Commentary: if Mitt Romney doesn’t like us, we shouldn’t care

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Wanna-be statesman Mitt stepped in it.

Commentary: if Mitt Romney doesn’t like us, we shouldn’t care

Mitt Romney is perhaps the only politician who could start a trip that was supposed to be a charm offensive by being utterly devoid of charm and mildly offensive.

His derisory comments questioning Britain’s preparedness for the Olympics in an interview with NBC were a strange way to build bridges with a country that he says should be restored as the umbilical ally of the United States, and a strange way to demonstrate the persuasive qualities needed as leader of the free world.

Mr Romney is the scion of Liverpudlians who sought and found fortune and the freedom to practice the Mormon faith (eventually) across the pond. His wife Ann has Welsh pedigree.

The Republican candidate supposedly values these connections so highly that foreign policy advisors told the Daily Telegraph that a Romney presidency would restore the “Anglo-Saxon” dimension of the transatlantic alliance.

But his comments to NBC, particularly his doubts about Britons’ ability to celebrate the games, showed how poorly he understands the land of his forefathers.

If he possessed a smidgeon of insight into the British psyche he would have known that despite all the pre-match whingeing and the carping, that on the night we will celebrate the games with all the gusto and fervour they deserve. We moan, and then we smile; that is just our way.

And to even a casual student of British public life, it was obvious both that immigration officers would call off their strike at the eleventh hour and that thousands of part-time labourers wouldn’t be bothered to show up to work for G4S, the security firm.

I have listened to Mitt Romney's stump speech countless times. A standard refrain is to run down Europe – not a hard case to make at the moment – and that includes us.

Not once have I heard him praise Britain or extol the special relationship he now belatedly trumpets. He even reprised his dislike of the NHS shortly before leaving for these shores of benighted, yellow-toothed natives who spend half their lives waiting in hospital, having tried as governor of Massachusetts to ensure that everyone in his state, as in Britain, had access to health care.

His current pledge to “revive” ties between the US and Britain sounds suspiciously like a talking point drummed up in a policy meeting and designed to differentiate himself from President Barack Obama for domestic purposes.

Yet there isn’t much currently wrong with the transatlantic alliance, as last summer’s exultant state visit by Obama showed.

It is true the president is less enamoured of traditional allies than his predecessors, but that reflects as much his exotic background and upbringing than his country’s changing interests. There have been plenty of bumps and kinks in relations before.

Romney is a pragmatist and a businessman above all else. As president he would put American interests first, as has the man he is trying to beat in November. Britain might not feel so special then.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Wanna-be statesman Mitt stepped in it.

Sounds like some Brits are suffering from butthurt.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Sounds like some Brits are suffering from butthurt.

London riots anyone?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Who fcuked with my thread title?

[^_^ 5,021]

Who fcuked with my thread title?

it was modified by site admin to bring it into compliance with site TOS.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

it was modified by site admin to bring it into compliance with site TOS.

Good Lord. PC gone wild here?

[^_^ 5,021]

Good Lord. PC gone wild here?

only if someone reports.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

only if someone reports.

Probably one of the Romney minions being upset that their guy royally fcuked up his debut on the international stage. Oh well having the thread title changed doesn't change the fact that Mitt fcuked up.

[^_^ 5,021]

Probably one of the Romney minions being upset that their guy royally fcuked up his debut on the international stage. Oh well having the thread title changed doesn't change the fact that Mitt fcuked up.

Did he? Going to Europe and coming home claiming they hate you because of your liberty sounds like just what he needs to shore up his teafreak base.

Probably one of the Romney minions being upset that their guy royally fcuked up his debut on the international stage. Oh well having the thread title changed doesn't change the fact that Mitt fcuked up.

Also: one VJ moderator is actually attending Huckabee's Chick-Fil-A appreciation day so yeah.. the RWN runs strong in this mofo.

[SMOKE 1,426]

Probably one of the Romney minions being upset that their guy royally fcuked up his debut on the international stage. Oh well having the thread title changed doesn't change the fact that Mitt fcuked up.

like anyone cares what the brits think.

what was the title before it was edited?

Also: one VJ moderator is actually attending Huckabee's Chick-Fil-A appreciation day so yeah.. the RWN runs strong in this mofo.

i'll be there. went today to show my support too.

[^_^ 5,021]

i'll be there. went today to show my support too.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Also: one VJ moderator is actually attending Huckabee's Chick-Fil-A appreciation day so yeah.. the RWN runs strong in this mofo.

!!!!!!!

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Also: one VJ moderator is actually attending Huckabee's Chick-Fil-A appreciation day so yeah.. the RWN runs strong in this mofo.

Oh god... really?!

[^_^ 5,021]

Oh god... really?!

Yes. She posted about her plans yesterday.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

like anyone cares what the brits think.

I sure don't. But Mitt went there to show that he is a statesman and he ended up offending the very key ally that he supposedly understands so much better than the Kenyan.

what was the title before it was edited?

Ask the mods to re-instate it.