s easier if you hold an Olympic Games in the middle of nowhere,” an allusion to Salt Lake City, which hosted Games that Mr. Romney oversaw.

OWNED

kurto · 07-26-2012, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seattlelou

His wife is in the Olympics? Not bad for a 60 year old with MS.

I would assume most people understand what is meant by this.

Case Closed · 07-26-2012, 03:11 PM

Didn't John Kerry do the same stupid thing in 08? Surreal if so.

Wynton · 07-26-2012, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Case Closed

Didn't John Kerry do the same stupid thing in 08? Surreal if so.

Which stupid thing? Take a trip? Diss his host? Ignore his wife? Some other rich guy thing?

In 2008, Obama took a trip. I can't remember if McCain did that too. But there would have been more of a perceived need for Obama to do that, since McCain's foreign policy credentials were basically beyond dispute. Obama ended up being greeted by huge crowds, which for some reason then became a talking point against him in GOP circles.

I don't recall what Kerry did when he ran. But he also was considered a "foreign policy" guy, so may have been less inclined to do so.

I think that Clinton took such a trip. As I said in OP, these trips are pretty standard fare.

There are some similarities between Kerry and Mitt. Kerry was photographed windsurfing on vacation, while Mitt was doing something else rich-guy-ish.

SenorMuresano · 07-26-2012, 03:37 PM

Lolromney. Completely unlikable. A total stiff like Kerry

Case Closed · 07-26-2012, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wynton

Which stupid thing? Take a trip? Diss his host? Ignore his wife? Some other rich guy thing?

In 2008, Obama took a trip. I can't remember if McCain did that too. But there would have been more of a perceived need for Obama to do that, since McCain's foreign policy credentials were basically beyond dispute. Obama ended up being greeted by huge crowds, which for some reason then became a talking point against him in GOP circles.

I don't recall what Kerry did when he ran. But he also was considered a "foreign policy" guy, so may have been less inclined to do so.

I think that Clinton took such a trip. As I said in OP, these trips are pretty standard fare.

There are some similarities between Kerry and Mitt. Kerry was photographed windsurfing on vacation, while Mitt was doing something else rich-guy-ish.

I meant in 04, but you're right I was reaching.

I think that the whole thing is kind of silly though. I think it is a vain move on the part of presidential hopefuls. That was a pretty funny gaff on the pat of Romney. Might help him with his base, makes him look pretty stupid though.

**goofyballer** · 07-26-2012, 05:36 PM

This is good news...FOR MITT ROMNEY! Just because he's going overseas doesn't mean he's going to APOLOGIZE FOR AMERICA and give the Brits anything but REAL TALK.