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Manhattan Diary by Cahir O'Doherty

Romneyshambles - Mitt Romney stuns Whitehall and London

Posted on Friday, July 27, 2012 at 03:33 AM

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Beginning his tour of England by querying the nation's readiness to host the Olympics, Mitt Romney's charm offensive has offended more people than he has charmed.

Governor Brylcreem is one Anglo Saxon descendent who apparently forgets how to communicate with his own Anglo Saxon forebears.

In fact, diplomats at Whitehall are openly claiming that he makes Sarah Palin look like the political sage of our era. Romney's visit is a 'total car crash,' they scoffed to the right leaning Daily Mail.

Romney began his trip with one of his campaign aides claiming a Romney presidency would strengthen the already strong relationship between the US and UK, because Romney has white English ancestors and Barack Obama does not.

Perhaps that was a veiled appeal to the KKK vote back home, but it sank like a led balloon in London.

Meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron should have been an opportunity for Romney to reaffirm America's links to a traditional ally, but instead it became a bitch fest more suited to Downton Abbey.

Note to Romney, peeing from an elevated height on the nation you are about to visit is not politically smart.

Twitter predictably exploded with both anger and glee over Romney's increasing-by-the-hour series of cringe inducing gaffes.

The hashtag #Romneyshambles was quickly coined and followed by #AmericanBorat, a nod to comedian Sacha Baron Cohen's hapless journalist doubtfully representing the Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.

'You can tell Mitt Romney's doing badly when he starts getting booed by rich white people,' tweeted one commentator.

'Not since 1941 has London seen a bombing as thorough as Mitt Romney's,' tweeted another.

In a pointed reference to Romney's controversial exit from Bain Capital and the questions still surrounding his tax returns one tweeter snarked: 'Mitt Romney retroactively cancels visit to London…'

The scale of the rupture that has opened between him and the Brits can not be over emphasized. This should have been a cakewalk. Instead it represents the most disastrous American political introduction in living memory. News outlets were openly dubbing him 'Mitt the Twitt.'

Within a six hour period Romney was criticized by the British Prime Minister, mocked by the Mayor of London, got the name of the country wrong, apparently forget the name of the Labor Party leader Ed Miliband and refused to take any questions from the assembled US press pool.

Interestingly, Romney managed to unite both the British right and left in open disdain for his less than nimble roll out. Perhaps they have got wind of what he wrote about their scepter'd isle in his 2010 book, 'No Apology: The Case for American Greatness'.

'England is just a small island. Its roads and houses are small. With few exceptions, it doesn't make things that people in the rest of the world want to buy. And if it hadn't been separated from the continent by water, it almost certainly would have been lost to Hitler's ambitions…'

Way to warm up a crowd, Mitt.

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BrianO | Jul 31, 2012, 06:58 PM EDT

Dear Cahir Obama may be as good as it gets for American presidents for you and your followers.

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BrianO | Jul 31, 2012, 06:13 PM EDT

"Sparklemagic" - I suggest, politely, that you look up the meaning(s) of the word "bombast". I said "less bombast, more gentle persuasion" (less rant, more gentle persuasion). The "gentle persuasion bit is the bit that signifies which meaning I am giving "bombast", i.e., the opposite of "gentle persuasion". In that context, it doesn't matter one iota whether or not "KatieMurphy" is talking facts. It's the way she is putting her views across that would alienate a lot of people - she comes over as being bombastic. That almost invariably loses a debate. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

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The Commentator | Jul 31, 2012, 05:01 PM EDT

What an embarrassment for the USA to have another buffoon for a president. If that disaster occurs, at least there was an interval with Obama - a voice of reason. Limerick by actress Jessica Hynes ‘There was an old man named Mitt, who said our Olympics were s***. He wanted attention for his upcoming election but ended up looking a twit.’ At least comedians will be hoping for "Mitt the Twitt" to become president. They miss George W Bush who provided and endless supply of material for their acts.

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The Commentator | Jul 31, 2012, 12:51 PM EDT

I believe "Mitt the Twitt" is a George W Bush rerun. His remarks remind me of the many ill informed statements that George W Bush made. His arrogant demeanour and subtle racist remarks demonstrate his early upbringing in the Mormon faith where a policy of excluding most people of black African descent (regardless of actual skin color) from Priesthood ordination and from participation in temple ceremonies is deep rooted and has not matured intellectually to reject the misguided beliefs of a small segment of society. Romney's intention to cancel "Obamacare" which is a benefit to the poor and underprivileged, many of whom are non-white is a further indication of his prejudice. His stance against abortion assistance even for rape and incest victims is another clear message that if you are poor, too bad, so sad. If you are wealthy, abortion counselling is readily available because the rich can pay. Romney's refusal to reveal his income tax returns further suggest a possibility that he has been involved in illegal financial activities or at least has been hiding money in off shore accounts. Hopefully all non rich citizens of the USA will vote for Obama. Just Saying !!!

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sparklemagic | Jul 31, 2012, 09:27 AM EDT

I don't find anything bombastic in the claims that KatieMurphy is making, they're all public record. But this is a thread about how Mitt Romeny's tour showed he was in over his head, isn't it?

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EamonnDublin | Jul 31, 2012, 08:19 AM EDT

"KatieMurphy" - When I was 9 years of age, my English teacher in Dublin (Brother Egan - "Barber", to those who remember him, a fine teacher) told me that a particular essay I had written would find more readers in favour of my argument if I used less bombast and more gentle persuasion. Sixty years later, I can say that his advice, when used by me, has always worked to my advantage. Sadly, it is very obvious that you either did not receive, or did not heed, the same advice. You should try it sometime. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

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EamonnDublin | Jul 30, 2012, 03:05 PM EDT

"Realist" - Could you please tell me where in my post I blamed England for Ireland's economic position? Also, I think I might have erred in considering you to be British - are you by any chance an Orange Bigot? Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

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EamonnDublin | Jul 30, 2012, 02:50 PM EDT

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eiriamach | Jul 30, 2012, 12:13 PM EDT

Yeah, I was just thinking it had been too long since IC had a fierce jolt of anti-Semitic, anti-Israeli crassness, and along comes wizardofoz to entertain us with his never-weary Worldwide Jewish Conspiracy theory: "parasitic bloodsucking mob of circumcised malefactors? But, OH…. Never criticize Israel if you want a clear run for president of the Jewish controlled USA. These guys have your gonads in their filthy hands." Will these racist diatribes wind down after the election, I wonder, or are they here to stay as the new standard in American "political" discourse?

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wizardofoz | Jul 30, 2012, 09:43 AM EDT

Excuse me if I am wrong but wasn’t “Mitt the Twitt” just a short while ago in Israel, the greatest terrorist criminal state on earth swearing his un-dying love for this parasitic bloodsucking mob of circumcised malefactors? But, OH….Never criticize Israel if you want a clear run for president of the Jewish controlled USA. These guys have your gonads in their filthy hands and will squeeze when they feel the need. And like lambs to the slaughter, you lot will acquiesce every time. Fools!!!!

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pilib04 | Jul 29, 2012, 09:04 PM EDT

actually cranleigh, dubya and obama have a lot in common in that regard. they were both picked as the candidate who the public would like to sit next to on a long plane flight or have a beer with. dubya had interpersonal skills, something quite lacking in the starch romney.

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seanomelb | Jul 29, 2012, 07:31 PM EDT

Oh Eamonn!! we are are back to the "Muslim under every bed" position.I have better positions in bed and there's nor a red or a Muslim in sight (thank God) whoever he or she is LOL. Maybe you should re-phrase to the following "We bought $7billion Euros from the Brits and paid a nice interest rate" of course it was in Britain's interest to sell us the money as we are one of their biggest trading partners.Don't worry about Realist he is bitter and twisted.

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SherryKay | Jul 29, 2012, 04:38 PM EDT

So,actually that picture of Ann Romney fancy dressage horse strapped to the jet is certainly going to remind voters of the time Mittens Romney tied his poor dog Seamus on top of his car and went on a vacation... That one set every dog lover in the world into a frenzy against Romney for it... Maybe Mitt would have been better off had he strapped in airhead peroxide blonde wife Ann Romney on top of airplane this time. Frankly I seriously doubt there is anyone on earth as dense as both Willard & Ann Romney.

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Cranleigh | Jul 29, 2012, 12:17 PM EDT

Popel have likened Romney to Bush but Dubya was actually far better at this sort of stuff. He mightn't always have been grammatical, or even comprehensible, but he knew when to keep his mouth shut and how to chat to people in diners. These talents helped him win, sadly. When it came to small talk we found out just how utterly clueless Kerry was. I'm seeing more Kerry in Romney than Bush.

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Cranleigh | Jul 29, 2012, 11:49 AM EDT

'England is just a small island.' What sort of anglophile thinks England is an island? It's like saying California is a small continent. Embarrassing. Romney has most of the ingredients for a good candidate but they weren't mixed in the right order. He has a tin ear and no sense of how to chat to people. The way he stands rigidly and smiles at colleagues as they are talking is unnerving.

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