Mitt Romney, the losing Republican presidential candidate in 2012, today (March 3), tore into Donald Trump in a speech at the Hinckley Institute in Utah.
Romney, who bought a La Jolla home after his 2012 loss, called Trump a "phony" and a "fraud." Romney said Hillary Clinton is "untrustworthy and dishonest" but could be elected president if Trump, the current leader, is the Republican candidate.
Romney contradicted Trump's claims that he is a successful businessman. Romney cited such failures as Trump University, Trump Vodka, and Trump's failed attempt to have an airline. Romney noted that Trump inherited his money.
Trump's "domestic policies would lead to recession," declared Romney. (Trump favors tax cuts so steep that the deficit would soar.) "His foreign policies would make America and the world less safe," said Romney, citing Trump's remarks about Muslims and Mexicans.
Romney said Trump does not have the emotional stability to be president. "He has neither the temperament nor the judgment to be president. And his personal qualities would mean that America would cease to be a shining city on a hill," said Romney, paraphrasing Ronald Reagan.
The power brokers in the Republican party are trying to concoct ways to thwart Trump. Romney was almost certainly chosen to be a major attacker. Commentators said they could find no precedent in American history when such a stinging speech was delivered to stop one candidate from a person in that candidate's party.
Trump, who has sharply criticized Romney for his 2012 loss, said, "He begged me four years ago for my endorsement; he is a failed candidate. Mitt Romney is a stiff." Trump said Romney's attack would unify rather than divide the Republican Party.
Mitt Romney, the losing Republican presidential candidate in 2012, today (March 3), tore into Donald Trump in a speech at the Hinckley Institute in Utah.
Romney, who bought a La Jolla home after his 2012 loss, called Trump a "phony" and a "fraud." Romney said Hillary Clinton is "untrustworthy and dishonest" but could be elected president if Trump, the current leader, is the Republican candidate.
Romney contradicted Trump's claims that he is a successful businessman. Romney cited such failures as Trump University, Trump Vodka, and Trump's failed attempt to have an airline. Romney noted that Trump inherited his money.
Trump's "domestic policies would lead to recession," declared Romney. (Trump favors tax cuts so steep that the deficit would soar.) "His foreign policies would make America and the world less safe," said Romney, citing Trump's remarks about Muslims and Mexicans.
Romney said Trump does not have the emotional stability to be president. "He has neither the temperament nor the judgment to be president. And his personal qualities would mean that America would cease to be a shining city on a hill," said Romney, paraphrasing Ronald Reagan.
The power brokers in the Republican party are trying to concoct ways to thwart Trump. Romney was almost certainly chosen to be a major attacker. Commentators said they could find no precedent in American history when such a stinging speech was delivered to stop one candidate from a person in that candidate's party.
Trump, who has sharply criticized Romney for his 2012 loss, said, "He begged me four years ago for my endorsement; he is a failed candidate. Mitt Romney is a stiff." Trump said Romney's attack would unify rather than divide the Republican Party.
Comments
Love watching the Republican Party blow itself up over huge liar huge ego Don who should be independently freely flip flopping.
shirleyberan: Except it's possible that Romney's excellent speech, which should have been given three months ago, and should be echoed by other prominent citizens, will actually unify Trump supporters, not deter them. Best, Don Bauder
David Valentine: I wrote that item in a hurry to try to beat the competition. I had trouble getting information on that home. Looks like I should have hedged the statement. Best, Don Bauder
". . . will actually unify Trump supporters, not deter them."
Right on again!
And it's always the Dems who are shooting themselves in the foot! No longer!
Flapper: Yes, the Republicans seem to be willingly self-destructing. But the Democrats may do it, too. Best, Don Bauder
But you can always COUNT on that!
Flapper: It looks it will be Hillary vs. The Donald. This one may go down in history for bringing out the worst in Americans. Best, Don Bauder
And that ridiculous-looking "cowboy" outfit. He coulda posed in a Sherman tank.
Phony as a three-trillion-dollar bill.
Flapper: There is no question that Romney's Bain Capital profited from the Federal Reserve's massive printing of money -- more than three trillion. Best, Don Bauder
Rich Mitt Romney is the GOP patsy tapped to derail rich Donald Trump. A former head of the despised World Bank is one of the guys who signed Mitt's letter. That alone will reap a boatload of more votes for The Donald. (Mitt even criticized the "the" article in front of Trump's first name, though it is a distinction that any politician would die for.) I don't think angry Trump voters will appreciate Mitt's elitist intervention.
The Donald is outrageous and larger than life, over-the-top, the ultra-American, funny when he is combative with his weird fellow-candidates -- but not when he's slamming Mexicans or Muslims or women or endorsing waterboarding or nuclear brinkmanship with Russia or China.
Trump's angry voters should wise up and direct their precious franchise toward Bernie Sanders who DOES have a plan for substantive positive change from the past 35 years of gilded domestic excess and expensive global adventurism that have fed our present stunning economic inequality. Bernie has plans for a more peaceful world, for environmental sanity, for economic and social justice at home. Sanders is the real deal -- not Trump and not the Clinton re-run.
monaghan: But those who back Trump do not want a peaceful world, environmental sanity, and economic and social justice in the U.S. It appears there are an awful lot of such people. Best, Don Bauder
Are you talking about the peaceful world, environmental sanity, and economic and social justice delivered to the American people by the established politicians? I have no idea what Trump will bring. But I know exactly what an established Republican or Democrat will bring and I'm done voting for that.
Actually, Don, that "city on a hill" thing comes from the Pilgrim Mothers and Fathers. Reagan speechwriters lifted it.
monaghan: But Reagan came to own it. Best, Don Bauder
DAVID STOCKMAN SAYS MITT ROMNEY "IS THE REAL SUPER-FRAUD." David Stockman, who got himself in trouble as Reagan's director of the Office of Management and the Budget (for telling the truth), today (March 3) lashed out at Mitt Romney after Romney called Donald Trump a phony, a fraud, a lousy businessman, con man, etc.
In his publication "Contra Corner," Stockman wrote that during Romney's 16 years at Bain Capital, "fully one-fourth or $600 million of the firm's $2.5 billion of profits were scalped from companies which went bankrupt soon after Mitt and his partners got out of town with the loot."
Of the 77 investment deals Romney superintended between 1987 and 2000, "he left behind financial cripples, zombies and Chapter Eleven [bankruptcy] bait," said Stockman. "Mitt Romney was not a businessman; he was a master financial speculator who bought, sold, flipped, and stripped businesses. He did not build enterprises the old-fashioned way -- out of inspiration, perspiration, and a long slog in the free market."
This doesn't mean Stockman is thrilled with Trump. On February 27, Stockman wrote, "America will need the Almighty's unstinting favor if Donald Trump becomes our 45th president. Still, blessed be The Donald for running a demolition derby in the Republican primaries. There is no hope for the future of capitalist property and a free society at home and world peace abroad unless the Republican Party is destroyed. And, by golly, Trump may well accomplish [that]." Best, Don Bauder
All of this is unprecedented. But that doesn't mean that it can't really be happening. At first Trump came across as a guy who would get some attention and then fade. That has occurred before. It's now obvious that he's a force to be reckoned with. Hannity, who doesn't exactly support Trump, is saying that the GOP establishment has been very out of touch with many in America, and that now they have a voice. Well, I'd go him one farther and add that the ruling political establishment and the media have been very out of touch, regardless of party.
As I read the description of Romney's speech, I agree with him on just about every point. As you said, Don, this should have been voiced three months ago by not only Mitt, but many others in the party. Conservatives don't like Trump. National Review made a special feature in a recent issue that had something like three dozen prominent conservatives voicing their opposition and stating their reasons. Barrons can't stand him. So, who likes him? Republicans who expected a GOP majority in both houses of Congress to make themselves felt, but who have frittered away their clout for no clear reasons, are a good place to start.
Will this backfire? Maybe, but staying silent wasn't working, was it?
Visduh: The thing I hear the most is people saying that the problem isn't Trump (or Cruz or Rubio). The problem is that so many Americans support and are impressed by Trump (as well as Cruz and Rubio). I find it utterly terrifying. Best, Don Bauder
" . . . the ruling political establishment and the media have been very out of touch, regardless of party."
Hear, HEAR!
And that's why Clinton is in trouble. The Dems consider Trump a gift; that might be--IF Hillary will lay off the facile bs and "get real." Yes, it may be hers to lose, but she's damned vulnerable and has none of the fire-in-the-belly of Sanders.
Trump, on the other hand, has NOTHING BUT fradulent-fire-in-the-belly. But believe me, that will do, THAT will DO!
Flapper: Trump supporters, in the main, probably don't have the resources, or the will, to check on his false utterances and his contradictions. Best, Don Bauder
Most of the population: ". . . don't have the resources, or the will, to check on . . . false utterances and . . . contradictions." --Bauder
Flapper: If it's most of the population, we will have a miserable November. Best, Don Bauder
(What they do) (They smile in your face) All the time they want to take your place The back stabbers (back stabbers) (They smile in your face) All the time they want to take your place The back stabbers (back stabbers)
All you fellows who have someone And you really care, yeah, yeah Then it's all of you fellows Who better beware, yeah yeah Somebody's out to get your lady A few of your buddies they sure look shady Blades are long, clenched tight in their fist Aimin' straight at your back And I don't think they'll miss
Ponzi: Is that a song of the Beatles? The only reason I suggest that are those words "Yeah, yeah, yeah." Best, Don Bauder
I'm SHOCKED that an opera-buff like you would not recognize a great work like this!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSK_3AR0g0g
Flapper: I doubt opera buffs will love that one. Best, Don Bauder
I made last year that Willard would duck out and and wait for the perfect storm. El Nino might be hiding, but Willard isn't. This is why Romney is back.
Romney calling Trump a phony is like a possum calling somebody ugly. Mitt is going to try to crash the convention and be brokered in.
Reboot Romney Ver 3.1
I heard speculation tonight that Congressman Paul Ryan might get recruited as savior-candidate at the GOP convention. Deja vu all over again.
Mitt looked every bit the waspish loser WASP today as he unloaded on the uncouth Donald Trump. Romney looked foolish and should never have given that speech, ever -- not today or months ago. He was revealed for what he is -- a priss to the manor born, and still unseemly ambitious.
Similarly, Dean Baquet, the self-satisfied editor of the New York Times was grilled on CBS This Morning about why he let Trump go off the record at a "meeting of the editorial board of the New York Times" (stentorian tone.) He admitted he was curious and "just wanted to see the show." So shallow, you're fired!
The media succumbed to ratings fever and are culpable for Trump's rise. And that self-important "without fear or favor newspaper of record" hustled to endorse Hillary Clinton long before voters ever had a chance to speak through the primary election process. Such hubris. You're tone-deaf to the American people!
monaghan: Look at all the free publicity Trump got, and is getting, on TV stations. He doesn't have to run advertising. Best, Don Bauder
Ponzi: I would not be surprised if Romney is hoping for a brokered convention. So is Kasich. And maybe even McCain. Of course, TV networks are praying for a brokered convention. Ratings would rise sharply. Best, Don Bauder
Ponzi: It appears that Romney is hoping for a brokered convention that might pick him out of desperation. As of now, however, it appears that Romney's speech served to stiffen the will of Trump supporters. That is, it may have backfired. If so, that is sad. Best, Don Bauder
Vas ist lost Mitt?
Stop insulting oh, possums.
Flapper: Opossums, though, are not too pretty. Best, Don Bauder
made bets
Oh my what have we been served up with by Trump today. Is Trump going to prove he is the biggest dick in the political race? He just gave Hillary a pass because she doesn't have a dog in that fight. What is the GOP coming too?
Ponzi: Men who make such boasts are almost always covering up for feelings of inadequacy. That was the impression I got when I watched Trump brag about the length of a key private part. Best, Don Bauder
You guys (perhaps understandably) are missing the punto. The real National Enquirer piece here is "What pill hath our fair Donald eaten that he hath grown so largo?" Does he need a ring on his pinky to maintain its turkor?
Flapper: I have stock in the producers of both Viagra and Cialis, so I don't care which it would be. Trump's ego is too large for him to do commercials for such a product, even if he needs such pills. Best, Don Bauder
Ponzi: At the next debate, Trump should let it all hang out. Best, Don Bauder
Trump is an egotistical, bombastic, offensive jerk. But that has nothing to do with why Mitt and the GOP establishment is slamming Trump. Wealthy GOP leaders want continued unchecked illegal immigration and free trade agreements regardless of the impact those policies have on American middle class jobs. And the GOP leaders want someone they can control with campaign donations. Trump is the only major candidate (with the exception of Cruz) who is opposed to illegal immigration and the only major GOP candidate (Bernie Sanders notwithstanding) who is opposed to our free trade agreements. That's what Mitt's speech was really about.
ImJustABill: I get the impression that the Republican establishment wants Rubio because he can be manipulated, as George W. Bush was. Best, Don Bauder
You just convinced me to vote for Trump.
Flapper: Don't you love your country? Best, Don Bauder
In the primaries.
Trump responded to talk about hands and dick size with Rubio in news debate speak. Nuts. Not a bit presidential. (Should all be under the table) Yes Don, we should be very afraid.
shirleyberan: Lyndon Johnson used to boast about his penile endowment, but not in public. We have sunk a long way. Best, Don Bauder
shirleyberan: Trump's comeback: If ya got it, flaunt it. Don't hide it under the table. Best, Don Bauder
In the Ovoid Orfice, I presume?
Flapper: I thought it's called the Oral Office. Best, Don Bauder
Offaliciously?
The DT, candidate for president of the United States, also said yesterday that Romney would get down on his knees for him. Larry Willmore of the Nightly show explains it saying MR would BJ, DT. Donald has many tasteful one-liners of similar tone he delivers in front of an audiece full of kids. Thug.
shirleyberan; Yes, I interpreted Trump's remark to mean that Romney would have given Trump a Monica Lewinsky special. Best, Don Bauder
Flapper: I am going to request that this statement be removed. Best, Don Bauder
Whatever's politically correct.
Unabashedly blissfully ignorant, callow incomprehension, prospective bane of U.S. existence is Donald John Trump Sr., Putin wannaB.
shirleyberan: "Incomprehension" is a good word to describe Trump's grasp of foreign and domestic affairs. Best, Don Bauder
If Donny-Boy is the Man he says he is, he should cum out swinging.
Flapper: When you say "Donny-Boy," are you alluding to me or to The Donald? Best, Don Bauder
If the noodle, fits . . .
Aarrgh
shirleyberan: Aarrghreed. Best, Don Bauder
It is a shame that the best that the parties can present to the voters is this crop of R & D's. We will get to chose from the last two standing which ain't much.
AlexClarke: Frightening. Best, Don Bauder