We can't let the Michigan Presidential Primary fade from memory without one more example of Mitt Romney's inability to connect with the people of the state where he was born.
A writer to the Livingston Press and Argus says in a letter published Monday (March 5, 2012) that in a telephone "town hall" right before the primary, Mitt appeared not to know much about Brighton.
According to the letter writer, "Romney only said that he had been through Brighton before, and knew where it was."
Now, there are lots of towns in Michigan and no presidential candidate can be expected to be familiar with all of them. But when you claim to be from the state and to believe that its trees are the "right height," you've set the bar a little higher for yourself.
Add to that the fact that both your parents -- George and Lenore Romney -- are buried in Brighton, and it would seem that maybe you might have a pretty vivid recollection of the place.
As the letter-writer put it, "I find it hard to believe that Romney didn't recognize the city that his parents are buried in."
I didn't hear the call, and the newspaper did not refer to any obvious attempts to independently verify the incident, but the exchange certainly fits the picture that Mitt Romney has been constructing of himself over this Republican presidential nominating process. When it comes to making a human connection, Romney falls far short, and that will hurt him against President Obama come November.
For Romney's reference, his parents are buried in Brighton's Fairview Cemetery, on the crest of a hill, overlooking Interstate 96, accoring to the website findagrave.
Showing posts with label Mitt Romney. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mitt Romney. Show all posts
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Asked to Help Auto Industry, Romney's Firm Refused
With all the ink that's being spilled in Michigan newspapers over Mitt Romney and his non-stop dancing on the auto industry rescue, some facts are still being lost.
As The New York Times pointed out Monday (Feb. 20, 2012), Romney's claim that the federal government should have let private equity firms come up with the money doesn't hold water. The article states:
"To go through the bankruptcy process, both companies needed billions of dollars in financing, money that auto executives and government officials who were involved with Mr. Obama’s auto task force say was not available at a time when the credit markets had dried up. The only entity that could provide the $80 billion needed, they say, was the federal government. No private companies would come to the industry’s aid, and the only path through bankruptcy would have been Chapter 7 liquidation, not the more orderly Chapter 11 reorganization, these people said.
"In fact, the task force asked Bain Capital, the private equity company that Mr. Romney helped found, if it was interested in investing in General Motors’ European operations, according to one person with direct knowledge of the discussions.
"Bain declined, this person said, speaking anonymously to discuss private negotiations."
So Romney says private equity firms should have provided the $80 billion required to rescue the firms. But his own private equity firm wasn't interested.
In other words, Romney had a chance to put his money where his mouth is, and didn't. He had a chance to help out the key industry in his own state, in a way that he says is the only way the industry should have been helped, and he refused.
As Gov. Jennifer Granholm said, Romney stabbed us in the back in our hour of greatest need.
As The New York Times pointed out Monday (Feb. 20, 2012), Romney's claim that the federal government should have let private equity firms come up with the money doesn't hold water. The article states:
"To go through the bankruptcy process, both companies needed billions of dollars in financing, money that auto executives and government officials who were involved with Mr. Obama’s auto task force say was not available at a time when the credit markets had dried up. The only entity that could provide the $80 billion needed, they say, was the federal government. No private companies would come to the industry’s aid, and the only path through bankruptcy would have been Chapter 7 liquidation, not the more orderly Chapter 11 reorganization, these people said.
"In fact, the task force asked Bain Capital, the private equity company that Mr. Romney helped found, if it was interested in investing in General Motors’ European operations, according to one person with direct knowledge of the discussions.
"Bain declined, this person said, speaking anonymously to discuss private negotiations."
So Romney says private equity firms should have provided the $80 billion required to rescue the firms. But his own private equity firm wasn't interested.
In other words, Romney had a chance to put his money where his mouth is, and didn't. He had a chance to help out the key industry in his own state, in a way that he says is the only way the industry should have been helped, and he refused.
As Gov. Jennifer Granholm said, Romney stabbed us in the back in our hour of greatest need.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Should Michigan TV Viewers Brace for Negative Barrage?
Michigan voters find themselves in the spotlight in the days running up to the Feb. 28 presidential primary. And that could be bad news for TV viewers.
Mitt Romney's willingness to pour millions of dollars into negative advertising helped him defeat Newt Gingrich in Florida's primary earlier this year. Will he do the same in Michigan now that he finds himself trailing Rick Santorum?
The Santorum campaign clearly thinks so, based on the ad they are airing in the state. If so, voters will be treated to an onslaught of nastiness that may well turn them off about both candidates. One consolation is that it will all be over on Feb. 29.
Mitt Romney's willingness to pour millions of dollars into negative advertising helped him defeat Newt Gingrich in Florida's primary earlier this year. Will he do the same in Michigan now that he finds himself trailing Rick Santorum?
The Santorum campaign clearly thinks so, based on the ad they are airing in the state. If so, voters will be treated to an onslaught of nastiness that may well turn them off about both candidates. One consolation is that it will all be over on Feb. 29.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Michigan Presidential Primary -- Now It's for Dems Too
The Feb. 28 Michigan presidential primary is getting more interesting compared to just a few weeks ago.
For one thing, Michigan Democrats are now being encouraged to participate. The primary, created by the majority Republicans in the Legislature, will cost taxpayers $10 million. Michigan Democrats had argued that in tough economic times, taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for the nominating process and urged both parties to hold caucuses instead. Michigan Democrats have scheduled their caucuses for nominating President Obama for May 5.
The Republicans refused to go along, and to disguise the fact that the $10 million primary contest is just for their party, added President Obama's name to the ballot against the wishes of the MDP. If the president asked his name to be removed, there was a chance his name would not be on the ballot in November because of the way Republicans wrote the law.
Since party rules don't allow people to participate in two nominating contests, there was a chance people who voted in February wouldn't be able to participate in the party's own caucuses in May. So earlier this month, the Michigan Democratic Party changed its rules so that its members are free to participate in both the primary and the May 5 caucuses. But since it is a closed primary, voters must request either a Democratic or Republican ballot.
That requirement may deter some people from crossing over and voting in the other party's primary, which is definitely not something the MDP is advocating. But the temptation to do so may be greater for some people now that Michigan native Mitt Romney seems to be losing his commanding position in the race.
On Monday (Feb. 13, 2012), for example a new poll out from ARG shows Rick Santorum with a six-point lead over Romney in Michigan.
People like a horserace so it's possible people will be drawn to vote in that primary, especially since they know they can still support President Obama in May.
For one thing, Michigan Democrats are now being encouraged to participate. The primary, created by the majority Republicans in the Legislature, will cost taxpayers $10 million. Michigan Democrats had argued that in tough economic times, taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for the nominating process and urged both parties to hold caucuses instead. Michigan Democrats have scheduled their caucuses for nominating President Obama for May 5.
The Republicans refused to go along, and to disguise the fact that the $10 million primary contest is just for their party, added President Obama's name to the ballot against the wishes of the MDP. If the president asked his name to be removed, there was a chance his name would not be on the ballot in November because of the way Republicans wrote the law.
Since party rules don't allow people to participate in two nominating contests, there was a chance people who voted in February wouldn't be able to participate in the party's own caucuses in May. So earlier this month, the Michigan Democratic Party changed its rules so that its members are free to participate in both the primary and the May 5 caucuses. But since it is a closed primary, voters must request either a Democratic or Republican ballot.
That requirement may deter some people from crossing over and voting in the other party's primary, which is definitely not something the MDP is advocating. But the temptation to do so may be greater for some people now that Michigan native Mitt Romney seems to be losing his commanding position in the race.
On Monday (Feb. 13, 2012), for example a new poll out from ARG shows Rick Santorum with a six-point lead over Romney in Michigan.
People like a horserace so it's possible people will be drawn to vote in that primary, especially since they know they can still support President Obama in May.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
The Republicans' 11th Commandment Is Dead and Here's the Proof
Ronald Reagan used to lecture other Republicans to follow the 11th Commandment -- Speak no ill of another Republican.
Well, for all the love Republicans say they have for Reagan, they're not paying any attention to that anymore. The nastiness of the Republican presidential nominating process is proof of that, especially as the also-rans begin to take aim at front-runner Mitt Romney.
The harshest critism lately is coming from Newt Gingrich and his supporters. A political action committee named Winning the Future has placed a half-hour film about Romney and his years as a "vulture capitalist" (Rick Perry's word) with Bain Capital.
Called, "King of Bain: When Mitt Romney Came to Town," the film lays out the devastating consequences of Romney-led takeovers of firms employing thousands of workers.
Watch it here. And spread the word.
Well, for all the love Republicans say they have for Reagan, they're not paying any attention to that anymore. The nastiness of the Republican presidential nominating process is proof of that, especially as the also-rans begin to take aim at front-runner Mitt Romney.
The harshest critism lately is coming from Newt Gingrich and his supporters. A political action committee named Winning the Future has placed a half-hour film about Romney and his years as a "vulture capitalist" (Rick Perry's word) with Bain Capital.
Called, "King of Bain: When Mitt Romney Came to Town," the film lays out the devastating consequences of Romney-led takeovers of firms employing thousands of workers.
Watch it here. And spread the word.
Friday, November 11, 2011
It Wasn't Just 'Let DETROIT Go Bankrupt'
Democrats are letting the contenders for the Republican presidential nomination off the hook on the issue of rescuing the American auto industry. Ironically, they're doing so by using Mitt Romney's own words against him.
Romney's "Let Detroit Go Bankrupt" opinion piece at the time of the auto industry rescue seems devastating, and in many ways it is. Bringing it up is especially effective here in Michigan, of course.
But why should the rest of the nation really care about Detroit and Michigan's troubles, when they have troubles of their own? By implying that the rescue was only for Detroit, or jobs in Michigan, Democrats let voters in the rest of the country forget about auto industry jobs around the nation -- in assembly plants, dealerships, and auto suppliers.
They also let people forget that not only Chrysler and General Motors would have disappeared, but so would the suppliers that furnished parts to Ford. Ford's survival would have been in jeopardy at that point, too. So even though Ford did not need a rescue itself, it needed a rescue for Chrysler and General Motors in order to stay in business. This point was made at the time, but it seems to have been lost.
Democrats need to remind voters of the broad national impact of Romney's foolish plan, not narrow it to one region.
Romney's "Let Detroit Go Bankrupt" opinion piece at the time of the auto industry rescue seems devastating, and in many ways it is. Bringing it up is especially effective here in Michigan, of course.
But why should the rest of the nation really care about Detroit and Michigan's troubles, when they have troubles of their own? By implying that the rescue was only for Detroit, or jobs in Michigan, Democrats let voters in the rest of the country forget about auto industry jobs around the nation -- in assembly plants, dealerships, and auto suppliers.
They also let people forget that not only Chrysler and General Motors would have disappeared, but so would the suppliers that furnished parts to Ford. Ford's survival would have been in jeopardy at that point, too. So even though Ford did not need a rescue itself, it needed a rescue for Chrysler and General Motors in order to stay in business. This point was made at the time, but it seems to have been lost.
Democrats need to remind voters of the broad national impact of Romney's foolish plan, not narrow it to one region.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Romney Shuns Michigan in Announcing For President
Mitt Romney, who grew up in Michigan as the son of an auto executive and won the state's presidential primary in 2008, announced Thursday that he was running for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012 in a staged event far away from his Michigan roots.
Sure, Romney wanted to announce in New Hampshire because of its first in the nation primary status, apparently deciding he doesn't care that much about Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucuses.
But it's not unusual for candidates to double-up on the announcements, stopping at more than one place to announce the "news." But Romney made no bid to get any media in Michigan for a very good reason -- an opinion piece he penned titled, "Let Detroit Go Bankrupt."
After basically telling the state to kiss its major industry good-bye and that President Obama's attempts to aid it would spell the demise of the auto industry, Romney can't very well come back here and ask for Michiganians' votes. Especially with Michigan automakers picking up market share, posting profits, repaying federal laws early, and buying back federally-owned stock.
Now, of course, Romney is trying to take credit for the auto industry rebound, yet another Mitt flip-flop.
So as President Obama prepares to visit an auto plant on the state's borders to announce the Chrysler stock buy-back, Romney is choosing to stay away.
Sure, Romney wanted to announce in New Hampshire because of its first in the nation primary status, apparently deciding he doesn't care that much about Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucuses.
But it's not unusual for candidates to double-up on the announcements, stopping at more than one place to announce the "news." But Romney made no bid to get any media in Michigan for a very good reason -- an opinion piece he penned titled, "Let Detroit Go Bankrupt."
After basically telling the state to kiss its major industry good-bye and that President Obama's attempts to aid it would spell the demise of the auto industry, Romney can't very well come back here and ask for Michiganians' votes. Especially with Michigan automakers picking up market share, posting profits, repaying federal laws early, and buying back federally-owned stock.
Now, of course, Romney is trying to take credit for the auto industry rebound, yet another Mitt flip-flop.
So as President Obama prepares to visit an auto plant on the state's borders to announce the Chrysler stock buy-back, Romney is choosing to stay away.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Romney in 2012? We'll Remember This
Mitt Romney may have just dealt a big set-back to any presidential plans he may have for 2012.
In an op-ed piece for The New York Times on Wednesday (Nov. 19, 2008) the Michigan native argues that America's automakers should be allowed to go bankrupt.
Romney shows himself to be totally out of touch with what has gone on with the American auto industry in recent years -- the massive restructuring and down-sizing that already has taken place, the investment in new products such as the Chevy Volt that are soon to be released, and the supportive role that the UAW has played in this.
Most out of touch is his criticism of the $2,000 discrepancy between pay and benefits in domestic automakers' costs vs. foreign ones, which he of course blames on the workers and retirees. That $2,000 is almost entirely due to the absence of universal health care in this country, which forces automakers to pick up the slack.
We'll remember this, Mitt. Elephants aren't the only ones with long memories.
In an op-ed piece for The New York Times on Wednesday (Nov. 19, 2008) the Michigan native argues that America's automakers should be allowed to go bankrupt.
Romney shows himself to be totally out of touch with what has gone on with the American auto industry in recent years -- the massive restructuring and down-sizing that already has taken place, the investment in new products such as the Chevy Volt that are soon to be released, and the supportive role that the UAW has played in this.
Most out of touch is his criticism of the $2,000 discrepancy between pay and benefits in domestic automakers' costs vs. foreign ones, which he of course blames on the workers and retirees. That $2,000 is almost entirely due to the absence of universal health care in this country, which forces automakers to pick up the slack.
We'll remember this, Mitt. Elephants aren't the only ones with long memories.
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