Why did Romney say that? Seriously.

[CoffeeCat]

I am really wondering why in the hell Mitt Romney would travel to the Olympics in London and insult the organization of the games, in particular--the security.

Does anyone think that is one of the most bizarre things that he could have done or said?

Is he that stupid? That crass? But he's worth $250 million, ran successful businesses and organized the SLC Olympics. How can stupidity be the answer? Romney obviously has a large team of marketing and PR people who could have hit a communications home-run for Romney. All he had to do was praise the games, the lovely city of London, give kudos to the organizers and then launch into a few lines about what an enormous undertaking the games are--then insert a few examples of his successes in organizing the SLC games.

Easy peasy, right?

Why insult London? Why specifically did he insult the security efforts? How in the hell would Romney even know that the security was somehow flawed, weak or problematic? Security measures are often invisible and behind-the-scenes. How could Romney believe that he understood the entire security plan--well enough to evaluate it then publicly denigrate it?

I find this so bizarre that I am almost suspicious. Why would he squander a perfect PR opportunity for himself in order to point out security flaws?

Does anyone else find this troubling?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. My guess is that he just wanted to show off how much he knows

about managing an Olympic Games. I doubt he knew much about the particulars of the security situation in London beyond what he might have read in the local newspapers - but he wanted to come off as being the big, important expert. This whole trip is really for U.S. consumption; he's trying to show how statesmanlike he would be when visiting other countries. That worked out, didn't it? But think about it - his big deal was what a great CEO he was at Bain, but that started turning to crap. And he doesn't want to tout his experience as the Governor of MA, since except for the health care system he pretty much sucked at that, and he doesn't want to talk about the one thing he did well, which was institute the prototype of the ACA. Since all he has left to brag about is how he "saved" the SLC Olympics, he probably wanted to show how much he knows about managing the games by critiquing what he thought they were doing in London.

Big ol' exploding cigar blew up in his face.

[Booster]

2. IMO, he either already knows they are going to steal the election, or his doesn't want to win.

We can only hope it's the second choice. His flip-flops alone should sink him because they are so blatant, and they are what makes my repug friends the maddest. I told them on FB that they need an "I hate Obama" button because they couldn't possibly have a clue what Rmoney stands for. Four of them unfriended me on that one. lol The stupid hurts.

[unblock]

3. he was trying to show off how knowledgeable he was, having done an olympics himself.

remember that he's a narcissistic ceo. when he screws up, he's used to people saying yes, sir, and cowering for fear of getting fired for his mistakes.

[sibelian]

4. He doesn't understand the UK press, I think.

Politicians are not regarded with awe simply for being politicians. Quite the opposite.

[elleng]

7. The question was asked by NBC's Brian Williams,

he responded stupidly, and picked up everywhere. Sure the UK press ran with it; natural that they would..

[CoffeeCat]

16. That makes it even more interesting...

Romney was speaking with a big-dog American network anchor. Obviously, the interview was prearranged, Romney was prepped, coached and he purposely made statements that were part of his messaging strategy.

Romney doesn't do a lot of interviews, and when he does them, we can be sure that he wants specific soundbytes and messages out there.

I'm sorry, but I just don't trust most Republicans when they start acting like the smartest people in the room when it comes to security or other related issues. It makes me wonder what in the hell they're up to now.

[elleng]

18. You may be right,

but I think he's incapable of being diplomatic off the top of his head; its a skill he doesn't have. If he was prepped and coached, his preppers and coaches seriously failed in their jobs.

[sibelian]

37. Oh, OK, my mistake

Brit-centric twit, me!

[elleng]

5. Foolish, to say the least.

Questions about 'security' were public knowledge, couple weeks ago company contracted with said or discovered to not have the numbers of people needed.

He's clearly not suited for top Federal position, clearly not diplomatic-minded. Jerk.

[Pirate Smile]

6. Why did he bash the cookies? Why did he bash the ponchos at the NASCAR race?

It is how his entitled, privileged ass treats people. He's off & odd.

[elleng]

10. I missed the poncho business,

but I don't think its related to his 'privilege.' MOST in that situation wouldn't be as dumb as he is. I think its something different. Not sure what, but not normal, imo.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

21. Mitt was at a NASCAR event where it rained. The venue sold what were essentially trash bags for

people to wear over their heads and clothes to keep from getting drenched, I think for a few bucks apiece.

Mitt actually went up to some of these people and made fun of their gear, sarcastically referring to how nice and classy it was or something like that. He may have just been trying to be funny, but the nature of the joke is revealing, dude hasn't been in a position where he's ever had to fear getting a beatdown for saying something like that.

That's the same event where he noted how much he liked NASCAR because he had good friends who were NASCAR team OWNERS.

http://wonkette.com/465118/mitt-romney-mocks-poor-nascar-fans-in-plastic-rain-ponchos

[elleng]

28. NO UNDERSTANDING,

something's wrong with him. Did hear the 'friends . . . owners' stuff.

Somehow he failed to acquire understanding, and I don't know how that would have happened; his parents were BOTH understanding humans. (that was when repugs WERE human.)

[CoffeeCat]

19. You're probably right...

The more we learn about this guy, the more he just seems very, very weird.

He seems to lack any sort of empathy or self awareness.

[uponit7771]

36. The Ponchos was inexcusable, why would someone start ripping on other peoples clothes!?

[htuttle]

8. Perhaps being an ignorant xenophobic ass is considered a plus in certain quarters?

Such as among the rank and file of the Republican party? They're trying to counter the appearance of him as an upper class twit by making him look like a low class asshole.

Sometimes it's important to remember who the Republicans are REALLY communicating with -- and it's not Democrats most of the time.

[reformist2]

9. He wanted to remind everyone that he's an "expert" in these things, because, you know....

he ran the oh-so-great Salt Lake City Olympics. *eyeroll*

[Ruby the Liberal]

11. Par for the course.

He was looking to present himself as an "expert". He can't run on the Gov of MA deal and Bain is imploding on him faster than his "whats mittiot hiding in his taxes", so all he has is the 2002 Olympics.

Dude had to set himself up as the Smartest Guy In The Room on the topic as that is all he knows (surrounded by Yes-men all his life), so he did. And it was a massive fail.

Don't complain - encourage him to keep on keeping on.

[liberal N proud]

12. He can't let anyone show him up.

The way his jealous mind works, the Olympics he over saw were the ONLY Olympics, nothing else can compare. He will degrade any that potentially would.

[hatrack]

13. Simple - he's an isolated, insulated, cosseted, pampered, clueless, condescending DUMBASS

That's the bottom line. He thinks he's the Hercules of Late-Stage Capitalism, utterly unaware that he's a dwarf standing on a pile of money.

[CoffeeCat]

20. Well said!

Romney is a perfect illustration of the fact that money can't buy class.

Sometimes, he's like an Al Bundy with money.

[speedoo]

33. Well said.

That is exactly the explanation that makes the most sense to me.

[dimbear]

14. Possibly for the same reason Ann claims she loves Downtown Abbey. The interviewer

then says 'that's a little like our Downton Abbey.'

[hatrack]

24. She did not say "Downtown Abbey"! Please, God, tell me she didn't say that!?!?!

[Generic Brad]

15. He thinks he is better than everyone else

For too long he has been king of his little world. He has surrounded himself with people who cater to and reenforce his self perceived greatness. Wealth tends to attract sycophants. He is used to speaking his closed little mind and never being challenged or feeling the need to self censor the words coming out of his mouth.

I suspect he is seriously baffled as to why the UK press and politicians are jumping all over him. In his mind, he has not made any gaffes.

[Kalidurga]

17. I think everyone is baffled...

But, someone mentioned some previous gaffes, comments on ponchos and insulting cookies. Things normal people just don't do. So, I can't be confident that he is just trying to bolster his claim he managed the SLC Olympics. I am really starting to think he has some kind of mental health issue, somehow it's contagious though cause his wife seems to have the same one. Maybe, it's a birds of a feather thing though.

[JonLP24]

22. Agree with everything

Just wanted to point out the security did have some known issues. I can't remember the specifics but I'll try to find the article(from a few weeks ago).

[Major Nikon]

23. I don't really think he can help himself

The more he goes off script, the more this is going to happen. The man literally has zero personality. The more exposure he gets, the less people like him. Should be a fun election season.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

25. Hopefully he would not be part of a false flag

[CoffeeCat]

30. Well really...

...it's either false fag OR he really is a complete and total oblivious idiot.

Those are the two choices.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

31. idiot would be the first choice

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jul/27/mitt-romney-gaffe-strewn-london

[Lex]

26. I think he just wants to sound smart but he actually sounds smart-ass and condescending.

Primarily because at the heart of it, he doesn't give a shit about anyone but himself. That's the way he comes off anyway.

[polichick]

27. That sounds about right to me.

[applegrove]

29. He ran his business by specifically not thinking of other people and how they feel. Exactly how he

acted when he arrived in London.

[alarimer]

32. I am starting to think this trip was engineered by Democrats as a prank on Romney.

I imagine Obama coming up to Mitt, throwing an arm around his shoulders and saying, "You know, Mitt, I have a special diplomatic mission I need you to do for me," while all the aides stand around trying not to laugh.

[The Wielding Truth]

34. Why does he say anything? If it's not in his own self interest he just talks. He has no interest in

anything but himself, so it matters little to him what he says.

Words mean little to him unless it's specifically about something in his sphere of interest. If he wants to talk like a Liberal and it benefits him then he does. If he wants to please the Teabag clan then he will say the lines that he is told they respond favorably to.

Randy Rhodes suggests that he is in England to get money from the crocked banks there, that is all he is really there for.

SO if asked about his surroundings he has no interest and says lalalala or mindless drool. He is the worst of snobs and the coldest of men. To put him in charge of a nation would be a horrendous event. He cares little to nothing about us, the USA or the good of mankind. He's a spoiled child who is bored by all things not Romney and in order to get his new pony, the Presidency, he will say and do what ever he is told and if he wins he will be worse than Bush because Bush was stupid with no ambition, only swagger. Romney has the ability to use the same evil team of Bush's cronies to embezzle all that's left in this world. Taking us first.

That is how I see him.

Obama is nothing like him. He is constantly thinking of how his work can make life better for the people he has sworn to serve. Our President has shown himself to be a man of his word and a man who's deeds are consistent with his faith and actions. He has done all within his legal power to satisfy his promises and he has been battled by the US Republican guards who protect the Romney's of the world from sharing their ill gotten wealth.

My rant, my thoughts, my observations. I see him as a place holder for the rich so they can keep taking from us no matter how they hurt us or what laws they break.

[HipChick]

35. Not only did he insult London, but he also said the Mayor was weird,and in the tank for Obama

Even though he cannot vote..