Romney backers at Gingrich events run into political pit bull

Los Angeles Times ^ | January 29, 2012 | Seema Mehta

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Reporting from Port Saint Lucie, Fla.— Dubbed the "proxies with moxie," Mitt Romney's congressional backers have been crashing Newt Gingrich's events to offer a counterpoint to the former House speaker's remarks. It's an unusual tactic to begin with, but their collisions with Gingrich's testy spokesman, R.C. Hammond, have made their sparring into the campaign trail's version of must-see TV.

Gingrich said he doesn't mind their presence, which he said is a sign of desperation by Romney.

"They send a member of Congress, we send R.C. It's a slight overmatch — R.C.'s a little bit more informed than they are, but nonetheless, it's fine with me. He can send as many members as he wants," Gingrich told reporters. "When he gets tired, we'll bring Toby back, and Toby's agreed to help R.C. take a hit."

Toby is Hammond's dog.

And that about sums up the tenor of the exchanges. Take one between Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) and Hammond in Mount Dora on Thursday, when a discussion of a congressional ethics investigation of Gingrich turned into an aside about the Thomas system, the Library of Congress' online database.

"Do you know how to use the Thomas system? Have you looked up the report?" Hammond asked.

A bemused Chaffetz replied, "I know you're shaking, you're nervous. I know he should provide all those documents."

Hammond persisted: "So have you ever used the Thomas system to look up the report? Have you ever read it?"

"Really?" Chaffetz said. "This is what you've got to ask me? Have I looked at the Thomas system?"

Hammond continued: "Again, you haven't confirmed.....

[Cincinatus' Wife]

"Bay Buchanan, a longtime conservative activist, worked on the Romney campaign’s behalf to win over voters and commentators." -- The Calculations That Led Romney to the Warpath

More about Bay at Greta Wire "In the pic: Bay Buchanan and Rep Jason Chaffetz in the back of the room at a Gingrich campaign event in Florida this afternoon. (And no, there is nothing wrong with them attending the event..it is only interesting.)

Congressman Chaffetz has been a guest on ON THE RECORD at 10pm on more than one occasion and I have known Bay Buchanan for years – so long that I don’t know where we met. I also know her brother Pat who worked at CNN when I was there.

I asked my assistant to get me some routine background info on Congressman Chaffetz to post and I was surprised by his colorful history. He used to be a Democrat but switched parties and became a Republican after he got married. I don’t know if it is a coincidence, or if his wife is just persuasive!

Also – look who his father was married to! The wife of Democratic nominee for President Michael Dukakis! Congressman Chaffetz was also the Utah co-chairman of the Dukakis campaign.".............. [end quote from Greta Wire]

_____________________________________________

It has come to my attention that both Bay Buchanan and Rep Jason Chaffetz are Mormon converts. Nothing wrong with that but it does add something to the full story.

[svxdave]

I wouldn’t go to someone else’s rally. It just brings attention to that rally.

[Sacajaweau]

Ya know what. There’s never an excuse for rude.

[svxdave]

Bay Buchanan and Rep Jason Chaffetz are Mormon converts? Well, I guess that explains those two.

I wonder if John Bolton and Ann Coulter who also support Romney over Newt are recent converts as well.

[dforest]

This is kind of a tacky thing to do. Especially in a primary race.

[jcsjcm]

It’s terrible that the first thing I think about this is WHO is paying for these congress critters to fly all over the country to disrupt candidates?

Do they put this down as personal expense or are the putting this down as political expense. I for sure would not allow this as an expense on the taxpayer.

[SubMareener]

More like “sleeper agents”! This campaign has brought them all out of the woodwork.

[mitchell001]

I don’t mind Mormons, such as Chaffetz and Bay Buchanan pushing a candidate, such as Romney, but I still say Americans in general should look into and consider that Mormon pundits and politicians’ may be directed by the religious leaders such as the current Mormon president and prophet to act in the interest of Mormonism and Mormon business interests first and the American people second.

[bert]

So, do you believe Catholics are minded by the dictatorial leader of a Foreign Nation in the Vatican?

[Sudetenland]

They're right about one thing in this article, it most certainly is a sign of desperation; not just desperation that he might lose in Florida, but Mitt is absolutely desperate to win the Presidency.

Anyone who is that desperate to win the election must be examined closely for motive.

[dennisw]

Rep Jason Chaffetz is a  Mormon converts

Well he lives in Utah what do you expect him to be!!! Actually me' thinks he was born Jewish and converted...talk about mixed up confusion!

[ZX12R]

Bay Buchanan and Rep Jason Chaffetz are Mormon converts? Well, I guess that explains those two.

To me anyway, it's beginning to look like Mormons are a collective voting block just like blacks. In that 90 something percent will vote for Romney, simply because he's a Mormon and without consideration of anything else, like, what's best for the country, what is the candidate's voting record, or who's the best candidate to tackle the serious problems we have before our country is destroyed.

That is a despicable way for any American to cast a vote.

[ZX12R]

Ted Bundy lookalike

LOL!

[Psalm 144]

“They’re right about one thing in this article, it most certainly is a sign of desperation; not just desperation that he might lose in Florida, but Mitt is absolutely desperate to win the Presidency.

Anyone who is that desperate to win the election must be examined closely for motive.”

This? :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Horse_Prophecy

[hampdenkid]

I admire this guy’s debating skills and tenacity, but he’d better be very, very careful: the minute he says something controversial, he is going to be dumped so fast his head will spin. In short, guys out front invariably get shot in the back. Sad fact of life — in both business and politics.

So, my advice to this brave soul: enjoy the pats on the back now — and watch for the knife later. And in the meantime, watch the old Steve McQueen movie “Tom Horn.”

[Artcore]

“That is a despicable way for any American to cast a vote.”
______________________________________________________

I live in the heart of Mormon country (Utah) and my next door neighbors are voting for Mitt for this very reason! These are the same people who find it repugnant that a person WOULD NOT vote for someone because they ARE Mormon. Freakin’ hypocrites!

[dforest]

“It’s terrible that the first thing I think about this is WHO is paying for these congress critters to fly all over the country to disrupt candidates?”

That was the 1st thing I thought about. It is one thing to support a candidate and show up at a rally for that candidate. It is quite another to disrupt the rallies of another while they are on the taxpayer dole.

We have some sorry assed people on our side anymore. They act more like democrats. Well, maybe it is because they are.

[EternalVigilance]

I’m pretty sure the red-headed guy in the picture with Chaffetz and Buchanan is Romney staffer David Kochel.

He was the executive director for the Iowa Republican Party years ago when I was on the state committee.

[Tribune7]

A bemused Chaffetz replied, "I know you're shaking, you're nervous.

Chaffetz is one of our lawmakers. He sounds more like a third-grader on a playground. I fear for this country.

Go Newt.