Why is he doing this? Is his campaign really that incompetent?
Having successfully shut down scrutiny in the primaries (but not the general election) of his Bain record with unfounded cries of “Newt’s attacking capitalism and free markets,” Romney is back to what started it all, the demand that Newt give back the money he lawfully earned through consulting with Freddie Mac (h/t Ed Morrissey):
As Morrissey notes, Newt’s campaign already has diffused another line of Romney’s Freddie Mac attack, quickly asking for the release of his consulting contract before the Florida primary.
Romney will go on the offensive at tonight’s debate demanding that more Freddie consulting records be released. Which will give Newt the perfect opportunity to point out Romney’s cleansing of his gubernatorial records:
People who destroy hard drives shouldn’t demand records from others.
Of course, there’s another response Newt could give. It’s been used before, but it fits.
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“Having successfully shut down scrutiny in the primaries (but not the general election) of his Bain record with unfounded cries of “Newt’s attacking capitalism and free markets,”
He didn’t successfully shoot them down – those that cared about Bain in S.C. (37%) voted against Romney 97%-3%. Meanwhile, Newt (the supposed “anti-Capitalist attacker”) ran away with the S.C. win.
And that’s in about as Red of a state as you can get – these people are not the easiest to scare off of FreeMarket principles; yet Bain did…
The problem with communism is communism, the problem with capitalism is capitalists.
Since when is it an attack on capitalism, or the free market, to point out that, while something may be legal, it is not particularly moral or ethical?
There was a time when conservatism stood in frank opposition to Adam Smith and his extremely liberal notions of free markets. Times have changed, and now free markets are enshrined as a conservative ideal.
Nobody is entertaining arguments in favor of a return to mercantilism. As keepers of the free market it is beholden upon us to conduct some degree of review to ensure that it’s promise is kept. Therefore we should take a jaundiced look at what ostensibly passes for ‘creative’ destruction but may in practice be nothing more than rapacious destruction. Not necessarily in order to enact any general or specific law, but to provide for a normative influence that tends to promote that which is truly beneficial.
So, exactly how ‘free’ was the environment that allowed Bain to flourish? Were their acts truly consistent with Romney’s own representations? The fact that Romney cannot make a plain and simple case for his own activities does indicate that there is more than just smoke present.
Yep, I agree (and great post)
I read on one sites comment sections (quite possibly this one) a quote I found to be on the correct path here – “My refusal to support Michael Vick doesn’t mean I am against Football”
So while it isn’t perfect, the train of thought is correct – just because we support something, it doesn’t mean all aspects of it are always ideal. Case in point; I love our Court System, but think Lawyers can be some of the worst scum you ever come across. If I question or attack a suspicious Lawyer (say, for example, D.Feinstein), am I now going to be called Anti-Judiciary?
Something was going on at Bain, and the refusal to even look into the situation is leaving people (even Republicans) with a horrible taste in their mouth. Is it something which would hurt Romney? Unfortunately, who knows if we aren’t even allowed to ask…
On a side-note though, I think your first sentence isn’t really correct – it isn’t Communism itself which is the problem; its People which makes Communism impossible.
Sadly (for those pushing it), people have thoughts of their own, desires of their own, needs of their own, tastes of their own, etc. Communism would work perfectly if you could just remove the human element – but until we are all replaced with robots, it will constantly fail miserably with more death and destruction then anything else.
And while Democrats/Communists/Progressives/whatever are partially correct in saying Greed can be a problem with Capitalism, its more a lack of intelligence and/or pride which causes its main issue. Some of the companies Bain had questionable interactions with would have never been in the situation in the first place if they had better taken care of themselves prior. Pride and lack of knowledge has led to many disasters and situations where people are taken advantage of – its inevitable some instances will take place, but educating and protecting yourself while being open to putting aside your pride for new ideas can go a long way to eliminating much of the capitalist issues. (and that goes for CEOs all the way to customers)
errr, ya know, I meant Gloria Allred up there didn’t I… sorry 😀
I would rather see him use obama’s name when it comes to talking about releasing records.
DocWahala – getting tired of watching Mitt do Obama’s dirty work.
Another episode in the continuing of the ongoing saga of “The War of the Pots and Pans”.
Oh, btw, off topic (kinda) but fantastic line:
Santorum: “I said to Newt when I talked to him last night, this may be a two-person race, but the two people may be on the phone together.”
Right on Rick!
Good try Romney, no one cares anymore. Obama is much more vulnerable on Freddie/Fannie than Newt will ever be from what he has done over the past 3 years.
Darkstar58, yes.
My reax when I read this was, OMG, Romney’s done. They’re shooting blanks.
If Romney’s campaign has nothing more to offer than this, the campaign is as bankrupt as the companies Bain apparently loaded with debt and sucked dry with “consulting fees,” then left to fail. I’m not an expert, but if that’s true, I don’t want Destructor man in the White House.
Some people say that it was only a few companies Bain did that to. Is that the same as saying someone dated 200 girls and only raped four of them?
Again, I’m not an expert. But I don’t see how “increased liquidity,” which I’ve been told is a benefit of Bain’s kind of activity, makes up for the destruction and the people losing their jobs and homes. And it doesn’t show the kind of temperament I would vote for in any case.
Newt has genuine solutions. They’re already working on legislative language for things like how to repeal Obamacare, and Newt wants to get that signed the first day.
What campaign have we ever heard of that is planning to offer a specific agenda for the American people to vote on and team up on this early in a campaign. Did even Reagan do that?
If you want to know more about the solutions Newt is proposing we implement, these older speeches contain the foundations. Here is a list of CONVENIENT LINKS to 17 speeches: http://newtgingrich360.com/profiles/blogs/2012-victory-or-death-newt-s-speeches-links-to-17-speeches
How exciting is it to be able to go to the original source and find out for yourself.
The Bain/dating/rape comparison is puerile.
Even if all that is true, Governor Romney, why should people vote for you?
We’re taught since grade school that tearing down others doesn’t build us up. So, even if Gingrich is as bad as you say, why should people vote for you?
Governor Romney, you’ve had a long time to think about this. So tell us, why should people vote for you?
Because he “Love(s) America”
beyond that, who knows – it seems to be all he has…
How many times have we heard Willard say (when he was the frontrunner) that ANY of the Republican candidates would be a better president than Obama?
Now Politico has a story titled, “Mitt Romney: Newt Gingrich is a ‘failed leader,’ ‘disgrace’”
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0112/71802.html#ixzz1kIofHEVH
Willard seems to be in total desperation mode.
I’m no fan of Romney’s but he is getting HORRIBLE advice from his campaign manager.
The team should be fired immediately.
That being said, I would encourage him to hire Steve Schmidt.
He did wonders for McCain.
heh heh.
Mitt’s getting good advice from his campaign manager… At least in the sweets department.. Cakes in particular.
DocWahala – thinks the next cake should be chocolate crow.
“Romney is back to what started it all, the demand that Newt give back the money he lawfully earned through consulting with Freddie Mac…”
Why is Romney attacking capitalism? My, how leftist of him…
They really aren’t very bright, are they? But I’m willing to bet $10,000 that they all went to the ‘right’ schools.
[…] h/t Legal Insurrection […]
Romney plays Mr Aggressive going after Newt but would he do the same to Obama if he wins the nomination?
Why is Romney attacking capitalism? My, how leftist of him…
Excellent!!! That and destroying hard drives should be the arguments used.
This guy is stomping on the panic button. Same deal all along for me. I just can’t get excited about a Massachusetts liberal republican as president. And his message during the campaign really doesn’t help swing me to his side. This line of attack especially.
After he flounders and drops out, which network picks him up?
Sadly, the last good politician we Bay Staters offered America, with the possible exception of JFK, was Calvin Coolidge.
Sorry.
S’ok. You made up for it with Geena Davis and Uma Thurman.
Silent Cal: What every politician should aspire to be.
Do we know that they destroyed the hard drvies ?
We do know that that bought them from the state of MA.
RELEASE THE HARD DRIVE INFO
What is Willard doing? Sometimes I think he doesn’t want to be President. He wasn’t prepared for the tax question and now he is opening the door for attacks, not that I would want him to be President, but I don’t understand writing an incompetent campaign.
This is hardly surprising. Romney is advised by establishment Republican strategists. Mitt’s newfound ineptitude confirms our suspicions.
Romney is the perfect personification of the “1%” that Obama has been railing against for the last year or more. Democrats want him because is is predictable, if nothing else.
Now I’ve belittled Newt some months ago, so I’m no “Newt lover.” That said, we have to go to war with the army or candidate who signed up.
Ron Paul is your crazy uncle. From some reports, he has a bunch of followers who have signed on as Romney delegates, at least for the first vote. If true, Paul is hoping against hope that there will be a brokered convention.
Santorum used to be my Senator. I even loved for him. I just can’t see him as President.
So I’m left with Newt and Mitt.
Mitt fulfills the typical Republican need to give the nomination to the “next guy in line”. He is the “Bob Dole redux” updated for the political tripe of 2012. Newt is right that Obama will laugh at him. Team Obama won’t go after Bain directly, but rather they will use the companies that Bain euthanized to their advantage. I won’t matter that most of those that died would have if Bain and every other PE firm had stayed clear. Mitt will be a footnote to the discussion.
I now look at Newt as the “Pucky Comic Relief.” Frankly, anybody without a Leftist bent will be better than Chance Gardener Obama.
I’ve read the stories that Newt really isn’t that great of a debater, but as far as I can see, Obama has never met one either. John “I’m just too damn polite” McCain never gave Obama a run for his money. I see the key as if you can get Obama visibly angry, he is toast. I think Newt can do that.
If Newt is the nominee, I see Santorum as the VP. Most importantly, he hails from PA, the keystone state. The other reason is that no Leftie in their right mind would ever “off” President Newt so the nation could have President Santorum.
So where are all the positive Romney ads, with the patriotic music, detailing his inspiring words and reviewing his accomplishments.
“Why is Romney attacking capitalism? My, how leftist of him…”
Its actually much worse then that – he’s doing these attacks as if he is attacking Newt as a “lobbyist”
Well, Lobbyists are one of only 3 occupations protected under the Constitution.
So is Romney saying he is not only Anti-Capitalist, but also Anti-Constitution?
Professor Jacobson is a strong contender for “Best Headline Writer”.
Two men approached Coolidge. One said, “I made a bet with my friend that I can get you to say more than two words.”
Coolidge just said, “You lose.”