It’s a presidential campaign tradition that, while not broken on Thursday night, was surely bent a little.
Did President Obama get punked by Mitt Romney? On a night when they were supposed to share a stage free of hard politics the GOP nominee didn’t quite let up [See video clips below].
For major-party nominees it is a command performance to show up at the Alfred E. Smith dinner, a Catholic charities fundraiser in New York meant to serve as a break from heavy politics and a chance to make a little fun of themselves and poke a lighthearted jab or two at the other guy.
For the record, Mitt Romney only stepped halfway out of campaign attack mode, clearly not willing to give Obama this traditional night off. While managing a touch of the obligatory self-deprecation, the GOP nominee directed about twice as many barbs at Obama as at himself, some of them unusually pointed and policy-oriented for this event. The President’s ratio was just the opposite, more in keeping with the historical norm for this dinner.
Join Trail Mix Live Debate Chat Monday Night
President Obama played by the rules of this dinner, but Romney kept his eye on the prize.
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
93 Responses to A Night of Cease-Fire? Not for Mitt
Now on The Trail
Woo Hoo..
I thought all of it was very funny, And reviewing the National Liberal MSM -- they also see it as balanced.
Punked? Now that is absolutely something Obama and his team know how to do day in and day out.
Maybe Romney did one up the President -- and maybe this is another strong surprise in favor again for Romney. He is much more then you give him credit!
BREAKING NEWS FRONT PAGE OF THE NY TIMES ON LINE !! ROMNEY ENDORSED !!
ROMNEY Endorsed by Craig Crawford’s former employer!
NY Times link
http://tinyurl.com/8fs9xst
Full Article
http://tinyurl.com/9jvjvdr
WOW I never expected this to happen. However I am seeing rational people taking time to stop and think and go beyond the drama of this campaign. What is best for our Country? How will they really vote in private? Why would the NYTimes run such a piece if they also did not see some creditable points.
This is the answer.
craig, a hint to what bishop romney will do if he ever gets control of the country. day one he will issue executive orders declaring national emergency and suspending rights for all but his fellow saints.
I don’t know Craig. Sure you didn’t have too much whine last night?
Romney, a self-serving opportunist?! Ya don’t say…
A newspaper endorsed a politician? That’s one hot scoop you got there, Ping.
I hope they wear those white bow-ties to the debate on Monday, to show how much they understand ordinary Americans.
…looks like a friggin’ Vampire Convention.
Ok, good day.
Romney is losing in all the swing states, which means he’s going to get even more frantic, and more dirty.
I think he’s going to try to inject some subtle “birther” crap into Monday’s foreign policy debate.
He’ll talk about “Kenyan anti-colonialism” or some of Newt’s other delusional themes.
Nash,
No, he’ll talk about his Anglo-Saxon heritage.
Rmoney…I did receive 3 polling calls last night…you are toast in NM. Our hypocritical, tea bagging governess may still stump for you out-of-state, but she has kicked you out of NM. Rmoney is losing by double digits here. Heather Wilson has tanked…her unfavorable is at 55%.
Two of the calls asked my race…and used ‘Anglo’ for white…I assumed they were in-state calls. I took a live more extensive call from a human…must have been national — he used ‘white.’
Rmoney always taking advantage…he would be a disaster on the world stage.
“ROMNEY Endorsed by Craig Crawford’s former employer!”
Best watch out Ping, before too long you won’t have the ‘liberal press’ to kick around any more.
from the way he ran roughshod over the debate moderators, rudely ignored the agreed to time rules and told lie after lie even twisting his own previous stances, the right reverend romney acts as tho’ rules only apply to the other guy.
BW,
I answered a lengthy survey the night before last.
Indicative I think of how close the race for US senate is here in AZ. It was no doubt commissioned by Jeff Flake or some Flake leaning organization.
Needless to say I gave them an ear full, especially about all the Club for Growth attack ads running in AZ.
I don’t think they got the answers they were looking for. It was fun.
Romney just proved once more that he is a rude arrogant asshole who thinks the rules don’t apply to him.
with the news out of cuba of eased exit travel and fidel’s massive stroke (see political wire or el nueva herald), cuba will be topic one at monday’s debate.
natural lead-in for pandering to goper’s cuban voter base and for discussing immigration issues, legal and illegal.
Hey Jace…
you forgot what the boy scouts manual and the hitchiker’s guide to the gallaxy tell ya… don’t panic.
If you really want to know the scoop… go to the place that all the Las Vegas gamblers go to… intrade.
here it is…. intrade predictions…
RR,
It is not panic. Obama bled for 10 days after the first debate, understandably so.
The second debate drubbing he gave Mitt should have some effect, but before that can be measured or solidify the last debate will take place.
Obama needs to bring his A game Monday and put this thing away once and for all.
Spoiler alert, he got Osama.
Jace…I am registered independent, but in NM, they call us ‘other.’ I loved the live call. When he asked if I am leaning repug or dem, I let him know and let him know ‘why’! I am the demo the pugs think are moving toward them..white, over 55+, independent who votes. In all my years, Rmoney is the worst candidate.
He is a vindictive prick. I believe he is more dangerous than the last Bush.
Must run…getting my auto oil changed. Hey, PP, I am getting my oil changed for $7.77. Wow…I haven’t paid that little for an oil change for about thirty years! Yep, we really are getting cheaper oil prices under Obama!
“However I am seeing rational people taking time to stop and think and go beyond the drama of this campaign.”
Only a whore for the Repugs would write something like this and consider it to be an analysis.
BW,
I am registered as Independent as well, white and 57 years old. I guess they thought that made me a republican.
They asked me about repealing Obama care, I told them that Flake and his ilk wanted to repeal and replace with a ‘clean sheet of paper,’ and that a blank sheet of paper was not my idea of a very well thought out program.
interesting stuff from yahoo news yesterday on bishop romneys bils:
Ping
You really need to work on reading comprehension. Of course the New York Times would publish the news of the Orlando Sentinel on their Political Opinion page. They also included the pertinent information from the endorsement:
In other words,not exactly “ringing” in a battleground state.
Not sure why I love the abuse?
such an interesting sociological positive group here.
Fact Check -- Romney is not losing in all of the swing states. But does that really matter as we see the polls by a large part miss the outcomes.
And the fact is Obama over spoke at the last debate if you are watching the clock. Also Candy interpreted Romney by a large factor then Obama.
Here is wishing you all a great day
Jamie,
Romney damned by faint praise.
Ping
Thanks for the clarification, I guess I watched the wrong debate.
gee… the hometown paper of Disney,Inc. is leaning toward the CEO…
gosh darn… who’d a thunk it…
have a great day too Ping…
I think that Mitt used his final remarks last night to settle once for all his position on women’s reproductive rights.He can’t walk it back even if he wanted to.
Women everywhere should take note, and be afraid very afraid.
Rmoney always a cheat
If Rmoney gets elected -- Ping will disappear for four years of course so will the rest of us — there probably will be a complete collapse of the country within the first year
from taegan’s political wire
Republican — look it up in the dictionary and it says
cheats to win
And Barbara Comstock --makes me throw up
George McGovern apparently is dying and on Link they are doing the story of the ’72 campaign. I worked in Ohio that summer for the McGovern Campaign and seeing this reminds me of why we didn’t win because people like Gloria Steinhem who still blamed the McCarthy people for god knows what — worse buttens that said
the McGovern the real Gene McCarthy
It more important to get everyone to say — Bobby was better then to actually win
Abortion, amnesty and legalize pot
still asking for the same things
The rewrite from The Last Word is up on Raw Story where O’Donnell bitch slapped both Bishop Romney and his son Tagg.
The video is at the bottom of the story.
Have a great day.
ping -- I do enjoy your posts. I disagree with most of them, but I really do enjoy reading your perspective on things.
I knew I saw Tagg Romney somewhere before.
Picture of Tagg Romney and Two Of His Brothers.
Have a great day.
He was originally known as Blackheart.
Have a great day.
“This individual was an employee of the first firm the Republican Party of Virginia hired to do voter registration before they fired that firm amidst allegations of fraud in other states. Virginians deserve answers as to how this person was still working for Republican campaigns here…he was caught throwing out voter registration forms…”
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57535950/man-arrested-for-tossing-voter-registration-forms/
They offer deep-fried-everything at the Texas State Fair, but I never thought Big Tex would be one of them. RIP
“Only the skeletal structure was left of the iconic statue that had greeted fairgoers for 60 years.”
http://www.dallasnews.com/entertainment/state-fair-of-texas/headlines/20121019-state-fair-of-texas-icon-big-tex-goes-up-in-flames.ece?ssimg=753804
Ping, wouldn’t get too excited about Orlando Sentinel endorsement. They’ve backed 4 out of last 5 GOP presidential candidates. That’s how Tribune company rolls. Ha, I remember the time our editorial board voted to endorse Clinton and Chicago wouldn’t let them.
Another Bishop Romney family photo.
Have a great day.
here’s my choice for today’s CSM cartoon….
Blue… I agree about Ping. I don’t agree with him on anything either…. but anyone who’s a friend of Craig’s can’t be that bad…
AnonP…. ROFL!
Frankly Tom I would prefer that you don’t call my friend a whore of any sort.
“After running on an anti-immigrant platform all year, he is now trying to mislead the Latino community without details on a real solutions,”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/18/immigration-romney-television-ad_n_1981091.html?utm_hp_ref=elections-2012
“Mitt Romney…released a new Spanish-language television ad that promised to solve various immigration problems, including the need for a “permanent solution” for young undocumented immigrants.”
Um, “permanent solution,” sounds really ominous coming from Mitt-The-Anglo.
http://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/Politics/fact-check-romney-immigration-ad/story?id=17516981
If Bishop Romney wins than we will once again see cyanide showers with attached crematoriums fulfilling Bishop Romney’s promise for a “permanent solution”.
Have a great day.
No President can control the price of gas. Neither a Democratic or Republican President.
The price of gas is based on many factors. A couple of those are:
1. Oil is sold on the open market and is a globally commodity.
2. Bishop Romney’s Hedge Fund millionaire friends speculate and drive the cost of oil up by as much as $30 Dollars a Barrel.
3. When the big oil companies bought up the smaller independent companies they closed the refineries of those company’s which created a smaller amount of refineries to process the oil and convert it to gasoline.
4. With the oil companies not maintaining those refineries there have been numerous explosions killing workers and causing the shutdowns of them until they can clean them up to re-open for refining the oil to gasoline again. Sometimes or should I say most times causing a shortage and therefore higher prices.
Ping knows this so when he blames the President for the cost of gas he is lying. Just like his parties nominee Bishop Romney.
Have a great day.
anon, now that’s when you lose people, with comments like that. not just over the top, but over the sun, moon and sky
I, for one, would prefer that we not go back to what this place became 4 yrs ago. So far, we’ve done a decent job, IMO. I have no problem with bashing politicians of either aisle… nor with the universal Democrats or Republicans. But I do try hard not to bash any fellow blogger.
back to work…
what RR said
Early Voting Machine shut down…I voted early and there were two automated machines at the county. On the 20th, early voting starts everywhere in Dona Ana county. I can only hope my vote is safe.
I’m sorry Craig, but how would you suggest that a lie should be handled?
I like Ping, but when he tells a factual untruth should I just ignore it and pretend its true?
It seems that all the Republicans do is tell lies and no one wants to call them out on it.
I guess I’ll just go away for a few days as I bit my tongue over his denigrating Candy Crowley after the last debate.
Impugning her like he did was just as offensive to me as Bishop Romney’s offensive remark to the President when he used the lives of our Ambassador and the other three Americans for political points.
Have a great day.
Oh one more thing before I go.
When someone calls bs on bs there’s no difference, just maybe a little more tactful, but no different.
Have a great day.
And of course, Rmoney and family are fair game…they would never post here.
It surely reeks of conspiracy when California gas stations can’t get delivery of gasoline, and the broken-down refineries are blamed. In Ohio it just dropped to 3.53 per gallon, while motorists in California are forced to pay between $4.31 and $6.09 per gallon, all depending on where you are. It makes one wonder if some of these breakdowns aren’t really just sabotage .
The farm situation is just wacky…corn production this year was curtailed deeply by the 2012 drought, so corn prices quadruple. Corn is used in damn-nearly everything, so we pay dearly, and the poor old dirt farmer that the late Levon Helm sang about is now a millionaire, driving around in a new Silverado truck, scouting more land to buy.
On the election, Bernard McGuirk today predicted an Obama loss in the popular vote, and an Obama victory in the electoral college. This is fine with me; I hope he’s correct.
anon, i was referring to the comment i linked. i’ve never seen nazi references strengthen an argument. if anything they diminish the full horror.
After watching both videos, I would say Rmoney is a “pit bull with lipstick” (he has been wearing a lot of make-up) and if Obama would show-up with a bow-tie at the next debate…just would cause him some problems!
“True The Vote” that supposedly non-partisan group to protect polls from voter fraud has the same address as Sproul’s Strategic Allied Consulting and American Crossroads.
But of course there is no collusion or voter suppression going on … of course not (Do I get the Bridge now? I like the bridge, it’s pretty with all the fairy dust, confetti and sparkly tinsel).
descendants of victims of genocides or systematized acts of government initiated horror should _never_ let anyone trivialize the acts sponsored by the specific governments that committed them.
That’s why I will never give the Japanese a break on their continuing campaign to rewrite the history of their annexation of Korea, and the kidnapping of girls such as Kumcho’s sister who was never seen again but who we believe was used as a sexual object by Japanese soldiers as part of their comfort away from home program.
The Chinese and Filipinos have their own well documented horrific histories.
http://craigcrawford.com/2012/10/19/a-night-of-cease-fire-not-for-mitt/#comment-301761
Not to diminish what they did is not my intention.
That’s not all that they did as new evidence is coming forward about psychiatrist who helped them with the sick,elderly and mentally disabled.
Just like the psychiatrist who helped the Bush\Cheney War Crime Family did with torture victims whom have never been held too account for their War Crimes by the Medical Community.
Nazi Persecution Of Disabled Patients Under Probe In Austria.
The Republican policies are no different from the Nazi’s policies.
Have a great day.
“Romnesia”
Anon, assemble a packet about the shrink and send it to the war crimes people at the Hague. The medical community can kick him out of his credentialed specialty or the AMA, but what else?
BW, yours @ 1321
When I had doubts about my ballot, I called the supervisor of elections. Had the answer as soon as she got to a terminal.
For the first time, I’m seeing Romney ads on MSNBC in SC. The only poll I’ve seen had him even w/Obama.
Obama will be in top form Monday. Romney is losing, so he MUST win the 3rd debate. When it’s obvious he’s not winning he will just FREAK OUT.
You can tell Romney is wrapped a bit too tightly; he used to dress up as a state trooper to scare fellow preppies.
I’ve seen what happens to these icy-calm neurotic alpha male types when a big deal goes sour. They’ll have to throw a net over him and zap him with a tranquilizer dart.
From the “people who know you best” column of politics and just to get Ping’s goat. The Orlando Sentinel may have endorsed Romney, but the Salt Lake Tribune endorsed Obama
Are these things available as sets at Costco?
Flatus…
I heard one could find them right next to the bocce balls.
Jamie… are you kidding… the newspaper from Mormonland is endorsing Obama… that is too funny!
Boy, Jamie, that Salt Lake Tribune endorsement of President Obama, while supportive of the president because of his accomplishments, rejected Romney out of hand. Wow!
The people who know him best…and what about Wisconsin…I just saw Jaime’s earlier post….Boy Howdy ain’t that the truth
http://craigcrawford.com/2012/10/19/a-night-of-cease-fire-not-for-mitt/#comment-301767
Flatus see link below and read how its been white washed by the APA.
The most interesting thing on Monday will be the moderator; will they allow Romney to bully them, or will they “fact check” the lyin’ creep?
I just checked and Bob Schieffer will be the moderator.
I don’t think he’ll let Romney bully him.
He probably won’t “fact check” but he will cut Romney off if he starts breaking the rules, which Romney WILL do, because he still has to prove to the base how “tough” he is.
And Romney does get angry when he can’t control things.
I had the pleasure of attending a rally for George McGovern in 1972. It was on the steps of the Pioneer Courthouse in Portland. Unlike most politicians, he spoke quietly. You could hear a pin drop as the crowd listened…
Bob Schieffer’s working notes as he drafts questions for Presidential Debate #3…
“Governor Romney, what kind of underwear do you prefer?”
“President Obama, if you and the governor got into a fist fight, what exactly are your Secret Service bodyguards supposed to do?
“Governor Romney, I know that, these days, you are not allowed to, but have you ever WANTED multiple wives?
“President Obama, if you could be any kind of animal, what would it be?
“Governor Romney, if you could be any kind of fungus, what would it be?
“President Obama, did O.J. do it?
Affront Burnett must be trying for a job in Rmoney wwhitehouse
Who is she sleeping with and how often and does she do the same things the Duchess if Windsor is alleged to have done..otherwise how she keeps this job is an amazement to me
I forgot, the subject of Monday’s debate is supposed to be foreign policy…
Bob Schieffer’s REVISED working notes as he drafts questions for Presidential Debate #3…
“President Obama, how can we have peace in the Middle East? You have 30 seconds.”
“Governor Romney, name three countries that begin with the letter Z. You have 30 seconds.“
“President Obama, if Russia wanted to buy back Alaska, what would be a fair price?”
“Governor Romney, how much would we have to pay Mexico to take Texas back?”
“President Obama, if the USA and Kenya were at war with each other, whose side would you be on?
“Governor Romney, if the USA and China totally destroyed each other in a nuclear war, would that result in a net gain or loss in your global investment portfolio?”
Zaire, Zimbabwe, and Zambia … pass it on
Here, pong, try this story from Goddard on.
The Salt Lake Tribune endorses President Obama over Mitt Romney, the candidate “we knew, or thought we knew, as one of us.”
“Sadly, it is not the only Romney, as his campaign for the White House has made abundantly clear, first in his servile courtship of the tea party in order to win the nomination, and now as the party’s shape-shifting nominee. From his embrace of the party’s radical right wing, to subsequent portrayals of himself as a moderate champion of the middle class, Romney has raised the most frequently asked question of the campaign: ‘Who is this guy, really, and what in the world does he truly believe?’”
That’s the libbrull Utah Stream Media for yuh.
Boy that liberal Mormon press they will stop at nothing to support their guy.
I hope somebody reminds Obama that he is supposed to have the upper hand in foreign policy.
Before Monday night.
Mitt’s idea of foreign policy is a complete review of banking regulations in Switzerland and the Cayman Islands.
If the putin wants to buy Alaska, he has to agree to take the extended palin family, too.
Absolutely no returns !
Romnesia is what I plead every time I tell Cheryl I’m going to do one thing and then do something else.
It has never polled well with her.
Mexico had better take Texas back without a fight, or we’ll force Arizona on them too.
I love the thought of jan brewer and Sheriff arpaio surrounded by a couple hundred miles of Mexico in every direction. How thrilling !
Well, I’m getting to know my new computer and it’s been a rough two weeks. I took my old one to my computer guru and asked to have the old one transferred to new one, forgetting that he doesn’t know people like me exist. He organized it for me and I can’t find a lot of stuff. I don’t care about documents and things like that -- I email and send
blistering comments to cnn -- that’s me, acomputer peasant.
Anyway, has anyone seen Ed Schulz from Freeport, IL,
about the Sensata plant? It should be a media sensation because it’s so real and I hope he keepss it up all next week.
Craig, Iwas so glad to see your post because I was grossed out by mitt’s comments. I haven’t heard anyone else remark on it. He’s as sleazy as his hair is greasy.
I’m still convinced mitty is going to win because I don’t think the big shots will take a loss…something will be done. I was getting so upset that I had to confront myself. The most I can hope for is a decent congress.
This computer is very very slow with the arrows, and at times they do not move so I have to move the curser with the mouse. Aaaaaaccccckkkkk!
Bethy
Have you been imbibing?
bethyboo…
I was hoping that President Obama would have brought Sensata up when Bishop Romney said he would be tough on China but he didn’t.
Maybe in Mondays debate when China comes up he will throw Sensata in Bishop Romney’s face.
Have a great evening.
Flatus, I’m shocked you would ask such a thing! Actually, not yet but it’s a good idea! If my post seemed strange, it’s probably because I am truly
discombulated with the election and this computer -
pop up cone on if I so much as pick up the mouse!
AP, Here’s hoping.
Bethy, if it’s any consolation, I have the same problem with my mini-laptop. It makes me crazy. There is a sensitivity adjustment for the mouse in the control panel that you can try to see if that will give you some relief. Also, you might try putting the offensive rodent on a pad of paper, or a similar cushioned surfaced that will still allow it to gain traction when needed. Let me know if any of this helps and if it does, I’ll try it on mine.
FLATUS, I hope you have time to read this and post an opinion to this gentleman’s viewpoint.
My friend Bill has a winery in Napa , in California. He’s 86 now, and a World War II veteran. He was in the army at the end of the war, when he was just 19. He has a dim view of the USA’s efforts in Afghanistan, and he edited this story for his friend, also named Bill. This link takes you to HuffPo.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/william-astore/debates-afghanistan-war_b_1988542.html
http://www.change.org/petitions/attorney-general-eric-holder-investigate-tagg-romney-owning-voting-machines-in-ohio
Is this true??? Does Tagg Romney own voting machines in Ohio? If so, it confirms more of my worst fears about Republicans!
http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/19137
An article about Tagg Romney’s possible involvement with voting machine ownership in Ohio.
NEW THREAD