Romney rebuked by London mayor, British PM after Olympics criticism

"I thought he was absolutely right, wasn't he? I mean, it's no secret over here that for the last three weeks the security around the Olympics has been a shambles. I thought he was perfectly entitled to be critical. Clearly he had to slightly change his rhetoric after the Brits pointed out, 'Hang on a second, old boy. You know, you gotta talk us up a bit.' But I thought it was a bit of a fuss about nothing. They have had some issues here, especially about security, and he was just speaking the truth, which sometimes can be rather unpalatable." - Piers Morgan

When they were announcing all the countries during the opening ceremonies Mitt was like, "Got a bank account there, got one there, two bank accounts there..."

( Jimmy Fallon )

Love the headline from the The Sun, a Murdock paper as is Fox News; "Mitt the Twit".

Mittens achieves the impossible, creates a bigger divide between the "special relationship" than Obama wot a plonker

You mean Americans get tired of being corrected and informed about what's right. I don't see them getting tired of any praise. That's not a statement of anything good, but pointing out an inability to be objective.

That's just about what I said. American's aren't objective, they love praise, and they hate anything even resembling criticism. If you want an American to do something you tell them they can't, that they're wrong, or that it's bad for them and they'll do it with pride just to show you that you're wrong, even if it hurts them.

But let me guess... you think I'm wrong, don't care, and feel stronger about your opinion for the sake of what I said?

Pin a flag to your chest and mention terrorists a few times and we might make a political machine out of you yet.

Smart politicians are not denounced by nations that are not the 'enemy', period.

Maybe smart was the wrong word, I probably should have said 'the ones that win'. And I really should extend 'international' to 'any'. US politicians tend to define themselves not by what they stand 'for' but what and who they stand 'against'.

With all the downvotes I get these days I'm starting to get the vibe that people think I actually like Romney. If that's the case I really need to up my cynicism about US politics.

TheQuestion: "Smart US politicians wear international denouncements like badges of honor..."

Smart politicians are not denounced by nations that are not the 'enemy', period. They are not 'smart' if they are thus denounced so easily, and for good reason.

TheQuestion: " American voters get really tired of the international community and having a British politician say that a US state..."

You mean Americans get tired of being corrected and informed about what's right. I don't see them getting tired of any praise. That's not a statement of anything good, but pointing out an inability to be objective. But let me guess... you think I'm wrong, don't care, and feel stronger about your opinion for the sake of what I said? :)

Romney can make all the odd comments he wants overseas, it really doesn't matter. If he can get some foreign politicians to insult him along the way it might actually help him. American voters get really tired of the international community and having a British politician say that a US state, any US state, is the middle of nowhere it riles up a lot of people.

Smart US politicians wear international denouncements like badges of honor while acolades are often ugly smudges. I'm actually suprised that the Romney campaign hasn't used Chavez's positive comments on Obama against him. Nothing looks worse on your record than when your praised by a guy that has spent most of his political career hating the US.

Serrano: "At the opening ceremonies Romney is going to drop his tax returns into the torch."

From the taxes he's not paying through the offshore accounts or that taxes he's paying less than the middle class on back home thanks to corporation cuts?

Anyway, have you guys read about how many times and how badly Romney is trying to back-pedal on his comments? It's absolutely hilarious! And the British papers are having a field day with it -- and very easily, I might add.

This guy redefines 'moron'.

At the opening ceremonies Romney is going to drop his tax returns into the torch.

"I can't see Obama losing this"

Obama is just barely ahead in the polls. My question is why doesn't he have a huge, insurmountable lead? Isn't he a great president?

At least we can now have another piece of Cockney rhyming slang — "Visiting politicians shouldn't speak such Romney" or "After that meal, I need a good Romney".

Must be hard being a Republican. I can't see Obama losing this.

romney what a dumbkoff!! Haha

What he said is true but not PC of course

Romney might have smelt fishy regarding the Britain's capability as compared to Chinese so Romney is beating drum. This is international show; British would try to cheat the international guests and international viewer throughout the planet. That is their character.

Concerns on the security fiasco are warranted in all fairness, I just don't think Mitt, as a visitor, should have been making the comments publicly. That "leader" moment with Milliband was particularly wooden, two unelectable men together making strained chit-chat.

the brits dissed vancouver all the time when theyhad the olympics so the have to take some crap back. having said that Romney is some fool

Romney is a dick, pure and simple. Whether he was right or wrong in what he said matters not a jot. You don't go to another country and start chucking out comments like that!

I mean, would foreigners in Japan start insulting Japan and the Japanese? Ah... silly question.

Bugger off Romney.

William's 'don't drop it' sidesplitter shows how he hasn't inherited his grandfather's colourful worldview. I dread to think what that senile old bigot would have said to someone of Chinese ethnicity.

@ Jimizo: I guess you didn't catch Mitt's snappy comeback to NBC's Bryan Williams on his choice for a running mate. Mitt pretty much shut him down (in a nice way) and I am sure that he will no longer be allowed on NBC for making their star reporter look like a jerk. Google it to see the video.

@Alphaape Mitt's a good businessman. Maybe he can start flogging protective underpants to punters at the Olympics. I know I wouldn't be worried about security issues if I had a pair of House of Mitt blessed briefs.

Magic underpants on too tight Mitt? Why do they call him Mitt. His registered name is Willard, ummphh, giggling to myself.

@ spudman: Wow, Romney talks about what has been presented in the press about security concerns, and you find that as an open season to attack his religious beliefs (which by the way not all of them wear). Yet, you want us to believe that Romney is the one who has no common sense.

The British press have run continuous stories about failures in the security contract, failures in immigration screening, threats of transit strikes during the games, unnecessarily long queues to pick up tickets, etc.

Don't forget, the case where the runner with the Olympic flame was ambushed by a man yelling "Allah Akbar" while running her route. This guy seems to have made it through the security and got right next to the runner. But, I guess the security is all in place and no need to comment on it.

William's 'don't drop it' sidesplitter shows how he hasn't inherited his grandfather's colourful worldview. I dread to think what that senile old bigot would have said to someone of Chinese ethnicity.

Kinda fool we need for the next President of the United States. Where do we find these people anyways?

The British press have run continuous stories about failures in the security contract, failures in immigration screening, threats of transit strikes during the games, unnecessarily long queues to pick up tickets, etc. Then when someone actually has the temerity to base comments on their articles, the British press go nuts. They are the losers. But Romney's comments are still better than Obama's when he commented on the renewed friction between Great Britain and Argentina on the Falkland Islands. In a bizarre break from U.S. policy, Obama sided with Argentina by referring to the islands by their Spanish name, However, instead of calling them the Malvinas he declared Argentina's right to the Maldives.

Magic underpants on too tight Mitt? Why do they call him Mitt. His registered name is Willard, ummphh, giggling to myself.

Mr. Romney has to backtrack so ofter he should be on wheels. "Buffoon" is good, but I prefer nincompoop.

Obama usually goes out of his way to try and understand and ollow the practices of many nations -- remember when he bowed to the emperor of Japan and you guys had a hissie fit?

@ smithinjapan: Or like the brillant time that he gave the Queen an Ipod with his favorite music playlist. That was one classy move.

Such a imcompetent staff. London Olympics can't even tell which flag to display alongside the players' names. North Korea's women's soccer team refused to take the field for its first Olympics match after they saw the flag of South Korea displayed alongside the players' names on the scoreboard Glasgow, Scotland.

Excellent point! I hope that nothing bad does happen, but already the London Olympic committee by making this gaff have proved a small point. Also, it was reported in the US press that there will not be a tribute to the 1972 Terrorist attacks at the Munich games. If things are so under control, I don't see why they can't do a tribute. Could they be afraid of what may happen if they did?

Apparently, the scandalous remarks that Romney made and that sent so many commentators here ballistic are:

"It's hard to know just how well it will turn out. There are a few things that were disconcerting: the stories about the private security firm not having enough people, supposed strike of the immigration and customs officials, that obviously is not something which is encouraging."

Frankly, I don´t see the beef. That is a pretty factual, and low-key statement. And speaking as a previous chief organizer of Olympics in Salt Lake city, he certainly has some reason to comment.

Talk about perspective.

WilliB: "...except when Obama does it, then it is A-OK apparently."

For example? On the contrary, Obama usually goes out of his way to try and understand and ollow the practices of many nations -- remember when he bowed to the emperor of Japan and you guys had a hissie fit?

"Well, apparently they were not ready to even get the right flag out for the Korean soccer game. I hope they are better ready for more serious issues."

While a serious mistake and embarrassing, it was in no way threatening to anyone and not a security issue. You act as though mistakes have never been made at international events -- nice try at deflecting, though.

I hear there s a guy called Mitt Romney who wants to know whether we re ready. Are we ready? The crowd roared 'yes' "

Well, apparently they were not ready to even get the right flag out for the Korean soccer game. I hope they are better ready for more serious issues.

The "disconcerting reports" that Romney mentioned are certainly there, he was simply stating a fact.

StradV:

" Not wise to insult your hosts. Very embarassing. "

...except when Obama does it, then it is A-OK apparently.

In the event, Romneys remarks where factual, and Cameron should knock wood that nothing goes wrong, e.g. that Iran sponsored terrorists don´t manage to get to the Israeli team.

davestrousers: "If he's right, he gets to say I told you so."

And if he's not right? he gets to run home with his tail between his legs where he can deflect or pretend he never said what he said -- or fob it off on his wife. Ironically, this is the kind of moronic statement that actually solidifies his character in the minds of some right wingers, so it may help him at home.

Is this really a gaffe? He only said what a lot of people were thinking, I mean it doesn't look good if half of the security personnel don't turn up and the army has to be brought in.

So he gets to look like he tells it like it is, even when on foreign soil. If he's right, he gets to say I told you so. Cameron and Johnson get to rebuke it and look like they're the kind of guys who can stand up to a possible future president. Everyone's a winner.

"Although Romney backtracked later..."

When isn't he backtracking after his gaffes?

What a loser...

The GOP's 'Borat' is just a melodramatic whinging 2 faced wanker wanting to get and or stay in the headlines! He has no relevance in Britain's Olympic games

Oh, Romney...

This is what happens when a conservative thinks, "We're the greatest country in the world, and everyone else just sucks".

Romney also said he'd had a great time looking out of the backside of Downing Street.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-news-blog/2012/jul/26/mitt-romney-britain-gaffes?CMP=twt_gu

The man's a buffoon.

“Of course it’s easier if you hold an Olympic Games in the middle of nowhere.”

Now that's a sarcastic comment that SLC didn't need at all. Mormons may thank Romney for this so-British response.

I guess ¨we are only humans¨ comment will not fit an US president hopeful... lol

I was all ready to make a snarky quip about the Salt Lake Scandal Olympics, but it turns out Mittney took over after the bribery was uncovered,...

I suppose his comment here could have been taken out of context and been overblown as well.

That said, being careful with your words is part of being diplomatic, eh? And it's good to be diplomatic with allies, at least in public.

Romney is Sarah Palin 2012 edition. LOL.

Why can't more conservative politicians be funny like BoJo?

Mitt's such a dummy..... Poor fellow just can't see it himself!

LOL. You don't know Boris Johnson, do you? It's a case of Dumb and Dumberer.

Such a imcompetent staff. London Olympics can't even tell which flag to display alongside the players' names. North Korea's women's soccer team refused to take the field for its first Olympics match after they saw the flag of South Korea displayed alongside the players' names on the scoreboard Glasgow, Scotland. How could they make this dumb mistake in Olympics?

Can't believe Romney did this huge gaffe. Well, it seems he is taking lessons from Bush Jr, personally. What is next? He shouting "Allah!!!!" when disembarking in Israel? LOLOL.

Not wise to insult your hosts. Very embarassing.

Shift the blame, as per usual:

Romney told NBC News on Wednesday that "the stories about the private security firm not having enough people, the supposed strike of the immigration and customs officials-that obviously is not something which is encouraging"

It isn't.

Neither is using Afghanistan-stationed troops for security posts, that should've been covered by the security firm contracted.

http://www.capebretonpost.com/Sports/2012-07-24/article-3038105/British-govt-deploys-1,200-more-troops-to-protect-Olympic-venues-at-London-games/1

Addressing a crowd of 60,000 gathered in London's Hyde Park for a pre-Olympics concert, Mayor Johnson said: "There are some people who are coming from around the world who don't yet know about all the preparations we've done to get London ready in the last seven years.

Hopefully, Mayor, they won't need to.

On with the show...

Mitt's such a dummy..... Poor fellow just can't see it himself!

Mitt's first stop and he sure is burnishing his international credentials. On to Israel !