Willard Milton "Mitt" Romney Speech

[H2O Man]

Willard is about to speak about religion. How many DUers are going to be watching?

I do not think it will be his "Kennedy moment."

[spanone]

1. i will be watching.....i lived through JFK and romney is no JFK

[H2O Man]

8. The circumstances

are so different, that I think Willard will come off as something of an Elvis-imitator. However, there are republicans who will support a velvet Elvis. Former President Bush is doing the Col. Tom Parker bit today ....

[AnotherGreenWorld]

92. He does sort of come off as an Elvis-imitator...

[chelsea0011]

26. JRK talked about "separation of church and state". Let's see if Mitt does the same.

[H2O Man]

33. Good point.

He's doing just the opposite.

[bumblebee1]

97. Paraphrasing the late Lloyd Benson, eh? n/t

[babylonsister]

2. Despite a caller on Wa. Journal this a.m., I don't think he has a

'Kennedy moment' in him. But the caller loved his wife. :eyes:

Yes, I'm listening, because it's apparently a 'very big deal'. I just haven't figured out why.

[H2O Man]

4. I think that the reason

why it is important is found in Kevin Phillips' "American Theocracy." I also find it interesting to watch the republicans' in-fighting.

[AlCzervik]

3. i'll be watching.

[marmar]

5. "Willard Milton?" ..... no wonder he goes by "Mitt".

Wasn't Willard the name of a huge rat in some old movie?

[AlCzervik]

7. Willard was the creepy and Ben was the rat.

[madokie]

28. I think the name of the movie was Willard too, best I can remember

I also seem to remember having seen it

[jpgray]

6. All he can do is piss off somebody. In trying to not piss off too many, he will annoy everyone

Religious fundies as a voter base sure can be rough sometimes.

[H2O Man]

9. Right.

It seems like a poor choice to me.

[mmonk]

63. Yep. It's kinda like saying, "Look at me! I'm different!" to people

that don't like differences.

[EV_Ares]

10. I think I will pass, going to the gym & don't think it will be on there. You

have that right, will not be anything like John Kennedy.

[AlCzervik]

11. speech on now.

[progressoid]

12. This is the only way I'll watch...

[AlCzervik]

13. sing the praises of $1's glorious military career.

[Marrah_G]

14. Mittens is an asshat.

I will be shocked and irritated if he gets a win in NH. They know how he was here in Mass.

[H2O Man]

21. At this point

in his speech, he makes "asshats" seem intelligent.

[AlCzervik]

15. "Radical Islam" they're coming to burn your crops and steal your wimmin folk.

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

16. ich bin ein mormon!

[ToeBot]

17. Oh shit, the last thing I need is to hear, another Mormon bearing his "Testimony". n/t

[AlCzervik]

18. yay "Freedom requires religion" and vice versa. USA USA USA USA!

[pdxmom]

19. You have to be religious or you're not a good American? N/T

[AlCzervik]

20. Comparing himself to JFK now.

[H2O Man]

25. He opens himself

up to closer examination with that. JFK spoke about how no one asked about his religion when he joined the military. Jack's brother had died in the war. Willard had also opened by taking the "war talk" about Bush1's generation. I don't think Willard fits in with military families.

[AlCzervik]

31. zomg H20 man his sons are serving the country by campaigning for him!

Why do you hate the troops, why?

:D

[H2O Man]

40. They dress nicely.

That has to count for something.

[AlCzervik]

22. He's crazy, oh yes he's crazy.

[H2O Man]

29. He should never

be president.

[chelsea0011]

23. I don't understand why cable news is giving him the full coverage

treatment. He started off with a stump speech "radical Islam" rant which is an interesting start when we are expecting a speech on religion, namely his.

[H2O Man]

37. It is a wake-up call

as far as how the media will package the candidate being backed by Bush1 & Co.

[pdxmom]

24. This speech isn't going to endear him to the evangelicals. He says

that no religion will control the government. And the evangelicals believe the exact opposite.

[AuntPatsy]

41. And yet in the same breath he stated that a government needs a belief in religion to survive...

[H2O Man]

45. He is giving

a speech that I think is exactly what the Founding Fathers warned against.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

56. you hit it on the head, MrWater.

welcome a symphony of faith? that sounds out of key for me.

[Beausoir]

65. Absolutely agree!

[AuntPatsy]

91. That is what I came away with? By advocating that freedom only comes with having religion he in

effect is stating that without religion the government we have could not function or work at all? What part of separation of church and state does he not get?

[H2O Man]

43. I think he is trying

to mix in some of the "code" that George W. Bush used so frequently in 2000.

[AlCzervik]

27. just say Mitt "Mormons aren't scientologists" you better clear that up.

my holy roller neighbor thinks that's what mormons are and i haven't tried to disabuse of that.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

30. JFK divorced his politics from religion. Mitt insists that "secularism" needs to be stopped.

On October 5, 2006, Mr. Romney warned: "Today there are some people who are trying to establish one religion: the religion of secularism. They not only reject traditional values, they reject the values of our founders and they cast aside the wisdom of the ages."

Mr. Romney concluded: "This spreading secular religion -- and its substitute values -- cannot be allowed to weaken the foundation of the family, or the faith of our fathers who 'more than life, their country loved.

[H2O Man]

32. Exactly.

Good point.

[chelsea0011]

36. As an atheist, I'll put my morals up to any of them

[ChairmanAgnostic]

34. he supports muslim prayer

so long as they have steeples pointing to heaven.

and what of us agnostics and atheists, eh?

[AlCzervik]

35. "the jews" hey don't bring us into it, we have enough pr problems.

[Fridays Child]

75. The ancient traditions of the Jews? The tenderness of spirit among the Pentecostals?

The confident independence of the Lutherans? Shit. He reminds me of Huey Lewis, when he named every big city in America, in his song, "The Heart of Rock 'N Roll."

Huey knew how to boost ticket sales and that's exactly what Mitt is trying to do, too.

[AlCzervik]

78. so mitt romney is the corporate rock of politcs?

:)

[Fridays Child]

79. Or maybe it means he was born under a rock.

Like a slimy slug.

[AlCzervik]

81. born wearing a plaid jacket.

[chelsea0011]

38. "respect some aspects of all faiths". What the hell does that mean?

[madokie]

39. go ahead an put a fork in 'em, hes done burnt

[AlCzervik]

42. "I will not separate us from the god that give us liberty" Which God was that?

[chelsea0011]

47. Guliani was on Imus this AM. He said that there is no place for religion

in politics and then said mortal men can't decide who gets into heaven. That is a decsion left only to god. No religion in politics but............

[ChairmanAgnostic]

50. I guess those who don't believe in god are fucked.

That's OK if I get to choose my partner.

[AlCzervik]

55. No liberty for you!!!!

or me.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

57. LOL.

I really hate how the founding daddies' words and ideals have been twisted by religious folks, Willard included.

[AlCzervik]

68. Amen!

:D

[JCMach1]

109. Odin of course!

idiot!

extreme :sarcasm:

[Blackhatjack]

44. His delivery reminds me of an Aluminum Siding Salesman ...too slick, questionable credibility...

He does not come across to me as believing what he is saying.

He is in a practiced presentation.

What do you think?

[AlCzervik]

46. He should change his name to "Mr. Liberty" or "Mr. liberty lovah"

get that man a plaid jacket and put him in the lot, we got used cars to move people.

[H2O Man]

51. If I didn't know better,

I would think he was a Will Farrell creation.

[TeeYiYi]

54. I agree. It sounds like he's bearing his testimony . . .

. . . and if he ends it with, "...and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen," I'm going to FREAK OUT. He's giving me a serious case of the CREEPs already. His presentation is so practiced, that I'm only hearing every third word. My eyes have glazed over.

TYY

[ChairmanAgnostic]

59. that sucked. This was his big speachie thingie?

hah.

[donsu]

93. lol yes

nt

[bryant69]

48. I think it's convienent

I just lost $1500 to car repairs, and am pissed off. And the vocal bigoted minority at DU should give me plenty to vent at today.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[AlCzervik]

49. giving the history of the Pilgrims now oh yeah and Brigham Young, he's big in Hawaii ya know.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

73. the religious zealots were a minority on the Mayflower, you know

Most were "Strangers", who were brought in because the Pilgrims had to have manpower to make money to pay back their investors. Some of the strangers didn't settle in Plymouth but lit out for Cape Cod and lived there instead.

[chelsea0011]

52. Sorry Mitt but Jamestown was settled for profit not religion.

Excellent movie, "The New World", if you haven't seen it.

[Blackhatjack]

53. The undeniable problem with 'injecting religion' into government is ...

You will not find any religious group that believes in that practice which is willing to extend that privilege to other religious groups who they consider 'cults' or apostates.

The great unspoken is put religion back in schools(as long as it is my religion).

[H2O Man]

60. Yep.

In the same vein, Willard is speaking to a supportive group. JFK spoke openly to those who questioned his being Catholic.

[I work for workers]

58. I missed part, but what I've seen is really good.

This is the only time Romney has seemed sincere to me.

[Beetwasher]

62. Pssst! Wanna Buy A Watch?

:rofl:

[I work for workers]

74. No joke. Romney NEVER seems sincere. This is the best speech I've ever seen him give. nt.

[Beetwasher]

83. That's A Real Rolex!

Honestly! Only 50 bucks. You can't go wrong.

[I work for workers]

86. Do you have a paypal account?

I have a lot of money coming in from Nigeria soon!

[Beetwasher]

88. No, Just Give Me Your Account Number, You Can Trust Me Too!

I'm really an honest guy. Honestly.

[Annces]

What kind of justice in workplace and community

Very interesting.

[I work for workers]

71. I'm a lobbyist for labor unions. nt

That's one of our slogans.

If you want a specific example, check my thread on top of the NY forum.

[Beetwasher]

80. That's Nice

I'm the Queen of England. You can call me "Your Majesty".

[I work for workers]

85. Ok, your majesty.

I can't work for labor and think a speech about accepting peoples religion is good? It's not like he laid down any specific right wing proposals, he talked for a few minutes about accepting Mormonism as we would any other faith.

[Beetwasher]

87. Do You Believe In The Separation of Church And State?

Here's a clue: Romney doesn't.

[I work for workers]

89. No, because my Pastor told me George W Bush doesn't want me to.

Of course I do. I also believe in respecting peoples personal religious beliefs. You are confusing my supporting one Romney feel good speech with supporting Romney.

[Beetwasher]

100. What About People's Lack Of Religious Belief?

No, I'm not confusing anything. I'm simply noting your approval of a speech that was essentially in total conflict w/ separation of church and state. Romney should keep his religion to himself. I respect his right to believe whatever lunacy he wishes to, but he doesn't respect my right to be FREE of his lunacy. Your right to practice your religion does not extend to having the right to shove it down my throat or make me a second class citizen because I have no religious belief.

[I work for workers]

102. I'm an atheist. I think we should respect peoples religious beliefs (or lack thereof)

so long as they remain personal and are not forced on others.

[Beetwasher]

103. Good For You! So It's Even More Surprising You Like Romney's Treacle

You come off as pretty naive being sucked in by such a shyster. As an atheist, I find his speech offensive:

"Freedom requires religion, just as religion requires freedom. Freedom opens the windows of the soul so that man can discover his most profound beliefs and commune with God. Freedom and religion endure together, or perish alone," he said."

You'r ok w/ that? As an atheist? Really?

[I work for workers]

104. LOL. So we share one viewpoint.

I'm sure I even share opinions with GWB (for example, we both like vacations).

Romney mostly talked about accepting people's beliefs. It's had not to come off sounding nice when you do that. If he didn't have the other 99% of his platform dragging him down, I'd even consider voting for him. ;-)

[Beetwasher]

105. "Romney mostly talked about accepting people's beliefs."

As an atheist, that's not the way I heard it. There's no room for me in Romney's view of this country as I have NO religious beliefs. I am not someone who is akcnowledged or accepted in any way in Romney's world. Romney, as a mormon, wants voters to accept HIS lunacy. That's what that speech was about. It's offensive to me that faith and belief in god is, according to Romney, apparently a requirement in his world. Again, IS THAT OK W/ YOU? How do you reconcile that w/ YOUR supposed atheism?

[I work for workers]

106. I missed parts of the speech, so I may have a different view then you.

I really don't care if Romney is a Mormon. I know a couple, just like I know many Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Muslims and atheists. So long as none of them try to force their views on me, I couldn't care less what they think. The parts I heard didn't sound like a rally cry to convert people, just a plea for respect. If he did step over the "my faith stops with me" line, then it would change my views of his speech pretty quickly.

[Beetwasher]

107. I Posted Part Of His Speech And Asked What You Thought

And you are refusing to answer. Why is that?

Again, does this cross your line?

"Freedom requires religion, just as religion requires freedom. Freedom opens the windows of the soul so that man can discover his most profound beliefs and commune with God. Freedom and religion endure together, or perish alone," he said."

Where does that leave you, as a supposed atheist?

Or how about this?

"There are some who may feel that religion is not a matter to be seriously considered in the context of the weighty threats that face us. If so, they are at odds with the nation's founders," Romney said. "

[I work for workers]

108. Yes, that just cost it some love from my corner.

Sorry if I missed the quote the first time. I'm posting from work, which means posting quick when the boss isn't looking. :-)

[Annces]

90. So it is real

It sounded hokey. Sorry for being rude.

[I work for workers]

95. That's ok, no hard feelings. nt

[chelsea0011]

61. Who is the audience?

[Blackhatjack]

64. The 'welcome our nation's symphony of faiths' line is indefensible....

Faith cannot be the basis of representing all Americans.

However, freedom to worship as you like because of the separation of church and state is something entirely different.

I seriously doubt that the IRS cares what faith you are when it comes to collecting taxes, and that is the way the next President should address faith. That approach does not denigrate anyone's faith or their right to practice it.

[Blackhatjack]

66. Does not sound like anyone questioning Romney got a ticket to attend this event...

[chelsea0011]

67. Dana Bash just called the speech "fascinating"

[donsu]

94. lol - interesting choice of words to describe the religiously insane

nt

[Skidmore]

69. Tweety is in love again.

Just said that if Romney becomes president, it will be because of this speech. Scarborough is drooling all over himself. Whoever the woman commenter is said Romney just drew a hard line to separate us and them to those who are believers and those who aren't. America's new civil war being delineated? We don't need this wolf in sheep's clothing.

[TeeYiYi]

70. I'm surprised he called attention to the fact . . .

. . . that none of his strapping young boys has served in the military, when he referenced the "sons and daughters who gave their lives for freedom." Four of his five are sitting there on the front row with their lives and limbs intact . . .

TYY

[AlCzervik]

72. oh cool "the slots/virtue Czar" is up on cnn commenting.

[JNelson6563]

96. Can't talk ethics without the Bookie of Virtues

:patriot:

[Blackhatjack]

76. CNN and MSNBC carrying the ball for Romney... they like him, they really like him!

[Solly Mack]

77. I watched. Didn't like it (but then I wouldn't)

question is: How did it play with the thumpers?

[Catherine Vincent]

82. So will the other Democratic and republican candidates get equal time?

What makes Romney so special?

[H2O Man]

98. Exactly.

That is a very important question.

[Blackhatjack]

84. In short, eliminate secularism, push faith, vote for me....n/t

[SoCalDem]

99. Did he show us his "underoos"?

I couldn't bear to watch..:rofl:

[H2O Man]

101. It was strange.

I am not offended by people speaking about issues of religion in our society. But I found this to be one of the most troubling speeches I have heard in decades.

I was also concerned with the way several of the MSNBC people reacted to it. I tend to speak well of Chris Matthews in regard to the Plame scandal. However, to be fair, his comments were highly offensive, and showed a disregard for his recent expressions of concern for religious tests for office.