UPDATE: Sununu appears to be off the hook for this one. The Telegraph reporter says that he talked to “a member of the foreign policy advisory team.”
Romney surrogate John Sununu found himself in a lot of hot water last week after some particularly ill-advised remarks on a conference call. He thought President Obama should “learn how to be an American,” in a pretty obvious pander to birthers and other fringe characters in his party. He later offered a half-hearted apology.
Now, Romney advisors are at it again, this time anonymously. Check this out, from the Daily Telegraph:
In remarks that may prompt accusations of racial insensitivity, one [Romney adviser] suggested that Mr Romney was better placed to understand the depth of ties between the two countries than Mr Obama, whose father was from Africa.
“We are part of an Anglo-Saxon heritage, and he feels that the special relationship is special,” the adviser said of Mr Romney, adding: “The White House didn’t fully appreciate the shared history we have”.
Wow. I mean, just wow. And, hilariously, the Telegraph reports that the unnamed advisers
spoke on the condition of anonymity because Mr Romney’s campaign requested that they not criticise the President to foreign media.
So … is John Sununu still on his “Obama is not a real American” kick? Or is this some other Romney tool? And will Romney be cleaning house any time soon, since whoever spoke to the Telegraph has supposedly violated a campaign rule?
danfromwaltham says
Let me count the ways. Mitt saying “Obamacare” at the NAACP was considered racist. Supporting voter ID is racist (sorry johnd). Mitt using the word “foreign” when describing Obama’s ideas is a dog whistle, according to MSNBC. Now Sununu is a closet bigot and the unknown advisors to Romney are racists/fringe/birther people.
I know Obama blew over $100 million in negative ads and it failed. But don’t resort to Al Sharpton tactics and seeing a boogie man whenever one criticizes Obama. Overly sensitive people are no fun to hang out with, that is why MSNBC and Air America have no audience.
David says
Just checking.
danfromwaltham says
Why pay attention to unnamed advisors? Glenn Beck would do that shtick on his TV show.
Would it not be best to focus on what the candidates say and their records, rather than this? I am glad Mitt didn’t say such a stupid thing. On foreign policy, I actually prefer Ron Paul.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57479578-503544/romney-camp-denies-anglo-saxon-heritage-comment/
David says
The Telegraph is standing by its reporting. Furthermore, Romney’s campaign won’t say what, exactly, isn’t “true.”
Another embarrassment for Team Romney.
David says
that the comment is real. Reporters don’t just make up things like that.
Which brings us back to you: do you think the comment was fair game? Or should Romney fire whoever made it from his foreign policy team? Or is there some other option?
danfromwaltham says
Desperate times call for desperate measures. Latest polls have Mitt up 3 pts in Rasmussen and up 1 pt in Gallup tracking polls. Latest Michigan poll has Mitt up 1 pt. it will only get worse as Obama’s poll numbers get worse. In the end, I hope the loser will concede gracefully.
HR's Kevin says
According to your logic it doesn’t matter what bone headed thing the Romney campaign does, all you need to do is project poll movement forward without any real understanding of what the polls are actually measuring or what is causing the observed movement. Try doing that with the stock market and you are sure to lose lots of money.
Polls not withstanding it is pretty clear that Romney has absolutely nothing to offer over Obama on the foreign policy front.
danfromwaltham says
Nor give a DVD set that won’t work in Europe.
I think we are all tired of the knee-jerk reactions from the left calling everything a dog whistle or questioning ones true feelings ie. Sununu a closet bigot, etc. Only cowards use these tactics and it won’t work with high unemployment and many fearful of losing their jobs because D.C. is clueless.
whosmindingdemint says
…
David says
The best polling analysis in the country is at 538 from Nate Silver. He consistently shows Obama ahead both nationally and in the electoral college. The most recent Michigan poll showed Obama up by double digits – not sure I actually think that’s totally accurate, but Romney sure as hell is not ahead in Michigan.
Please supply links when you cite numbers. Next time you don’t, I’ll simply delete the comment.
danfromwaltham says
Below is a Michigan poll by a firm who knows Michigan politics, very accurate, unlike Public Policy. Don’t hit the panic button just yet, although Rasmussen has Romney +4 in today’s tracking poll. I bet Obama cuts a deal, dumps Biden, Hillary named VP and in two years, if re-elected, steps down and lets Hillary run as the sitting POTUS in 2016. That’s the only way she saves him.
David, you should know by now I don’t make things up.
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/docs/2012/Mitchell_MI_Pres_7-24-12.pdf
whosmindingdemint says
in a quiet room.
johnk says
this scene has a familiar ring …..
mike_cote says
He is an “In your face” bigot. Please let us never forget that one of Sununu’s chief aides from NH had to resign over using the State Department to investigate Bill Clinton’s Mom and Ross Perot back in 1992.
A blast from the past.
http://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/11/us/passport-search-brings-dismissal.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm