Romney's staff plays April Fool's prank on the boss

AP Photo/Steven Senne

(CBS News) MILWAUKEE - Mitt Romney, who's known for his fondness for playing practical jokes, on Sunday found himself the victim of an April Fools' Day prank orchestrated by his staff - with help from Wisconsin lawmakers Sen. Ron Johnson and Rep. Paul Ryan.

Romney, who was scheduled to address a pancake brunch in Milwaukee, was warned by some of his advance staff that there had been a light turnout. The former Massachusetts governor waited behind a curtain - as he usually does - while Ryan began introducing him to a smattering of applause.

But when Ryan finally called out his name, Romney entered with Johnson to find the room completely vacant, save for a few staffers.

"There's nobody there!" Romney later recounted at the real pancake breakfast, where a crowd of several hundred gathered to hear him speak. He then quipped, "It's like, oh boy, this is going to look really bad on the evening news, let me tell you."

The staff said it would post the video online later Sunday.

[nomorelibs]

Sad, how even a little story like this can bring out the worst in some. Grow up!

[audemus]

He'd better get used to it....

[nancy_naive]

Prank? Presage.

[notyrants]

DJ332013 April 1, 2012 9:36 PM EDT
First off, there are no republicons. The Cons as you so love to address are ALL of the politicians INCLUDING the Democrats in DC
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Yeah, who isn't familiar with that tactic. Two kids, one gets caught stealing all the cookies and says to the parent, well Johnny had one too. There are cons and then there are republicans.

[themanfrombrum]

This is just foolish news

[wfw3536]

It is so nice to see a person like Mitt with such a good sense of humor and sad that it makes the poor liberals so angry-----------maybe the libs should lighten up.

[notyrants]

Libs? Geeze...it's really getting to be a joke. So which sports team are you rooting for. It would be something dismissible if only their presence in the halls of decision making didn't have such an impact on who gets a bailout and who gets the knife.

[ReduceGHGs]

And the republicons want to play a "fool's joke" on the American people! They want us to believe that Trickle Down economics is in our best interest.... That the wealthy and their corporate sponsors need MORE tax breaks... That we don't need Universal Health Care... That further deregulation of the economy will translate to long-term prosperity.... That fossil fuels can be burned without restraint and without consequences!
.
There's a lot of corporate money funding propaganda. I hope enough voters realize that the republicons are attempting another con job!

[smirk5]

I've got an idea Mr. Romney. We'll act like we're pulling a prank and then we can make it look like you're surprised and confused on video. This will make you look more human to independent voters. The corporate press will run with this because they'll believe anything.

[notyrants]

The corporate press will run with it because Romney bids for them.

[dzaffina]

robmey is a fool

[esq777]

The reason this joke worked is that it's entirely plausible that Willard "mitt" Romney would emerge to speak and find an empty room. As Bill Maher said, Willard Romney is the least interesting man in the world.

[Molly-Pchr]

Second to Maher.

[nancy_naive]

by Molly-Pchr April 1, 2012 9:06 PM EDT
Second to Maher.

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And yet, you will vote for him?