Mitt Romney screwed up in London. So what?

Telegraph

(CBS News) It was supposed to be an easy couple days for Mitt Romney: Show up in London, meet with officials, smile for the cameras and take in a bit of the Olympic Games. The visit was an easy way for Romney to burnish his thin foreign policy credentials while reminding Americans of his successful stewardship of the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.

Then came the gaffes. Romney told NBC News that there were "disconcerting" signs in the runup to the Olympics, prompting London Mayor Boris Johnson and British Prime Minister David Cameron to take what were widely seen as shots at him. In a comment the Romney campaign denied, an advisor was quoted as saying President Obama doesn't understand America and Europe's shared "Anglo-Saxon heritage," prompting charges of racial insensitivity. Romney himself referenced Mr. Obama's decision to remove the bust of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill from the Oval Office, seemingly violating his vow not to criticize the president while abroad. He seemed to forget Labour party leader Ed Miliband's name. Romney even revealed what was supposed to be a secret meeting with Britain's MI6 intelligence agency.

The comment about the Olympics generated by far the most negative attention - despite the fact that what Romney said squared with concerns expressed in a variety of media in the runup to the Games. British newspapers blasted Romney with headlines like, "If Mitt Romney doesn't like us, we shouldn't care." At home, Republican strategist Karl Rove said "you have to shake your head" at Romney's behavior. 

"I bet there is lots of stories he could be talking about what a wonderful experience that was and how uplifting and inspiring it was," Rove said. "Instead he got stuck making...comments the Brits took as insult, and walked it back pretty quickly and walked it back adroitly but nonetheless the damage was done."

It's obvious why both countries' media jumped on the gaffes: They offered an easy-to-digest politics story with an Olympics angle that allowed the British media to attack a Republican politician that they are predisposed to dislike and gave the American media a politics story during a relatively slow period.

In the long run, however, the negative coverage isn't going to take a toll on the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, according to Nathan Gonzales, Deputy Editor of the Rothenberg Political Report.

"I don't think it's going to change the trajectory of the race," he said. "There probably aren't a lot of things that matter less than a few headlines in London papers. We're in a period of time where not much is going to change until we get to the debates."

"I think this makes for good cable news fodder, but I don't see it changing the dynamics of the race," he added.

Dan Schnur, Director of the Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics at the University of Southern California, agreed that Romney's London misadventures won't cost him votes.

"None of this hurts him in the long run in the slightest," he said. "It's hard to imagine that there are many voters in key swing states who are going to cast their ballot based on what Romney said about the London Olympics."

Schnur did say, however, that the gaffes represent a missed opportunity.

"This was his chance to go overseas and strengthen his credentials on the global stage," he said. "He wanted to show three of this country's most reliable allies that his administration would support them much more strongly than Obama has."

In undermining his London hosts, Schnur said, Romney undercut that message.

"This whole flap is more symbolic than anything else," he said. "But symbols matter."

[nancy_naive]

Lemme see, Mitt goes to England where he accuses the Brits of being "unenthusiastic about the Olympics", and then to Israel where he tells the Israelis that "their culture has made them financial leaders."

Can't wait until he gets to Germany.

And the GOP accuses Obama of being apologetic. No wonder. He has to be to atone for the GOP buffoons.

[takacrat]

Don't worry about it Future President Romney! KBR in Iraq appointed a Brit that was somekind of Queen Stepchild. Dumberry robed the USA Blind. These so called SuxA$$ Brits is not Spit. Long Live the Good Old USA, and just wait a few more Months, they will be asking to smell your Shorts!!!

[PhillipDaniels5]

"Weird Willard" just isn't ready. He claims to have left Bain Capital in 1999 and he did next to nothing for the Olympics except to get the USA to bail it out. So what has he been doing instead of working? Would you hire him today?

Let's look at his work record, the work he likes to disclose.

There is nothing to discuss. He will not come clean on being Governor, or Bain Capital, or his high school bullying. The GOP picked a real winner. He can not disclose his tax records because of potential of misunderstanding. His money is not supposed to be making very much money. If it does he is supposed to be paying more in taxes. Yet he is unsure of all the offshore accounts and the managers involved.

If only the UK had only given him a different nickname than "Weird Willard," you know, something like "Tater Salad" but of course that one has already been taken.

[Souptwins]

Are you saying Obama wasn't ready either when he went to Poland?

[S_T_W]

What do you meant "screwed up"? He predicted their Olympic DISASTER to a T. If their EMBARRASSMENT of an opening ceremony isn't enough proof they're not ready I don't know what is.

[gca2]

So what? Romney is a presidential candidate. This could have been his big opportunity too look good-- and he blew it. What does this mean? It suggests that he lacks the perception to answer questions in a manner that do not offend people. It suggests that he lacks empathy (putting yourself in someone else's shoes). It suggests that he is out of touch with everyday people. It suggests that he is not ready for prime time. What is really important is that whomever is elected president of the US in November they will have to be able to lead us out of a terrible economy.

I have not heard Romney's specifics on this, but if they are the same as what G.W. Bush pushed--
No Thanks!!

[Lindag20]

I don't think Netanyahu got the memo that he and Romney are BFF's as he's backing away from linking himself too closely with such a dummy.

[TimeToEvolve]

So what? So what you say? How about because the potential Wall Street appointed pResident of the US would bejust as bad on foreign policy as he and his party is on domestic and economic issues. Hello George W Bush. Squared.

[sharkboy234]

Mitt Romney compared to Adolf Hitler.

[55minus5]

Nah. No talent.

[sagstar]

I disagree with this article. I was on the fence with regards to my presidential vote, and now I'm not. Mitt Romney's performance in London was the last straw for me. I've decided to back a US president that has the common sense, tact, and intelligence.
We need a leader.
Romney showed me with the multitude of his arrogant and oblivious comments that he's not qualified for the job, as either US leader, or a person in world power.
Not to mention, what kind of insanely selfish jack ass would not support his wife, when her horse in the OLYMPICS! My husband would be there for me if my pet hamster was in the local county fair. Some family values. It appears as if Romney values himself above his family, his country and certainly, the world as a whole.
I'm not voting for a sexist, racist, arrogant fool. Even a 5 year old knows it's inappropriate to enter a guest's domain and refrain from criticism. Apparently you can't buy grace or tact, and in my case, a vote. I'd rather pay more in taxes than call that man my president. My faith in Obama has been renewed. Thank you Mitt for making such an atrocious ass of yourself at the Olympics while I was watching. I'm glad everyone got to see it. And as I said in the beginning, disagree. I think these kinds of blunders, as they were multi-dimensional, do affect people. I care for and respect my British neighbors, and will stand up for them. We should respect ourselves better as a nation than to let someone like this attempt to take us by the collar. Please "Mr. Leader-wannabe", go back to your castle and count your coins, meanwhile, let the rest of us lead our lives amongst one another with common and mutual respect.

[55minus5]

Mitt Romney who? He's got no authority and no right to do foreign policies. Just a somehow retarded rich guy. Going to Israel, he represents no one but himself.