From The Road
January 17, 2008 11:40 AM

Heated Exchange At Romney Press Conference

(CBS)
From CBS News' Scott Conroy:

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- There was an ice storm in South Carolina this morning, but it was even colder inside a Staples store where a Mitt Romney press conference suddenly went sour.

Romney was in the middle of answering a routine question when he said something that caused Associated Press reporter Glen Johnson to lose his temper.

“I don’t have lobbyists running my campaign,” Romney said. “I don’t have lobbyists that are tied to my … ”

“That’s not true, governor!” Johnson suddenly interjected. “That is not true. Ron Kaufman is a lobbyist.”

Kaufman is a well-known lobbyist, former adviser to President H.W. Bush and Romney campaign adviser who is often seen by the governor’s side while on the road.

Click on the video below to watch as the exchange between Johnson and Romney as it grew increasingly hostile.

Tags:
mitt romney ,
glen johnson ,
eric fehrnstrom ,
associated press ,
south carolina primary ,
lobbyists ,
politics ,
campaign ,
2008
Topics:
Mitt Romney
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by memekiller January 17, 2008 1:12 PM PST
I was expecting real fireworks, but I don''t see that this was out of line at all. Romney was attempting to say something that is clearly false on camera, unchallenged, in front of a bunch of reporters who know better. It''s there job to not allow this kind of demonstrable falsehood to go by unfiltered, so he challenged Romney, and I think you challenge with an energy proportional to the shamelessness.

The reporter never, at any time, seemed to have lost his faculties, or to have been controlled by emotion.
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by scottfromaz January 17, 2008 1:23 PM PST
This shows why the American people loath the Media... Glen Johnson is now working in the mail room What a joke, I am glad Romney set him straight.

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by scottfromaz January 17, 2008 1:25 PM PST
Reagan thought pink and orange ties are as loud as Sam Donaldson....

The media sucks, just report the news and leave your liberal opinions at UC Berekley and NYU...

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by scottfromaz January 17, 2008 1:38 PM PST
I know for a fact that Lobbyist''s are not in Romney''s pockets. PERIOD. I know his sons.

The media is going to be bored trying to find dirt on this guy... He is worth 250 Million, do you think any lobbyist that offers him money could bribe him with money. His gives of his money and time all the time....

Didn''t take a salary in the Olympics for 2 years and 4 years as Governor and he won''t as President, this isn''t a guy who is motiaved by $$$. he already his it.

He isn''t doing this for the money, he is doing it to change DC and we need to help you do it, by volunteering and voting for Mitt Romney...

Don''t think there is a liberal bias in the media ??? LOOK at what happened at the CNN You tube debate. Its not even a hidden agenda anymore, it''s pretty obvious.
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by eric_nb January 17, 2008 1:43 PM PST
This guy is working for AP? No wonder the articles coming out of AP are so slanted.
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by akanmiren January 17, 2008 1:46 PM PST
The habitual liar Romney gets called out for habitual lying? THAT''S A SHOCKER. He''s had so many of these "missteps" I don''t understand why he doesn''t get lambasted for his lack of honesty. Earth to voters: Romney lies to you to get votes.
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by ab1l1ty January 17, 2008 2:03 PM PST
OK lets see if this makes sense. I guy who has amasted a fortune, decides to spend it on a campaign so he can get to Washington to make a bunch of lobyists rich. Do you see how rediculous this is?

If any candidate was not beholden to lobyist it is Romney. He really doesn''t need campaign contributions. Look at the reality. This reporter is Bogus
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by gumbystretch January 17, 2008 2:15 PM PST
Just another one of Romney''s lies. Get used to it if he manages to spend and pander his way into the presidency, it''ll be a cornerstone of his administration.
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by et9752 January 17, 2008 2:50 PM PST
That reporter has no class. I''ve seen many reporters up close and this guy is pretty indicative of the reason you cant trust any one source of information anymore. As for Romney, he did an excellent job of answering the question and being forthright.
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by smham33 January 17, 2008 3:12 PM PST
What part of "unpaid and does not attend senior strategy meetings" is confusing to so many of you? The "demonstrable falsehood" is that Mitt Romney will be pursuaded by lobbyists, and that he has a lobbyist running his campaign.
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by kimkimkim1 January 17, 2008 3:15 PM PST
My favorite part is the last 2 seconds of the clip, when the woman says to the reporter "YOU ARE RUDE AND UGLY!!!!!" Amen, sistuh!!!!

Romney''s come-back was great!!
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by one_american January 17, 2008 3:17 PM PST
Associated (with terrorists) Press reporter Glen Johnson is a Dan Rather wanna-be - a political activist masquerading as a two-bit reporter.
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by romperroom2 January 17, 2008 3:33 PM PST
Compare this to the treatment Hillary Clinton got when the gunman took some of her staffers hostage. The AP slobbered all over her, talking about how much grace and strength she showed under pressure, blah, blah, blah.... And of course the AP has all but coronated Obama...
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by rstein84 January 17, 2008 3:36 PM PST
I would like those of you bashing Romney to point out one candidate in the history of this country who has spent more of his personal money to become president. The fact is people have a hard time finding dirt on Romney and make up lies in order to persuade people to vote against him. You wanna talk lobyists look at McCain, or Guiliani, they have more lobbyists than hairs on their head!!!!
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by jamesm88888 January 17, 2008 3:38 PM PST
The Associated Press has fallen to new lows today.

Glenn Johnson sounded like a teenager who was deprived of his video game. Johnson parsed Romney%u2019s as if he was a democrat attack dog. It was disgusting.

After Romney asked Johnson to repeat the assertion, Johnson had to concede that Kaufman wasn%u2019t running Romney%u2019s campaign. Then to safe face, he tried to parse Romney%u2019s words redefining what a campaign manager is. Johnson failed. Then he tried to redefine what a senior strategy meeting is. Johnson failed. Then he tried to say that a debate session is a strategic meeting. Johnson failed. All in an attempt to save his rather over blown face and his failed attempt to interject his uninformed opinion.

Further, at the end of the exchange he was pompous and dismissive to both Romney%u2019s staff and a Staples%u2019 customer. Associate Press, great hiring choice: NOT!

The AP%u2019s new slogan: We%u2019re pompous, and love our uninformed opinions %u2013 we call it the news.
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by moondancer01 January 17, 2008 3:48 PM PST
Its about time someone held politicians accountable for all the lies. I applaud Johnson. Maybe if someone came at Bush the same way we wouldnt see a dimwitted president doing a sword dance with the leader of a country who had 15 of its citizens giving us 9-11. I''m fed up with the whole lot of them.
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by moondancer01 January 17, 2008 3:51 PM PST
I applaude Mr. Johnson. Its about time someone held politicians feet to the fire about all the lies they tell the american people. I only wish our press had started long ago on Bush.. maybe he wouldnt be off somewhere doing a sword dance with that stupid grin on his face with some king that gave us 15 highjackers and 9-11.
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by wendy731 January 17, 2008 3:58 PM PST
Mitt did answer with dignity towards the journalist
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by vtelles2 January 17, 2008 4:28 PM PST
The coverage of so-called news and debates is pathetic, the candidates lie and the "reporters" don''t say boo. Its about time reporters started calling the candidates out on their lies or "semantics". I would love to see the "press" call them out regarding Iraq being involved in 9/11.
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by johnmargelew January 17, 2008 4:37 PM PST
It''s far more troubling that his counterterrorism/national security advisor is Cofer Black.

Cofer Black is the vice-chairman of Blackwater, and recieved a lions share of blame in the 9/11 report.

"Romney presidency could make Blackwater''s business under Bush look like a church bake sale."
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by oiuytre-2009 January 17, 2008 4:37 PM PST
Here''s to you Mr. Johnson! Thank you for challenging our candidates with legitimate questions. Thank you for doing your best to keep citizens informed of the real actions of candidates. Reporters are much more apt to recognize discrepancies with candidates as they are with the candidates listening to their speeches almost 24-7. I''m positive Mr. Johnson would never have mentioned what he did if he didn''t have appropriate reason grounded in what he has witnessed in the past. I''m sorry if what Mr. Johnson brought up tarnished your candidate, but don''t accuse Mr. Johnson of being slanted or petty. He did his job and he did it admirably. Here''s to you Mr. Johnson. I wish more of our press was like you.
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by bbneck January 17, 2008 4:43 PM PST
Y''all are wrong, wrong, wrong about these nosy reporters. They *reporters*. They oughta be "reporting" what people say instead of getting all concerned about whether what they''re saying is right or not. I hope we get back to the reporters we use to have before we liberated Iraq.

God is Love!
www.billybobneck.com
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by joinordie76 January 17, 2008 5:04 PM PST
Romney handled that chump like a champ. There is a concerted effort by the Washington/Media complex to destroy Romney as he is a threat to the entrenched DC bureaucrats, influence peddlers, foreign lobbies and the status quo. He is an incorruptible man of honor who''s greatest sin is having changed his opinions after realizing his position was wrong. When he has been wrong he promptly admits it. He is above the guttersnipes that fill the rest of the field and above Hideous Rodent Clinton who has used her First Lady/Senatorial secret service to keep reporters like that boob Glen Johnson from any access to the candidate Clinton. This Stalinesque tactic is a violation of the First Amendment and should disqualify her at once. That''s what Romney gets for being a decent, standup guy who trusted that he would not be assaulted at a photo op by a ill mannered, slob sitting on the floor. Johnson''s lack of decorum speaks volumes about the sorry state of the AP. Competition is killing the dinosaur media.
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by doctor4life January 17, 2008 5:05 PM PST
Wow! I have to laugh at some of these ridiculous comments... Kudos to you sir Johnson, I applaud Mr. Johnson, Well done Mr. Johnson, Here''s to you Mr. Johnson, Cheers.... Haha! Liberals truly do have a mental disorder.

Little "Johnson" needs to get off his lazy fat arse and get a real job. I''m all about challenging people on matters you may disagree with, but at least have the respect to stand up, and raise your hand. What a loser!

The criticism I hear about Romney is such a joke. The ONLY way people can attack him is by saying he flip flops. They can''t criticize his track record of 100% success in everything does. He is as intelligent as they come. He has as much character and moral fiber as anyone. He is a great husband, father, and leader. Sometimes I think this country doesn''t deserve a man of his caliber.

To Mr. Johnson, I pity you!



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by doctor4life January 17, 2008 5:07 PM PST
Wow! I have to laugh at some of these ridiculous comments... Kudos to you sir Johnson, I applaud Mr. Johnson, Well done Mr. Johnson, Here''s to you Mr. Johnson, Cheers.... Haha! Liberals truly do have a mental disorder.

Little "Johnson" needs to get off his lazy fat arse and get a real job. I''m all about challenging people on matters you may disagree with, but at least have the respect to stand up, and raise your hand. What a loser!

The criticism I hear about Romney is such a joke. The ONLY way people can attack him is by saying he flip flops. They can''t criticize his track record of 100% success in everything does. He is as intelligent as they come. He has as much character and moral fiber as anyone. He is a great husband, father, and leader. Sometimes I think this country doesn''t deserve a man of his caliber.

To Mr. Johnson, I pity you!



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by zep2008 January 17, 2008 5:18 PM PST
Looks like Scott "Michael Moore Jr." Conroy/CBS are now worried about Mitt Romney while Hillary & Obama race bait. Sure Scott call it "sematics" when you are proven factually incorrect. Very lame!
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by jtreadway3 January 17, 2008 5:50 PM PST
The dude was rude. Ask your questions. Continue to probe until you have all of the answers. Do not state opinion as fact - reporters know the difference. I liked the lady at the end who said to Johnson, "You''re rude and you''re ugly!" I do agree he was out of line.
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by jtreadway3 January 17, 2008 5:51 PM PST
The dude was rude. Ask your questions. Continue to probe until you have all of the answers. Do not state opinion as fact - reporters know the difference. I liked the lady at the end who said to Johnson, "You''re rude and you''re ugly!" I do agree he was out of line.
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by JedMerrill January 17, 2008 6:04 PM PST
Good for Romney, fighting off the rude little rat!

Michael Moore''s Sicko says the pharmaceutical industry "buys" senators for around $300,000. Is that even meaningful to Romney, who has a personally amassed fortune that could be as high as $350,000,000?

Romney is not going to be bought out by any lobbying group short of the American people.
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by Savea January 17, 2008 6:16 PM PST
It''s time for someone to invent a machine expose the truth from the reporters and the politicians. It seems Johnson has a reason because he continued but at the end he looked like a fool.
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by January 17, 2008 6:16 PM PST
Sounds like the reporter was simply fishing.... It''s not just "semantics", it''s being accurate. I could have an Evangelical as an advisor, but that doesn''t mean he''s somehow managing my campaign, informs me of my values, or my campaigns values, etc. It drives me nuts that so-called reporters (as well as anti-mormons) can''t understand the intellectual differences between even simple things.
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by bafflez January 17, 2008 6:19 PM PST
If Romeny can''t take hard questions from reporters now, what is he going to be like as a president in front of the press corp? That was a legitimate question, and the reporters indignant response was from the sheer audacity of Romney suggesting Ron Kaufmann is not a lobbyist. If anyone thinks Romney running on a platform of "I''m a businessman and I''m going to fix America" has already forgotten what the last CEO president did to this country, thanks George Bush for ruining the dollar, the housing market and the economy in 7 years while enriching your pals in the private sector. I hope every other republican running on a platform of amnesia from 2000-2008 gets what they deserve - the door.

-bafflez.
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by drblizzardo January 17, 2008 6:28 PM PST
Ahem.

I''m no fan of Romney''s, certainly, nor any great admirer of any of the reputed conservatives running (Barry Goldwater would change his party affiliation if he thought this was HIS Republican Party)...bu I thought Romney was fairly poised and articulate considering he''d just been called a liar.

In Wyoming where I''m from, being called out like that requires a very vigorous reply.

Perhaps the vehemence of his rebuttal was tempered by the shear and certain knowledge that Glen Johnson was correct that that he, Mitt Romney, is a liar and a fraud and hasn''t the courage or depth to understand or appreciate the character he lacks.
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by tomchess1 January 17, 2008 6:32 PM PST
I can hardly image the frenzy of cries of bias and foul play were someone from FoxNews to challenge some point Clinton or Obama made from the supposed audience as Glen Johnson challenged Romney.
It is quite obvious that Romney%u2019s point is absolutely true. Lobbyists will have little ability to influence his administration and he will not owe them favors. That a supposed reporter has a problem with Romney is obvious. Perhaps had he listened rather than jumping at an opportunity to attack he would have saved himself from making a mistake. Of course that Glen Johnson posted this indicates that rather than being ashamed he is instead proud.
Remarkable.
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by k1mgy January 17, 2008 6:40 PM PST
In November, 2006, the absentee governor, Willard Mitt Romney, appointed his $150,000 per year spookesman Eric Fehrnstrom to a political posting on the Brookline Housing Authority.

From the Boston Globe: "Although the position is part-time, the appointment will allow Fehrnstrom, who is to leave his spokesman''s job on Jan. 4, to extend his years in government and obtain the 10 years of service necessary to qualify for a state pension."

Now Fehrnstrom has moved up, as press bully for the flailing Fraud candidate.

When Willard Mitt finally flames out, Fehrnstrom can likely sit easy and rake in from the public troth here in Massachusetts.

Fehrnstrom told the Globe that he wanted to "serve the community". What better way than to make sure all the very rich in Brookline keep everything properly gentrified.

Dear nation: Romney is a fraud.
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by imwithmccain January 17, 2008 6:51 PM PST
Come on watch the exchange. Romney just tries to spin it. Ron Kaufman is advising the campaign and when Romney gets caught he says that "he is not running my campaign" which is just his way of spinning the truth. The flip flopper got caught again and got nasty. He is wrong for this country.
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by justonemom January 17, 2008 6:51 PM PST
Romney demonstrated he has the stable demeanor to handle a bully, reporter or not. Clearly the unprofessional "reporter" was trying to taunt a respected candidate to put forward a personal position as opposed to being an independent perveyor of facts/news. Good for you, Mitt. The other reporters and bystanders should have said, "We came to hear Mitt, not you. Be quiet."
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by toeveryday January 17, 2008 6:53 PM PST
This is a classic example of the liberal bias of CBS and the main stream media. The CBS guy was unprofessional. This reminds me of the Movie Miracle on 34th Street and the people taunting Santa Claus. Can''t wait to see how low CBS continues to stoop as Romney continues to gather delegates!
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by imwithmccain January 17, 2008 6:53 PM PST
Come on watch the exchange. Romney just tries to spin it. Ron Kaufman is advising the campaign and when Romney gets caught he says that "he is not running my campaign" which is just his way of spinning the truth. The flip flopper got caught again and got nasty. He is wrong for this country.
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by toeveryday January 17, 2008 6:54 PM PST
This is a classic example of the liberal bias of CBS and the main stream media. The CBS guy was unprofessional. This reminds me of the Movie Miracle on 34th Street and the people taunting Santa Claus. Can''t wait to see how low CBS continues to stoop as Romney continues to gather delegates!
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by offthegrid36 January 17, 2008 6:57 PM PST
Respected candidate? Please. I am glad someone is calling out Romney for all the lies he peddles. Remember in Michigan, when he lied his way to victory by promising a sudden revamping of American manufacturing? Meanwhile, McCain (who I do not personally support, by the way) was honest and told the people of Michigan straight up that he would do the best he could about their economy, but the fact is that the globalization of the American economy would not bode well for them. And yet, he finished second because he told the people the truth, instead of simply what they wanted to hear.
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by cleanuptheho January 17, 2008 7:10 PM PST
What an incredible moron Michael Moore''s brother was. Now we know why good candidates can''t be represented fairly.
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by cleanuptheho January 17, 2008 7:12 PM PST
Michael Moore Jr. what a moron! now you know why quality candidates like Mitt don''t get good press. Like we didn''t know already.....
Reply to this comment
by jaysbeaker76 January 17, 2008 7:15 PM PST
Some of you people need to get a clue. As a MA resident, Mitt worked hard to get this state out of the rather large mess. In the past year that Deval Patrick (D) has taken over the state has gone to hell. "taxes" are being raised again, the local economy which was booming under Romney is on a down turn and the new govenor is resorting to the quick fix of allowing Casinos to generate more revenue for him to waste of stupid programs.

If you''re into more spending and wasteful government vote for Clinton or Obama, if you want a hard working tell it like it is intelligent man who knows how to manage poeple and government then Mitt is the man for the job.

By the way....Johnson is a freakin moron and should at least have some class to stand up and speak to someone eye to eye. One more thing. People have these things on the side of their heads called ears.....between these ears is a thing called a brain....with these two very important sensory organs we "hear" what in our surounding environment. The media needs to clean the junk out of their ears, listen attentively and not draw their own conclusions based on a sound byte.
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by mitt4prez January 17, 2008 7:17 PM PST
Kaufman is NOT running Mitt''s campaign, nor does he OWE him anything for any promises or deals he''s made in Washington over the years. Mitt is RIGHT. He is a squeaky clean outsider with no lobbyist baggage and he will go to Washington to do the people''s business not some special interest group.
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by mitt4prez January 17, 2008 7:20 PM PST
Mitt showed confidence and strength in dealing with a MSM bozo trying to make mountains out of molehills. Having a friend who happens to be a lobbyist who is an unpaid, volunteer to the campaign is not the same thing as spending 28 years in Washington wheeling and dealing with lobbyists and special interest groups. This is a ridiculous charge to make against Mitt. Glad he stood his ground and slapped the whiny "journalist" down. Bush never got a hang of how to do that. He was too wimpy. Mitt has the guts and the gravitas to shove back. It''s about time!! Yippee!
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by realdemocrat January 17, 2008 7:25 PM PST
Up here in Massachusetts we remember the pro-choice, pro gay rights candidate who ran and won the governorship. The re-invented Mitt can not lay claim to being up front or honest now can he? He is the Republican equivalent of John Kerry, following his boyhood dream of being President, changing his opinions to fit the polls. How can you be surprised that he also re-invents the reality of his staff to fit the public mood?
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by bluehalfmoon January 17, 2008 7:32 PM PST
Romney is so much a crook it ain''t funny. And a liar too!
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by johnmargelew January 17, 2008 7:34 PM PST
It''''s far more troubling that his counterterrorism/national security advisor is Cofer Black.

Cofer Black is the vice-chairman of Blackwater, and recieved a lions share of blame in the 9/11 report.

"Romney presidency could make Blackwater''''s business under Bush look like a church bake sale."
Reply to this comment
by eyemdope January 17, 2008 8:11 PM PST
The irony is that in debates Mitt is the most vigorous defender of special interests like pharmaceutical companies and of course their lobbyists. So how exactly is this twit supposed to ''change Washington'' when he''s looking to continue all of Bush''s policies?!?

This guy is a joke.
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