Boehner: I can't make you love Mitt Romney

(CBS News) When House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, endorsed Mitt Romney for president in April, he pledged to do "everything I can to help him win."

In his words, however, the one thing he can't do is make voters "fall in love" with the candidate.

Speaking last week at a fundraiser in Wheeling, W.Va., Boehner was surprisingly candid in his characterization of Romney's candidacy when asked, in a question-and-answer session: "Can you make me love Mitt Romney?"

"No," he answered, as first reported by Roll Call. "Listen, we're just politicians. I wasn't elected to play God. The American people probably aren't going to fall in love with Mitt Romney."

He added that the presumptive Republican nominee had "some friends, relatives, and fellow Mormons... some people that are going to vote for him," but suggested that at the end of the day, Republicans would be voting against President Obama rather than for Romney.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney speaks in Troy, Ohio, with Rep. Rob Portman (left) and Rep. John Boehner seen in rear, during a campaign event on June 17, 2012.

/ Joe Raedle/Getty Images

"I'll tell you this: 95 percent of the people that show up to vote in November are going to show up in that voting booth, and they are going to vote for or against Barack Obama," Boehner said. "This election is going to be a referendum on the president's failed economic policies. "

Calling Romney a "solid guy," Boehner went on to say that the former Massachusetts governor is "going to do a great job, even if you don't fall in love with him."

Asked about the comments on Saturday, Boehner spokesperson Cory Fritz pointed out that the Speaker had attended campaign events for Romney in Ohio that very morning. He also opened up a campaign office for Romney in Ohio on Saturday.

"Four years ago, President Obama was greeted as a celebrity, but that hasn't resulted in jobs and growth for families and small businesses," Fritz said in an e-mailed statement. "Americans are going to be voting this November based on who can get our economy moving, and Mitt Romney - with his experience as a private-sector job creator and a governor - is the best candidate to do just that."

Responding to the comment, Romney adviser Kevin Madden said Saturday that "John [Boehner]'s right in that speeches and lofty rhetoric haven't gotten the job done for the American people in the Obama era, and that Governor Romney's dedicated focus on the economy can and will put the country back on track."

"This is an election about fixing the American economy, putting Americans back to work and putting the country back on track towards a brighter future," he said. "It's an election about competence, particularly after three and a half years of incompetence and a total lack of leadership on the economy."

Jill Jackson and Caroline Horn contributed to this report.

[daffy64]

"No," he answered, as first reported by Roll Call. "Listen, we're just politicians. I wasn't elected to play God. The American people probably aren't going to fall in love with Mitt Romney."

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Sounds like he's taking a step away and getting ready to place the blame elsewhere.

[lg144]

Americans must view EVERYTHING republicans do by keeping in mind what their true ultimate goals are. Which are to eliminate all of the social safety nets, Most noticeably Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. They keep destroying the economy while blaming President Obama and the Democrats to win the White House and congress in 2012.

The history of their behavior proves they cannot be trusted to work to benefit ordinary Americans. It also proves they place political power over the well being of Americans and the country. Their behavior proves they have more allegiance to Grover Norquist and their party over our constitution and country.

Any party that does that cannot be rewarded for doing so.Therefore, they are undeserving of votes and support from ordinary/struggling Americans.

[nancy_naive]

Is it too much to ask that my President not be invested in foreign lands?

In case you stupid "Birthers" forgot, the intention behind the "natual-born citizen" condition on the Presidency was an attempt to ensure that the President's allegiance was to the country and not foreign princes and interests.

Let Romney count his Swiss Francs; Obama can count on my vote.

[turnerm4122]

In response to:

by TaxJoke July 9, 2012 1:06 PM EDT
Is it too much to ask that my President not be a Communist?


What do you think religion is? What do you think family is?
What do you think a corporation is? What do you think a country is?

Expense of the individual for the good of the group.

So, you crucify the guy who practices religion, instead of just preaching it, and you worship the guy who preaches it but doesn't actually practice it?

Please explain what I am missing.

This is why conservatives hate Obama; he is doing everything they do, but he is trying to benefit everyone instead of just "one of our own"

[raymailhot]

What's love got to do with it?

We want a president, not another celebrity/cult figure.

America needs someone they can respect and trust, we do not have it now!

[retmw2]

You don't want a cult figure, then that means romney is out since he belongs to a cult.

[ugacrew]

...Sorry, I hit send too fast.

Now, for the dance, softly ball both hands into a fist. Raise both elbows out directly across your chest and place both fists to your eyes. Now, ball like a baby while softly wiggling your fanny left to right.

[ugacrew]

AND the No. 1 hit is "I Can't Make You Love Mitt Romney!" - by the House Weeper John Boehner. It goes something like this:

I can't make you love Mitt Romney,
No matter how hard I try.

I can't make you love Mitt Romney,
No matter how hard I cry.

Though I may weep until
I can't sleep,

I can't make you love Mitt Romney,
He's not that great of a guy!

[gatbooty]

I get this feeling there isn't going to be an election.
The MSM is the front line for lieing to us about soo many things, we are a dieing Imperialist Empire & the rest of the world knows it except the Americans, all third world nations told all their banks NOT to sell any gold, just keep buying it...The are leaving the dollar, Hillary is out there threatening China & Russia ??? Well, we can't & have not won Iraq, Afghanistan, so we are going to fight Iran Russia & China ??? This is why both in our economy, & foreign affairs, Obama will declare Martial Law, no election & a devaluation of our $ by 30-40%.....!

[Molly-Pchr]

"You made me love you, I didn't wanna do it, I didn't wanna do it."

[Jaylah54200]

Crybaby Boehner can't even get his own party in the House to come to a consensus on things. How could we possibly expect him to do such a herculean task as making us love Mittens Romney?

And I'm still laughing myself silly over this ringing endorsement of his own party's candidate.

"Yeah, admittedly he's a zero, but he's all we've got to keep pushing with our pledge to make Obama a one-term-president. I don't like him either, but please join with me in voting against Obama."

[mkbljp]

Mr. Boehner. I don't need to fall in love with Romney. I don't even care if I like him personally; I need to like what he will do to correct our country. (and yes I cannot agree with all of his politics - there is no one that can and should not expect to agree 100% of the time) .

I care about his plans to give our economy a charge - no a real kick in the backside; to repeal unnecessary and frightening laws/orders like EO 13575, obamadeath care; and treaties barry is currently signing with the UN that eradicates our second amendment rights; to take a look at the coal industry and the Keystone pipe line and to ensure the sanctity of our Constitution, that is what I care about. No Mr. Boehner I don't have to be in love with Mr. Romney.