Mitt Romney's Olympics gaffe overshadows visit to London - Page 2

Cathhsmom · #16 Jul 26, '12, 9:34 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by austenbosten

Oh yeah that Romney....he's such a boob...unlike our great President Obama who:

Returned the bust of Churchill (that was given as a gift) back to the UK
Gave DVD's as a gift to the PM
Gave the Queen an iPod with a selection of his speeches on it
Called France "America's strongest ally"
Sided with Argentina over the Falkland Islands

and of course this awkward toast during the national anthem (BTW you're not supposed to speak during the anthem)

Hahaha woo hoo hoo...but that Romney man

Not only did he give DVDs to the PM, but they were the wrong country code and wouldn't play over there. So, it was a gift that they couldn't even enjoy. He is just so smart!

**rlg94086** · #17 Jul 26, '12, 9:48 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by curlycool89

That was my impression.

First thought was "why would you say something like that?", but he was CEO (right?) of Salt Lake in 2000. He probably had a moment where he slipped back into that role, looked at what had been done compared to what he dealt with and made a blunt assessment.

Was it appropriate? Diplomatically speaking it's a blunder because you don't air out other people's dirty laundry in public (the US media would freak out if PM Cameron or PM Harper did such a thing). Was it valid criticism? I haven't followed very closely what's going on, but it probably is (given his experience).

Just again, not the right medium to say it, especially when it such a non-factor like the Olympics (yes, everyone loves them, but they're really not anything to loose sleep over. I'm still trying to think of an even in the Summer Olympics I'm looking forward to watching, because I can't think of 1). There's really 3 outcomes to this:
- the Olympics are a success and everyone forgets what Romeny said (because who really cares)
- the Olympics are a success and this comes back to haunt him (not likely)
- the Olympics bomb (we all really hope not) and Romney comes out looking good

I agree with your assessment. I don't see this having an impact on the election, but "Roman Catholic/Freethinker/Skeptics" for Obama can certainly dream.

7 Sorrows · #18 Jul 26, '12, 10:13 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by austenbosten

Oh yeah that Romney....he's such a boob...unlike our great President Obama who:

Returned the bust of Churchill (that was given as a gift) back to the UK
Gave DVD's as a gift to the PM
Gave the Queen an iPod with a selection of his speeches on it
Called France "America's strongest ally"
Sided with Argentina over the Falkland Islands

and of course this awkward toast during the national anthem (BTW you're not supposed to speak during the anthem)

Hahaha woo hoo hoo...but that Romney man

thanks! i needed a good laugh this evening!

7 Sorrows · #19 Jul 26, '12, 10:15 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by curlycool89

That was my impression.

First thought was "why would you say something like that?", but he was CEO (right?) of Salt Lake in 2000. He probably had a moment where he slipped back into that role, looked at what had been done compared to what he dealt with and made a blunt assessment.

Was it appropriate? Diplomatically speaking it's a blunder because you don't air out other people's dirty laundry in public (the US media would freak out if PM Cameron or PM Harper did such a thing). Was it valid criticism? I haven't followed very closely what's going on, but it probably is (given his experience).

Just again, not the right medium to say it, especially when it such a non-factor like the Olympics (yes, everyone loves them, but they're really not anything to loose sleep over. I'm still trying to think of an even in the Summer Olympics I'm looking forward to watching, because I can't think of 1). There's really 3 outcomes to this:
- the Olympics are a success and everyone forgets what Romeny said (because who really cares)
- the Olympics are a success and this comes back to haunt him (not likely)
- the Olympics bomb (we all really hope not) and Romney comes out looking good

well, let's hope that two of your 3 scenarios are correct - the first and third!

7 Sorrows · #20 Jul 26, '12, 10:16 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by He Man

Good thing the British aren't voting in this election.

good point He Man!

_Abyssinia · #21 Jul 26, '12, 11:23 pm

If you read what Romney said it was not a gaffe. He organised the Salt lake city olympics and and what he said has been discussed in the media previously

Romney said, 'There are a few things that were disconcerting: the stories about the private security firm not having enough people, supposed strike of the immigration and customs officials, that obviously is not something which is encouraging'

New York Times made same points as has CNN

liturgyluver · #22 Jul 27, '12, 12:45 am

I don't think anyone in the UK (outside the media) remotely cares what he says or thinks. Unfortunately we are acustomed to silly Americans making stupid comments. It would be more newsworthy if someone were to say something profound or remotely sensible.....I won't hold my breath

**Dale_M** · #23 Jul 27, '12, 1:03 am

I can't say its not deserved, though.

_Abyssinia · #24 Jul 27, '12, 1:20 am

Salt Lake Mayor's Office Invites British PM To “Stop By Anytime”

Quote:

The Salt Lake City Mayor's office responded to a diss by British Prime Minister David Cameron, who snarked Wednesday that Utah's 2002 Winter Olympics took place in "the middle of nowhere," with the state's signature friendliness — and a bit of passive aggression

"While those of us who have had the fortune of visiting London know it is certainly a wonderful city, Prime Minister Cameron's comments likely reflect his lack of familiarity with Salt Lake City," Art Raymond, a spokesman for Mayor Ralph Becker, said in a statement sent to BuzzFeed

"We'd welcome the opportunity to share all that we enjoy here with the PM, including a great number of assets that you'd be hard-pressed to find in London-world-class outdoor recreation, an economy that has prospered even through the recent economic recession, one of the best-educated populations in the world and a rare sense of community and commitment to progressive evolution," the statement continued. "We also hosted the most successful Olympics Winter Games, ever"

Becker added: "He can stop by any time. We'd love to have him and are happy to send a map so he doesn't run into any trouble locating the middle of nowhere"

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mckaycoppins...-british-pm-to

**Dale_M** · #25 Jul 27, '12, 2:23 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Abyssinia

Salt Lake Mayor's Office Invites British PM To “Stop By Anytime”

Hmm.... I realize there is a desire by some in the media for a nice catfight, but I don't think PM Cameron's comment was meant as a slam against the city of Salt Lake City. Rather, it was an observation that a good many of the 2002 Winter Olympics didn't take place in a metropolitan area. Alpine skiing (and related events) needs mountains, cross country skiing (and related events) needs lots of countryside. Much of the 2002 Olympics did take place at facilities built in the wilderness.

The 2002 Winter Olympics is often called the Salt Lake City Olympics because Salt Lake City was the host city. Its where the opening and closing ceremonies took place. But a large portion of the games took place well outside of SLC.

Cameron was suggesting that organizing events in congested locations is more difficult than in locations which are more sparsely inhabited. It makes sense.

_Abyssinia · #26 Jul 27, '12, 3:42 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale_M

Hmm.... I realize there is a desire by some in the media for a nice catfight, but I don't think PM Cameron's comment was meant as a slam against the city of Salt Lake City. Rather, it was an observation that a good many of the 2002 Winter Olympics didn't take place in a metropolitan area. Alpine skiing (and related events) needs mountains, cross country skiing (and related events) needs lots of countryside. Much of the 2002 Olympics did take place at facilities built in the wilderness.

The 2002 Winter Olympics is often called the Salt Lake City Olympics because Salt Lake City was the host city. Its where the opening and closing ceremonies took place. But a large portion of the games took place well outside of SLC.

Cameron was suggesting that organizing events in congested locations is more difficult than in locations which are more sparsely inhabited. It makes sense.

2002 olympics took place soon after the 2001 attacks in New York city so the security concerns were enormous, their needed to be a higher level of security than for any previous Olympics. They had problems with too much snow so loads of snow had to be removed from various sites. It is perhaps more difficult to build in the wilderness than it is to be build in a city because of the materials that need to be brought to remote locations

**rlg94086** · #27 Jul 27, '12, 4:15 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by liturgyluver

I don't think anyone in the UK (outside the media) remotely cares what he says or thinks. Unfortunately we are acustomed to silly Americans making stupid comments. It would be more newsworthy if someone were to say something profound or remotely sensible.....I won't hold my breath

Wow...we love you too.

liturgyluver · #28 Jul 27, '12, 5:27 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlg94086

Wow...we love you too.

Just to clarify, I meant US politicians rather than American people in general.

scipio337 · #29 Jul 27, '12, 5:28 am

I'm sure you had the same righteous indignation when President Obama referred to the Faulklands as "the Maldives", which wasn't just a geographical gaffe. He meant to say "the Malvinas", which is the Spanish (or Argentinian) name (take that, you salty Brits!).

Quote:

'And in terms of the Maldives or the Falklands, whatever your preferred term, our position on this is that we are going to remain neutral. We have good relations with both Argentina and Great Britain.....

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...-Maldives.html

Or when President Obama gave PM Brown a gift of 25 DVDs (I'm guessing they were used) after Brown presented him with a much more meaningful gift: a penholder made from the timbers of a famous British warship (whose timbers have also served as a US Presidential desk).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resolute_desk

But hey, one can be more forgiving when dealing with the man widely agreed to be “the smartest guy ever to become president” (Michael Beschloss, presidential historian), but can't differentiate from "that" and "those" when admonishing people for what they didn't build.

"GWB, Romney, Reagan, and Palin are idiots.......yeaaaaaaargh!!!!".

I just wish Bobby Jindal would throw his hat in the ring so we could put this "Republicans are stooopid (and have cooties)!!" charge to rest.

**ProVobis** · #30 Jul 27, '12, 5:39 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by He Man

Good thing the British aren't voting in this election.

Like the Brits don't have family and friends in the U.S. not to mention some who have moved here?

As far as I'm concerned, he's still smarting from the 2002 speech they re-released. I guess it wouldn't have been as bad if he had said nothing about Obama's comments.

So you know, I plan on voting for neither one in November. The whole election process has become a joke.