Mitt Romney: I’m no back stabber

Boston Herald ^ | 11/8/2003 | Dave Wedge

[GVnana]

Aides blast accusations, not from Mitt camp

By Dave Wedge

Saturday, November 8, 2008 -

Mitt Romney’s camp is firing back at reports his foot soldiers are behind a brutal smear campaign against Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin in a backdoor strategy to position the former Bay State governor for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination.

“It’s a completely absurd allegation that is totally divorced from the truth,” Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom said.

Fox News, the New York Times [NYT] and Newsweek have reported on a host of criticisms of Palin, including that she threw tantrums that made staffers cry and didn’t know Africa was a continent. Several media outlets reported some of the leaks came from within the McCain campaign. But the political blog, The Palmetto Scoop, citing “very good sources,” said it was Romney loyalists working for McCain who were behind the “premeditated last minute sabotage” of Palin.

Fehrnstrom took issue with the Scoop’s claim that as much as 80 percent of Romney’s campaign staff went to work for Sen. John McCain’s team after the GOP primary. Only “a handful” of Romney operatives joined the Arizona senator’s campaign, he said.

“The truth is, there are no former Romney staffers in senior roles at the McCain campaign,” Fehrnstrom said. “I can think of a handful of people, maybe three or four, who went over, all in junior positions.”

However, Romney’s former campaign spokesman Kevin Madden was among the ex-Romney staffers to bash Palin. In an interview on CNN just a week before the election, Madden called Palin “unseasoned” and questioned whether she should have been McCain’s pick.

“When you put out an unknown and you give them 70 days with which to go through a vetting process, both by voters and the national press corps, ugly things can tend to happen,” Madden said.

Since McCain’s loss, Palin has been accused of dragging down the ticket in what her spokeswoman Meg Stapleton reportedly called “a circling firing squad.”

GOP strategist Holly Robichaud, who writes the “Lone Republican” blog for the Herald, said: “It’s definitely Romney’s people. They’ve been doing it for a while. Romney is thinking about running again in 2012 and he needs to kill off Sarah Palin in order to get there.”

Romney himself has defended Palin, calling her a “positive addition to the ticket” in an appearance on CBS’ “Early Show” a week before the election.

“For a first-time candidate on the national stage . . . you’re subject to the national spotlight. It’s more like a national torch,” Romney said. “She has been able to keep cool under the pressure.”

Meanwhile, a new Rasmussen poll shows that 64 percent of Republicans want Palin to be the GOP presidential candidate in 2012 while 11 percent prefer Romney.

[GVnana]

Looks like Kevin Madden should go on THE LIST.

[DieHard the Hunter]

Three words for him: “Et. Tu. Brute.”

[SolidWood]

Was the headline supposed to sound Nixonian? (No insinuation. Milhous was a decent guy...)

[1rudeboy]

This is friggin’ beautiful. The Dem operative who came up with this plan deserves a medal. Axelrod gets kudos, regardless.

[ElkGroveDan]

The Dem operative who came up with this plan deserves a medal.

Her name is Nicolle Wallace. She's a liberal former TV reporter who has been posing as a Republican for a little over 10 years now.

[buccaneer81]

Every homo march in California is hurting Romney's chances for national office.

Thank goodness.

[GVnana]

Yeah, this "unseen third hand" is getting ridiculous. Time for the principals involved to get off their high horses, and start taking names.

It will come down to one person, either a traitor in the ranks or an instigator outside the ranks.

[GOP_Lady]

Good.

[nmh]

Don't believe this crap.

Romney and his supporters are not smearing Sarah Palin.

This is utter bull from the LIBERAL RAG, the BOSTON HEARLD.

BTW, where is McPain? WHY isn't he defending Sarah Palin? Romney flew all over the place after he withdrew to endorse the pain in the arse McPain.

Don't let LIBERALS destroy US.

[Diogenesis]

Bzzzzzzt.

SSDD

Romney who has had NO judgment, honesty, or compliance with the law (except what he made up on the fly).

Romney had his shock troops attack the general citizenry (as he has directed them to attack FReepers)
with Romney's fake troopers sporting fake badges.

Or, how about the story of Romney’s chief staffer who pretended to be a "US special forces operative" (until caught lying),
and who was caught trolling on MySpace page for ... ???? (until caught)

Romney aide’s bogus badges: Sources detail ‘illegal’ security tactic

" Boston Herald - Friday, July 20, 2007
In an apparent violation of the law, a controverisal aide to ex-Gov. Mitt Romney
created phony law enforcement badges that he and other staffers used on the campaign trail
to strong-arm reporters, avoid paying tolls and trick security guards
into giving them immediate access to campaign venues, sources told the Herald.
“They (the aides) knew the badges were fake and probably illegal,”
said a presidential campaign source who asked for anonymity
because the story could damage the individual’s career.
Two additional sources confirmed that the badges - described as bright silver plates with a state seal attached -
were first created and used by Garrity while Romney was still governor."

[sionnsar]

Since McCain’s loss, Palin has been accused of dragging down the ticket

They have got to be kidding. She's the one who energized it.

[mad_as_he$$]

Which list? I started an “Enemy of the Republic” list do you want him there?

[buccaneer81]

Romney is just another RINO. You don't get elected governor of Massachusetts as a Republican by acting like Reagan.

No more RINOs. Including Romney.

[org.whodat]

If you look at the polls you see she made no difference. The election is over.

[GOP_Lady]

Huh?

[Arizona Carolyn]

Kevin Madden was on CNN smearing her even before the election... and he was SUPPOSED to be on our side...

[NavVet]

Romney is not one of “us”.

[buccaneer81]

I believe I made a cogent statement.

[Earthdweller]

I have one thing to say...Nina Easton, Fox news.

[nmh]

I'll; happily vote for him again and

WORK HARD to get him as our next PRESIDENT.

If you want to believe lies, that's your problem.

[Diogenesis]

Gov. Palin helped.

You are lying to protect Romney-the-Saboteur.

[GVnana]

I like Romney. I also support religious freedom.

[CARTOUCHE]

Romney is not one of “us”.

Sorry to inform you. He and I are like brothers. Get over it!

[buccaneer81]

If you look at the polls you see she made no difference

She most certainly did make a difference. She kept McCain from losing by another few million votes. An awful lot of people went to the polls for her, not McCain.

[nmh]

Maybe not for you ... but I prefer a PRO LIFE guy like Romney that is sharp on economics.

[buccaneer81]

I do too. I said nothing about religion. RINOs are a diverse lot.

[SumProVita]

Where is McCain on this issue?????????

[SoConPubbie]

If you look at the polls you see she made no difference. The election is over.

Without her, McCain would have lost in a landslide.

She was the only one who brought the base on board with that RINO McCain heading the ticket.

Poll or no Poll, McCain would draw 1000 by himself at campaign stops, Palin would draw 20,000.

[jwalsh07]

I believe Romney.

The people behind the Palin smears are the moderates from all camps. They got their moderate and we got Obama. Now Obama may have won anyway but conservatives had no voice in this election until Sarah Palin showed up and her voice was muted by McCains operatives, namely that moron named Scmidt. Or however the hell he spells his utterly forgettable name.

[GipperGal]

Every homo march in California is hurting Romney's chances for national office. Thank goodness.

LOL!!!

Though I'm laughing, I should say that I find it sad that the Mormons are being unfairly targeted. First they're coming for the Mormons. Next they'll come for the Catholics. These gays are out of their flippin' minds. They're hurling racial slurs at blacks too. I've never seen anything like it.

[fieldmarshaldj]

"Don't let LIBERALS destroy US."

Exactly. Down with the backstabbing RINO Socialist traitor Slick Willard !

[GVnana]

Nope. There’s a “traitor list” of Palin smearers and other assorted weasels out somewhere.

[9YearLurker]

Bingo!

[lara]

McPain will be on Leno Tuesday night. Wonder if he'll defend Sarah or join his staff & the media in making fun of her.

[buccaneer81]

What lies? The man is not a conservative.

[SoConPubbie]

Maybe not for you ... but I prefer a PRO LIFE guy like Romney that is sharp on economics.

Yea, so sharp he backed the Socialist Bailout Bill and created his own form of socialized Health Care.

Yea, he is one sharp cookie when it comes to economics, at least from a conservative perspective.

[org.whodat]

No proof, just speculation, some think it may have been he would have done better. I don’t know and neither do you. But I can read the polls.

[JoeVet]

I would vote for a second 0bambi term - before I would vote for Rumney.

Someone on FR should put up a poll - just for giggles - to see how far Socialist Mitt would get.

[frankiep]

I agree. Palin is alright, but the effect she had in drawing voters this election has been, and continues to be, greatly exaggerated here despite strong evidence to the contrary.

I’m sure that I will be flamed and called a Romneybot, liberal, traitor, etc. here for saying this, but that’s the way it is.

[Nextrush]

Romney needs to be kept at a distance.

The 2012 nomination is Sarah Palin’s if she wants it.

Everyone else stand off and talk about Obama’s plans to be the “Abortion President.”

The economy will not be the focus of his first actions as president when he signs off on executive orders dealing with issues like that.

Any other issues he brings up need to be addressed.

What are you doing to help economic growth?

Attack Obama and the Democats for bailing everything and everyone out with our tax dollars and saddling debt on future generations.

I have no time for this nonsense. Attacking Sarah Palin is a waste and I won’t be too hard on Mr. Romney if he gets on the ball and talks about Obama.

Let McCain be “Mr. Bipartisan” kiss up.

[org.whodat]

You are full of it, I have not nor will I ever support Romney. But I do not support your personal attacks against Mormons either.

[Neu Pragmatist]

McCain is back on his normal side of the aisle cozying up to B.O. ...

[lovesdogs]

BTW, where is McPain? WHY isn't he defending Sarah Palin?

Exactly. Indeed, where is he? I am more than a little sick of this. I know the man is tired and wants a little rest, but he does need to hold a five minute presser and state that the people spoke for xxxx reasons and certainly Sarah is not at fault for his loss. We have broken the color barrier. Now we need to break the gender barrier. And I cannot think of a better possible person to do that than Sarah. Come on McLame...speak up for her.

[johnthebaptistmoore]

Why even seriously think about ‘12 so early on? There’s also no way of even knowing what the complete list of serious candidates for ‘12 GOP POTUS will be yet. Let’s seriously work on the remaining races of ‘08, then the local races of ‘09, and then work on the ‘10 races before seriously concentrating upon the ‘12 election.

[buccaneer81]

like Romney that is sharp on economics.

Mandatory health insurance requirements in cahoots with liberals in MA doesn't seem very sharp to me. It certainly doesn't represent freedom.

[NavVet]

I don’t care if you’re lovers. Romney is a flaming liberal, always has been and always will be. I suggest you get over it, before we have another RINO disaster in four years.

[ronnie raygun]

Sad, republicans acting like whining democrates. Get your friggin acts together formulate a plan grow some balls and get in there and fight. I’m sick of you guys too! We all are!

[SoConPubbie]

I agree. Palin is alright, but the effect she had in drawing voters this election has been, and continues to be, greatly exaggerated here despite strong evidence to the contrary.

I’m sure that I will be flamed and called a Romneybot, liberal, traitor, etc. here for saying this, but that’s the way it is.

No, that is just the way you want to believe it is.

Without Palin, McCain would have lost 60-40.

The only reason he was even competitive was because of her, the only time McCain was solidly in the lead above Obama was after he selected Palin as VP.

[ejonesie22]

Accurate as well...

[Diogenesis]

Romney said Obama was "terrific" on the final day of the campaign even as his minions savaged the Palin children.

Romney is like no one on FR except some of the RomneyBOTs.
Romney is a proven liar, a proven saboteur, a proven provocateur.
Romney is a proven shapeshifting, backstabbing, coveting, liberal politican.