Authors: Romney Denied Free Olympic Tickets to 9-11 Widows, Orphans; Gave Them to Utah Legislators

Big Government ^ | 01/31/2012 | Charles Johnson

[writer33]

Mitt Romney, in pledging to turn around the Olympics in 2002, had promised to restore the honor and integrity of the scandal-clouded Salt Lake City. The Games captured the world’s attention and became all the more urgent after terrorists attacked us on 9-11. But while Romney invoked the wellspring of American patriotism after the attacks, he neglected their heroes, the fallen firefighters of that early September morning.

Romney’s executive assistant, Donna Tillery, twice denied requests to provide free or discounted tickets to widows and orphans of the felled firefighters but gave them for free to Utah legislators just six weeks later, according to a new book, The Real Romney (HarperCollins, 2012).

Tillery sent e-mails to A.J. Barto, a former Salt Lake City firefighter helping the 9-11 widows and orphans, citing a policy barring giveaways, but Romney gave 100 free surplus tickets ($885 each) to Utah legislators. “I was outraged at the hypocrisy,” Barto told Kranis and Helman. “In less than two months, he went from saying, ‘We’re going to run a tight ship’ to throwing out free tickets to a group of people who could help him politically.” (221)

[writer33]

For those interested.

[smoothsailing]

[Psalm 144]

I would love to see a percentage comparison of the ‘gentile’ to Mormon ratio between the fallen firefighters and the ‘Utah legislators’.

[Psalm 144]

Yes.

[Linda Frances]

Typical politician.

[muawiyah]

Well, doggone. He raised taxes on the blind too.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Well, that makes sense. I know Republicans hate widows and orphans because I saw it on CBS. :)

[Randy Larsen]

I hate that man!

[Ancesthntr]

This, if true, and combined with Romney’s “I’m not worried about the poor” comment (the latter of which was poorly worded but taken out of context - to be fair), could end his campaign very quickly. If they don’t do that, they will severely damage him (particular the tickets story). This will utterly neutralize any claims that Newt is corrupt, etc.

[Deagle]

Wow, while I would not vote for Romney, the anger and disgust displayed here is amazing. He is a Republican candidate (although weak one) and am surprised at the animosity of some here...

Yes, I would not vote for him over other candidates, but why the animosity? Am I missing something?

[azishot]

After living in Utah for three years, Romney flirted with running for office in the Beehive State. He even reportedly contemplated running as a Democrat, though in the post-Olympics buzz there was no office available until 2004 which was too late for someone riding the successes of the the Games.

What a worm. And he thinks he can pass himself off as a republican?

[gaijin]

For his Mormon mission he chose France. Chose Paris. Chose to live in a PALACE —not just a really fancy place.

He makes $24 million per year.

Riches are fine, but where is his compassion? Denied widows and orphans?

Wow —mean.

[bayliving]

To the Obamney supporters this is just MORE reason to VOTE for him!

After all, he's more "electable" than any body else out there! And boy does he LOOK GOOD in his magical tighty whiteys! /s

[MIchaelTArchangel]

Remember, the Utah legislators are (ahem) his people.

[bayliving]

Am I missing something?

Obviously yes. Yes you are missing something...

[editor-surveyor]

He likes to fire people too.

[acapesket]

I think that this is “Charles Johnson”
LGF, former conservative, currently abject nutbag.

Yearning for attention.

Sad.

[matthew fuller]

Thanks for posting this.

[sand lake bar]

You’re not missing a thing.